SunSmart app

The SunSmart Global UV app was developed to guide users when sun protection is required to reduce the global burden of skin cancer and UV-related eye damage. The app, which provides worldwide UV levels, can be tailored to each person’s specific location, whether they are here in Australia or overseas, and provides daily sun protection times as well as a seven-day weather and UV forecast.

The app has options for alerts at custom times or when sun protection is recommended to take the guesswork out of when to use sun protection and includes a guide on how best to protect yourself during these times.

The SunSmart Global UV app is free for download through the Apple and Google Play App Stores.

To add a location in the app, tap into the ‘Locations’ tab at the bottom of the app and on:

• Apple: click on ‘+Add a Location’ or ‘Add’ which appears in the top right.
• Android: click on ‘+’ which appears in the bottom right.

You will be able to click on the ‘Search Nearby Locations’ button which will automatically use your phone’s GPS to add your location. If you do not want the app to access your GPS, you can manually enter a location by scrolling down the list of countries/regions. You can also use the search bar at the top of the screen by typing in the name of the country and then select/search the location you want to add. As you type, search results will appear. Select the correct location from the results, and it will be added to your ‘Locations’ list. Once added, return to the home page of the app, and you’ll be able to swipe between your locations at the top of the screen.

The app supports a maximum of 10 locations. You can always remove a location you no longer require and add a new location. Once you have reached the maximum number of locations the app will advise you. You can also set alerts for more than one location.

Tap into the ‘Locations’ tab from the homepage. To remove a location, you can:

• Press and hold on the location you’d like to remove, and swipe left. A red section with an icon of a rubbish bin will appear to the right of the location name. A confirmation screen will appear. To finalise the removal of the location, click ‘Remove Location’.
• Alternatively, when you’re on the ‘Locations’ tab, click ‘Edit’ at the top left for Apple and the top right for Android. This will display a red circle or a red bin next to each location. Tap on the red circle, and a delete option will appear.

The SunSmart Global UV app now offers users the ability to select their preferred language to view the app. To select your preferred location, navigate to the ‘More’ tab and then ‘Language’. From there, select your preferred language. The app is currently available in English, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Dutch, German, Spanish, Italian and French.

You can use the SunSmart Global UV app anywhere in the world where you have an internet connection. Currently, the app provides hourly UV forecasts for over 2,500 locations across the globe.

The SunSmart Global UV app now offers users the flexibility to view data in either Celsius or Fahrenheit. To make this change navigate to the ‘More’ tab and then select ‘Temperature Units’. From there select your preferred unit: Celsius or Fahrenheit.

The SunSmart Global UV app offers the ability to view the app in dark mode. The app will default the appearance to the user’s preferred appearance on their device. To change the appearance, navigate to the ‘More’ tab and then ‘Appearance’. From there, select your preferred appearance: light or dark.

To edit the font size of the ‘Current UV’ and ‘Max UV’ text on the home screen, navigate to the ‘More’ tab and toggle off or on ‘Large UV Display Size’.

The SunSmart Global UV app allows you to receive alerts and see sun protection information in 24-hour time. To make this change, navigate to the ‘More’ tab and toggle on or off ‘24-hour time’.

The SunSmart Global UV app is now available on large screen devices, including tablet.

Live UV refers to real-time ultraviolet (UV) radiation data. If your location is within 100km of a supported real-time UV weather station, the SunSmart Global UV app’s home screen displays ‘Live UV’. This live UV data is more accurate than forecast data because if reflects current weather conditions like rain and cloud cover which impacts the UV levels. Therefore, live UV data may differ from forecast UV data which is displayed on other phone or weather applications.

This data is provided by Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) for a fixed number of sites around Australia. This data feed is updated every 1-2 mins.

On the home screen of the app under the sun protection dial, the app will display the current UV index and the maximum UV index for the day. Beside the figures the app will state ‘Live UV Index’ if the app is providing live UV for your location or ‘UV Index forecast’ where forecast data is being shown for your location.

The app allows users to change to see forecast UV for a location instead of Live UV. You can turn off Live UV by going to:

• The ‘More’ tab and navigating to the ‘Live UV’ section.
• If ‘Live UV’ is being used for a location it will be shown.
• Toggle off ‘Live UV’.

The app uses geo-location data to deliver forecast UV information from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, and weather information from the Hong Kong Observatory. It then uses a unique algorithm guided by the UV Index to provide behavioural guidance as to when sun protection is required and when it is not.

The SunSmart Global UV App can be programmed to send you a push notification or alert 20 minutes before your selected location’s UV level reaches 3 or above to remind you to use sun protection. You can also select the alert for a custom time and day based on your daily routine.

The app allows users the ability to set alerts for multiple locations. To do this:

• Tap on ‘UV Alerts’ in the app.
• Select the location you would like to set an alert for and choose the alert you would like to receive.
• The app will show a blue bell next to the location which an alert has been set for.

To ensure you receive these alerts, make sure you’ve granted the SunSmart app permission to send push notifications. This can typically be done in your device’s settings.

To set an alert for a specific location, ensure the location has been added in your ‘Locations’ tab. Then navigate to the ‘UV Alerts’ tab and click on the relevant location.

There are two alerts available on the SunSmart Global UV app, these include:

• Sun Protection Recommended Alert: This alert sends you a push notification 20 minutes before sun protection is recommended at your location. This will be when the UV is 3 or above. This early reminder allows you to apply sunscreen and other forms of sun protection before skin damage is likely to occur.
• Custom Alert: This feature allows you to tailor the alert you would like to receive. You can choose the exact time and days you’d like to receive alerts for your chosen location.

If these FAQs have not assisted you with your question, please email us at SunSmart.Enquiries@cancervic.org.au. Please include your location, device, operating system, and the issue you are experiencing.