The UK government announced that it will carry out a nationwide test of its Emergency Alerts system on Sunday, 7 September 2025, at 3pm. The system is designed to warn the public of dangers to life, including extreme weather events.
Since its first national test in April 2023, the Emergency Alerts system has been used to issue warnings during major storms and other situations where lives were at risk.
During the upcoming test, compatible mobile phones and tablets will emit a loud siren-like sound and vibrate, even if the device is on silent. In a real emergency, devices will also display instructions on how to stay safe.
How it Works
The Emergency Alerts system works on 4G and 5G mobile networks and is compatible with:
iPhones running iOS 14.5 or later
Android devices running Android 11 or later (older versions may still receive alerts; check your settings under “emergency alerts”)
Alerts are sent based on your current location, not where you live or work. They are free, automatic, and require no action to receive. The system is secure: no personal information, including telephone number or location, is collected or shared, and alerts are only issued by the Emergency Services or the Government.
Devices will not receive alerts if they are turned off or in airplane mode. Users can opt out of some emergency alerts, but doing so may prevent them from receiving warnings about potential life-threatening situations.
The government encourages the public to stay informed about the latest updates and alerts through official channels.
