Launching a UK-wide Emergency Alerts service back in 2023, the Government is set to carry out another test of the public alert system for all mobile phone users across the UK this year. Like the test that took place on April 23, 2023 (which just so happened to be on the same day as the London Marathon), an emergency warning message will appear on the home screens of people’s devices, with vibration and a loud warning sound that will ring for about 10 seconds – even if the phone is set to silent.
The system has already sounded four times for real since its first test in 2023, including a warning for those hit worst by Storm Darragh in December 2024. Aside from the test being carried out, Emergency Alerts will be used very rarely – only being sent where there is an immediate risk to people’s lives – so people may not receive an alert for months, or even years.
Reasons for an emergency alert
You may get alerts about severe flooding, fires or extreme weatherfor example. Emergency alerts will only be sent by the emergency services and government departments, agencies and public bodies that deal with emergencies.
When will the next emergency alert test happen?
The exact date and time has not been confirmedalthough it’s thought to happen at some point in 2025. For the 2023 test, the Government notified the public as to when to expect the alert, so we will find out in the near future.
What does the test message say?
For the test carried out on Sunday 23rd April, the alert said: “This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby.
“In an actual emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe. Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information.
“This is a test. You do not need to take any action.”
How will I receive an emergency alert?
In an emergency, mobile phone masts in the surrounding area will broadcast an alert. Every compatible mobile phone or tablet in range of a mast will receive the alert. Emergency alerts work on all 4G and 5G phone networks in the UK.
Your mobile phone or tablet does not have to be connected to mobile data or Wi-Fi to get alerts and there is no charge to receive them. You do not need to sign up for them or download an app, and the emergency services and the UK government do not need your phone number to send you an alert.
What to do when you receive an emergency alert on your phone
When you get an alert, stop what you’re doing and follow the instructions in the alert. If you’re driving or riding when you get an alert you should not read or respond to the emergency alert whilst driving or riding a motorcycle.
Find somewhere safe and legal to stop before reading the message. If there is nowhere safe or legal to stop close by, and nobody else is in the vehicle to read the alert, tune into live radio and wait for bulletins until you can find somewhere safe and legal to stop.
How accessible are the emergency alerts?
If you have a vision or hearing impairment, audio and vibration attention signals will let you know you have an emergency alert. Emergency alerts will be sent in English. In Wales, they may also be sent in Welsh.
Emergency alerts work on iPhones running iOS 14.5 or later and Android phones and tablets running Android 11 or later. If you do not have a compatible device, you’ll still be informed as the emergency services have other ways to warn you and these emergency alerts will not replace notifications from local news, radio, television or social media.
How to opt out of emergency alert tests
How you opt out depends on what phone you have. To stop receiving operator test alerts on Android phonessearch your phone’s settings for ‘emergency alerts’ and turn off ‘test alerts’, ‘exercise alerts’, ‘operator defined’ and ‘operator alerts’.
For Apple devicesyou can go to ‘Settings’, ‘Notifications’, and then scroll down to the bottom where it says ‘Extreme and severe alerts’. Tap the toggle to either turn them on or off.
Depending on the manufacturer and software version of your phone, emergency alerts settings may be called different namessuch as ‘wireless emergency alerts’ or ‘emergency broadcasts’.
You can find out more about the Government’s Emergency Alerts system here.
