Emergency alert to be sent to millions of UK phones in government test
Why 10-second sirens will sound on our phones this year
- The UK government will conduct an "emergency alert" system test this year, sounding a 10-second siren on millions of mobile phones across the country.
- This test, in line with Covid inquiry recommendations, aims to warn the public about severe emergencies such as flooding, fires, and extreme weather.
- Alerts will appear on phone home screens, vibrate, and emit siren-like beeps, requiring user acknowledgment before other phone features can be accessed.
- The system, launched in 2023, is sent by emergency services and government departments, reaching an estimated 90 percent of mobile phones via 4G and 5G networks.
- While the exact date is unconfirmed, this will be the last test of 2025, with subsequent tests planned every two years; users have the option to turn off the feature.