Here’s how you can turn off the UK government’s emergency phone alert, set for this Sunday

At 3 pm this Sunday, September 7, mobile phones and tablets across the UK will sound and vibrate as the government carries out another test of its emergency alert system. If you would prefer not to receive the loud siren-like alarm, you can switch it off in your settings.

The alert system was first launched in April 2023 and is designed to warn people in situations where there is a serious risk to life, such as extreme weather, wildfires, or major emergencies. When triggered, it sends a 10-second alarm to all 4G and 5G devices, alongside a message with further information.

Basically, the government describes it as a way of sharing vital safety information very quickly with the public. It has been used only a handful of times since launch, including during major storms and once when a World War Two bomb was discovered in Plymouth. The largest use so far was during Storm Eowyn in January this year, when more than four million people in Scotland and Northern Ireland received an alert.

This Sunday’s alert is only a nationwide test, but because it reaches almost every modern phone, many people may want to opt out.

So, here’s how to turn off UK emergency alerts on your phone

What does the alert look and sound like? 🚨

Emergency Alerts will appear on the home screen of your device and you will hear a loud siren-like sound and feel a vibration for up to 10 seconds.

Watch the video below 📽️👇 pic.twitter.com/U0ZvNr31yt

— Cabinet Office (@cabinetofficeuk) March 19, 2023

Although the government recommends keeping alerts switched on because they may save lives, it is simple to turn them off if you do not want to receive them.

On iPhone:

• Open settings
• Go to notifications
• Scroll to the bottom
• Switch off severe alerts and extreme alerts

On Android:

• Open settings
• Search for emergency alerts
• Switch off severe alerts and extreme alerts

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Depending on your phone, these settings might also appear as wireless emergency alerts or emergency broadcasts. If alerts continue after turning them off, you may need to contact your phone’s manufacturer for help.

This weekend’s test is routine, but if you prefer not to be disturbed, the option to opt out is there.

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