Apparatuses, systems, and methods of controlling sensor deployment

A medical device system comprising:

• a housing configured to be worn on skin of a host and including a distal surface for facing towards the skin and a proximal surface facing opposite the distal surface;
• an elongate analyte sensor coupled to the housing and configured to extend distally from the housing and be positioned in the skin of the host;
• and
• an elongate insertion element including a shaft configured to extend along a portion of the elongate analyte sensor and be inserted into the skin to guide the elongate analyte sensor into the skin of the host, the shaft including a surface configured to reduce friction with the portion of the elongate analyte sensor.