The UK government’s new Emergency Alerts system is live and will enable people to be contacted via their mobile phone when lives are in danger. To ensure the Emergency Alerts system works effectively, the Government will be carrying out a nationwide test on Sunday 23rd April between 3-3:30pm.

It will be used to warn you in the event of emergencies, such as severe flooding.

Emergency Alerts are sent to all compatible mobile phones within an area of risk. They don’t track your location, need your phone number, or collect personal data. Only the government and the emergency services will be able to send them. If you don’t have a mobile phone, you’ll still be kept informed through other channels.

If you get an Emergency Alert on your phone, you’ll hear a loud, siren-like sound. A message on your screen will tell you about the emergency and how best to respond. You’ll be able to check an
alert is genuine at gov.uk/alerts

What are Emergency Alerts?

The UK government’s new Emergency Alerts system is live and will enable people to be contacted via their mobile phone when lives are in danger. The service will be used to warn you about life-threatening emergencies such as severe flooding.

What will the alert look and sound like?

An Emergency Alert looks and sounds very different to other types of messages such as SMS ‘text messages’. You’ll know if you get an Emergency Alert because you’ll hear a loud, siren-like sound and your phone will use a distinct vibration. A message will appear on your screen until you acknowledge it.

What is the purpose of the test alert?

To ensure the Emergency Alerts system works effectively, the government will be carrying out a nationwide test on Sunday 23rd April between 3-3:30 pm.

Can I opt out?

Emergency Alerts use several channels and the ability to opt in or out is determined by the channel type. However, we strongly recommend that people do not opt out of the service, as it is intended to warn you when lives are in danger.

Opt out Android phones and tablets:

● To opt out, search your settings for ‘emergency alerts’ and turn off Severe alerts and Emergency alerts.
● If this does not work, contact your device manufacturer

How can I find an Emergency Alert on my phone after I’ve acknowledged it?

If you received an Emergency Alert on a compatible phone, you may still be able to view it on your phone after you have acknowledged it. On Android phones, the alert may be found in the Messages app or ‘Emergency Alert History’. For iPhone users, the alert will be in your notifications. You can access your notifications by swiping down from the top of your screen. If you delete your notifications, the alert will also be deleted.

How do they work?

Emergency Alerts are sent to compatible 4G and 5G mobile phones within an area of risk. They don’t need your location or phone number. Only the government and emergency services can send
them.

Will I still receive an alert if I have an old phone?

Emergency Alerts are sent to compatible 4G and 5G mobile phones within an area of risk, if they have the latest software update. Mobile phones released before 2015 are likely to require some
changes to the settings.

Is my privacy and security protected?

Yes: Emergency Alerts require no personal information (such as telephone number, identity or location). The technology used allows a message to be broadcast to a defined area, meaning any compatible device in or entering that area immediately receives the message. Emergency alerts are therefore one-way and do not provide any feedback on the recipients’ location or whether they have received an alert. The recipients’ telephone numbers and specific locations are not required, known or used, and no personal information on recipients of Emergency Alerts is shared by the Mobile Network Operators and no personal information is gathered by the government or the Mobile Network Operators.

What is the difference between SMS and Emergency Alerts?

After the alert is sent by the government or emergency services, the message will be received on a mobile phone within about 4 to 10 seconds. In comparison, the delivery of SMS messages can take up to 48hrs. This is critical in emergencies. Emergency Alerts are one-way and no personal information is required, whereas an SMS message requires a phone number.

What languages will messages be broadcast in?

The primary language will be English. Sending dual language English/Welsh messages is also possible for alerts in Wales. We will continue to investigate the use of the technology for messages sent in other languages to increase the effectiveness and reach of the service.

What are test alerts?

To ensure the Emergency Alerts system works effectively, the government may occasionally carry out a test of the service.

To learn more about Emergency Alerts, look out for the nationwide information campaign and visit gov.uk/alerts

On 16^th May 2021, the Government announced plans to launch a UK Emergency Alerts warning service. Ahead of introduction a series of public tests will take place.

Following a successful test in East Suffolk on the 25th May 2021, the second test will take place in Reading on the 29^th June 2021, 1-2pm. People who receive the test alert in Reading will not need to do anything – it is just a test to ensure the effectiveness of the service. The alerts are free to receive, and one-way. They do not reveal location and do not collect any personal data.

Should the tests continue to prove successful the capability will be made available for use across the whole of the UK later this year.

What are Emergency Alerts?

Emergency Alerts are a public information service that the Government has developed to alert citizens to emergencies, both nation-wide and in their local area, that represent a severe threat to life and/or property. They are text-based messages that will be broadcast from cell towers to people’s mobile devices, detailing the emergency and actions people need to take to ensure their safety.

What do the messages look like?

Emergency Alerts appear on your device’s home screen. You have to acknowledge them before you can use your device’s other features. They appear as a notification and may include telephone numbers or website links to further information. A loud, siren-like sound and vibration will accompany the message to raise awareness of the hazard or threat.

What should I do when I receive an Emergency Alert?

Read the content carefully. An Emergency Alert is likely to include a link to gov.uk/alerts where further information is contained, and/or a helpline.

Will Emergency Alerts work on all devices?

Emergency Alerts should be received on all Galaxy Fold, S and Note [from 2016 onwards] and A Series devices [from 2018 onwards], M11-51, J4 and J6, Tab S3-S7, Tab Active 2, 3 and Pro, Tab A 7-10.5, and Xcover 4S, 5 and Pro models.

A device needs to be on 4G or 5G to receive the alert.

However, there are some factors which might mean you will not receive an alert. These include:

• Where a device connects to 3G or a 2G signal (which often happens inside buildings).
• The device does not have the latest software update or the software update has not been released (older devices have a slower update cycle).
• The device is not able to receive the alerts as it is no longer supported.
• The device is not a 4G-enabled device.
• The device was switched off or in flight mode. Although if you are in proximity to a cellular tower when the alert is broadcast, you will receive the alert when your phone is switched back on.
• The device was not connected to a mast broadcasting the Emergency Alert.

We recommend that customers download the latest software. To do this go:

Settings > Software update > Download and install

How to find Emergency Alerts?

Android 11: Settings > Search for “emergency alerts” OR Settings > Notifications > Advanced Settings > Wireless Emergency Alerts

Android 10 and older OS versions: Messages app > Settings > Emergency Alert settings > Emergency Alerts

You can also enable alerts manually if your device is not currently supported;

Messages app > Settings > More settings > Broadcast channels or Cell broadcast > ON

1) Select channels > All channels => you can receive cb msg from 0 to 999

or 2) channel selection > My channels > add 999 => you can receive channel 999 cb msg

Will all the Mobile Networks provide Emergency Alerts?

Emergency Alerts will be sent across all networks.

Is my privacy and security protected?

No personal information (such as telephone number, identity or location) is used in the sending of any Emergency Alert.

For further information visit: gov.uk/alerts