This Sunday, millions of mobile phones across the United Kingdom will simultaneously emit a distinctive, piercing siren sound and display an urgent message. Don't be alarmed—it's a planned test of the government's new emergency alert system designed to warn citizens about life-threatening situations.
The nationwide test, scheduled for Sunday afternoon, will reach virtually every compatible smartphone in the country. The system has been developed to warn people about imminent dangers such as severe flooding, wildfires, or other major emergencies where rapid public notification could save lives.
What will happen during the test?
At approximately 3:00 PM on Sunday, your mobile phone will make a loud, siren-like sound that will continue for about ten seconds, even if your device is set to silent mode. A message will appear on your screen explaining that this is a test of the Emergency Alerts service.
The alert will read: "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 find out more, search for gov.uk/alerts. This is a test. You do not need to take any action."
Who will receive the alert?
The test will reach most smartphones and tablets across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Devices must be connected to a 4G or 5G network, have power, and not be in airplane mode to receive the alert.
Some older phones may not be compatible with the system, and certain settings might prevent the alert from appearing. The government estimates that the vast majority of modern devices will successfully receive the test message.
Why is this system being introduced?
The UK joins dozens of other countries that have implemented similar public warning systems. Emergency alerts have proven effective internationally in providing rapid warnings during developing crises, giving people crucial time to take protective action.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, who oversees the government's resilience planning, stated: "We are strengthening our national resilience with a new emergency alerts system. Getting this system operational means we have a vital tool to keep the public safe in times of crisis."
Emergency services and local authorities will be able to send alerts about specific types of imminent threats, targeting geographical areas as small as a single village or neighbourhood when necessary.
What if you need to opt out?
While officials encourage everyone to receive the alerts for their own safety, users can opt out by searching their device settings for 'emergency alerts' and turning off the notifications. However, authorities strongly recommend keeping the service active to ensure you receive potentially life-saving information during genuine emergencies.
After Sunday's test, the system will be live and ready to be used in actual emergencies. The government emphasises that the alerts will only be sent in genuinely life-threatening situations and will include clear instructions about how to stay safe.
