What are Emergency Alerts?

The new Emergency Alerts service is now live. The system will enable people to be contacted via their mobile phone if their lives are at risk in an emergency. The service will be used to warn you about life-threatening emergencies such as severe flooding.

What will the alert look and sound like?

An Emergency Alert looks and sounds very different to other types of messages such as SMS ‘text messages’. You’ll know if you get an Emergency Alert because you’ll hear a loud, siren-like sound and your phone will use a distinct vibration. A message will appear on your screen until you acknowledge it.

TO OPT OUT:

Opt Out iPhone:

  • To opt out, search your settings for ‘emergency alerts’ and turn off “Severe alerts” and “Emergency alerts”.
  • If this does not work, contact your device manufacturer.

Opt Out Android phones and tablets:

  • To opt out, search your settings for ‘emergency alerts’ and turn off Severe alerts and Emergency alerts.
  • On Huawei devices running EMUI 11 or older, search your settings for ‘emergency alerts’ and please turn off “Extreme threats”, “Severe threats” and “Show amber alerts”
  • If this does not work, contact your device manufacturer

Video Explaining how to opt out: https://youtu.be/I2MBcHwmiy8

For further advice go to gov.uk/alerts/opt-out