How to Turn Off UK Emergency Alerts System in iPhone, Android

Jenny Lee June 22, 2021 | 23:34

Emergency alerts are being sent to mobile phones today, Tuesday June 22, as part of a UK-wide Government test.

Guide Turn Off UK Emergency Alerts System in iPhone, Android

Loud siren-like sounds were triggered on mobile phones and tablets this afternoon as part of UK government test of its new emergency alerts system.

When the alert service goes live, it will be used to issue warnings to the public about various dangers, including terrorist incidents, flooding and public health emergencies.

All test-alerts come with a warning message sent to phones included in the trial explaining to users the alarm is only a test-run and nothing to panic about.

How to Turn Off UK Emergency Alerts System?

People who don't wish to be disturbed by the alerts, or who would only wish their phone to be triggered in the case of a severe emergency, may be able to turn off some notifications as the system is steadily rolled out to devices nationwide.

You will however, not be able to shut down the most important warnings which come with a risk to life, when the system is operational, says the government website (the Gov.uk website)

The warning says: "You can opt out of some emergency alerts, but not the most important ones. You cannot opt out by subject, only by how serious the emergency is. If you opt out because you do not want flood warnings, for example, you might miss alerts for fires and terrorism.

"Because of this, you should keep emergency alerts switched on for your own safety."

Guide to opt out of emergency alerts

Owners of both Android and iPhone devices can see if their phone is already programmed with the new system by searching their phone's settings for 'emergency alerts'.

How emergency alerts may appear within your iPhone's settings (48460379)

If your phone has the available settings you'll be able to select and deselect on which levels you'd wish your phone to sound an alarm if ever triggered locally.

Options currently displayed within the settings on some Android devices include Amber, Severe and Extreme - albeit the government insists switching off the most severe level of alert actually won't be possible.

How the Emergency Alerts settings currently appear on an Android device

For some Android users, who may have found themselves part of the trials, there may also be an option on their device to switch off test alerts.

This can be found, says the government guide, on included Android phones by also searching for 'emergency alerts' within the phone's settings and turning off 'test alerts' or by opening up the phone calling app and entering the code *#*#2627#*#*.

Android phones and tablets

To opt out, search your settings for ‘emergency alerts’ and turn off Severe alerts.

If this does not work, contact your device manufacturer.

Mobile phone network tests

If you have an Android device, there’s a small chance you may get test alerts from your mobile network operator.

If you want to opt out of mobile network operator alerts

iPhone

To opt out, search your settings for ‘emergency alerts’ and turn off Severe alerts.

If this does not work, contact your device manufacturer.

the Gov.uk website says: "Some mobile phone networks in the UK are testing emergency alerts between 1pm and 2pm.

"If you have an Android device, there’s a small chance you may get a test alert. Your device may make a loud siren-like sound.

"The alert will say: 'This is a mobile network operator test of the Emergency Alerts service. You do not need to take any action. To find out more, search for gov.uk/alerts'."