Emergency Alerts on your phone: what the siren means and what to do

What Emergency Alerts are

Emergency Alerts is a UK government system that warns you about life-threatening emergencies near you. Alerts can only be sent by the emergency services and by government departments, agencies and public bodies that deal with emergencies. GOV.UK lists examples such as severe flooding, extreme storms and wildfires.

The system has already been used for real. Millions of phones in Northern Ireland and Scotland received an alert ahead of the red wind warning for Storm Éowyn in January 2025. The whole country got a national test on 7 September 2025.

What happens when an alert arrives

• Your phone or tablet makes a loud siren-like sound and vibrates for about 10 seconds, even if it is set to silent. It may read the alert out.
• The alert explains the danger and what to do, and includes a phone number or GOV.UK link for more information.
• Alerts are in English, and in Wales may also be in Welsh.

What you should do

1. Stop what you are doing and read the alert.
2. Follow its instructions. That might be to leave an area, to stay indoors, or to avoid a road. If it tells you to shelter, see go in, stay in, tune in.
3. Check the GOV.UK link, local radio or official channels for updates.
4. Check on anyone nearby who may not have a phone or may not understand the alert.

How it works

Alerts are broadcast from mobile phone masts in the affected area. Every compatible phone or tablet in range receives them. That means:

• They are free. You do not need to sign up or download an app.
• You do not need mobile data, wifi or location services turned on.
• You get alerts for where you are, not where you live or work.
• The government does not need, collect or share your number or location.

Why you might not get an alert

According to GOV.UK, you will not get alerts if your device is turned off, connected only to a 2G or 3G network, on wifi only, or not compatible. You may not get them in airplane mode. Alerts work on iPhones running iOS 14.5 or later and Android phones and tablets running Android 11 or later; some older Android phones also receive them. Keep your software up to date.

This matters in a power cut. Mobile masts have limited backup power, and when they go down, alerts cannot reach phones in that area. That is one reason why a battery or wind-up radio is still on every official kit list, and why flood warnings by phone call, text or email are worth signing up for separately.

If you do not have a compatible phone, you will still be warned: the emergency services have other ways to tell you, and Emergency Alerts do not replace local news, radio or TV.

Scams

The Emergency Alerts service will never send you emails and never ask for personal details. Fake “emergency” messages by text, email or social media are a common scam. If in doubt, check the alert at gov.uk/alerts, which lists current and past alerts.

Should you turn them off?

For almost everyone, no. GOV.UK says alerts contain life-saving information and should be kept switched on. You can opt out by turning off “severe alerts” and “extreme alerts” in your phone’s settings. The government recognises some people have good reason to, for example someone experiencing domestic abuse who keeps a hidden phone. If that applies to you, the opting out page explains how.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or partially sighted, check that accessibility notifications are turned on so the vibration and audio signals reach you.

Other warnings worth having

• Flood alerts and warnings from the Environment Agency, SEPA, NRW or DfI.
• Met Office weather warnings.
• Your power network operator’s outage map and 105.
• Your local BBC radio station, on a battery radio.