NAVICA Reviews

by Amberh11649502649362

I hate NAVICA so much. They really need to do something about not being able to lock your phone or leave NAVICA while the timer is going, and that you have to log back into NAVICA EVERY time. You cannot leave NAVICA and come back to it without having to log in again.

The first time I did a test I exited NAVICA when the timer was going (my fault for not seeing that in the directions). It automatically marks a test as used as soon as you scan it so if you exit NAVICA at all before the timer is done, you can’t enter the results. Since then I haven’t had any issues, but it’s been annoying. Today I did a test and left the timer running as usual, but my phone locked as soon as the timer went off so when I unlocked my phone again I had to sign back into NAVICA . When you log into NAVICA it starts you all over so I couldn’t enter the test results. All that sitting and waiting not exiting NAVICA and I still can’t enter my results.

For God’s sake make it so you can go in and enter your results even if you exit NAVICA or your phone locks before you enter them. It shouldn’t automatically mark the test as used to the point that you can’t enter results just because you lock it or exit NAVICA for a moment. And please make it so you don’t have to log in every single time you open NAVICA ! You have to hover over your phone nonstop to use NAVICA correctly and it’s a huge pain.

by OmegaOption

Pay heed to the reviews about weaknesses in the EMed proctored testing process. The Abbott tests themselves work well - having used these for serial testing using the OTC self-test versions. The EMed proctoring apparatus is terrible. I logged in and started a test to initially encounter a wait time of 30 minutes, Despite a successful microphone/camera test (on iOS 14.5, safari 14.1.1) when the proctor jo9ined the session they could not hear or see me. They recommended reestablishing a session on Chrome via the chat feature. Attempted - to be notified that Chrome on iOS is not supported by EMed, and recommended that I use Safari. Re-establishes session on Safari meant I went back to the end of the wait line, at another estimated 36 minutes. I do not have time to wait around for hours on less than optimal international local wi-fi, or carry a full featured PC laptop, which Is what other reviewers are finding necessary to have a successful encounter with EMed. I will have to abandon this testing method.

by Alexia702

I am writing this review after trying to get two Covid tests done. 2.5 hours later and we have one result. My fiancé registered as “Zach” when his legal name is Zachary. We waited on hold for 20 minutes for someone to pick up and they told us they’d advise him to change it in NAVICA . He did, waited on hold for 20 more minutes, and the change didn’t go through. He tired again… still didn’t work after waiting on hold for 20 minutes. Then he ended up creating an entirely new account and it finally worked. That took him literally almost 2 hours because they make you make changes and wait on hold again. Then I tried mine and it was still apparently pulling up his name because I didn’t clear the catches on my internet browser. After waiting 35 minutes and being told I have to start all over I gave up. If they just let you spend ten seconds fixing an issue while on the phone it’ll save you a half hour or more of headache and waiting for someone to answer.

I’d suggest an estimated timer for wait time. Also to fix quick issues once you finally get a hold of someone. I could’ve driven to a clinic and gotten tested 10 times in the amount of time it took us to take one test.

by Andrew H. From Philly

If you follow all of the directions exactly as the proctor says, you may effectively and permanently VOID your test. I followed the directions to a T and after showing my drivers license on camera to the proctor who was clearly outsourced to India, which is not a problem UNLESS they can’t even understand basic English that is needed to communicate. It’s basically just a robot reading off pre-determined prompts. However, this is the issue I had. I showed my drivers license which has my middle name on it. But when I registered my name in NAVICA , it ONLY asks for first and last name with NO middle name field and NO warning text about changing the name until AFTER you do t. We the proctor TOLD me to change it even after I confirmed several times and guess what? It broke my test and now I need a new one. Do NOT make any mistakes with this test as there will be NO concessions and you will be left on your own. I promise. This is a terrible product with non-existent customer service and this comes from someone who is very tech savvy and in the customer service field. Avoid this company like the plague if you value your sanity.

by Kristinaruns262

I got this test from my child’s school with instructions to set up NAVICA after she was sent home from school with a cold. It seemed like it would be a quicker process than scheduling her an appointment to be tested. The annoyance of setting up an app that I would use once was not the worst thing, but the emed proctor is obviously outsourced from India, and that is fine if they could speak English clearly enough and were not speaking so fast. My daughter and I could barely understand her. Because of this I touched something on the test that made it unusable causing me to have to throw it away and still schedule her an appointment to be tested. Now my daughter has to be tested again, because I had already swabbed her nose. I am perfectly capable of reading instructions to give an at home test and I’m sure the school nurse is as well. Why someone that I doubt is a medical professional in a different country has been given the authority to guide people through these test is very unclear to me. Total waste of time and money for whoever had to purchase these tests and whoever is paying emed for this service.

by Brbarlow

I created my account using my phone on the company website. Worked pretty well! However, I made my purchase of covid tests for an upcoming international trip but am unable to login to NAVICA . I know the password is right and have tried numerous times for 2 days. I attempted the password reset yesterday (twice) but have not received a reset email (yes, I checked the junkmail). At this point you’re probably thinking I just didn’t know my password… so I went back to the website via my web browser and not NAVICA . I was already logged in there. Went to the change password feature which requires entering the old password and a new one. I copied the password I used in NAVICA and what do you know… it updated successfully. So the password and email were never wrong. Went back to NAVICA and tried my new password… didn’t work.

I just spent $165 on covid tests from you guys due to the fact I could do the tests via NAVICA in my phone. I have no intention of bringing my laptop on vacation since we’re backpacking but now I either have to do that or let the tests go to waste.

by Northernskier

I took a test last night and had a negative result so I could go to work today. At the gate I found out my results hadn’t shown up yet. Restarted/refreshed app. No results. Called customer service and the person could not get my name correct (which I spelled out slowly at least 5 times). They said (at least I think they said—their accent was so heavy it was very difficult to understand them) it would take 4 hours for them to figure it out. Eventually they hung up on me. I tried going through the test portal to see if they could figure it out, but the proctor said I needed to call customer service. This next person was actually confident, competent and apologetic, and easy to understand. They escalated my case but said it would still take a few hours. So I went to security office and took a new test. Same thing. No results in app. But I was able to verify with them that the new result was negative. Wasted an hour and was late to my desk because of this whole debacle. Take a photo of your test result as a backup in case this happens to you.

by NP And MD

I’m a nurse practitioner and my partner is a physician. We both used this product when traveling, thinking it would be easier/smarter than haphazardly looking for a place to test when abroad. WRONG! After downloading NAVICA and following the instructions, I got my results which were negative. There’s no instructions for how to verify the results. The developers need a step-by-step guide to walk you through the ENTIRE process, from opening the package, performing the test, and verifying the results so you can actually show them at an airport where the primary language isn’t English. I basically have a useless negative result now and have to throw away this test. When I called the help line, it’s closed because it’s 6am on Labor Day on the east coast of the U.S. Something like this needs 24-hour support to accommodate travelers who aren’t in the U.S. and who need to be able to use the product after hours. Save your time, money, and frustration and pay $30 extra to get tested at an airport before you come home. It’s not worth the aggravation.

by HB BDID H MG

It was an extremely annoying process to set up a whole account just to take a test that I couldn’t even complete. I had to enter things like my race, gender, and ethnicity and I’m not sure what importance that holds. How does that relate to a COVID test? Anyway I had to log in again on the website which just left me even more frustrated. Then I had to fill out another questionnaire, which I’m not sure how it related to the context but ok. When I was finally able to hop on a call with a proctor, they asked me for my name, birthday, and a form of ID. I provided all of these, but I ended up not being able to take the test because I didn’t enter my full name when I first made my account. However, when signing up on NAVICA , they didn’t clarify if I should’ve used my full government name or not. They just asked for a name in order to make the account. I never give my full name to sketchy unknown websites such as this one because it makes me uncomfortable. The proctor said I had to call again once I changed the name on my account to match the name that I gave her verbally (my government name). She wasn’t very nice about it, so it made me want to just give up on taking the test all together. I will be getting a test from my doctor instead. I definitely do not recommend this organization to anyone considering working with them.

by Jospkelly

NAVICA has potential, but several issues that I encountered resulted in my low rating. First issue — I was required to log in with my email address and password each time I opened NAVICA . It does not not have an option for remembering my credentials. In addition, the FaceID feature did not become functional in NAVICA until a few days before returning home from an international trip. Second Issue – NAVICA requires internet access in order to log in (i.e., verify your credentials). This means I was unable to log into NAVICA and also unable to open and view my COVID test results while I was at the Zurich airport (I had cellular service disabled on my phone, and the Zurich airport has an arcane, impossible-to-activate free wifi system). Other apps that I have used do not require a network connection in order for the user to view test results. Make sure you have access to the PDF rest results that Abbott emails you, otherwise you may find yourself unable to present your results when in an environment with little or no internet access.

UPDATE - the latest version (1.35) still requires an internet connection to view test results. My rating of a “2” still stands.

by Duckbilledplatypuss

If you are really tech savvy, extremely patient and the only one in your family going to use NAVICA then it might be right for you. It took my wife and I two and a half hours to complete the tests. There are no instructions included with the test product to explain what will be required. You have to register each person at before taking the test. There is a registration glitch in the software that most people will never figure out on their own. When you get to the pages where you have to touch “Agree” you can’t find the agree button no matter how many times you review the several page document unless you put your finger outside the edge of the document to scroll down the pages. Simply infuriating.
Also, if you do use this test for more than one person, you have to make sure to log out before starting to register a new person for the test or you can’t begin the test.
Also, the test makers have obviously farmed the testing out to India, most likely. I personally have no problem with that except that the heavy accents make it difficult at times to understand what they are asking you to do.
Good luck!

by MW45005

Positives: The testing process works pretty well for the most part. You really need a desktop or laptop but we also did one on a smartphone. My test went pretty well (desktop), but for some reason they could not see the wife’s ID on the same computer/camera so we had to do hers with her iPhone. The whole process took about 30 minutes each and we received the results via email within ten minutes.
Negatives: There is a bit of a language barrier but they are polite and professional. It was odd how one person could see my ID but could not see the wife’s. Not sure who’s end the issue was on. I never could get the results to display in my account on NAVICA which was no big deal since I had the copy on my email. Support is pretty much non existent unless you send an email.
Overall I was satisfied with the product and process and would definitely use it again.

by BlueCheese4567

First off, I like NAVICA and how nicely it integrates with the BinaxNow test. There’s one ease-of-use feature I’d like to see though:

If someone was, say, working at a company that requires you to go through a drive-through temperature screening when they arrive at work and also has to show their test status in the this app app at the same time, it can be a bit of a safety hazard to be fumbling with unlocking a phone, opening NAVICA , and unlocking NAVICA , even with Face ID enabled. Similar to an airline boarding pass, it would be convenient if the most recent test could be added to Apple Wallet. If you could set some kind of geographic boundary in NAVICA , so when you get to where you have to show the pass for a positive result, it would pop up on the lock screen, just like a boarding pass does at the airport.

by Dlcrusader

I was dreading taking my pre-flight test back to the United States based on the reviews I’d read of NAVICA. Surprisingly, it all went really smoothly for all three people who took the COVID-19 Ag Card home test (including myself). Took us about 30 minutes each, and got the certification PDF via email right after each test was completed.

The only downside I saw is that your success is partially based on the tech setup of the proctor on the other end. When I took it, there were no issues. When another member of my family took it using the identical setup, the proctor (a different one this time) was having connectivity issues and couldn’t see the video.

by DrumDoc5

NAVICA is great at what it’s supposed to do. NAVICA is not supposed to give you access to the proctors. It is only for test reporting and viewing. I think that’s what’s causing the confusion and the bad reviews.

The proctored test is actually done on emed’s website, preferably on a laptop where you can control the camera angle that has to always point to the test kit throughout the duration of the test. I assume you can also do it from a mobile device’s browser but you may need to have someone hold the phone while you do the test or place the phone in a way to show the test kit on camera at all time.

by Stupidsyrup

I don’t really understand all the people having issues. I scanned the box with NAVICA , entered in pertinent information (get off your soapbox people it’s healthcare), logged on using my computer, and followed instructions. They also put the instructions on screen but the whole process is easy to figure out. Stick goes up nose, into card, find out if you’re pregnant or not 15 minutes later. I now have my test results ready in NAVICA .

The emed professionals were very nice. I think I may have heard a rooster in the background during one call though so that’s cool. The whole thing took probably 25 minutes.

by Gtar01

My wife went to a test site in person and was traumatized by the experience. They stick those swabs 4 inches up your nose! I couldn’t get an appointment for a test that would be ready in time for the concert we’re attending so we bought the BinaxNOW kit and downloaded NAVICA hoping it would give us something to show. It made the testing process so easy and convenient. The process is painless and NAVICA walks you through each step. It times the test for you.…..and you end up with results you can show on your phone. The whole thing takes about 20 min. I only wish the tests didn’t cost so much. $23 for two tests at CVS.

by AnimalCraze!

My husband and I both took the COVID test, each of us on our own phone. We both had a representative available very quickly. My husband was able to do the test by video on his phone. For some reason on my phone I couldn’t hear the representative, although I could see them and they could see me. So I thought it was great that I could complete the test by communicating through text. The folks who helped complete the test were very precise, patient, and gave clear instructions. It was uncomplicated, simple, and I can’t see how it could’ve been any easier. The results were quick, negative for both of us. We were able to both print our results as well as have it available on NAVICA for our cruise just two days later. Thanks guys for making that easy!

by Embgyn

Used NAVICA on an international trip for the required testing to return to the US, and it worked perfectly.

Yes, make sure you buy the correct test that will work with the eMed proctor to meet the CDC requirement. If you don’t want to buy the six pack of tests from eMed, you can buy them in other quantities from the Optum online store as I did. Make sure it’s the Binax Now Home Antigen test.

Setting up NAVICA was easy as was connecting to eMed for the observed test. You are guided through the whole process by a trained guide. The negative result was in NAVICA almost instantly and could be easily displayed, emailed, and/or printed. The result shows it’s an antigen test as well as the time of collection and the result along with your personal information. Just what the CDC requires. We showed the printed result to Qatar airways at check-in, and it was no problem!

by Tcas422

I was extremely skeptical about taking this test after reading all the horrible reviews on here. Make sure you SET UP AN ACCOUNT while still at home before leaving the country. I do have to say NAVICA is useless except for retrieving your test results. You have to initially use NAVICA to sign on and then it will automatically take you to a website where you have to answer questions before they connect you with a doctor. It is that simple. Do not lock your phone or have it time out and lock itself at all during the entire test. You do need GOOD and STABLE WiFi when you are out of the country to complete this test. Once you answer the questions online, you are connected with a doctor in less than 30 seconds and they walk you through the entire process. From start to finish it took me 25 minutes and I had my results in 26 minutes. It was a breeze. You do not need to be tech savvy at all. You just have to know how to follow directions. I will be purchasing and using every time I leave the country!

by Texwardo

I purchased the test kit because the website promised overnight shipping on approved orders. The order was placed Sunday and was approved early Monday a.m. When a check of the order on Tuesday afternoon showed that the order was still pending, I attempted to contact the company. There is no phone number, only a hard-to-find web form buried several menu pages deep. No response. I attempted to cancel the order. “No cancellations once approved,” per the website, even though this was now not going to arrive before I have to take an international flight on Thursday morning. Finally tonight I got an email from FedEx that the package is supposed to arrive by 8 pm Thursday. By that time I would have missed my flight by 12 hours had I not gone to CVS for a drive-through test.

Do yourself a favor and get a free PCR test at CVS rather than wasting $150 on this infuriating racket.

by Gato Nica

I spent over 2.5 hours trying to get my family of five tests done in London the night before my flight. Wait time was 30-55 minutes each and after an Asian speaker with strong accent guided us with instructions, some of our tests went smooth, but two were disconnected while getting tested and had to call and wait another 50 minutes.
After the test we had to wait another 15 minutes for the results and get reconnected again, but wait time was much shorter.
While the process was smooth for most of us, the duration and technical fails did not let me give more than 2 star rating. It is 1:20am now and finally going to bed for an early flight tomorrow, all because of the test delays.

by Two N Jenn

It just takes a few minutes to set up everything ahead, making sure that all the ducks are in a row. I did make sure to set up app while home, before travel. The two individuals that oversaw the test were great, and the entire process took less than 25 minutes from start to finish once the session started. This process does require good internet connection, Safari browser, and a well lit, quiet location. App is easy to use and results were instantly sent to the this app app. The “pass” is easily found on NAVICA for when it is needed to be presented for US entry.

by KP_App_Store_Reviews

Getting NAVICA set up and getting my tests run and verified all worked pretty flawlessly. I was happy with that. Was the proctor process painful? Sometimes. I’ve done this twice and one time I had no wait time because I did it on the weekend in the middle of the afternoon—I’m guessing this is off-peak hours. The other time was a workday evening and took much longer to get connected. The proctors themselves can sometimes be hard to understand, mostly due to connection, but that isn’t the apps’ fault, so my rating is given based on my assessment of NAVICA itself.