National Emergency Alert: Exact time warning alarm to sound from all mobiles today

National emergency alert

The alert will appear alongside a sound and vibration for around 10 seconds.

UKGOV
Svar Nanan-Sen

By Svar Nanan-Sen


Published: 23/04/2023

- 14:10

Updated: 24/04/2023

- 08:26

The alert will appear alongside a sound and vibration for around 10 seconds.

A national emergency alarm is set to sound on most smartphones across the UK today.

The alert will make it clear that it is a test of a new UK Government service.


Mobile phones that have 4G or 5G will receive the message.

The alert will appear alongside a sound and vibration for around 10 seconds.

National emergency alaert

Drivers should ignore their phone and wait for the alert to end during the test today

PA

The alarm will make a noise even if mobile phones are on silent.

The trial is to see if the alert system works in case it needs to be used as a disaster warning in future.

Some scenarios the alarm could be used are life-threatening weather, floods and fires in the UK.

The alert could also be used in future in the case of a terror attack.

The Government believes this will be a vital tool to help improve emergency response.

The test alarm will take place at 15:00 BST today.

The message will say: "This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby.

"In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe.

National emergency alert

The Government believes the alert will be a vital tool to help improve emergency response.

PA

"Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information.

"This is a test. You do not need to take any action."

The Government has advised people to continue using their phones as normal after dismissing the alert as it is just a test.

Their advice states: "For the test, the public does not need to take any action - the sound and vibration will stop automatically after ten seconds.

"All people need to do is swipe away the message or click ‘OK’ on their phone’s home screen - just like for a ‘low battery’ warning or notification - and continue to use their phone as normal."

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