Running diabetes care on your terms has never been more possible with AndroidAPS (AAPS). This open-source AID system runs on Android phones, pairs with compatible CGMs and pumps, and gives powerful tools users often don’t see in commercial systems. The algorithm used on AAPS is the same base algorithm (o-ref) used on Trio, another open source AID system, for iOS. In my latest podcast episode, I sit down with competitive cyclist Austin Simpson to learn how his first few months on AAPS changed his type 1 diabetes management, especially with advanced features turned on.

AAPS shines with Dynamic ISF (Insulin Sensitivity Factor), which updates how much your insulin affects your blood sugar depending on recent trends, predicted levels, and your Total Daily Dose. It helps users avoid overshoots or undershoots by making sensitivity more adaptive. There’s also Super Micro Boluses (SMBs), which deliver tiny frequent correction doses without engaging large temporary basal rate shifts—faster response with more precision. 

One of the tougher situations any user runs into is when a meal is forgotten or misestimated. That’s where Unannounced Meal Detection (UAM) comes in. AAPS watches for rapid glucose rises when carbs haven’t been entered and tries to respond with SMBs. Combine that with features like Dynamic Carb Ratio (CR), adjusting how many grams of carbs a unit of insulin covers based on current activity or BG trends, and you get a system that’s both flexible and powerful.

Of course, using AAPS takes setup: you’ll need a compatible pump and CGM, and some patience to fine-tune profiles. But with good data, you can unlock temp targets, sensitivity adjustments, smartwatch integrations (for notifications or remote view), and more.

If you’re curious about how AAPS works in daily life — how it handles rides, missed meals, and everything in between— we cover all that in my video with Austin. Scroll down and hit play or listen above to see what it’s really like (and whether it might be right for you).

DISCLAIMER: This is not medical advice. Always consult with your medical team before making changes to your health care. DIY Loop is experimental and not approved by the FDA or regulatory authorities. You take full responsibility for building and using open source systems and you do so at your own risk. Results will vary.