There will be another test of the United Kingdom’s Emergency Alert system on the coming Sunday, September 9 at. 15.00. The test ping each mobile in the country and causes a high noise, even on phones set to quiet.
The good news is that there is nothing to worry about, even if it can give you and those around you a jump. This is just a test, just like the test that was performed in 2023 and you don’t have to take any action. Here’s all you need to know about what’s happening this time.
When does the test happen?
The test is scheduled for Sunday, September 9 at 1 p.m. 15.00 The British Summer Time. Everyone in the UK should get the alarm at the same time, so if you are in a public place, you might see that many people suddenly look at their phones.
The date and timing are chosen to minimize disruptions in schools, religious gatherings and workplaces. In a real emergency, of course, the alarm would be sent as soon as possible by the British government and relief services.
What will happen on my phone?
Your phone will vibrate and make a loud sound for approx. 10 seconds at. 15, as well as displaying a message on the screen that confirms that this is just a test. You don’t have to be on a special network for this to work or have a specific app installed. If you miss the alarm when it happens, go to the current warnings of the British government.
Your phone should be 4G or 5G compatible and turned on: Phones that are off will not get the warning, although they may, if they are turned on shortly after. On the contrary, ambiguously, the official guidelines say that you may or may not be given a warning if your phone is in a plane state without further explanation.
What if I am abroad or visit Britain?
The official British Government Guide is pretty light on information about what happens if you are a British citizen out of the country or if you visit Britain elsewhere. The general consensus seems to be that only people placed in the UK at the time the alarm will be affected – and it may include visitors and tourists.
What we know for sure is that the Emergency Alert system is location -based and sends warnings from specific masts to all British networks. Therefore, it seems unlikely that the British residents who are out of the country will be pinged, but if you visit, there is a chance that you could see the alarm, depending on how your phone is configured.
What is the system designed for?
At the British Emergency Alert site, some potential reasons why warnings are sent out as wildfires, severe floods and extreme storms. We assume that approaching asteroids on a direct collision course also counts.
There is also official information on how to prepare for an emergency. For example, if you think you may need extra support, if your tools are cut off, you can sign up for it in advance.
How can I turn the alarm off?
We would not recommend turning off these warnings as they could save your life. However, there are situations where you may want to disable them – for example, those who experience domestic violence and have to keep another phone hidden.
As above, you can turn off your phone on Sunday to avoid the alarm. You can also disable them through your phone’s settings: on Android, open settings and search for “emergency alarms”, then turn off Extreme alarms and Serious alarms. On iOS, open settings, and then press Notifications to find Extreme alarms and Serious alarms Change switches.
