The government is testing the Emergency Alerts system on Sunday 7 September 2025 at 3:00pm, Wiltshire & Swindon Prepared has announced1. The national test was announced on 7 July, alongside a new Resilience Action Plan to improve the way the government prepares for and responds to emergencies1.
Compatible mobile phones and tablets will receive an alert, make a loud siren-like sound and vibrate1. The message will be sent to all 4G and 5G phone networks in the UK and will make clear that this is a test and no further action is required1. Individuals will not need to take any action1.
The test will be the second of its kind and follows a government commitment to test the system regularly to make sure it works optimally and familiarise the public with the alerts1. The Emergency Alerts system is used to warn if there is a danger to life nearby, including extreme weather, and regular testing ensures the system is functioning correctly, should it need to be used in a life-threatening emergency1.
"The government is testing the Emergency Alerts system on Sunday 7 September 2025 at 3:00pm."
| Detail | What has been announced |
|---|---|
| Test date and time | Sunday 7 September 2025 at 3:00pm1 |
| Devices affected | Compatible mobile phones and tablets1 |
| Networks | All 4G and 5G phone networks in the UK1 |
| What the alert does | Loud siren-like sound and vibration1 |
| Action required | None; the message makes clear it is a test1 |
| Announcement date | 7 July, alongside a new Resilience Action Plan1 |
Why it matters for households
The alert will reach compatible phones and tablets on all 4G and 5G networks in the UK, so most households with a mobile phone can expect the siren-like sound and vibration at 3:00pm on Sunday 7 September1. The message itself will state that it is a test and that no further action is required, and individuals will not need to take any action1. The stated purpose is to confirm the system works and to familiarise the public with the alerts, so that people recognise a real warning if one is sent for a danger to life nearby, including extreme weather1. The announcement gives no further detail on the content of the Resilience Action Plan beyond its aim of improving how the government prepares for and responds to emergencies1.
What happens next
The test is scheduled for Sunday 7 September 2025 at 3:00pm1. The announcement says the test follows a government commitment to test the system regularly1. Further information is directed to gov.uk/alerts1. No further dates or details of future tests have been reported1.
Households can read more about what happens during a test in What Happens During an Emergency Alert Test, check device compatibility in Will Your Phone Receive Emergency Alerts?, and find the wider picture in Emergency Alerts: How the UK Phone Warning System Works. The How the UK Prepares for Emergencies: A Household Guide sets out how national tests fit with wider planning, and The UK Government Resilience Framework and Action Plan covers the policy background.
Sources (1)
- Emergency Alert Test - Sunday, 7 September at 15:00 - News - Wiltshire & Swindon Prepared, wiltshireandswindonprepared.org.uk
Emergency Exercises
UK Emergency Preparedness Guide
UK Resilience Framework
Emergency Alert Tests
Phones That Get Alerts
