Do you still have Aarogya Setu on your phone? If not, you may be surprised to know that it's no longer just a COVID-19 tracker. What was once India's digital weapon to fight the pandemic is now evolving into something much bigger - a national health companion for every Indian.

During the COVID-19 crisis, millions of Indians downloaded Aarogya Setu to stay safe, get alerts, and access health services. But after the pandemic faded, many people uninstalled the app thinking its job was over.

But the truth is: Aarogya Setu is still relevant. In fact, it has quietly transformed into a digital health platform with new features that are useful even in normal times.

Let’s understand what Aarogya Setu is today, why it still matters, and how it’s helping India move toward a more connected healthcare system.

📱 What is Aarogya Setu?

Originally launched in April 2020, Aarogya Setu was created by the Government of India as a COVID-19 contact tracing and self-assessment app. It quickly became one of the most downloaded apps in the country.

The app helped people:

  • Know if they were near a COVID-positive person

  • Take self-assessment tests

  • Get state-wise health updates

  • Book vaccine slots via CoWIN integration

But now that the pandemic is behind us, Aarogya Setu has changed. It is no longer just about COVID. It has been updated to serve as a digital health platform for various public health services and personal health tracking.

🔄 Aarogya Setu After COVID: What’s New?

Here’s a look at the post-COVID features of Aarogya Setu that many people still don’t know about:

🧾 1. Health Records Under ABDM (Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission)

You can now link your health records (like lab reports, prescriptions, and discharge summaries) under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.

  • Create your ABHA number (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) in the app

  • Link and store your personal health records digitally

  • Share health data securely with doctors or hospitals when needed

This makes medical history tracking easy and safe, especially during emergencies.

💉 2. Vaccination Certificates and History

You can:

  • Download your COVID-19 vaccination certificate

  • Check your vaccine history

  • Re-download if you lose the earlier copy

  • Get updates on booster doses and health drives

Even today, many schools, travel agencies, and workplaces ask for vaccination proof - this app keeps it handy.

🧠 3. Self-Assessment and Symptom Checker

You can still use Aarogya Setu to:

  • Check symptoms of common illnesses

  • Get guidance on whether to visit a doctor

  • Monitor changes in your health using a questionnaire-based tool

This is useful for early illness detection, especially in rural areas where hospital access is limited.

🏥 4. Nearby Health Services

Aarogya Setu now shows:

  • Nearby hospitals and clinics

  • COVID and non-COVID care centers

  • Testing labs and diagnostics

  • State and district-level helplines

It helps you locate the right medical facility faster in your city or village.

📜 5. Integration with CoWIN and Health ID

The app is linked with the CoWIN platform, allowing you to:

  • Book vaccine slots (during active campaigns)

  • View past bookings

  • Link your Health ID (ABHA) for future use

This is part of a bigger vision - building a digital health infrastructure for all Indians.

🛡️ 6. Health Bulletins and Government Advisories

You still receive verified updates on:

  • Seasonal illnesses (like dengue, flu)

  • Health campaigns (like TB, diabetes screening)

  • Public health alerts during festivals, elections, or disasters

This ensures you get authentic information directly from government sources.

💡 Why You Should Still Keep Aarogya Setu Installed

Even if COVID is no longer a major threat, Aarogya Setu continues to offer value to every citizen, especially if:

  • You want to track your medical records in one place

  • You’re worried about seasonal diseases

  • You want to access trusted health updates

  • You want to be ready for future health emergencies

  • You travel frequently and need your vaccine certificate handy

  • You support Digital India and Ayushman Bharat initiatives

🧠 Who Can Benefit From the New Aarogya Setu?

This new version is designed for everyone, including:

🧑‍🌾 Farmers and Rural Citizens

  • Find nearby clinics or testing centers

  • Access public health schemes

  • Store health records digitally

👩‍💼 Working Professionals

  • Keep vaccine and health documents ready for travel or office entry

  • Track health alerts in your work area

👩‍⚕️ Senior Citizens

  • Store prescriptions and share with doctors easily

  • Get alerts for seasonal health issues or heatwaves

🧑‍🎓 Students

  • Keep digital health ID ready for educational institutions

  • Stay updated on vaccine drives in colleges

🌎 Multi-Language Support

Aarogya Setu is available in multiple Indian languages, including:

  • Hindi

  • English

  • Tamil

  • Telugu

  • Bengali

  • Marathi

  • Kannada

  • Malayalam

  • Gujarati

  • Punjabi

  • Odia

  • Assamese

  • Urdu

This ensures everyone, across all states and regions, can use it comfortably.

🔒 Is Aarogya Setu Safe and Private?

Yes. Aarogya Setu follows strong data protection guidelines.

  • Your data stays on your device unless you choose to share

  • All communication is encrypted

  • You are in control of what you link and upload

  • The app has been made open-source to increase trust

You can delete your health data or uninstall the app at any time.

🚀 How to Download or Reinstall Aarogya Setu

If you uninstalled it after COVID, you can reinstall it easily:

Steps:

  1. Open Google Play Store or Apple App Store

  2. Search for Aarogya Setu

  3. Click on Install

  4. Register with your mobile number and verify with OTP

  5. Set your preferences and you’re ready to go!

💬 Common Misconceptions About Aarogya Setu

MythReality
It was only for COVIDNot anymore - it now supports general health too
It tracks you constantlyIt uses Bluetooth and GPS only when needed
It shares your data without permissionData is encrypted and controlled by the user
It is useless nowIt’s being upgraded as India’s national health app

💡 Tips to Use Aarogya Setu Better

  • Link your ABHA number to start storing medical data

  • Check the app weekly for new health advisories

  • Use it to locate local hospitals and labs

  • Share the app with family members, especially elders

  • Revisit your self-assessment every few months

📈 Future of Aarogya Setu

The government plans to expand Aarogya Setu into a full-fledged Digital Health Passport for every citizen. It may soon include:

  • OPD booking in government hospitals

  • Health insurance claim tracking

  • Chronic disease management alerts

  • Preventive care reminders

  • National health survey participation

🏁 Conclusion

Aarogya Setu is no longer just a COVID-era app. It has quietly become a gateway to public health services and personal wellness tracking in India.

So, if you were about to delete it or forgot it exists, it’s time to take a second look.

It’s still here. Still useful. Still for you.

Be part of India’s digital health journey. Keep Aarogya Setu on your phone - because the next time you need it, you’ll be glad it’s there.

Read about MyGov Portal - here

Go more questions related to Indian government processes and schemes? Ask Jaankaar Bharat below