The alert will sound this Sunday
At 3pm this Sunday, every mobile phone in the UK that’s 4G or 5G enabled will emit a loud, siren-like sound as part of a nationwide test of the Government’s new Emergency Alert system. The test is designed to check how well the system works and to make sure people are aware of when it is used in a real emergency.
The alert will appear on your phone screen, and the sound will last for about ten seconds. It will override silent mode, although you will be able to swipe it away once you’ve read the message.
Emergency Alerts are meant to warn people if there’s an immediate risk to life, such as severe flooding, wildfires, or public health emergencies. The Government says the alerts will only be sent in situations where rapid communication could save lives.
What is the Emergency Alert system?
The Emergency Alert System is a Government service that sends urgent notifications to mobile phones in areas where there is a danger to life. The alerts are based on location, so you’ll only get one if you are in the affected area.
Will my phone definitely go off?
If your device is 4G or 5G enabled, switched on, and not in flight mode, then yes, it will make the loud alarm sound. Older 2G and 3G phones won’t receive the message.
I am on the Three network and did not recieve the alert during the last test, will I recieve it this time?
When the Government last tested the Emergency Alert System, an issue was detected with the Three network, which prevented some customers from receiving the message. The Cabinet Office has confirmed that Three has now rectified the issue and that all phones connected to a 4G or 5G signal should receive it.
My local 5G mast has been burnt in an arson attack, will it prevent me from receiving the alert?
No. The Cabinet Office has confirmed to Belfast Live that all those living in areas of Belfast impacted by recent attacks on 5G masts should still receive the alert if they are connected to a 4G signal.
Can I turn the alert off?
You can switch off Emergency Alerts in your phone settings, although officials strongly advise against it as the alerts are designed to keep you safe.
How do I turn the alert off?
On an iPhone, go to your settings and select the ‘notifications’ menu. Scroll to the bottom and turn off ‘severe alerts’ and ‘extreme alerts’.
On an Android, search your settings for ‘emergency alerts’, then turn off ‘severe alerts’ and ‘extreme alerts’.
What if I’m driving at 3 pm?
You should not look at or try to respond to the alert while driving. The Government’s advice is to keep going as normal and only check the alert once it is safe to do so.
What happens if there’s a real emergency before Sunday?
If a genuine alert needed to be sent before the test, it would take priority, and the trial would be postponed.
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