The Government's emergency alerts system sends messages to mobile devices to notify people of immediate dangers or vital advice in their area. Millions of people received one such alert last week, warning of the national dangers of wildfires. The message told recipients to "not undertake any activity that could start a fire, including disposable barbecues, firepits, garden incinerators or fireworks".
However, you can opt out of receiving these messages if you prefer not to get them. The alerts will override silent or do not disturb settings, and the device will make a loud alarm sound when the message arrives. Some criticism has been directed at this use of the system as excessive and unnecessary.
Opting out of emergency alerts
The Government advises keeping the alerts turned on as they provide "life-saving information". But if you do not want to receive them, you can turn them off in your device's settings.
iPhone
To opt out, go to your settings and select the 'notifications' menu. Scroll to the bottom of the page and turn off 'severe alerts' and 'extreme alerts'.
Android phones
Go to your settings and search for 'Emergency alerts'. Turn off 'Severe alerts' and 'Extreme alerts'.
Other mobile phones and tablets
For other devices, the emergency alerts settings may have a variety of names, such as 'Wireless emergency alerts' or 'Emergency broadcasts'. You can usually find this in your settings in one of these ways: 'Message', then 'Message settings', then 'Wireless emergency alerts', then 'Alert'; 'Settings', then 'Sounds', then 'Advanced', then 'Emergency broadcasts'; or 'Settings', then 'General settings', then 'Emergency alerts'. Once you have found the right option, turn off 'Severe alerts', 'Extreme alerts' and 'Test alerts'.
