Manual mode vs SmartGuardTM mode: What’s the difference?

Your MiniMed Flex pump has two modes: Manual mode and SmartGuardTM mode.

When you first start using the pump, it is set to Manual mode. In this mode, you enter information to deliver meal and correction boluses. Manual mode can be used with or without a CGM. If you use a CGM, you can view sensor glucose (SG) trends, receive high and low alerts, and use features like Suspend before low or Suspend on low, as directed by your healthcare professional. Basal insulin is delivered based on the settings you entered in your app.

After a few days, and with guidance from your healthcare professional, you may switch to SmartGuard mode. In SmartGuard mode, the pump automatically adjusts basal insulin and can deliver automatic correction boluses to help keep glucose near a target SG. You still enter carb amounts for meals and snacks.

Manual mode

  • You are in Manual mode when you first start using your pump.
  • It uses the basal rates you set for continuous insulin delivery during day and night.
  • You must enter carbs in the app and deliver a bolus before eating.
  • A blood glucose (BG) meter reading must be used when calculating a bolus.
  • If your glucose is high, you must enter a BG meter reading to give a correction bolus.

SmartGuard mode


  • It can be started after a few days of use in Manual mode, at the direction of your healthcare provider. Your system will be in Manual mode after a SmartGuard exit or if SmartGuard mode is not active.
  • It automatically adjusts basal insulin delivery.
  • You must enter carbs in the app and deliver a bolus before eating.
  • A sensor glucose (SG) value can be used for bolus calculation if available.
  • It automatically gives auto corrections when a correction is needed.

Learn more about SmartGuard mode.