Data4Life help center
Find help here to get the most from the app
Trust and privacy
All you need to register for the app is the following:
- Your email address
- A password which you choose
- Your phone number for two-factor authentication
Note: We only store your email address and your phone number. The password you chose isn't stored by us but is stored encrypted on your device.
We use the double opt-in procedure for registration. This means that after your registration we send you a message to the email address you provided, in which we ask you to confirm your registration.
Related topics
Nobody except you can access your personal information because we always store your data encrypted. If you decide to share your data with your doctor, you can export your health information.
- As a PDF file, for example, your symptom history in the symptom tracker.
- As a QR code, for example, at a test center during a coronavirus test.
We store your data and documents exclusively on servers within Germany and always encrypted. Only you have access to the content of your data.
Data4Life is certified by the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) as ISO 27001 compliant
on the basis of "IT-Grundschutz".
Besides many other measures to protect your privacy, we use end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for all health data.
End-to-end encryption ensures that only you can access the content of the encrypted data. Even Data4Life cannot understand the encrypted data since we don't have access to the cryptographic keys needed to decrypt the data. This means that we never have access to the content.
Personal data is encrypted on your personal device – mobile device or desktop computer – and can only be decrypted by you. You're in control and can decide if you want to explicitly grant access, for example, to your doctor.
To help protect your data privacy, the app uses two-factor authentication (2FA), also called 2-step verification.
Two-factor authentication is a process where during sign-in, we ask you for an additional form of identification.
This second factor of authentication increases security because an attacker would need access to your phone, as well as your email address and password, to access your account.
Two-factor authentication uses the following:
- Something you know: your password
- Something you have: your phone or tablet
Note: Two-factor authentication is always active and can't be switched off.
When you log in, the app asks you for the following:
- Your email address and password
- The verification code that we send to your phone by SMS
Two-factor authentication is the reason why we ask for your phone number when you create your user account. If we can send verification codes to your personal phone by SMS, that's another layer of security for your account and your data.
Related topics
The auth.data4life.care website handles secure account creation and login services at Data4Life. Banking apps and healthcare apps often use a separate service with its own web address to provide secure access to your personal information.
You're redirected to auth.data4life.care when you choose Log in or Create account on the start dialog.
Related topics
See What is two-factor authentication?
The app is not a medical device. The app doesn't offer diagnostic services, monitoring, or treatment of diseases. The app doesn't replace medical advice or treatment by a doctor.
Important: If you’re concerned about your health status or unsure about what to do, please consult a doctor.
We'd love to hear from you. Your feedback helps us improve our app for all users.
Please get in touch by sending a message to feedback@data4life.care
Android 
/ iOS 
To send feedback from within the app:
- Go to your profile
. - Choose Feedback.
- Select your email client.
- Send your message.
Getting started
The app is free with no adverts or subscription fees.
Note: The app requires an internet connection. Additionally, you must be able to receive SMS messages for authentication. Your mobile service provider may charge you for data use.
You must be at least 18 years old at the time of registration and have full legal capacity to register for our services. See our terms of use.
Android Android 6 or later
iOS iOS 12 or later
Web 
Supported browsers for the web app:
Important: Older browser versions can sometimes not be supported for data security reasons. The web app works best with a current browser version.
Required browser settings
- Browser must not be set to "Block all cookies".
- For Firefox, Private Browsing is not supported.
- JavaScript must be activated.
You can use the app in these ways:
- On your smartphone or tablet with Android or iOS
- In your browser without installation
Prerequisite: Your device meets the software requirements.
Note: The app is available in the app stores for the following countries: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, UK, and Ireland.
Android To install the app:
-
Go to our app page on the Google Play Store.
-
Tap Install.
iOS To install the app:
-
Go to our app page on the Apple App Store.
-
Tap the Get button.
-
Tap Install.
Web You can run the web app in a browser without installation.
Prerequisite: Your browser meets the software requirements.
To use the web app in your browser:
-
Symptom tracker: app.data4life.care/corona
Record your symptoms and keep track of your health. -
Health library: app.data4life.care/library
Read news about health, coronavirus, and scientific studies (in German).
Tip: It's easiest to create your user account on a desktop computer.
Prerequisite: Your browser meets the software requirements.
Your registration process has the following steps:
- Create your user credentials (email address and password)
- Store your personal recovery key
- Verify your email address
- Provide your mobile phone number for two-factor authentication
To create a user account:
-
On the Start dialog, choose Create account.
-
Enter your email address.
-
Create your password and confirm it.
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Select the Health data processing checkbox to give consent to the processing of your data.
-
Choose Next.
-
Save your recovery key.
Note: The following recovery key lets you reset your password if you forget it. The key is a series of unrelated words. Ensure that you store your recovery key somewhere safe that you can access even without your computer or mobile device.
Important: Your data is always encrypted for your protection. Our team can neither access nor recover any data if you forget your password and lose this recovery key. -
Select the checkbox I’ve stored my recovery key in a safe place and I understand why the key is vital to securing my private data..
-
Choose Next.
We send you an activation email. -
Go to your email inbox and click on the Verify email address link in the email.
A success message is displayed.
Your account is now set up and you can log in.
To log in for the first time:
-
On the Start dialog, choose Log in.
-
Enter your mobile phone number so we can send you an SMS message with a verification code for logging in.
Note: We only use your mobile number to securely log you in. We don't share the number with anyone else. -
Choose Next.
-
Enter your verification code from the SMS, then choose Confirm.
You have successfully logged in and you can start working with the app.
Note: Ensure that the Remember this device checkbox is selected when you enter the verification code from the SMS. Then you don't have to enter the information for the next login on the device.
No. Only one user account may be maintained per person. See our terms of use.
To help protect your health data, create a complex password for your user account. You should always use different passwords for your important accounts, like email, online banking, social media, and health information.
Your password for the app must meet the following requirements:
- 8 characters or more
- At least 1 numeric character (0-9)
- At least 1 special character (such as %, @, or #)
- Mix of uppercase and lowercase letters (A-Z, a-z)
Tip: The best passwords are randomly generated ones like x7fbjsBAEZyF@,Z$. To create random passwords, you can use password managers.
Password managers can do the following for you:
- Generate strong passwords
- Store passwords
- Autofill passwords when you log in to websites and web apps
To help you protect your user account and your data privacy, the app runs a password check when you create your user account. The check is an extra step after ensuring that your password meets our complexity requirements.
Important: The password check can detect if your password was compromised in a previous data leak on the internet. Such compromised passwords are considered unsafe and should be changed.
Related topics
See How do I create a strong password?
See Check if you have an account that has been compromised in a data breach
The recovery key is a personal code that protects your account. The key is a series of unrelated words. If you ever forget your password, or want to change it, you need your recovery key.
The key is like a backup password, similar to the personal unlocking key (PUK) of your phone.
You receive your recovery key when you create your account. You must store your recovery key in a safe and private place that you can access without a computer.
Important: If you don’t have your recovery key, and you forget your password, you'll permanently lose access to your account and all of your data.
We can’t help you reset your password without your recovery key because we use end-to-end encryption to keep your account protected and private.
Related topics
Important: When you create your user account, ensure that you store your personal recovery key somewhere safe. Make a printout so you can access the key without a computer or mobile device.
Android / Web To save your recovery key on your Android device or on your computer:
Prerequisite: You've taken the first steps to create your user account.
- In the third step, under the Your recovery key field, tap or click DOWNLOAD RECOVERY KEY.
A confirmation message is displayed.
By default, your recovery key is saved in your Downloads folder in the data4life-recoveryKey.pdf file.
iOS To save your recovery key on your iOS device:
Prerequisite: You've taken the first steps to create your user account.
-
In the third step, under the Your recovery key field, tap or click Copy to clipboard.
A confirmation message is displayed. -
Paste the recovery key to a safe place where you can find it again.
Related topics
Two-factor authentication is the reason why we ask for your phone number when you create your user account. If we can send verification codes to your mobile phone by SMS, that's another layer of security for your account and your data.
We only use your phone number for two-factor authentication and don't share it with anyone else.
Note: Two-factor authentication is always active and can't be switched off.
Related topics
User account and user profile
Prerequisite: You've created your user account.
To log in to your user account:
-
On the Welcome dialog, choose Start now.
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On the Start dialog, choose Log in.
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Enter your email address and your password.
-
Choose Log in.
To log out of your account:
-
Go to your profile
. -
Choose Log out.
To change your email address:
-
Go to your profile
. -
Choose Account settings,
-
In the Email address field, tap or click your address and edit it.
-
Choose Save changes.
We send a confirmation message to your new email address.
Your mobile phone number helps protect your data privacy because the app uses two-factor authentication.
Important: To protect your user account, the process of changing your telephone number involves several steps to verify your identity. These steps take some time.
To change the phone number associated with your user account, please get in touch with Customer Care.
Send Customer Care your old phone number to initiate the next steps to make the change.
Prerequisite: You have access to your personal recovery key.
To change your password:
-
On the login dialog, choose Forgot password?
-
On the Reset your password dialog, enter the email address that you use for your user account.
-
Enter your personal recovery key.
-
Create and confirm your new password.
Related topics
Important: These steps download your data in a technical file format that isn't optimized for sharing with a doctor. To share your recorded symptoms with your doctor in PDF format, see How do I share symptom information with my doctor?
Web You can export and download all your data together in one ZIP file.
To download your data:
-
Go to your profile
. -
Choose My data.
-
Under Export data, choose the Download button.
The download to your device can take several minutes. Your data is stored in a ZIP file with the name my-data.zip.
You delete your data by deleting your user account.
Related topics
See How do I delete my user account?
See How do I delete my user account even though I can't access it?
Prerequisite: You have access to your user account. Otherwise, see How do I delete my user account even though I can't access it?
Web To delete your user account:
Important: Deleting your user account deletes all your data on our platform.
-
Go to your profile
. -
Choose Account settings.
-
Under Delete account, choose the Delete account button.
-
On the Are you sure you want to close this account? dialog, choose Delete account.
Note: Deleting your user account might take several minutes.
If you want to delete your user account but have lost access to it, please get in touch with Customer Care.
Customer Care uses your email address to find the related information and initiate the next steps to authenticate you.
If the authentication is successful, Customer Care deletes your user account.
Important: Deleting your user account deletes all your data on our platform and can't be reversed.
If you want to withdraw your consent, please delete your user account.
Related topics
See How do I delete my user account?
See How do I delete my user account even though I can't access it?
To help protect your user account, the app uses two-factor authentication. To log in, you must provide the following information:
- Your email address and your password
- The verification code we send you by SMS
iOS In iOS 12 or later, you can automatically enter SMS verification codes by using AutoFill (Settings > Passwords & Accounts > AutoFill Passwords).
Note: The verification code expires after 10 minutes but you can request a new one.
To request a new SMS code:
- On the Enter verification code dialog, choose the Resend SMS button.
Note: Ensure that the Remember this device checkbox is selected when you enter the verification code from the SMS. Then you don't have to enter the code for the next login on the device.
You can unsubscribe from the newsletter in these ways:
-
Send a message to we@data4life.care and include "unsubscribe" in the subject line or in the message body.
-
In the newsletter, in the email footer, choose the Unsubscribe link, then click the Yes, unsubscribe button to confirm.
System and settings
The app is available in English and German.
Android / iOS The texts in the app are displayed in the language of your device's operating system.
Web The texts in the app are displayed in the language of your browser and operating system. You can change the language.
Note: If the app isn't available in your language, English is the default.
To change the language in the app:
Prerequisite: Your browser is configured to accept cookies.
- In the app, go to your profile.
- At the top-right of the My profile dialog, use the DE / EN language switch.
To change the language before you log in:
- At the top-right of the screen, use the DE / EN language switch.
Enabling the Keep me logged in option on the login dialog gives you longer access to your user account. The option extends your session duration and the time until you have to log in again.
By default, you're logged out of the app after 15 minutes of inactivity.
Important: Don't use the Keep me logged in option on public or shared computers.
Note: The setting works per browser and per device. If you log in with another browser or from another device, you have to log in again.
To enable Keep me logged in:
- On the Login dialog, select the Keep me logged in checkbox.
To disable Keep me logged in:
-
Log out of the app (My Profile > Log out).
-
On the welcome dialog, choose the Log in button.
-
On the login dialog, clear the Keep me logged in checkbox.
-
Log in again.
Prerequisite: To run the app, your device must meet the software requirements.
iOS To check your iOS version:
-
Go to Settings.
-
Scroll down and choose General
-
Choose About.
The version is displayed next to Version.
Android To check your Android version:
-
Go to Settings.
-
Choose System.
-
Choose About phone or About tablet.
The version is displayed next to Android version.
Note: These steps can vary by version and manufacturer. If you can't find your Android version, check your device manufacturer's user help.
Android / iOS To find the app version you're currently running:
-
Go to your profile
. -
Choose About the app.
The version number is displayed at the bottom of the screen.
Web The web app always runs the latest version.
No. Unauthorized modifications to the operating system of a device, like rooting (Android) and jailbreaking (iOS), reduce security features for your device. Such modifications aren't supported.
Symptom tracker
Prerequisite: You've created your user account. See How do I create a user account?
In the app, you enter your symptoms using a daily questionnaire with a checklist. The questionnaire only takes 1 minute per day.
Prerequisite: You've created your user account and you haven't entered symptoms in the past 24 hours.
To document your symptoms:
-
In the app, go to the timeline.
-
Under Symptom tracker, choose Start.
-
Optional: Choose Same symptoms as before if there are no changes.
-
Enter your symptoms in the checklist.
-
Choose Submit.
The Thank you dialog is displayed. If you go back to your timeline, your documented symptoms are displayed with date and time.
In the app, you enter symptoms using a questionnaire with a checklist. If you have symptoms that aren't included in the list, you can enter symptoms in a text field.
To enter symptoms that aren't in the symptom list:
Prerequisite: It's time to make your daily entry in the symptom tracker.
-
In the app, go to the symptom checklist.
-
Select the checkboxes to document your symptoms.
-
Under the list of symptoms, enter additional symptoms in the Other symptoms or notes field.
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Choose Submit.
Your timeline gives an overview of entries you made in the symptom tracker. For the past 14 days, you can edit the symptoms you entered.
To view and edit symptoms you've documented in the past:
-
In the app, go to your timeline.
-
Choose a day, then click or tap the (!) icon to display details.
-
In the Symptom tracker dialog, edit your documented symptoms.
-
Choose Submit and confirm your edits.
The app can send you reminders to enter your symptoms in the morning.
- Push notifications on your phone
- Email notifications if you're using the web app
Reminders are disabled by default. To manage reminders, go to your profile settings.
Android / iOS To change your settings for reminders:
-
In the app, go to your profile
. -
Select or clear Push notifications - Symptom tracker daily reminders.
Web To change your settings for email reminders:
-
In the web app, go to your profile
. -
Select or clear the Get a daily reminder to track my symptoms checkbox.
If you choose to receive reminders, the status is displayed in your timeline with an envelope symbol.
Web In the web app, you can export your symptom history to a PDF file as a summary and overview of your recorded symptoms. The PDF file also lets you easily share your symptom history with your doctor.
To export your symptom information:
-
Choose the Export symptom information icon to the right of the Profile icon.
-
On the Export PDF dialog, choose Create PDF in English or Create PDF in German.
A PDF file with an overview of your recorded symptoms is saved on your device.
- D4l-symptoms.pdf (English)
- D4l-symptome.pdf (German)
Android / iOS When you use the mobile app, you can track your symptoms without a Data4Life user account. All data is stored locally on your device.
Creating a user account gives you the following advantages:
-
Your health data is encrypted and private on our platform, even if you lose your phone.
-
You can easily access and edit your health information from different devices. For example, on the go from your smartphone or at home on your computer.
-
Sharing with your doctor is easy, for example, by sharing a PDF file that contains your symptom summary.
Related topics
Troubleshooting
We're here to help you. To get in touch with Data4Life Customer Care, send an email to help@data4life.care
Note: To help us solve your issue, please try to include the following information:
- What's the operating system of your device?
- What are you trying to do?
- What happens when you do x, then y?
- What do you see on the screen when you have the issue? Ideally, you can send a screenshot.
This helps us to better understand your problem. Thank you.
Issues with message delivery can have the following reasons:
Email delivery is slow
Sometimes it takes 10 minutes or more until the messages are delivered to your inbox. This sometimes happens for cloud-based mailbox service providers.
Tip: To receive a new verification email, try to log in again. An error message is displayed and a new email is sent to you with a new link.
Email message is in your spam folder
Check your spam folder.
Mistyped email address
Go back 1 step during account creation and check if you maybe have a spelling mistake.
When you create your user account, you must activate it using the Verify email address link in the email message we send you.
When the There was an error validating your email address message is displayed, the causes can be the following:
Too much time has passed since you received the email message
If the link in the email message expired, you can restart the registration process: To receive a new verification email, try to log in. An error message is displayed and a new email message is sent to you with a new link.
You already activated your account
Try to log in.
When you log in to your account for the first time, you receive an SMS message with a verification code.
If you haven't received this SMS message, confirm the following:
- Your phone number is active and receiving service
- You have selected the correct country code for your phone number
- You have entered the correct phone number
Important: When typing your phone number, begin with the number after the first 0. For example, if your number starts “0175”, type “175” in the text field.
Related topics
After you enter an incorrect password too many times, you must wait for 5 minutes until you can try to log in again.
This is a setting to help protect your account.
Android / Web When you create your user account, you save your recovery key as a PDF file.
Prerequisite: To display your recovery key, you must have a PDF viewer installed.
By default, your key is saved here:
- Downloads folder
- data4life-recoveryKey.pdf file
Related topics
Your personal recovery key consists of 12 unrelated English words. For example:
art income kidney erosion punch dress
velvet crazy soccer trip fresh arch
If you're sure that you use the correct recovery key, issues during key entry can have the following causes:
When you manually enter your recovery key
Ensure that there's exactly 1 space between words. It's easy to misspell the key when you type in the words or have incorrect spaces.
When you copy and paste your recovery key from the PDF file
When you copy and paste your recovery key from your saved PDF file,
unwanted double spaces can be inserted. After you paste your recovery key, verify that there's exactly 1 space between words.
Maybe you have several recovery keys
If you had issues when you created your user account, you might have created 2 or more recovery keys in as many PDF files. The files are stored together. If you have several recovery key PDF files, enter the recovery keys to find the correct one.
Related topics
We send you a confirmation message when you change the password of your user account.
If you receive an email saying that your password has been changed, but you didn't change your password, your user account may have been compromised. And someone else might have access to your account.
To protect your user account:
-
Change your password by following the steps to reset your password.
-
Send an email to help@data4life.care to inform us about the issue.
Once we receive your email, Customer Care can investigate the changes to your user account.
We send a confirmation message when you change the email address registered to your user account.
If you receive an email saying that your email address has been changed, but you didn't change your email address, your user account may have been compromised. And someone else might have access to your account.
To protect your user account:
-
Change your password by following the steps to reset your password.
-
Send an email to help@data4life.care to inform us about the issue.
Once we receive your email, Customer Care can investigate the changes to your user account.
Prerequisite: You have access to your personal recovery key.
Important: If you forget your password, you reset it by creating a new one. Because we use end-to-end encryption and don't know your password, we can't help by sending you a reset link. You must reset your password yourself using your personal recovery key.
To create a new password:
-
On the login dialog, choose Forgot password?
-
On the Reset your password dialog, enter the email address that you use for your user account.
-
Enter your personal recovery key.
-
Create and confirm your new password.
Related topics
Prerequisite: You're using a supported browser for the web app.
To delete cookies, site data, and cached images and files from your browser, follow the instructions at the following links:
Tip: To solve browser problems, you may need to delete all cookies, site data, and cached images and files, then restart your browser.
A cookie is information stored on your computer by a website you visit.
Prerequisite: You're using a supported browser for the web app.
To accept cookies in your browser, follow the instructions at the following links:
Tip: To solve problems with the app, you may need to accept cookies or change certain browser modes and settings.
Android / iOS
Prerequisite: You're logged in to your user account.
When you use the app on your mobile device and you lose your internet connection, an offline message is displayed.
Important: You can edit offline but your data might get overwritten when you're online again.
If you're not logged in to your user account, all data is saved locally on your device anyway. It doesn't matter if you're online or offline.
Gender-neutral language
We try to avoid gender-specific word forms and formulations. As appropriate for context and readability, we may use feminine or masculine word forms to refer to all genders.
