How to Set Up and Use the NHS App: Prescriptions, Appointments and Test Results

If you still phone your GP surgery to order a repeat prescription or chase a test result, the NHS App can save a lot of waiting on hold. It is the official NHS app for England, free to download, and it puts many everyday health tasks on your phone. You can order repeat prescriptions, book appointments where your practice offers them, view test results and check your health record, without a trip to the surgery or a long phone queue.

Setup takes patience the first time, mainly because you need to prove who you are. Once that step is done, daily use is quick. This guide walks through setup, then the features most people need.

Step 1: Download the app and check you can use it

The NHS App is available for iPhone and Android. Search for "NHS App" in the App Store or Google Play, and check the developer is listed as the NHS. It is free, and you should never pay to download it. If a listing asks for payment, you have found the wrong app.

You need to be aged 13 or over, and registered with a GP surgery in England. The app is for England only. You will also need a mobile number and an email address you can access, since both are used during setup.

Before you start, make sure your phone runs a reasonably recent operating system version. If a very old phone will not install the app, its system usually needs updating, or the device is no longer supported.

Step 2: Create your NHS login

Open the app and choose to set up an NHS login. Enter your email address and mobile number, and create a password you do not reuse elsewhere. The app will send a code to your phone or email to confirm access. Enter it when prompted.

Next, the app asks for personal details to match you to your NHS record: your full name, date of birth and postcode. Enter them exactly as your GP surgery holds them. A small mismatch is a common reason setup stalls, so update your address with your practice first if you have recently moved.

Step 3: Prove your identity

This step puts people off, but it exists for a good reason. Health records are sensitive, so the NHS must be sure the person setting up the app is really you. You will usually be asked to photograph a photo ID, such as a passport or driving licence, then record a short video of your face for comparison.

Find good light, hold the phone steady, and follow the on-screen prompts. Avoid hats, sunglasses and heavy shadows. The check can take a few minutes, longer if it needs review. If it fails, check the photo is sharp and fully in frame, try again in brighter light, and make sure the ID has not expired.

If you cannot complete the online check, most GP practices can verify your identity in person. Ask at reception for help linking the app, and bring photo ID.

Step 4: Link the app to your GP practice

Once your identity is confirmed, the app should link to your GP practice automatically. Open the app and look for your practice name on the home screen. If it is not there, use the option to find and link your practice, searching by name or postcode.

Linking matters because some features depend on your practice. Repeat prescriptions, appointment booking and record access all flow through your GP system. If your practice does not offer online booking, that option simply will not appear, and that is normal.

Step 5: Order a repeat prescription

On the home screen, look for repeat prescriptions. Tick the medicines you need, choose a pharmacy for collection or delivery if offered, and submit. Your practice then approves the request, usually within a couple of working days, and the pharmacy prepares it.

Order in good time, especially before weekends and bank holidays. The app shows whether your request is waiting for approval or ready to collect. If a medicine you expect is missing, contact your practice, since only items marked as repeat prescriptions by your GP will show up.

Step 6: Book appointments and view test results

Where your practice offers it, you can book GP appointments through the app. Look for appointments on the home screen, choose a reason if asked, and pick from the available slots. You can also view or cancel bookings, which frees slots for others if your plans change.

Test results appear in your health record section once your practice has released them, often with the normal range for comparison. A result slightly outside that range does not always mean something is wrong. If you are worried, or do not understand a result, contact your practice rather than interpreting it alone.

Step 7: Use the rest of the app without getting lost

Beyond prescriptions and appointments, the app can show your NHS number, your GP health record, hospital referrals and, where available, your vaccination record. Explore these sections once, when you are not in a rush, so you know where things live.

You can also update contact details, set proxy access if you care for someone else, and check organ donation preferences. Proxy access needs separate verification through the practice, so expect an extra step there.

Keep your login details private, and sign out if you lend your phone to someone else. On most phones, you can turn on fingerprint or face unlock for the app. If you lose your phone, change your NHS login password from another device as soon as you can.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the NHS App free, and who can use it?

Yes, the NHS App is free, for people aged 13 or over registered with a GP surgery in England. You need a mobile number, an email address and a way to prove your identity.

Why does the NHS App ask for a photo of my face and ID?

Health records are sensitive, so the NHS checks your identity before giving app access to prescriptions, appointments and results. The photo ID and face video are compared to confirm you are the person named on the record.

What should I do if my GP practice does not appear in the app?

First, check the name, date of birth and postcode you entered match what your practice holds. If they do, use the app's option to find and link your practice, or ask reception to help link it in person, bringing photo ID.