Safer Badgers Guide

If you previously installed the Android version of Safer Badgers from a source other than the Google Play Store, you must replace the Box download with the Google Play Store version.

See Safer Badgers – Replacing the APK Android app with the Play Store version for detailed steps.

For detailed, step-by-step instructions on setting up the app, see Safer Badgers – Getting started with iOS and Android.

You can schedule a UW-Madison COVID-19 test using the Safer Badgers app.

1. Tap Find test locations on the apps main home screen.
2. Tap See Available Test Times for your preferred test location.
3. Find a time that fits your schedule, tap it, then tap Next.
4. If this is the first time you’ve scheduled a test, or if you need to update previously entered information, tap Update My Information to complete or update the patient information form.” Tap Submit Form when finished.
   If you’ve previously entered your personal information and don’t need to update it, tap Continue. 

You should now see a confirmation for your test reservation.

Important: Please do not smoke, eat, brush or floss your teeth, use mouthwash, chew gum, or drink (including water) for 60 minutes prior to the test.

See Safer Badgers – How to Schedule a Test for additional details.

Test results are expected to be available within 24 hours, often sooner, and will appear under the “Your COVID-19 Event History” section in the Safer Badgers app. To see your results, tap the More Info arrow for your most recent test. You will also receive a push notification on your phone alerting you that you have a new message on the Safer Badgers app.

Students living in residence halls who receive a positive test are required to isolate for 10 days in designated on-campus spaces. Faculty, staff and students who live off-campus or choose to isolate in an off-campus location should also isolate for 10 days.

If you test positive for COVID-19, the app will note that you are in isolation and your access to campus buildings will be denied for that period. If you are not experiencing any symptoms within the last 24 hours of your isolation, you will be able to once again access campus buildings and will be exempt from testing for 80 days.

See Safer Badgers – Viewing your Test Results for additional details.

The Safer Badgers app tells you if you may have been exposed to COVID-19, securely and anonymously.

To enable exposure notifications:

1. Enable the Exposure Notification feature during the app setup or in the Settings menu.
2. Allow Safer Badgers to use Bluetooth and location services when prompted.
3. Allow Safer Badgers to display notifications.

Your phone may display a notification that says “Checking for exposures…” while exposure notifications are enabled.

See Safer Badgers – Exposure Notifications for additional details.

The Symptom Check-in feature lets you self-report symptoms and maintain a log of symptoms you are experiencing.

1. Tap on the Symptom Check-in button on the Safer Badgers Home screen.
2. Check the boxes next to any symptoms you are experiencing.
3. Tap Submit at the bottom of the page.

Important: Your building access status may change based on symptoms you’ve self-reported. Please test again at an on-campus testing location to regain building access.

You can view previously submitted symptoms by tapping View Health History from the Safer Badgers home screen.

See Safer Badgers – Symptom Check-in for additional details.

Safer Badgers uses encryption to protect your data in Safer Badgers.  The COVID-19 QR secret code represents the encryption keys used. It enables Safer Badgers to:

• Unlock your test results and reported symptoms.
• Transfer your encryption keys to a second or replacement phone.

For your privacy and protection:

• We don’t store a copy of your QR code.
• Don’t share your QR code with anyone else.
• Don’t lose your QR code.

See Safer Badgers – Encryption Keys and Secret QR code for additional details.

For the most up-to-date information on app accessibility, including known barriers and suggested workarounds, please see Safer Badgers App – Accessibility & Usability Information.