What are Emergency Alerts?
Emergency Alerts are a public information service that have been developed by the Government to alert citizens to emergencies, both nation-wide and in their local area, that represent a severe threat to life and/or property.
The technology used allows a message to be broadcasted to a defined area, meaning any device in, or entering that area immediately receives the message, detailing the emergency and actions people need to take to ensure their safety.
Their purpose is to help save lives in emergency situations by issuing a warning and clear instructions about how best to respond. While the alert service will initially be used as part of the Government coronavirus response capability, it could also serve a wider purpose and be used as an emergency response for other scenarios, such as severe flooding or terror attacks. Emergency Alerts is the Government’s way of warning people when lives are in danger.
What do the messages look like?
Emergency Alerts appear on your device’s home screen. You must acknowledge them before you can use your phone’s other features. They appear as a notification and will include telephone numbers or website links containing further information. A loud, siren-like sound and vibration will accompany the message to raise awareness of the hazard or threat.
What should I do when I receive an Emergency Alert?
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. Alerts are sent to warn you when lives are in danger, and potentially, in some cases, for test purposes. Take the appropriate action as directed and consider alerting others in the area who may not have received or seen the message.
Why are the Government not using SMS?
Emergency Alerts offer several advantages over SMS
Speed of delivery – After the alert is sent from the issuing authority, the public should receive the message in about 4 to 10 seconds. In comparison, the delivery of the GOV.UK coronavirus SMS messages sent in March 2020 took over 48 hours, as they needed to be batched to avoid congestion on the networks.
| The Government releases Public Warning Cell Broadcast Messages via the Cell Broadcast Entity (CBE). Once created this typically takes 1 second to send. | The Mobile Network operator checks the broadcast area against its network using the Cell Broadcast Centre (CBC) and identifies the masts from which to broadcast. This typically takes around 3 seconds (4G network). | The user in the target area in range of the mast broadcasting the message receives the alert on their mobile device. |
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Targeting of messages – Emergency Alerts allow a message to be broadcast to a defined area, meaning any device in or entering that area immediately receives the message.
Security – the public can be fully confident that only authorised organisations are able to send the messages.
Privacy concerns – No personal information (such as telephone number, identity, or location) is used in the sending of any public alert message. [This has been validated by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) who can provide further information if required.]Effectiveness – the messages use a distinct tone and vibration that is hard to ignore and conveys urgency. The messages are designed to encourage recipients to act.
Future proofed – Emergency Alerts are fully supported by international ‘standards’ bodies, so the technology can be updated as new features are developed. If travelling to another country with the same system, you will receive alerts there too while you are within their borders.
Impact on the mobile network – The resources required to send a message are minimal, creating no network congestion for mobile networks.
Is my privacy and security protected?
No personal information (such as telephone number, identity, or location) is used in the sending of any Emergency Alert. This has been validated by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) who can provide further information if required. The technology used allows a message to be broadcast to a defined area, meaning any device in, or entering that area immediately receives the message. Emergency alerts are therefore one-way and do not provide any feedback on the recipients’ location or whether they have received an alert. The recipients’ telephone numbers and specific locations are not required, known, or used, and no personal information on recipients of Emergency Alerts is shared by the Mobile Network Operators and no personal information is gathered by the government or the Mobile Network Operators.
Will alerts sent to my mobile phone tell authorities where I am or be used to gather data about me?
No. Emergency Alerts are one-way and do not provide any feedback on your location or whether you have received an Emergency Alert. No data is being gathered about you, your phone, or your location. No personal information is gathered by the government or the Mobile Network Operators on recipients of Emergency Alerts.
Will all the Mobile Networks provide Emergency Alerts?
Emergency Alerts will be sent across all networks.
Do I need to download an app?
Emergency Alerts do not require an App to be downloaded. However, depending on your device, you may need to download the latest software to ensure your device can receive the Alerts.
Is it used elsewhere?
Emergency Alerts have been adopted by many countries internationally as alerting capability. These countries include the USA, Netherlands, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea, and Japan.
Will Emergency Alerts be available in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland?
Emergency Alerts will be available in all the four nations.
Is there a charge to receive an Emergency Alert?
There are no charges to receive Emergency Alerts. Alerts are sent on a specific channel that is separate from normal text and data traffic. While the alerts may look like text messages, they are not and will not be charged to your bill like text messages.
Will this new service affect my battery life?
Emergency Alerts should not negatively affect your phone’s battery life. Most people will receive them infrequently.
Can I reply to an Emergency Alert?
No, the messages are one-way only. Check the contents of the message for links to further information on GOV.UK or contact numbers.
What should I do if I receive a message while driving?
You MUST NOT hold a mobile phone while driving or riding a motorcycle. It is illegal to do so. You must have hands-free access such as voice command, a dashboard holder or mat, or a windscreen mount and the device must not block the driver’s view of the road or the traffic. You should not read or otherwise respond to an emergency alert whilst driving or riding a motorcycle.
Please be aware, the alert will appear on your device for 20 seconds and you will hear a loud siren-like sound for up to 10 seconds; if you are driving, you should continue to drive and not respond to the noise or attempt to pick up the mobile phone and deal with the message. Find somewhere safe and legal to stop before reading the message. If there is nowhere safe or legal to stop close by, and nobody else in the vehicle to read the alert, tune into live radio and wait for bulletins until you can find somewhere safe and legal to stop.
You must stay in full control of your vehicle at all times. The police can stop you if they think you are not in control because you are distracted, and you can be prosecuted. The law still applies if you are stopped at traffic lights, queuing in traffic or supervising a learner driver. You can, however, use a hand-held mobile phone if either you are safely parked or need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency, and it is unsafe or impractical to stop.
What languages will messages be broadcast in?
The primary language will be English. Sending dual language English/Welsh messages is also possible. The Government will continue to investigate the use of the technology for messages sent in other languages to increase the effectiveness and reach of the service.
How many people will it reach?
The Government wants to make sure these alerts reach as many of the target population as possible. Anyone with a 4G capable device in the targeted region will receive the alerts.
Will Emergency Alerts work on all devices?
Emergency Alerts should be received on most devices. However, there are some factors which might mean you will not receive an alert. These include:1. Where a device connects to 3G or a 2G signal this can often happen inside buildings. A device needs to be on 4G or 5G to receive the alert.2. The device does not have the latest software update, or the software update has not been released (older devices have a slower update cycle).
3. The device is not able to receive the alerts as it is no longer supported.
4. The device is not a 4G-enabled device.
5. The device was switched off.
6. The device was not connected to a mast broadcasting the Emergency Alert.
Do I need to update my phone to receive Emergency Alerts?
Yes, if it does not have the latest software. Most newer phones (from 2015 onwards) can receive the messages if they have the latest software update. Phones over 6 years old are likely to require some changes to the settings by the user as has been the experience in other countries. Older models of Apple (before iPhone 6S) that do not support iOS 14 and older models of Android (generally older than Android 9 / Pie) will not be able to receive Emergency Alerts.
How do I check if my handset is compatible?
The following options will be visible when you update your phone to the latest software.
For iPhones:
1.Open Settings.
2.Select Notifications.
3.Make sure the “Emergency Alerts” toggle is on.
For Samsung phones:Individual phones may vary, depending on which software version a customer is on.
• 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
For other Android Phones:
The Emergency Alert settings are dependent on the manufacturer and model. Generally the settings can be found through one of the following ways:
1. Open Settings, select Sounds and select Advanced. You should see an option for Emergency Broadcasts.
2. Open Settings, select Wireless & Networks and select More. You should see an option for Cell Broadcasts.
3. Open Settings and select General Settings. You should see an option for Emergency Alerts.
4. Open the text message app and select Message Settings. You should see an option for Emergency Alert Settings.
Your alert settings may be called a number of different names including Emergency Alerts, emergency broadcasts, or extreme threats or severe threats.
What if my phone can't receive Emergency Alerts?
Emergency Alerts are just one of many tools the Government can use to communicate with the public about Coronavirus and other emergency situations. The service will be one source of information in the event of a life-threatening emergency. Existing procedures will still be in place, so those without a mobile will still be made aware through the news and local emergency services, for example.
As part of the public information campaign, the Government are working closely with community leaders and stakeholders to ensure that those communities and people who are less likely to have a mobile will be able to access the information distributed through the alerts. You are advised to identify someone who lives near you who can inform you of any Emergency Alerts being sent.
Does it matter what network my phone is on?
No. Emergency Alerts will be sent across all networks.
Are you using all the network types, like 2G, 3G, 4G and SG?
The initial roll out will be on 4G and 5G networks and handsets. Following this, the benefits of rolling out to 2G and 3G networks will be considered by the Government, bearing in mind the shrinking market handsets of less capability.
What sort of Emergency Alert might I receive?
Future messages are expected to include environmental hazards like flooding, industrial hazards and other life-threatening or major incidents.
How frequently might I get them?
The likelihood of receiving a message in any given year is low. The most frequent use is expected to be for flooding, but frequency depends on your personal proximity to threats.
Can I opt out?
It is strongly recommended that people do not opt out of the service, as it is intended to warn you when lives are in danger. Emergency Alerts use a number of channels and the ability to opt in or out is determined by the channel type:
• Government Alert. This is a mandatory channel and it is not possible to opt out.
• Emergency Alert:
1. Extreme
2. Severe
It is possible to opt-out of these channels but the Government would encourage you not to.
You may also see an option for:
• Test alerts – by default you are opted out
• AMBER Alerts – these are not currently used in the UK
• Public Safety Alerts – these are not currently used in the UK
It is not possible to opt out of alerts by type of hazard, for example only receiving messages about flooding but not for industrial accidents.
If I'm on a call or using my phone, like watching a video or using Facebook when an Emergency Alert is sent, will I receive it?
Yes you will receive the Emergency Alert no matter what you are using your phone for.
Will I receive a message if I am using my phone as a sat-nav system?
Yes an Emergency Alert will display as a message if a user is using an App e.g. maps for navigation. See below for an example of how this appears.
I am visually or hearing impaired, will I know when I receive an Emergency Alert?
Yes. Emergency Alerts are designed to attract attention. This means compatible phones use a loud, siren-like sound so people with visual impairments are not excluded. Some phones will also read out the message and can override volume settings. Emergency Alerts also use a distinct vibration type. Testing with users who have hearing aids demonstrated that the reserved tone is pronounced for those individuals in a unique way. For those with visual impairments screen magnification will also facilitate reading an Emergency Alert.
Will this new service disadvantage some individuals or groups?
Emergency Alerts are just one of many tools the Government has to communicate with the public about Coronavirus and other emergency situations. The service will be one source of information in the event of a life-threatening emergency. Existing procedures will still be in place- for example those without a mobile will still be made aware through the news and local emergency services.
As part of the public information campaign, Cabinet Office are working closely with community leaders and stakeholders to ensure that those communities and people who are less likely to have a mobile will be able to access the information distributed through the alerts. It is advised that you identify someone who lives near you who can inform you of any Emergency Alerts being sent.
How will I know that the alert is genuine and not a scam to get me to do something (i.e. leave my house for my own 'personal safety')?
The alert has a unique set of characteristics that cannot be replicated by an SMS message. The message originates from the emergency services and cannot be sent by members of the public.
Your phone will emit a loud siren-like sound and vibrate extensively with the alert itself showing up as a pop-up on your screen. The message will include a link to gov.uk/alerts, where people can verify that an alert has been issued. Every alert issued will be listed on gov.uk/alerts. If you receive an alert but are still in doubt to the origins of the message go to gov.uk/alerts or check with neighbours, or friends and family in the nearby area to check whether they too have received it.
Can I trust the phone numbers and website links in the messages?
All Emergency Alerts will include a phone number or a link to gov.uk/alerts where further information will be available. Emergency alerts can only be sent by emergency responders or the Government.
What time will Emergency Alerts arrive?
Where possible, messages will be sent out during normal waking hours. However, there may be situations where messages need to be sent overnight (for example for severe flooding) where it is vital to inform you as soon as possible.
What happens if my device is in airplane mode, turned off or out of battery?
In this case you will not receive an alert. However, once your phone has power, is switched on and connected to the network, it will receive the Emergency Alert assuming it is being broadcast at that time and the threat has not passed.
Will my iPad or 4G enabled tablet receive the messages?
4G or 5G enabled iPads do not support Emergency Alerts, so you will not be able to receive Emergency Alerts on an iPad device, but you will receive Alerts on a 4G or 5G enabled Apple Watch. Other 4G sim card-fitted tablet devices with the latest software should get alerts if they have the latest software update, as will Samsung watches.
Where has my Emergency Alert gone?
If you received an Emergency Alert, you may still be able to view it on your phone after you have acknowledged it. On Android phones, the alert may be found in the Messages app. For iPhone users, the alert will be in your notifications. Access your notifications by swiping down from the top of your screen. If you delete your notifications, the alert will also be deleted.
What should I do if I keep getting the same Alert?
You may receive the same Alert multiple times if you have an Android device that is set to remind you about alerts. Check your phone’s settings to turn this off.
Why don't you text me instead?
Emergency Alerts have been chosen as it is reliable in an emergency. Emergency Alerts uses a dedicated signal, so it is not affected by network congestion. Unlike SMS messages, Emergency Alerts are also very secure and don’t require the private details of recipients. Emergency Alerts are free and easy to access — there is no need to download an app or subscribe to a service.
A vast majority of new phones sold by UK mobile network operators will be capable of receiving Emergency Alerts.
