Unfortunately, the coronavirus is still alive and well, which means tracking apps are still needed. Fortunately, an issue with apps developed using Google’s Android exposure notifications system that affected tracking apps in multiple countries has been resolved, so COVID-19 tracking is working on Android devices again.

Unlike most apps, COVID-19 tracking apps are important to most people’s livelihoods, forcing Google to issue a statement when a loading notification issue arose yesterday. This issue was attributed to the fact that apps could not download diagnostic keys from the servers, and it affected all apps created with the Android exposure notifications system, which included the NHS COVID-19 app used in England and Wales, as well as the CoronaMelder app in the Netherlands. Some found that restarting the phone or entering and exiting airplane mode would clear the notification, but an app as important as this obviously needed a legitimate solution.

Fortunately, Google was able to find a fix very quickly. A Google spokesperson told Engadget: “It may take a few hours to catch up devices and in some cases we will work directly with the developers to help with the recovery. The issue has not resulted in any loss of data or damage. potential exposure. ” The app always collected the keys to contact tracing and exposure tracking while the issue was live, so the issue shouldn’t have directly affected anyone’s health.