Emergency Alerts

Emergency Alerts are a public information service that the Government has developed to alert citizens to emergencies, both nation-wide and in their local areas, that represent a severe threat to life, health, or property.

They are text-based messages that will be broadcast from cell towers to people’s mobile devices, detailing the emergency and actions people need to take to ensure their safety.

Emergency Alerts appear on your device's home screen. You have to acknowledge them before you can use your device’s other features. They appear as a notification and may include telephone numbers or website links to further information. A loud, siren-like sound and vibration will accompany the message to raise awareness of the hazard or threat.

Read the content carefully. An Emergency Alert is likely to include a link to gov.uk/alerts where further information is contained, and/or a helpline.

Emergency Alerts should be received on all Galaxy Fold, S and Note [from 2016 onwards] and A Series devices [from 2018 onwards], M11-51, J4 and J6, Tab S3-S7, Tab Active 2, 3 and Pro, Tab A 7-10.5, and Xcover 4S, 5 and Pro models.

A device needs to be on 4G or 5G to receive the alert.

However, there are some factors which might mean you will not receive an alert. These include:

• Where a device connects to 3G or a 2G signal (which often happens inside buildings)
• The device does not have the latest software update or the software update has not been released (older devices have a slower update cycle)
• The device is not able to receive the alerts as it is no longer supported
• The device is not a 4G-enabled device
• The device was switched off or in flight mode. Although if you are in proximity to a cellular tower when the alert is broadcast, you will receive the alert when your phone is switched back on
• The device was not connected to a mast broadcasting the Emergency Alert

We recommend that customers download the latest software.

To do this go to: Settings > Software update > Download and install.

Android 12: Settings > Safety and Emergency.

Android 11: Settings > Search for “emergency alerts” OR Settings > Notifications > Advanced Settings > Wireless Emergency Alerts.

Android 10 and older OS versions: Messages app > Settings > Emergency Alert settings > Emergency Alerts.

You can also enable alerts manually if your device is not currently supported by going to: Messages app > Settings > More settings > Broadcast channels or Cell broadcast > ON 1) Select channels > All channels => you can receive cb msg from 0 to 999 or 2) channel selection > My channels > add 999 => you can receive channel 999 cb msg.

If you do not wish to receive emergency alerts, access Emergency Alerts:

Android 12: Settings > Safety and Emergency.

Android 11: Settings > Search for “emergency alerts” OR Settings > Notifications > Advanced Settings > Wireless Emergency Alerts.

Android 10 and older OS versions: Messages app > Settings > Emergency alert history > Settings

Then toggle the switch next to Allow alerts to off.

Emergency Alerts will be sent across all networks.

No personal information (such as telephone number, identity, or location) is used in the sending of any Emergency Alert.

If the device is connected to Wi-Fi, without 4G or 5G connectivity, Emergency Alerts will still be received. If the device, network, and the user’s subscription all support the VoWiFi (Wi-Fi calling) service, and the “SMS over IP” feature, then Emergency Alerts will still be received.

For further information visit: gov.uk/alerts