Version Updates

• Loop Updates
• Trio Updates
• Customization Script Updates
• iOS/Apple Updates
• Create a Back-up Before a Major iOS Update
• Mac-Xcode Build Updates

Loop Updates

WARNING: If you are running dev for any reason and are not a developer or serious tester: change to main immediately. Really big changes are expected to appear in the dev branch with no warning. All improvements previously in dev are included in Loop 3.4.4.   

• Mac-Xcode builders – use the Build Select Script to build main       
  
• Browser Builders – set your default branch to main and build main
• If you need help, please ask on Facebook or Zulip

Loop Recent Release History

Loop 3.4.x:

• Loop 3.4.4 was released on 12-October-2024, see details here.
  • Fixes the expiration date for GitHub build actions and for Mac-Xcode builds
  • Loop 3.4.4 was initially released on 9-October, but inadvertently removed the improvements from v3.4.3.  If you built Loop 3.4.4 between 9-October and 12-October, be sure to update to the latest version
• Loop 3.4.3 was released on 6-October-2024, see details here.
  • Minor update with bug fixes and some capability extensions, but TestFlight expiration not included
• Loop 3.4.2 was released on 5-October-2024 and quickly superseded by 3.4.3 and then 3.4.4, see details here.
  • Patch to fix errors with the expiration date for the Mac-Xcode build method for Xcode 16
  • Later discovered the modification that fixed Mac builds removed the TestFlight expiration date
    
    • This was repaired in Loop 3.4.4 (please build again if using Browser Build and are on 3.4.2 or 3.4.3)
• Loop 3.4.1 released 19-July-2024. This version fixed an issue with the Browser Build, see details here
• Loop 3.4.0 released 13-July-2024. This version includes many new features. Please refer to notes on this page.

Loop with Patches is no longer supported

• Use Customization Select Script in association with either released Loop (main branch) or development version (dev branch).

Trio Updates

If you need help, please ask on Facebook or discord.

Trio Release History

Trio 0.2.1:

• Trio 0.2.1 was released on 29-September-2024, see details here.
• Hotfix to update Gemfile.lock for Fastlane 2.223.1.
• Impacts Browser Builders only.

Trio 0.2.0:

• Trio 0.2.0 was released on 17-August-2024, see details here.
• Open-Source for Transparency: Trio is fully open-source, including Oref, the algorithm behind Trio’s predictions and dosing decisions.
• Improved Settings & Safety Guardrails:  Default settings are improved to promote safe and effective guardrails.
• Major Bug Fixes: A host of critical and non-critical bugs have been squashed.
• Seamless Integrations: LoopKit Submodules are integrated to harmonize Pumps, CGMs, and reporting services with the Loop app. Plus, enjoy Tidepool integration, improved Nightscout integration, and Dexcom One+ support.
• Live Activities: Glucose, delta, and trend data are displayed on your iPhone lock screen and Dynamic Island.
• Community-Driven & Peer-Reviewed: Every update has been peer-reviewed and tested by the Trio developer community. It has undergone additional beta testing to identify and correct critical issues.

Customization Script Updates

With the release of Loop 3.4 on 13-July 2024, the customizations available in the Customization Script have been streamlined.  Some customizations were removed due to their inclusion in Loop 3.4, and others due to incompatability with Loop 3.4.  

To get the latest version:

• Browser Build: You’ll need to perform some one-time actions to transition from Loop 3.2.x to Loop 3.4.x.  Then, add your choices for Customization in the build_loop.yml file, and run the Action/Build Loop again.
  • If updates to the build_loop.yml file are required, the customization that needs an update is found in parentheses and quotes below, for example (“name”)
• Mac-Xcode Build: run the Customization Select Script again to be offered the updates.

iOS / Apple Updates

What are the latest “tested” versions?

The Version of macOS and Xcode that you need are based on your phone’s iOS.  These Versions have been tested to operate and build Loop-main, Loop-dev, LoopFollow, LoopCaregiver, and Trio.  This table includes the latest tested versions of iOS, along with the compatible minimum Xcode and macOS versions.

Your iOS version determines your minimum Xcode version and your Xcode version determines your minimum macOS version. Xcode is backwards compatible. For example, if you’re on iOS 16.7.x, you can use either Xcode 14.3.x or Xcode 15. If your versions are not listed here, check out: https://developer.apple.com/support/xcode.

Your phone hardware determines the maximum iOS supported. Loop runs on iOS 15, iOS 16 and iOS 17. Loop developers try to support one version of iOS behind the latest. It is unusual that three iOS are supported by Loop, so you should be on the lookout for an upgrade because it’s unusual for Loop’s developers to continue to maintain functionality for iOS that is 2 versions behind. Note:  LoopCaregiver requires iOS 16 on the caregiver’s phone.

Note: When we refer to a version and include “x” in its name, we’re referring to any release of that version of iOS, macOS, or Xcode.  When we describe specific versions, as in the case below for the specific versions of Xcode that will build to an iOS 15.7 device, we mean those very specific versions.

 Updating from iOS 17.x to 18.x

When it’s time to update your iOS, your very FIRST STEP is to back-up your phone before undertaking a major iOS release so that you can revert back to your earlier version of iOS if needed.

Mac Users

Plug the iPhone into your Mac.
Open a new Finder window (choose File > New Finder Window, or press Command-N).
In the sidebar at left, select your iPhone under Locations.
If you want to encrypt the data, click the Encrypt local backup checkbox and set a password.
In the General tab, click Back Up Now.
Click Manage Backups.
Right-click (or Control-click) the backup you made and choose Archive

PC-USers

Open iTunes
Plug the iPhone into your Windows computer.
In iTunes, click the iPhone button at the top left.
Click Summary.
If you want to encrypt the data, click the Encrypt local backup option and set a password.
Click Back Up Now.
Click Manage Backups.
Right-click the backup you made and choose Archive to protect the backup from being overwritten by the next local backup or automatically deleted if the computer is low on space.

Your SECOND STEP is to choose a time when you can be loopless for up to 45 minutes.

A major iOS update might take 45 minutes to complete – don’t panic, plan ahead and be patient. In other words, don’t do the update right before you need to bolus for a meal.  The update involves the following automated steps:

1. Automatic reboot of phone when updating
2. Indexing process that happens (by Apple) with the transition from iOS 17 to 18
3. Apple Health and Loop will not open until this indexing completes

Do I need to rebuild before I update my phone iOS?

Be prepared to rebuild whenever you update your phone iOS – especially for major updates. Whether you need to rebuild first depends upon which iOS you are upgrading from and your build method:

• For Mac-Xcode build method, update your macOS and Xcode before you update your phone iOS
• If your Mac can’t update to macOS 14.5 or higher, use the Browser Build method

Mac-Xcode Builders Only

Should I update to iOS17.0 or higher?

Yes!  You should update.  iOS 17 is recommended.

Your Mac must be capable of running macOS 13.5 Ventura or greater.

How to build Loop to an iOS 17.0 or higher phone

1. Update your macOS to Ventura 13.5 or greater
2. Download Xcode 15.0 or greater
3. Use the Build Select Script to download fresh Loop code and rebuild

Developer Mode

This has gotten more complicated recently. Please refer to the LoopDocs write-up on Developer Mode.

iOS 15.8

If you have an iPhone 6s, 7, or 1st generation SE, iOS 15.8 is all that shows up as available.  Apple has announced they will not support those phones with iOS 16.  You can still build Loop with iOS 15.8 and those phones, but you should be on the lookout for an upgrade because it’s unusual for Loop’s developers to continue to maintain functionality for iOS that is 2 versions behind.

What about older versions of iOS?

To see what version of macOS and Xcode will work with your older iOS, check out LoopDocs.

Turn off auto-update

Do not set your Loop phone to auto-update the iOS version when using Mac-Xcode build. 

In iPhone Settings, go to General / Software Update / Automatic Updates.

1. Turn on “Automatic Downloads”
2. Turn off “Automatic Updates”

Once you upgrade the iOS, it can be very difficult (sometimes impossible) to downgrade.

It’s a good idea to do the same on your computer.  Both the operating system and Xcode should have auto-update turned off. But please, update as soon as the all-clear is sounded.  Updates can provide very important security fixes as well as nifty new features.

More Information

You should always be in a position to build Loop, if necessary. The best practice is to upgrade your build computer (Mac) before upgrading the iOS on your iPhone.  Of course, that’s your choice.

Bookmark this page!  {DO THIS NOW!} Come back when you have a version question in the future.

This page will be kept up-to-date as new versions are released.  You can also sign up for the newsletter, but new version updates may not always be included in the newsletter.  This page is your best “one-stop shop” to answer general questions about versions and compatability.