Emergency Alerts UK: what they are and what to do

An Emergency Alert is a government warning sent to every compatible mobile phone and tablet in an area where there is a danger to life, such as severe flooding, extreme storms or wildfires. Your phone makes a loud siren-like sound for about 10 seconds, even on silent. When one arrives, stop what you are doing, read it and follow its instructions.

Updated 17 October 2026 · Sources: GOV.UK Emergency Alerts, GOV.UK past alerts, GOV.UK news

In danger right now? Call 999

An Emergency Alert is a one-way warning: it cannot call for help for you. If you, or someone near you, is in immediate danger, call 999 (or 112). If you are driving, stop somewhere safe and legal before you read the alert.

Emergency Alerts: the key facts

10 sec

How long the siren-like sound and vibration last. It can sound even when your phone is on silent, and the alert may be read aloud.

4G / 5G

Alerts are broadcast from phone masts on all UK 4G and 5G networks. No app, mobile data or wifi is needed.

iOS 14.5+

iPhones on iOS 14.5 or later can receive alerts, and so can Android phones and tablets on Android 11 or later. Some older Android phones work too.

14 Aug 2026

The latest live alert: a wildfire warning across England and Wales, which the government called the most extensive use of the system for an active incident.

From the GOV.UK Emergency Alerts pages (about alerts, how alerts work, past alerts) and the GOV.UK news release of 14 August 2026, checked 17 October 2026.

What is an Emergency Alert?

Emergency Alerts is the UK government system that warns people when there is a danger to life nearby. Only the emergency services and government or public bodies that deal with emergencies can send one. It is used for things like severe flooding, extreme storms and wildfires, and it doesn’t need your phone number to reach you.

What should you do when an alert goes off?

Stop what you’re doing, read the alert and follow its instructions. Every alert includes a phone number or a GOV.UK link with more information. The alert is based on where you are now, not where you live, so check on family nearby. If anyone is in immediate danger, call 999. Our guide to when to call 999, 101 or 111 helps you pick the right number.

Three things to know

What it is

A warning sent to every compatible phone in range of the masts in the danger area. Alerts are in English, and in Wales may also come in Welsh.

What to do

Stop, read and follow the instructions. Use the phone number or GOV.UK link in the alert for updates, and keep listening to local news and radio.

Opting out

You can turn off severe and extreme alerts in your phone’s settings, but GOV.UK says to keep them on because they carry life-saving information.

What if an alert sounds while you’re driving?

Don’t read or reply to it while driving or riding. GOV.UK reminds drivers that using a hand-held device at the wheel is against the law. Find somewhere safe and legal to stop, then read it. If you can’t stop and nobody else in the car can read it out, put on live radio news for the same information.

Why didn’t my phone get the alert?

You won’t get an alert if your phone is switched off, only on wifi, connected to a 2G or 3G network, or not compatible. Airplane mode may block it too. On Android, search settings for “emergency alerts” to check they’re on. Without a compatible phone, emergency services will still warn you in other ways, such as local news and radio.

When has the UK used Emergency Alerts?

May 2021: first trials

Test alerts were sent in East Suffolk (25 May) and Reading (29 June) before the national launch.

23 April 2023: first national test

A test alert went to compatible phones across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with a bilingual version in Wales.

February 2024: Plymouth bomb

On 23 February people in Plymouth were alerted to a cordon and evacuation while a Second World War bomb found in Keyham was moved.

December 2024 – January 2025: storms

Red wind warnings for Storm Darragh (Wales and South West England, 6 December) and Storm Éowyn (Scotland and Northern Ireland, 23 January).

7 September 2025: second national test

A UK-wide test at 3pm. No action was needed; it checked the system works if a real emergency comes.

2026: Cornwall winds and a national wildfire alert

Red wind warnings for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (8 January), then on 14 August a wildfire warning across England and Wales, also sent in Welsh.

Selected alerts from the GOV.UK past alerts list, checked 17 October 2026 (it also lists flood alerts in Leicestershire and Cumbria). Read more on what to do in a terror attack and on fire safety this autumn.

Can you turn Emergency Alerts off?

Yes. On iPhone go to Settings, then Notifications, scroll to the bottom and turn off Severe alerts and Extreme alerts. On Android, search settings for “emergency alerts” and turn off the same two. GOV.UK advises keeping them on. It notes that people experiencing domestic abuse who keep a hidden phone may want to switch them off; see our domestic abuse helplines guide.

Real alert or scam? A quick check

▼ green = normal for a real alert, ▬ amber = check on GOV.UK, ▲ red = treat as a scam. Based on the GOV.UK Emergency Alerts pages, checked 17 October 2026. Spotted a scam text? See our guide to fake delivery texts.

Myths vs facts

Myth: alerts track where I am

Alerts go out from masts to every compatible phone in range. GOV.UK says the government doesn’t need your number and doesn’t collect data about you, your device or your location.

Myth: it’s always just a test

National tests are announced in advance. Most alerts on the GOV.UK list were live warnings about storms, floods, a wartime bomb and wildfires.

Fact: no app or data needed

Alerts work on any UK 4G or 5G network without mobile data, wifi or an app, and you don’t need location services switched on.

Fact: built for everyone

If you’re deaf, hard of hearing, blind or partially sighted, the sound and vibration still reach you when accessibility notifications are on.

Frequently asked questions

Will an alert sound if my phone is on silent?

Yes, it may. GOV.UK says your phone may make the loud siren-like sound even on silent, vibrate and read the alert aloud, for about 10 seconds. If you want to stay quiet, for example with a hidden phone, the only way is to switch alerts off in settings.

Does an Emergency Alert call 999 or tell anyone where I am?

No. It is a one-way warning sent to phones in an area, and GOV.UK says no data about you or your location is collected. If you need help, call 999 yourself. Our guide on telling 999 exactly where you are explains how to give your location.

I’m visiting the UK. Will I get alerts?

Alerts go to compatible phones and tablets in range of the masts in the affected area, based on where you are, not where you live. If your phone is compatible and on a UK 4G or 5G network, you should receive them. Alerts are sent in English, and in Wales may also be in Welsh.

Is there another national test coming?

National tests are announced in advance. The last one was on 7 September 2025, and we found no new national test date on GOV.UK when we checked on 17 October 2026. Check gov.uk/alerts for current and past alerts.

Sources

General safety information. In an emergency, always call 999.

Keep reading

Emergency SOS on iPhone and Android: UK set-up guide

Run, Hide, Tell: what to do in a terror attack (UK guide)

When to call 999, 101 or 111: what each UK number is for (with examples)

Alerts warn the whole area. Your circle should know about you.

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