Emergency Alerts system test
1 September 2025
The government will be running a national test of the Emergency Alerts system on Sunday 7 September 2025 at 3pm. Emergency Alerts is a UK government system that provides warning and advice in an emergency.
Emergency alerts will only be sent by the emergency services or government departments, agencies and public bodies that deal with emergencies.
What happens when you get an emergency alert
Your mobile phone or tablet may vibrate, read out the alert or make a loud siren-like sound, even if it’s set on silent.
The sound and vibration will last for about 10 seconds. An alert will include a phone number or a link to the GOV.UK website for more information.
The Emergency Alerts system is an important tool for reaching the public in emergency situations. Survivors of abuse could be at risk if a hidden device is exposed by the alert. If you need to turn off these alerts, you can do so by following the steps below:
iPhone
- Go to your settings and select the ‘notifications’ menu.
- Scroll to the bottom.
- Turn off ‘severe alerts’ and ‘extreme alerts’.
Android phones
- Search your settings for ‘emergency alerts’.
- Turn off ‘severe alerts’ and ‘extreme alerts’.
Other mobile phones and tablets
Depending on the manufacturer and software version of your phone, emergency alerts settings may have different names. The settings can usually be found in one of the following ways. Go to:
- ‘message’, then ‘message settings, then ‘wireless emergency alerts’, then ‘alert’
- ‘settings’, then ‘sounds’, then ‘advanced’, then ‘emergency broadcasts’
- ‘settings’, then ‘general settings’, then ‘emergency alerts’.
Then turn off ‘severe alerts’, ‘extreme alerts’ and ‘test alerts’.
If you require support for Domestic Abuse, we can help you. Visit our webpage to find out more.
