FreeStyle Libre basics

Living with diabetes on your terms is about to begin. Here, you'll discover just how easy FreeStyle Libre system is to apply, activate, and use2,4.
An illustration of a man pointing at three icons on a phone. In front of the phone is a FreeStyle Libre reader and sensor.

What you need to know.

Applying your new sensor is a lot easier than you might think – and it doesn’t require 
painful finger pricks10. So, why wait another moment? Let’s get started. 

To begin, select an area on the back of your upper arm and follow these steps:

An illustration of a woman with the back of her arms circled to show where a FreeStyle Libre sensor would be applied.
Step 1

Select site on back of upper arm.

 An illustration of a woman washing her arm.
Step 2

Wash site using plain soap and water, then towel dry.

An illustration of a woman cleaning her arm with an alcohol wipe.
Step 3

Clean the area with an alcohol wipe and air dry.

Once you’ve prepared the back of your upper arm,
apply the sensor using the applicator.

An illustration of a woman placing a FreeStyle Libre sensor on the back of her upper arm.
Step 1

Place the sensor applicator over the prepared site and push down firmly.

An illustration of a woman applying a FreeStyle Libre sensor on the back of her upper arm.
Step 2

The sensor should now be attached to your skin.

An illustration of a woman securing her FreeStyle Libre sensor to her arm by pressing down gently with her fingers on the edge.
Step 3

Secure by pressing down gently with your finger around the edge.

Once your sensor is applied, you need to pair it with your FreeStyle LibreLink app12

An illustration of someone pressing the Scan New Sensor icon on their phone.
Step 1

Press “Scan New Sensor” on your app12.

An illustration of a woman scanning her FreeStyle Libre on her arm with her phone.
Step 2

Hold your device near the sensor and slowly scan it.

An illustration of a woman’s phone beeping as it scans her FreeStyle Libre sensor.
Step 3

You will hear a beep or feel a vibration upon activation.

A yellow butterfly and text below it indicating that the FreeStyle Libre can be used after 60 minutes.
Step 4

The sensor can be used to check your sugar after 

60 minutes. 

Your device will alert you when it’s time to replace your sensor. To remove it:

An illustration of a woman removing the adhesive edge from her FreeStyle Libre sensor.
Step 1

Pull up the adhesive edge, then slowly peel it off the skin.

An illustration of a woman using moisturizer to remove her FreeStyle sensor.
Step 2

A soft moisturizer can make it easier to remove.

An illustration of a woman with a new FreeStyle Libre sensor attached to her arm.
Step 3

Discard the used sensor and apply the new one as you did before.

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A woman wearing a Freestyle Libre sensor balancing on an exercise ball while smiling broadly.

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