In addition to the state corona warning app, the luca app has also been around for some time. The app can be used in almost all of Germany and is intended to facilitate contact tracking. The luca app is not state-owned, but was originally launched by a private company and a few artists. It should be a supplement to the Corona warning app and not act as an alternative.
What can the luca app do and what are the differences to the Corona warning app?
The state corona warning app is intended as a warning sensor that should always be carried with you. Smartphones with the Corona warning app installed recognize each other. If one of the short contacts later registers a positive corona test, all encounters registered via the app will receive a warning. In this way, a higher risk of infection should be recognized quickly so that possible infected people can be tested in good time. This is intended to contain the spread of the virus.
The luca app of course also serves the same purpose, namely contact tracing and thus also the containment of Covid-19 infections. However, the operating principle is somewhat different here: the luca app does not track all random encounters because it is not permanently active. Instead, when you arrive at certain locations - such as restaurants or concert halls - you have to log in by scanning a QR code. To do this, click on " Check- in" on the far left of the app Now you can either scan your QR code or scan the QR code of the venue. As soon as you leave the location, all you have to do is check out via the app. The app saves when you arrived and how how long you stayed there and when you left.
In the app, you can tap on "Check in" on the left to register at an event location using the QR code. A big advantage is data security: your data remains completely encrypted in the app. Organizers and operators of concerts or other large events can anchor their hygiene concept so that contact tracing can take place, but they still do not have your contact details such as telephone number and address. If someone registers a positive test for the event afterwards, everyone present at that time will be informed. The app also forwards the contact details to the health department. Only then will your data be decrypted again so that your local health department can contact you and warn you.
By the way: Since everyone has to note when the venue was entered and left, only actual infection risks are really noted. An example: You entered a location at 7 p.m. and left at 8 p.m. That evening, a person infected with the coronavirus visits the same location, but only at 9 p.m. You will then NOT receive a warning via the luca app because there is enough time between your visit and that of the infected person.
The luca app also contains other functions, for example you can register a positive test or vaccination, create and follow your own events or book test appointments. More information can be found here.
Where and how can I get the luca app?
The luca app can easily be downloaded from the respective app store. If you use an iPhone, simply search for "luca app" in the Apple AppStore . If you are using an Android device, go to the Google Play Store and search for "luca app". If you then tap on "Download", the app will be installed on your smartphone. Then all you have to do is open it to start setting up..
When opening the luca app for the first time, you must agree to the usage and data protection guidelines. You can then set up and use the app. All you have to do to set up the app is follow the steps shown. First enter your first and last name and confirm. You then have to enter a contact option. You have to enter at least your mobile phone number, but you can also add an email address. After entering the mobile phone number, you will receive an SMS with a confirmation TAN, which you enter in the app. Then you have to enter your full address. After entering all the data, the app is fully set up and ready for use. So if you go to a restaurant now, simply scan the QR code in the app to log in. When you leave the restaurant, check out again in the luca app.
When setting up the app, you have to enter personal data in each step in order to enable contact tracking. The step to the telephone number and, if necessary, e-mail address is particularly important. If you have used the luca app at an event but then delete it, you can still be notified by the responsible health department via this contact information in the event of a risk of infection - even if you no longer use the app on your smartphone. How can I report a positive corona test or register a vaccination?
Open the luca app and then tap on " Add ". Now you have to scan the QR code of your corona test with your mobile phone in order to register it in the app. This is only possible with tests that have actually been carried out in a medical facility. This does not work with commercial rapid tests. If your quick test shows a positive result, a professional test should be carried out again immediately anyway, for which you will also receive a QR code to register..
This is what the main page of the luca app looks like. With the large "Add" button you can register important documents such as a vaccination certificate or a positive test result in the app. A relatively new function of the app is the recording of a complete Covid-19 vaccination. To do this, you need the digital vaccination certificate, which should have been issued to you with the second vaccination. In the luca app, you can scan the QR code for the second vaccination (or, in the case of vaccinations with Johnson & Johnson, for the only vaccination). Merely registering the QR code for your first vaccination while waiting for a second vaccination will not work. Adding a vaccination is the same as reporting a positive test result: Open the app and tap on " Add ". You can now scan the QR code of your vaccination.
Notice: Since it has not been possible to register a vaccination for a long time, incorrect lettering may still be displayed when adding it. So the app could tell you to scan the QR code of your test. Don't let that confuse you.