Emergency alert warning to be sent to 87,000,000 UK phones – all you need to know
Millions of phones will blare with the sound of a 10-second siren again later this year when the Government issues another test of its ‘Armageddon alert’ system.
The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is designed to warn the public if there is a danger to life nearby.
It will be tested again as part of a series of steps ministers are taking in response to recommendation from the Covid inquiry.
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 alert has been deployed four times since it was launched in 2023, including in areas hit hardest by Storm Darragh this winter.
Once established, the system is intended to be used in life-threatening situations including flooding and wildfires.
People who do not wish to receive future alerts will be able to opt out using their device settings but officials hope the life-saving potential of the messages means users will keep them on.
When it was last tested, the message that appeared on phones said: ‘This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK Government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby.
‘In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe.
‘Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information.
‘This is a test. You do not need to take any action.’
The entertainment and sport sectors said they were planning how to guard against disruption to large events when the test went off.
What happens during the EAS test and why?
What will happen?
Millions of mobile phones and tablets across the UK will emit a loud alarm and vibrate.
The message will be received on 4G and 5G mobile phones, along with sound and vibration for up to 10 seconds.
The alarm will sound even if the device is set on silent.
Do I need to do anything?
Phone users will be prompted to acknowledge the alert by swiping or clicking the message before being able to continue using their device.
What is the purpose of this system?
The system, which is modelled on similar schemes in the US, Canada, the Netherlands and Japan, is intended to be used in life-threatening situations including flooding and wildfires.
Who sends the alerts?
Emergency alerts will only be sent by the emergency services or government departments, agencies and public bodies that deal with emergencies.
Should I turn on location services on my phone to ensure I receive alerts?
The Government said you will get alerts based on your current location – not where you live or work, and you do not need to turn on location services to receive alerts.
What if the alert comes through when I am driving?
The Government is urging people to not read or respond to an emergency alert while driving or riding.
You are advised to find somewhere safe and legal to stop before reading the message, and if there is 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.
The AA said motorists may prefer to switch off their electronic devices before Sunday’s test as laws banning the use of handheld phones will still apply.
Can I opt out of the alerts?
Officials stressed that it is easy to opt out of the system if people need their phone to stay concealed, either by turning off the alerts or simply having the phone switched off during the test.
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