| When is the emergency alert test on mobile phones and can you opt out? Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 10:48, 7th September 2025 |     |
From the BBC:
The national system for sending emergency alerts to mobile phones will be tested for the second time this afternoon, on Sunday, 7 September.
The alerts are designed for situations where there is an imminent danger to life, such as during extreme weather events or a terror attack.
The previous test, in April 2023, revealed a number of technical issues including some users receiving multiple messages and others getting nothing at all.
The alert will be sent to millions of devices around 15:00 BST on Sunday 7 September.
Compatible phones - the vast majority of those currently in use - will vibrate and make a siren sound for roughly 10 seconds.
The text of the message will read:
"This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a UK government service that will warn you if there's a life-threatening emergency nearby.
"You do not need to take any action. In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe.
"Find simple and effective advice on how to prepare for emergencies at gov.uk/prepare, external.
"Visit gov.uk/alerts, external for more information or to view this message in Welsh. Ewch i gov.uk/alerts am ragor o wybodaeth neu i weld y neges hon yn y Gymraeg."
(BBC article continues)
The alerts are designed for situations where there is an imminent danger to life, such as during extreme weather events or a terror attack.
The previous test, in April 2023, revealed a number of technical issues including some users receiving multiple messages and others getting nothing at all.
The alert will be sent to millions of devices around 15:00 BST on Sunday 7 September.
Compatible phones - the vast majority of those currently in use - will vibrate and make a siren sound for roughly 10 seconds.
The text of the message will read:
"This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a UK government service that will warn you if there's a life-threatening emergency nearby.
"You do not need to take any action. In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe.
"Find simple and effective advice on how to prepare for emergencies at gov.uk/prepare, external.
"Visit gov.uk/alerts, external for more information or to view this message in Welsh. Ewch i gov.uk/alerts am ragor o wybodaeth neu i weld y neges hon yn y Gymraeg."
(BBC article continues)
My highlighting. CfN.
From past experiences:
From the BBC:
All three of us in this household received that message on our mobile phones - it startled the heck out of us!
CfN.
Millions sent government alert as Storm Darragh approaches
Around three million people in parts of Wales and south-west England have been sent an emergency alert from the government as Storm Darragh approaches the UK.
It is the largest use of the warning system yet and has been sent to the mobile phones of people in areas covered by the Met Office red weather warning for the storm.
The alert made a loud siren-like sound when it was delivered to devices, even if they were set on silent. The alert lasted for around 10 seconds.
The government alert was sent to every compatible mobile phone in impacted areas, containing information about the red warning and guidance on how to stay safe into Saturday.
Outside of test scenarios, the alert system has been used twice before, though both times on a smaller scale.
Around three million people in parts of Wales and south-west England have been sent an emergency alert from the government as Storm Darragh approaches the UK.
It is the largest use of the warning system yet and has been sent to the mobile phones of people in areas covered by the Met Office red weather warning for the storm.
The alert made a loud siren-like sound when it was delivered to devices, even if they were set on silent. The alert lasted for around 10 seconds.
The government alert was sent to every compatible mobile phone in impacted areas, containing information about the red warning and guidance on how to stay safe into Saturday.
Outside of test scenarios, the alert system has been used twice before, though both times on a smaller scale.
All three of us in this household received that message on our mobile phones - it startled the heck out of us!
CfN.
First experience of a government alert via mobile phone this evening.
Scared the bejeebus out of me while I was driving home from shopping.
Scared the bejeebus out of me while I was driving home from shopping.
| Re: When is the emergency alert test on mobile phones and can you opt out? Posted by bobm at 12:14, 7th September 2025 | |
I understand the thinking behind this but I do feel it should respect the user's desire for silence if that is what they have selected. That is often set for a reason. For me a vibration - which also goes to my watch - is quite sufficient. As a result, with the current policy, such alerts are blocked on my devices.
| Re: When is the emergency alert test on mobile phones and can you opt out? Posted by GBM at 12:59, 7th September 2025 | |
Those of us on the 3 mobile network have been blissfully unaware of any alerts (so far)!
| Re: When is the emergency alert test on mobile phones and can you opt out? Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 15:03, 7th September 2025 | |
All three of us in this household received the alert 'on the dot' at 3:00.
Our dog didn't bat an eyelid.
| Re: When is the emergency alert test on mobile phones and can you opt out? Posted by Ralph Ayres at 17:17, 7th September 2025 | |
I understand the thinking behind this but I do feel it should respect the user's desire for silence if that is what they have selected. That is often set for a reason. For me a vibration - which also goes to my watch - is quite sufficient. As a result, with the current policy, such alerts are blocked on my devices.
You can (at least on my Android phone) set Emergency Alerts specifically to "Deliver quietly", ie without sound, independent of the overall sound setting for the phone. Can't totally vouch for it working, as I discovered after the event a completely separate setting for wireless emergency alerts which was set to "do not allow", and I was indeed not alerted in any way. Pity I can't request a retest to check that the settings now do what I expect.| Re: When is the emergency alert test on mobile phones and can you opt out? Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:16, 7th September 2025 | |
An update, from the BBC.
Unusually, I choose not to quote from any of it: you are welcome to read whichever parts of it you find relevant.
CfN.
| Re: When is the emergency alert test on mobile phones and can you opt out? Posted by Kernow Otter at 20:48, 7th September 2025 | |
Recieved here during lunch. Why an American voice???
| Re: When is the emergency alert test on mobile phones and can you opt out? Posted by ChrisB at 21:08, 7th September 2025 | |
Huh? It wasn't verbal.
I'm guessing that you have accessibility settings turned on, and it read the alert message to you. But the alert was a tone, nothing verbal
| Re: When is the emergency alert test on mobile phones and can you opt out? Posted by JayMac at 21:51, 7th September 2025 | |
No accessibility settings turned on on my phone. I got the verbal read out.
| Re: When is the emergency alert test on mobile phones and can you opt out? Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:53, 7th September 2025 | |
Actually, ChrisB, it was verbal as well as textual. Unless you've blocked the audio setting?
| Re: When is the emergency alert test on mobile phones and can you opt out? Posted by GBM at 07:34, 8th September 2025 | |
Huh? It wasn't verbal.
I'm guessing that you have accessibility settings turned on, and it read the alert message to you. But the alert was a tone, nothing verbal
Only audio (plus written stuff on the screen), no verbal.I'm guessing that you have accessibility settings turned on, and it read the alert message to you. But the alert was a tone, nothing verbal
Will look at our settings later as not aware there were alternatives.
| Re: When is the emergency alert test on mobile phones and can you opt out? Posted by Phil at 08:19, 8th September 2025 | |
I was in my car when it went off (I know, forgive me; I realise it's sacrilege mentioning cars on a public transport forum but I had heavy stuff to transport) - anyway, my iPhone is connected to the car when I'm driving, so I received the alert through the car's speakers, then used the touch screen on the dashboard to hear the spoken information (and get rid of the annoying display). That was read out in my car's usual speaking voice, not the American voice I've heard people complaining of. So, there's that at least.
| Re: When is the emergency alert test on mobile phones and can you opt out? Posted by Bob_Blakey at 08:33, 8th September 2025 | |
I did not receive the alert on my 'phone; long may that continue.
