On Sunday 23 April 2023 at 3pm, there will be a national test of the UK Emergency Alerts service. Many (but not all) mobile phones will make a loud siren-like sound, vibrate, and a test message will be read out to you. If your phone can receive alerts, you will still hear the test unless your mobile phone is completely turned off or is in flight mode. Compatible mobile phones set to silent will still receive the alert and make noise. Read on for more.
Why Is This Happening?
The Government have worked with all mobile phone companies to arrange an emergency alert system. Government departments and the emergency services can send an alert message to all compatible mobile phones in the UK without the permission of the phone user. This has been set up so that people in the UK, or part of it, can be warned by the Government about a very important risk or danger which is threatening the lives of the people who get the alert.
Examples of times the emergency alert system might be used are:
- A large scale flood or fire
- Extreme weather such as a really bad storm or snow
- Large scale power failures
- A major terrorist or other attack on the UK
The Government say that they do not intend to use the emergency alert system except in the worst emergencies, so you don’t need to worry that your phone will be constantly receiving alerts.
About This Test
This is the first public test of the emergency alert system, although it has been in place for a number of years. The test will take place at 3pm on Sunday 23 April 2023. This is the only time that the test will take place.
At exactly 3pm, all compatible mobile phones in the UK will simultaneously sound the alert. After the loud siren and phone vibration, you will hear the following message:
“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 an actual 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.”
Once you have heard the message, your phone will return to normal and you don’t need to do anything.
Phones That Won’t Receive The Alert
Only modern 4G or 5G mobile phones connected to a 4G or 5G phone network will receive the alert. The following phones will not receive an alert:
- Any phone which is turned off or in flight mode
- Any phone connected to a 2G or 3G network (2G or 3G is often only available in rural areas)
- Any phone which is only connected by WiFi, i.e. it is not connected to an actual phone network
- Any phone which is out of range of a signal mast and is not connected to a phone network
- Older Android mobile phones running Android 10 or earlier (pre-September 2020)
- Older Apple mobile phones running iOS 14 or earlier (pre-April 2021)
You can check the Android version on your phone using this link, and the Apple version on your phone using this link.
How The Alerts Work
All mobile phones connect to phone networks, and those networks are all connected together. The Government has the legal power to order the companies that operate the phone networks to send emergency alert messages over the network.
The Government does not, and cannot, take over your phone or control what you do on it. The Government do not need your phone number or name, or any other personal details, to send you the alert because it is sent across the whole network and not to individual phones. Receiving an alert does not mean the Government or your phone company can access your phone, photos, or files. It is perfectly safe to receive the emergency alerts. Please do not believe silly stories on social media which say otherwise.
Preparing For The Test
The test will be loud, and could be frightening or disorientating for many people. If you, or someone you care for, is sensitive to noise and unexpected events, you should prepare them for the alert. Older people who may remember wartime air raid sirens may also be upset or confused.
BuDS recommends that all disabled people, and their carers and relatives, should talk about the alert beforehand so that it does not come as a surprise or shock.
Preventing The Alert
Remember, your phone will not receive the alert if it is an older model (see above). The guidance below is for people who have a modern, compatible, mobile phone.
BuDS strongly recommends that you do not turn off the emergency alert setting on your phone. After this test, emergency alerts will only be sent in extreme circumstances and could save your life. It is in your own best interests to receive alerts when they are sent.
If you do not want to receive this test, simply put your phone into flight mode or turn it off completely, just before 3pm on Sunday 23 April. This will prevent the test alert from triggering your phone. Remember to take your phone out of flight mode or turn it back on afterwards.
If you have a hidden phone, perhaps to keep you safe in an emergency, it will still sound the alert at 3pm on Sunday 23 April. Put your phone into flight mode or turn it off before then to keep it secret.
If you do want to turn off the emergency alert setting on your phone (which may put your life in danger in a real emergency), you can find instructions on how to do this here.