First national test of the emergency alerts system held

The first national test of the UK's emergency alerts system was held in April 2023, with the government saying afterwards that some users reported their phones did not sound, and that the problem was traced back to specific networks¹. The test sent an alert to mobile devices across the country, with a message on phone screens making clear it was only a test and no action needed to be taken¹.

The Lancashire Resilience Forum, in a reminder issued ahead of a later test, set out how the system works and what happened at the first one. It said approximately 87 million mobile devices would vibrate and make a loud siren sound for roughly ten seconds, even if set to silent, and that the alert is intended as something that would allow the UK government to warn of any potential danger to life nearby¹. The government said it tests the system to ensure it is working optimally and so the public become familiar with the alerts¹.

The first test was followed by real use. Since April 2023, five alerts have been sent to warn the public of real emergencies, according to the forum¹. It said the largest use came in January, when approximately 4.5 million people in Scotland and Northern Ireland received an alert during Storm Eowyn, after a rare red weather warning meaning there was a risk to life was issued¹. The system has also been used to warn of adverse weather and, in one case last year, when an unexploded Second World War bomb was due to be moved by the military¹.

Why it matters for households

The alert reaches devices even when they are set to silent, so a phone in a household will sound unless alerts have been switched off or the device is off or in aeroplane mode¹. The forum reports that domestic violence charities have expressed concern that the alert could give away secret phones that people experiencing abuse are keeping hidden, and advises that anyone with concerns can avoid the alert¹. It lists the settings paths for turning alerts off on iOS and Android devices, and on Huawei devices running EMUI 11 or older, as well as switching the device off entirely or putting it in aeroplane mode before the test time¹. The forum's guidance covers what the alert is for, how to turn it off or on, and whether a phone will receive it, in its pages on emergency alerts, compatible phones and turning alerts off or on.

What happens next

The forum's reminder concerned a further national test due at 3pm on Sunday 7th September, described as the second test of its kind¹. No further detail on the outcome of that test is given in the source.