By At Ease Online · Updated May 2026 · 7 minute read
Who can use it: The NHS App is available to anyone aged 13 or over who is registered with a GP surgery in England or the Isle of Man. You will need a smartphone or tablet, and an internet connection.
How to use the
NHS App.
The NHS App puts prescription ordering, appointment booking, and your health record in one place. This guide walks you through setting it up and getting the most out of it.
Before you start: what you will need;
The NHS App now has over 39 million registered users across England, and in the 12 months to January 2026, more than 67 million repeat prescriptions were ordered through it. For many people, it has replaced the need to call the GP surgery for routine requests entirely.
It is free, it is secure, and once it is set up it genuinely saves time. The setup process requires a bit of patience the first time, but this guide takes you through every step.
Have these ready before you begin
An email address you can access
A smartphone or tablet (iPhone or Android)
A piece of photo ID: a passport or UK driving licence
Your mobile phone number (for verification codes)
A few minutes of good lighting for the identity check
The photo ID is required to access your personal health record, prescriptions, and test results. If you do not have photo ID, you can still use parts of the app, but your GP surgery can also complete identity verification on your behalf. Call them and ask.
Setting up the app: step by step
Download the app
Open the App Store on an iPhone, or the Google Play Store on an Android device. Search for NHS App and download the version published by NHS England. It is free.
Create your NHS login
pen the app and choose Create an NHS login. You will enter your email address, choose a password, and confirm your mobile number. The app will send verification codes to both your email and phone to confirm they belong to you.
Verify your identity
This is the step that takes a little longer, but you only do it once. The app will ask you to photograph your ID and take a short video or photo of your face to confirm it matches. Make sure you are in a well-lit room and hold your ID flat and steady.
Once verified, your NHS login is linked to your health record and all features become available. This process is handled by NHS England and your information is not shared with anyone else.
Already used GP online services before? If you have previously set up online access through your GP surgery, you may be able to link your existing account rather than starting from scratch. The app will offer this option during setup if it detects a match.
What you can do once you are
set up.
Go to Prescriptions in the app. Your repeat medications will be listed. Select the ones you need and submit the request. You can also choose a nominated pharmacy, so your prescription is sent there automatically and is ready to collect without you needing to contact the surgery.
Order repeat prescriptions
Select Appointments to see what is coming up, book a new appointment if your GP offers this through the app, or cancel one you no longer need. Not every GP surgery has enabled online booking yet, so if this option is not available, your surgery has not switched it on rather than there being a problem with your account.
Book and manage GP appointments
Under Health Record you will find your GP notes, test results, vaccination history, current medications, and any letters or documents your surgery has added. New test results appear here as soon as they are ready, without you having to wait for a call or letter.
View test results and your health record
The app also shows outpatient hospital appointments and referrals. In many cases you can confirm or reschedule these directly through the app rather than calling the hospital.
Hospital appointments and referrals
Common questions.
The identity check is not working
This is usually a lighting issue. Try again somewhere brighter, with your ID flat on a dark surface rather than held in your hand. If it continues to fail, call your GP surgery and ask them to complete identity verification on your behalf. They can do this in person.
I cannot see my prescriptions or health record
Your GP surgery controls what information is shared through the app. If your record appears empty, it is likely that access has not been enabled at your surgery yet. Call them and ask for online access to be turned on for your account.
I have a new phone and cannot get in
Your NHS login is tied to your email address, not your device. On your new phone, download the app, choose I already have an NHS login, and sign in with the same email and password. You will be sent a verification code to confirm it is you.
One Final Note
You can't always have someone beside you when technology does something unexpected. But when everything is properly set up and you know what to do, there is nothing to worry about.
That's where we come in.
At Ease Online
We're worth knowing about
Sources
NHS England Digital — NHS App features and management information (January 2026); NHS England — NHS App and NHS login documentation; NHS England Digital — identity verification guidance; Age UK — NHS App guide for patients; NHS Digital — NHS App statistics, December 2025.
This guide is for general information only. App features and availability vary by GP surgery. For help specific to your account, visit nhs.uk/nhs-app/nhs-app-help-and-support.