What we know about emergency alert message being sent to millions of phones
The government's Emergency Alert System, which causes a 10-second siren to sound on UK mobile phones, is set to be tested later this year.
A 10-second siren will sound on millions of UK mobile phones this year as part of a test of the government's emergency alert system.
The alert, for which a date hasn't yet been revealed, was announced along with a multi-day pandemic preparedness exercise as part of government efforts to make sure the UK is ready for threats like COVID-19.
It comes after Baroness Hallett, the chair of the UK COVID-19 Inquiry, warned the UK was not prepared nor resilient enough to deal with another pandemic at the conclusion of the probe’s first module and called for pandemic preparedness exercises to be held at least every three years in future.
The Emergency Alert System (EAS) – which can sound an alarm through mobile phones and tablets - has been deployed four times since it was launched in 2023, including in areas hit hardest by Storm Darragh this winter. It was last tested in April 2023.
Pat McFadden, chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said: “We must learn lessons from the COVID pandemic as we cannot afford to make the same mistakes again. But we will plan in a way that recognises the next crisis may not be the same as the last.”
Some have criticised the test of the system - dubbed the 'Armageddon alert' by some. Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice has reportedly described it as "the nanny state on full display", while Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg is said to have described it as a "bossy intrusion" used for "trivial matters".
What is the emergency alert system?
The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is a government service aimed at warning people if there’s a danger to life nearby.
The system causes a mobile phone or tablet to make a loud siren-like sound that lasts about 10 seconds, even if it's set on silent, along with advice on how to stay safe and a phone number or link to the government website for more information. It may also cause a device to vibrate or read out the alert.
The alert has been deployed four times since it was launched in 2023, including in areas hit hardest by Storm Darragh this winter.
According to the government website, you may get alerts about: severe flooding, fires or extreme weather.
It says emergency alerts will only be sent by the emergency services or government departments, agencies and public bodies that deal with emergencies.
"You’ll get alerts based on your current location - not where you live or work," says the website. "You do not need to turn on location services to receive alerts."
If driving or riding when you receive the alert, the advice is to not read or respond to it but to find somewhere safe and legal to stop before reading the message.
"If there’s nowhere safe and legal to stop, and nobody else is in the vehicle to read the alert, you can listen to news on live radio to find out about the emergency," it adds.
When will the emergency alert system be sent to phones?
There is no exact date yet for when the government plans to test the EAS alarm, but it is expected to be later this year.
The national exercise that its test is part of is expected to be held on different days over several months in the autumn, involving thousands of participants across the UK.
How to turn off emergency alert system on iPhone and Android
It is possible to turn the emergency alert system off by opting out.
To do this on iPhone, go to ‘settings’ and in your search bar type in ‘emergency alerts’ and turn off Severe alerts and Emergency alerts.
To opt out on Android phones and tablet, search your settings for ‘emergency alerts’ then turn off ‘severe alerts’ and ‘extreme alerts’.
If this does not work on either iPhone or Android, contact the device manufacturer.