National Emergency Alerts Information
Published: 17 April 2023
A UK-wide test of the new Emergency Alerts service will happen next Sunday (23 April) at 3pm
A test alert will be sent to all compatible 4G and 5G mobile phones. Your phone will make a loud, siren-like sound which will last for about 10 seconds. Your phone might vibrate too. There’ll be a message on the screen which will stay there until you acknowledge it.
The system will be used to warn people in the event of emergencies, when lives are in danger – for example during severe flooding. Emergency Alerts are sent to compatible mobile phones within an area of risk with advice about how to stay safe.
Only the government and the emergency services will be able to send them and they’ll be used rarely – so after the test, you may not get another alert for months or even years. Emergency Alerts don’t track your location, they don’t need your phone number, or collect personal data and you can opt out of getting them.