Blog
Here you can find all important information about the Corona-Warn-App open source project. For further information you can also check the frequently asked questions about the Corona-Warn-App.
Current facts and figures
In this post, you can find regularly updated facts and figures about the Corona-Warn-App, as well as the number of transmitted and shared test results.
Overview of previous facts and figures
(German versions only)
Project Team further improves Corona-Warn-App's risk calculation in response to current coronavirus situation
The Corona-Warn-App's project team continuously improves the app's performance with regard to the coronavirus situation in Germany. In response to virus mutations, the team members from the Robert Koch-Institut, Deutsche Telekom, SAP and the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits (IIS) have therefore further improved the risk calculation and reduced the duration of a critical encounter from 13 minutes to 9 minutes.
Federal Government integrates rapid COVID-19 tests into Corona-Warn-App
Strong partners support the new feature
The federal government's Corona-Warn-App is getting another important feature. In the future, the app will integrate rapid COVID-19 tests. Users can save the confirmation of their test in the app and add them to the contact diary. In addition, anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 through a rapid test will also be able to warn contacts via the Corona-Warn-App in the future.
Corona-Warn-App version 1.15 exchanges keys with the Swiss warning app
A new version of the Corona-Warn-App will be available for users within the next 48 hours. In version 1.15, Deutsche Telekom and SAP’s project team have expanded the transnational exposure logging to include Switzerland, and made changes to the risk card.
Corona-Warn-App's risk calculation further improved
The project team continuously tests the Corona-Warn-App's performance to configure it optimally - especially in respect to the Corona situation in Germany with increasing case numbers and higher infectivity due to the mutated virus variants. In recent weeks, the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits (IIS) and the Robert Koch-Institut tested and evaluated the app's measurement accuracy (using version 2 of the Google-Apple exposure notification framework).
Corona-Warn-App version 1.14 brings new features to the contact journal
In the Corona-Warn-App’s new version, Deutsche Telekom and SAP’s project team have added more features to the contact journal as well as more data points to the voluntary data donation. Version 1.14 will be available to users within the next 48 hours.
Users can provide data voluntarily to help improve the Corona-Warn-App further
Deutsche Telekom and SAP’s project team have released the Corona-Warn-App’s next update that will be available to users within the next 48 hours. With version 1.13, users now have the option to voluntarily donate data to help improve the app. In addition, the app now includes a link to a scientific survey conducted by the Robert Koch-Institut (RKI).
Corona-Warn-App Survey
German only
Mehr als 25,7 Millionen Menschen haben die Corona-Warn-App mittlerweile heruntergeladen. Die Wirksamkeit der App im Kampf gegen die Pandemie ist dabei direkt abhängig von der Bereitschaft der Menschen die App aktiv zu nutzen. Mehr als eine viertel Millionen Nutzer*innen haben ihr positives Testergebnis bisher geteilt und ihre Mitmenschen damit vor einer potentiellen Infektion mit dem Corona-Virus gewarnt. Um die Annahmebereitschaft der App in der Bevölkerung noch weiter zu erhöhen, hat die Bergische Universität Wuppertal eine Umfrage zur Motivation von Nutzer*innen der Corona-Warn-App erstellt.
Corona-Warn-App’s risk calculation further adjusted after detailed tests
Deutsche Telekom and SAP’s project team continue to adapt the Corona-Warn-App’s risk calculation in collaboration with the Robert Koch-Institut (RKI) following extensive tests by the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits (IIS). As a result, the app can now identify encounters with increased risk even better. and will show even more precisely when users have had encounters with people who later tested positive for COVID-19.
Now, the app considers short contacts between two people that lasted at least 5 minutes, not 10 minutes as it was the case before. The relevant data for this adjustment is only available because Apple and Google developed their interface further. Measurements based on version 2 of the interface confirmed that warnings can be better and more accurate through the adjustment.
Corona-Warn-App version 1.12 comes with two new features
Deutsche Telekom and SAP’s project team has released an update of the Corona-Warn-App, which will be available to users within the next 48 hours. There are two major innovations in version 1.12: First, the Corona-Warn-App now runs on the iPhone 5s, 6, and 6 Plus. Secondly, users can now find their exposure history in the contact journal.
Corona-Warn-App compatible with iOS 12.5 from next week on
The Corona-Warn-App’s next update will be available on February 10, 2021. With version 1.12, the Corona-Warn-App will be compatible with iOS 12.5 so that owners of older iPhones, such as the iPhone 5s, 6, and 6 Plus, can use the app. Deutsche Telekom and SAP’s project team also adds an exposure history to the contact journal.
Corona-Warn-App version 1.11 with statistics is available
Within the next 48 hours, users will be able to download the Corona-Warn-App’s next update. With version 1.11, the Deutsche Telekom and SAP's project team added an additional area with statistics to the app’s home screen. There, users can see current key figures on the infection numbers in Germany, as well as the number of users tested positive who have warned their fellow citizens via the app.
Corona-Warn-App version 1.11 comes this week providing statistics on infection numbers in Germany
With the next update to version 1.11, the Corona-Warn-App will contain some bug fixes and improvements, as well as statistics that give an overview of current key figures on the infection numbers in Germany.
Problem with key matching on Android is fixed
Google has released a fix to solve the key matching issue on Android smartphones. By now, the Corona-Warn-App should be working again on the affected devices. Google assured in a statement that the issue did neither lead to loss of data nor potential exposures:
Corona-Warn-App not able to perform key matching on Android smartphones in some cases
Currently, the Corona-Warn-App is not able to perform key matching on Android smartphones in some cases. This is due to the Exposure Notification Framework under the Google smartphone operating system. The project team has informed Google about the problem and is working together with them under high pressure to solve the issue.
Behind the scenes of the Corona-Warn-App
The Corona-Warn-App is a useful, digital tool that warns users of high-risk encounters during the pandemic. The processes in the background, however, remain more or less invisible to most users. In a livestream for the virtual Chaos Communication Congress (rC3), Thomas Klingbeil, SAP Solution Architect for the Corona-Warn-App, explains how the app works in the backend.
Corona-Warn-App version 1.10 with contact journal is available
Deutsche Telekom and SAP's project team published the next update of the Corona-Warn-App. It will be available for download in the next 48 hours. The most important innovation in version 1.10 of the Corona-Warn-App is a contact journal. Users can use the app to voluntarily note the people they’ve met and places they’ve visited. This is important information for the health department and for tracing infection chains. However, it is difficult to recall that information over a time period of two weeks so the contact journal serves as a useful memory aid.
Corona-Warn-App version 1.10 comes with an integrated contact journal
With the Corona-Warn-App's next update (version 1.10), Deutsche Telekom and SAP's project team add a contact journal to the app, where users can note the names of people they’ve met and locations they’ve visited.
Risk calculation under Exposure Notification Framework Version 2
Previously, the Corona-Warn-App displayed one or more low risk encounters. Since the update, these have disappeared or rather the number decreased, because the risk calculation improved significantly under Version 2 of the Exposure Notification Framework (ENF). With the interface's new version, it is now possible to control more precisely which encounters should be counted.
Corona-Warn-App Version 1.9 to use version 2 of the Exposure Notification Framework
Deutsche Telekom and SAP's project team published a new version of the Corona-Warn-App which will be rolled out to all devices over the next 48 hours. Version 1.9 uses the updated version of the Exposure Notification Framework (ENF) provided by Apple and Google. The two companies have evolved the framework so that more precise pseudonymous information about encounters can be provided.
Telekom and SAP to make Corona Warn app available for iOS 12.5
Apple now makes its Exposure Notification Framework available for the iOS 12.5 operating system version as well
Corona-Warn-App Version 1.7 can perform the exposure check several times a day
Corona-Warn-App Version 1.7 is now available in the Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store. With the update, Deutsche Telekom and SAP's project team enabled the exposure check to run several times a day. In addition, users who have tested positive will now receive a reminder if they haven’t shared their test result.
Security update for Corona-Warn-App-Server
Deutsche Telekom and SAP's development team was notified by a GitHub Security Lab employee about a vulnerability in the Corona-Warn-App-Server (CWA-Server, Version 1.5). The team closed this vulnerability with version 1.5.1 of the server four days after it was announced. The current version is 1.6.0.
This quickly implemented removal of the vulnerability clearly shows that the open source and community process works flawlessly and significantly contributes to the security of the operation of the Corona-Warn-App.
Corona-Warn-App Update: Version 1.6 explains change of risk status
Deutsche Telekom and SAP's development team has updated the Corona-Warn-App to version 1.6, which is now available in Apple's App Store and the Google Play Store. Version 1.6 provides more detailed explanations about the change in risk status. A short-term problem with regard to the exposure check has already been resolved with version 1.6.1.
New features: Corona-Warn-App Version 1.5 is now available for download
A new update for the Corona-Warn-App is now available in both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. Version 1.5 of the App introduces new features such as symptom detection or support of the European Corona App gateway. In addition, some "bugs" have been fixed and further improvements are delivered.
Note for iOS users: Version 1.5 of the app requires at least iOS version 13.6. So please check if your phone is on iOS 13.6 or higher before you update the app to the new app version 1.5.
A positive summary after 100 days
The developers at SAP and Deutsche Telekom regard the first 100 days since the Corona-Warn-App’s launch as a success. Since its release on June 16, the app has been downloaded more than 18.3 million times. This high number of downloads compared to other European countries shows that the population is giving the app a chance and is willing to use an intelligent technology to fight the spread of the pandemic.
In this document (German only), based on the current data status, you will find further facts and figures about the Corona-Warn-App, the laboratory connection and the test results transmitted.
Problem in connection with iOS 13.7 fixed
In close cooperation with Apple, the developers could fix the problem in Apple’s iOS 13.7 operating system that was identified a few days ago. Affected users should now receive a correctly calculated risk assessment under iOS 13.7 again. The adjustments were made directly on the server. This means that the Corona-Warn-App does not have to be updated and users do not have to do anything
What requirements must be met in order for a personal test result to be successfully transmitted via the Corona-Warn-App?
In order to ensure that users receive their test results via the Corona-Warn-App, the following points are important:
Problems with iOS 13.7
During the course of regular tests on the Corona warning app, developers today discovered a problem in the Apple operating system iOS 13.7, relating to the determination of the risk values. The iOS version released by Apple on September 1 may lead to confusing risk calculations for a small number of users. In some cases, the app may show some users that they were exposed to a higher risk than was actually the case.
Corona-Warn-App Version 1.3 brings improvements and new features
We have updated the Corona-Warn-App to version 1.3, which is available for download in Apple's App Store and Google Play Store. The latest version includes a number of enhancements, such as improved texts for the risk status and test results as well as clearer messages when scanning QR codes.
QR Code scanned but no test result in the Corona-Warn-App
The Corona-Warn-App has been active for a few weeks now and has been downloaded over 17.6 million times. An essential part of the app is the QR code procedure, which allows tested users to report test results to the app pseudonymously.
Note on the study by the Irish Trinity College
Fraunhofer IIS has conducted numerous tests of the interface vis-a-vis Google and Apple (so-called exposure notification interface) and discussed the results with SAP, Deutsche Telekom and the RKI to adjust the app’s configuration.
Corona-Warn-App version 1.2.1 available in Google Play Store
Version 1.2.1 of the Corona-Warn-App has been released in the Google Play Store. The update corrects the misleading sentence that the probability of infection is ranked as 'increased' even though the risk of infection is, in fact, low. Therefore, we recommend all Android users to install version 1.2.1 of the Corona-Warn-App.
Upgrade to iOS 13.6.1 improves interaction with the Corona-Warn-App
We recommend iOS users to upgrade the operating system to iOS 13.6.1 as it improves interaction with the Corona-Warn-App.
Corona-Warn-App version 1.2.1 is available in the App Store for iOS devices
Version 1.2.1 of the Corona-Warn-App has been released in the Apple App Store. The update fixes an error which caused the app to crash or prevented some users from opening the app. Therefore, we recommend all iOS-users to update the app to version 1.2.1.