An emergency alert test will cause devices across the country to vibrate, make a loud siren noise and display an emergency message
The UK’s emergency alert system is set for a test run on September 7 at around 3pm. The Government has confirmed that all devices operating on 4G and 5G phone networks will be affected, with an estimated 87 million phones across the UK likely to receive the alert.
Devices will emit a loud siren sound for approximately 10 seconds, accompanied by vibrations and a message providing more details about the alert. Typically, this message would advise people on how to respond to the emergency, but as this is just a test, people can carry on with their day once the siren ends.
However, three groups may need to react differently to the emergency alert test. These are drivers, people with hidden phones such as victims of domestic abuse, and those with hearing or vision impairments.
Official advice says victims of domestic abuse and others in vulnerable situations with concealed phones can opt out of the emergency alert. This can be done on iPhones and Android phones by navigating to ’emergency alerts’ in your settings and disabling ‘severe alerts’ and ‘extreme alerts’.
Devices from other manufacturers and software will have different methods to deactivate these settings. More guidance on opting out of the alerts can be found on the Gov.uk website.
Mobile devices and tablets will still receive the test notification even if they are not connected to mobile data or Wi-Fi networks. However, devices that are switched off, are Wi-Fi only, or on 2G or 3G networks won’t get the alert.
Drivers are cautioned not to engage with the alert if it appears while driving. The government said: “It is illegal to use a hand-held device while driving. Find somewhere safe and legal to stop before reading the message.”
For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or partially sighted, the government’s advice states: “During the test, audio and vibration attention signals will let you know you have received an alert, if accessibility notifications have been enabled on your mobile phone or tablet.
“The government will continue ongoing engagement with disability charities and campaigners in the run up to the test.”
The purpose of this test is to ensure the system works correctly in case of an actual emergency. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden, announced: “At around 3pm on Sunday, September 7, millions of people across the country will read this message on their mobile phones during a critical national test of our Emergency Alerts system.”
He emphasised the importance of the trial, saying: “Just like the fire alarm in your house, it’s important we test this system so that we know it will work if we need it. The alerts have the potential to save lives.”
Since the initial trial of the emergency alert system in 2023, five genuine alerts have been issued. This includes during significant weather incidents such as Storm Éowyn, when an alert was dispatched to those in red weather warning zones where life was at risk.