Libre 3 vs Libre 3 Plus vs 2 Plus: How to Tell

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Updated October 26, 2026

You can tell a FreeStyle Libre 3, Libre 3 Plus or Libre 2 Plus apart by reading the product name on the carton. Look for the number, 2 or 3, and for the word "Plus." Then check the model number and serial number on the label, especially if you have Libre 3 or 3 Plus sensors.

Selling? See how we buy FreeStyle Libre.

This page is general information, not medical or legal advice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own care.

Everything you need is on the outside. Keep the box sealed while you check.

Drawing of a sealed sensor carton with a green check mark, a reminder to identify the version from the outside label

What's the difference between them?

All three are Abbott sensors, but they differ in wear time, ages and pump use.

	Libre 3	3 Plus	Libre 2 Plus
Wear time	Up to 14 days	Up to 15 days	Up to 15 days
Ages	4 and older	2 and older	2 and older
Works with some pumps	No	Yes	Yes
Still sold in U.S.	No, ended Sept. 30, 2025	Yes	Yes

The Plus sensors are the newer models. If your pharmacy now sends a Plus box, that's likely why your boxes don't all match.

Abbott says the original Libre 3 was discontinued in the U.S. after September 30, 2025. If you still have some, Abbott says you can use them until they expire.

Where do you look on the box?

Check these spots on the carton:

The product name. It's on the front. Look for "3" or "2," and for "Plus."
The model number. FDA notices list Libre 3 sensor models 72081-01 and 72080-01. They list 3 Plus models 78768-01 and 78769-01.
The serial number. The FDA says it's on the label on the bottom of the applicator or carton.
The use-by date. It's next to the hourglass symbol, which comes from the ISO 15223-1 label standard.

New to these labels? Our guide on finding the REF, LOT and expiration date explains each symbol.

Should you check Libre 3 Plus sensors?

Yes. Do this before you use, share or sell any Libre 3 or Libre 3 Plus sensor.

In November 2025, Abbott announced a correction for some Libre 3 and 3 Plus sensors that may give incorrect low readings. The FDA says about 3 million sensors in the U.S. were part of it.

Here's how to check:

Find the serial number on the carton label.
Go to FreeStyleCheck.com.
Enter the number and read the result.

The FDA notice says Libre 2 Plus sensors aren't part of this correction. Abbott says affected sensors shouldn't be used, and it offers replacements.

Write down the result for each box. If you plan to sell later, a buyer will ask about the recall check, and your notes will save time.

A real-life example

Say you have a drawer with nine Libre cartons. Some came before you switched to a Plus sensor, and some came after. At a glance, they all look alike.

Sort them into three piles by the name on the front. Then check every Libre 3 and 3 Plus serial number on FreeStyleCheck.com. If any come back as affected, set those aside and contact Abbott.

Write down the rest by version and date. Now you know what you can use, what to replace and what's extra.

This takes about 15 minutes. It also stops you from grabbing the wrong sensor on a busy morning.

Why does the version matter?

If you use a pump, the version matters for your care. Abbott says only the Plus sensors work with select insulin pumps. Ask your pump maker which one you need.

Your phone app or reader also has to match the sensor. If you're not sure, call Abbott's customer care line on your box before you switch.

If you plan to sell, buyers treat each version as its own product. Offers can differ, so name the exact version when you ask for a quote. Our guide on how to sell FreeStyle Libre sensors covers the steps.

How should you store Libre sensors?

Abbott says to store the sensor kit between 36°F and 82°F. If your home may get warmer than 82°F, Abbott says to refrigerate the kit, but don't freeze it.

Abbott also says not to store it in a parked car on a hot day. In an Inland Empire summer, that rule matters. A car can heat up far past 82°F in minutes.

Pick a cool closet inside your home. Keep cartons flat, dry and away from windows.

Traveling? Pack sensors in your carry-on bag, not a checked bag or a hot trunk. When you get home, put them back in that cool closet.

What photos help a buyer?

If you're asking for a quote, take three photos:

The front of each carton, showing the product name.
A close-up of the label with the model, serial number and date in focus.
One group photo that shows your total count.

Use daylight and hold the phone steady. A clear label photo saves a lot of back and forth.

Don't open a carton to take a photo. A sealed box is worth more than an open one, and most buyers, us included, can't take opened sensors at all.

Keep reading

Questions

How long does a Libre 3 Plus sensor last?

Abbott says up to 15 days. The original Libre 3 lasts up to 14 days.

Is the Libre 3 still sold?

Abbott discontinued the original Libre 3 in the U.S. after September 30, 2025. Abbott says unexpired Libre 3 sensors can still be used.

How do I check my sensor for the recall?

Find the serial number on the carton label. Enter it at FreeStyleCheck.com to see if your sensor is affected.

Is Libre 2 Plus part of the recall?

The FDA notice says Libre 2 Plus sensors aren't part of the November 2025 correction. Libre 3 and 3 Plus sensors should be checked.

Have extra Libre sensors to sell?

We buy sealed, unexpired Libre 3 Plus, Libre 3 and Libre 2 Plus sensors that pass the recall check. In San Bernardino and Riverside County, we meet in a public place and pay cash, Zelle, Venmo or PayPal. Anywhere else in the U.S., you can mail them in. Send a photo of the carton and label for a free quote.

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