NOVID Reviews

by Ehdonhon

Have been around lots of people the entire Memorial Day weekend and it did not register a single contact. The only way NOVID works is if everyone uses it and that’s just not going to happen. Also most of the usefulness is only realized if you leave NOVID open in the foreground all the time and that just isn’t practical.
It’s a nice idea and I wish it would work. Unfortunately it won’t.

by Ghutchis

I think the concept and design of NOVID are great.

Right now, my testing shows it’s unreliable at best. I can only get contacts if both phones are running NOVID in the foreground all the time.

My family has tested extensively over the last week and even if the phones are next to each other for an hour, there’s no contact unless NOVID is running.

The developers don’t seem willing / able to integrate the new contact tracing API.

I’d love to see NOVID succeed, since I think the sound beacons are a good idea. But right now, it doesn’t work as most people would expect. No background processing, and no use of the new tracing APIs

by Theliteralvoid123

Despite holding NOVID next to another phone with NOVID for several minutes, my app and the other user’s app failed to recognize our interaction at all. Both of our settings were correct for NOVID and neither phone was in battery saver mode. I really like the concept and I want to see NOVID succeed, but how can it accurately stop the spread if it can’t track basic interactions?

by WorkingMacs

Requires too much conscious effort on the user’s part. You have to remember to open it and keep it running. To lock the screen securely you have to go through the accessibility features and then triple click whenever you want to lock your phone. It would be a great app if I didn’t want to use my phone for anything else. I wish the developers would just collaborate with Apple and Google if their approach is better than the ones that have already been adopted in the development of the exposure notification API.

by Morgan9363

It’s a good app design and some people seem to be having success with it. I know that before NOVID had to be open to work on iOS, and now the new wifi background mode seemed promising. However, my roommates and I all have NOVID. We tested it both ways, with NOVID open and in background mode, none of us got a new connection. I have had NOVID for around 4-5 months, and live in a decent sized college town. I have never got even 1 connection. I even have kept it open in public, like it recommends. I keep it, because I think it’s important. However, I am not sure it actually works..

by Pinterest Needs Updating!

I like the interface, it’s very simple and effective. Would like to know useful it is though as can see only 100+ downloads so not really going to get information unless widely adopted?

by Travlin Hoosier

Apple and Google cooperated (!) to create the capability to do what this does, maybe not as well but as people get apps that use that capability They will All interact. This doesn’t use that capability, it creates a similar (possibly better) method. Unless NOVID dominates the market it likely won’t protect us as well as those do because so many more of them will be in use. I don’t know whether one could use both kinds at once.

by Pandchen

I love NOVID ! However I wish it had less impact on the battery though. I have 7plus, 13.3.1 and it goes from 100 to 30 in half a day with moderate use during the day. As I was writing the review got down from 27 to 19. I will continue using NOVID because contact tracing is more important then how many time I need to change my phone but it’s very annoying.

by Sank-the-tank

I wasn’t aware and it wasn’t clear that iOS users need to use standby mode instead of locking iPhone. So... yeah. Make it easy. I don’t read directions. I appreciate NOVID and think it is a great idea and has great initiative to be more open to working together for common objectives.

by HealthcareITGuy

Extremely well done app, concept is brilliant, just install, give app access and forget! When out and about, open app and enter Standby Mode!

by Danjbolus

Literally a life saver. I absolutely love NOVID. Will be using it especially as we start opening up business here in the United States.

by ShehzanM

I downloaded this app and it is simply LEGENDARY. NOVID is fully anonymous it doesn’t even store personal information which is very unique for a contact tracing app. Plus because they use Bluetooth and ultrasound they are able to be more precise and give me the best insights I need to take proper precautions. This can and will make contact tracing more precise and ease the healthcare system. I feel so safe knowing people like the team at this app are out there building things to make the world a safer place

by Masterdevfrom

Very good idea.
But usability- not sure how close we should get near the contracted subject to get an alert.
And to find the true negative patients.
All in all good innovation at this time of crisis.

by Lior Zweig

this app is the safest way we can return to “normalcy.” I like that it’s completely anonymous while being the most precise app on the market.

by Dk Herring

NOVID offers unmatched tech in a market saturated with other contact tracing initiatives that have yet to actually demonstrate their utility. Whereas, the homepage of NOVID clearly indicates your interaction log.

this app puts control of my health and safety in my own hands!

by Ke11ymb

NOVID has impeccable accuracy and continues to successfully pick up exposures when I am out and about. It has a great design that is very intuitive and easy to navigate!

by Mtvc7

Beautiful interface, great functionality. Incredible team of geniuses behind NOVID and they’ve figured out a way to use cutting edge ultrasound technology to do contact tracing — so now we get awesome contact tracing without any location data privacy concerns!

by Ellie53113

NOVID is well made and very clear about its purpose and how it works. Plus, it’s the most accurate method of contact tracing out there, so I am excited to be able to use this on the times I have to make errand runs. It’s that extra bit of security I need when leaving the house these days.

by Anb546

This is a revolutionary app because it’s the only preexposure notification app. NOVID itself is well laid out and easy to use and understand. The only problem is that not enough people know about NOVID or have downloaded it. It is an amazing idea but needs more downloads to be effective. PLEASE DOWNLOAD NOVID AND TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW TO DO THE SAME!! (There is an easy way to share NOVID in the settings)

by Mae3457

This application has helped me visualize the amount of interactions I have to better myself in terms of social distancing. It’s incredible how reliable it is and I appreciate the expense that the application prioritizes anonymity.

by Rahul Mukherji

Love the interface and functionality. Feel safer already.

by Astrocat435

Keep up the good work to keep us safe from the virus!!!

by USSR 4

I love it. Protects me and my loved ones, while keeping us safe from prying eyes! Thank you!!

by Morgimor

Very easy to use and extremely helpful!! Very straightforward and one of the best COVID apps on NOVID Store.

by 🦾😷

Idk if it works because I haven’t left my house in weeks but very increddible thank u

by Apet5548

NOVID is incredibly user friendly and thoughtfully designed. With the adequate user base it’ll be a game changer!

by CutiePtarmigan

Great design and user experience! I tested NOVID with another person's in my household and it immediately registered an encounter. I've yet to venture outside wl this, but will definitely keep it open when I do so. Btw, if you're interested in learning about the background work, listen to Prof. Loh's helpful info. sessions on Facebook.

by Knnychn

Having seen a lot of other contact tracing apps with gaping issues in data privacy, user experience, business model/incentives, and overall viability, I find this app to be the most promising option available, for several reasons:
1. Brilliant use of network theory mathematics allows this app to work with true user anonymity. As you’ll see in NOVID , no data inputs or invasive permissions are required.
2. Use of bluetooth in conjunction with ultrasound (via non-recorded high-freq mic audio) makes for much better accuracy, without requiring GPS (which effectively de-anonymizes users).
3. The founder, Po-Shen Loh, has the smarts, skills, and values to build this in the right way. Just look at his online videos, and you’ll find him to be consummately trustworthy, if not deeply inspiring.
4. This is a not-for-profit effort funded in part by Dr. Loh’s social enterprise education startup, Expii, with additional philanthropic support. Their cause is altruistic, and they don’t have any pressure to build a business model that profits off user data.
5. NOVID is polished, well-designed and very usable. They’ve clearly invested a lot in ensuring that the user experience is simple and intuitive for people of all ages and levels of technical fluency. It took me less than 30 seconds to get set up.
6. this app will perform better with scale, and its methods can be generalized to other use cases. There’s a ton of potential for added functionality, while preserving user anonymity and privacy.

I am writing this as an independent reviewer with no direct affiliation with this app - I’ve just been incredibly impressed and inspired by this unique and impactful solution, and I want to encourage others to try it out and spread the word too.

- K.C.