Government Emergency Alert System – Upcoming Test Sunday 23rd April 2023

Posted on March 28th, 2023

A new system that gives the Government and emergency services the capability to send emergency alerts has been launched. The system is designed to bolster the UK’s resilience and provides the capability to send alerts direct to mobile phones when there is a risk to life. A UK-wide alerts test will take place in the early evening of Sunday 23 April. Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information.

Please share this to help keep others safe. If anyone has a mobile phone hidden from an abusive partner or for safety reasons cannot receive this alert, please advise them to remember to switch mobile phones off or place it in airplane mode etc. on this evening otherwise the phone will be activated with the loud alert on the 23 April.

The alert will say:

“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.
This is a test. You do not need to take any action.”

About Emergency Alerts:

Your mobile phone or tablet may get an emergency alert if there’s a danger to life nearby. Alerts tell you what to do to stay safe.

Mobile phone masts in the surrounding area will broadcast an alert. Every compatible mobile phone or tablet in range of a mast will receive the alert. Your mobile phone or tablet does not have to be connected to mobile data or Wi-Fi to get alerts.

You can opt out of emergency alerts, but the Government advises you should keep them switched on for your own safety.

To opt out:
– Search your settings for ‘emergency alerts’
– Turn off ‘severe alerts’ and ‘extreme alerts’
– If you still get alerts, contact your device manufacturer for help.