What Is Aarogya Setu App? How it Works and how to install it?

For most Indians who carefully listened to Prime Minister Modi’s latest, Aarogya Setu has become the latest topic of discussion. As PM Modi suggested everyone to download the Aarogya Setu application, questions like “Aarogya Setu kya hai?”, “Aarogya Setu kaise kaam karta hai?”, “Aarogya Setu ke kya faayde hain?” are doing rounds all over. Let’s understand all important aspects of this app in detail.

Coronavirus pandemic outbreak has affected our daily lives drastically. It is strictly recommended to follow social distancing. Panic and vulnerability could be seen and experienced all around. Worst of all is the fear of unknown. You just don’t know if the vendor you just contacted or the delivery boy you just attended at your door is amongst the carrier of coronavirus. This is exactly where the Aarogya Setu app can do wonders. We tried answering all the possible questions which you might have related to this Application. Here we go…

What is Aarogya Setu App?

Aarogya Setu is a tracking app designed with an intention to contain the spread of coronavirus. This app provides information to common people regarding the high risk zones around them. It calculates the infection risk of its user if any of his/her contacts have been tested positive for the disease. The application is fully dedicated to COVID-19.

It is designed to use your smartphone’s location data and Bluetooth in order to find out status of the user. It finds whether the user is or was near a COVID positive person. Name of the earlier version of this app was Corona Kavach. After the launch of Aarogya Setu app, the Corona Kavach app is no longer in use.

How does Aarogya Setu App works?

Once you have installed Aarogya Setu, it will ask for some information related to your personal identity, current health status and travel history. It will seek the information if you belong to any exempted category of professionals. Once you provide all the information, it will suggest you a way forward depending on your answers.

Just like you, other users of Aarogya Setu also provides information about themselves. This way the application has live information about all its users and the status coronavirus spread in any given area.

It then uses GPS and Bluetooth of its users to provide information about the high risk areas around the users and whether any COVID-19 positive person is near the user or has come in contact with him/her.

For example, let’s assume your neighbourhood shopkeeper has installed this app and he has been confirmed as a corona positive under this application. The application will immediately alert you if he comes within six feet range near you with the help of Bluetooth. The government is relying on this app as a milestone towards coronavirus preventive measures.

How to download the Aarogya Setu App?

Downloading the Aarogya Setu App is very simple. Follow these steps:

1. Go to your Google Play Store (android users) or Apple’s App Store (iPhone users).
2. Type Aarogya Setu in search and install the application which appears first.
3. Provide your GPS and Bluetooth access and set the location sharing on “always” option.
4. Then choose the language of your choice.
5. Register your mobile number and provide the necessary information.
6. That’s all you need to do — but please do not forget to keep your location sharing and Bluetooth switched on.

Languages of Aarogya Setu App

The Aarogya Setu App is available on 11 languages including English, Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Gujarati, Oriya and Punjabi.

Who has developed Aarogya Setu App?

Aarogya Setu App has been developed by the National Informatics Centre.

Is Aarogya Setu App safe?

Data privacy concerns have been raised since the inception of Aarogya Setu App and some people are feeling concerned about installation of this application. Well, the fact is — over 5 crore people have downloaded this application so far and the number is increasing dialy. We can only pray that for now as users that it is safe. The Indian government is ensuring that application is safe. The app uses information on aggregate basis and not on individual levels. Nevertheless, experts are constantly questioning the government over data privacy standards.

Honestly, it does not seem like a choice for now given the deteriorating COVID-19 situation. Health safety has to take a priority and this app could play an important role in prevention of COVID-19. Hence, we would recommend you to download the app.

Hope we have helped with the answers on Aarogya Setu App you have been looking for. However, if there is any other query on your mind, feel free to ask in the comments section given below. We would do our best to answer it. Adios, Amigo! Stay Safe!