Ada

What Is It, In Plain Words?

Ada is a free symptom checker app. You tell it what's wrong, it asks you questions like a doctor might, and then it suggests possible causes and what to do next, such as rest at home, see a GP or get urgent help.

It is not a diagnosis, and it can't examine you. Use it to understand your symptoms before speaking to a doctor or pharmacist.

What You Can Use It For

• Before a GP appointment. Work through your symptoms so you know what to mention.
• Deciding where to go. It suggests whether to see a pharmacist, book a GP or get urgent care.
• Checking on someone else. You can do an assessment for a family member.

Getting Started Step By Step

On A Phone Or Tablet

1. Open the App Store (iPhone and iPad) or Google Play (Android).
2. Search for Ada and check it's made by Ada Health. Copycat apps exist.
3. Tap Get or Install, then open it.

Your First Check

1. Open the app and create an account with your email.
2. Tap Start symptom assessment.
3. Type your main symptom, such as "sore throat", and answer each question by tapping an answer.
4. At the end, read the possible causes and the advice on what to do next.

Things To Try Typing

Examples of symptoms you might type to start an assessment.

What It Costs

It's free. There's no paid version to buy.

If anyone asks you to pay to use it, or to "unlock" it, that's a scam.

Privacy And Safety

• What it keeps. Ada stores your health answers in your account. Read its privacy policy, and delete assessments you don't want kept.
• In an emergency, don't use an app. Call 999 (UK) or 911 (USA) for chest pain, stroke signs, severe bleeding or breathing problems.
• Never type passwords, PINs, bank or card numbers, your National Insurance number (UK) or Social Security number (USA).
• Check important answers about health, money or the law with your doctor, pharmacist, bank or a qualified adviser.

Good Points And Watch-Outs

Good Points

• Asks clear questions one at a time.
• Gives a sensible next step, not just a list of scary illnesses.
• Works with your phone's larger text settings.

Watch-Outs

• It is not a doctor and can be wrong.
• It only knows what you tell it.
• Results may worry you. Talk to a GP, pharmacist or NHS 111 (UK) if you're unsure.

Similar Tools

• Medisafe: pill reminders that can alert a family member.
• ChatGPT: the best-known chatbot, with a simple app and voice mode.
• Gemini: Google's assistant, handy if you use Gmail or an Android phone.

Common Questions

Is Ada free?

Yes, the symptom checker is free.

Can Ada diagnose me?

No. It suggests possible causes and what to do next. Only a doctor can diagnose you.

What should I do in an emergency?

Don't use an app. Call 999 in the UK or 911 in the USA.