The government has announced that it will conduct a test of its emergency alert system next week, which will see mobile devices across the country sound a ten-second alarm.
The test of the government’s Emergency Alert System (EAS) will occur at around 3pm on Sunday 7 September, with mobile phones connected to 4G and 5G networks across the country set to receive the alert.
Mobile phones will vibrate and emit a loud siren‑like sound for up to ten seconds. A test message will appear which makes it clear the alert is a drill.
The emergency system test will be accompanied by the following message:
This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a UK government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby.
You do not need to take any action. In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe.
Find simple and effective advice on how to prepare for emergencies at gov.uk/prepare.
Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information or to view this message in Welsh.
Launched in 2023, the EAS is used to deliver alerts to citizens across the UK, warning them of hazards in their region and providing advisories to mitigate danger.
The system uses mobile phone masts to broadcast an alert to every connected and compatible mobile phone and tablet within range. Emergency alerts work on all 4G and 5G phone networks in the UK.
It has most recently been used in Wales during Storm Darragh in December 2024, which saw a red weather warning being issued.
“On Sunday 7 September at around 3pm, mobile phones on 4G and 5G networks across Wales and the whole of the UK will vibrate and emit a loud siren-like sound for up to ten seconds, marking one of the biggest public safety exercises in our nation’s history,” said Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens.
“There’s no app or sign-up, just a life‑saving alert when it matters. This UK‑wide test will help ensure it works as it should when we need it.”
It is possible to opt out of operator test alerts like the one above. To do so, search your phone’s settings for ‘emergency alerts’ and turn off the option for ‘test alerts’, ‘exercise alerts’, ‘operator defined’, or ‘operator alerts’.
Android users can also dial ##2627## to opt out of test alerts.
While you can also opt out of emergency alerts entirely, the government advises you keep them switched on for your own safety.
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