UK Emergency Alert Test to Sound on Millions of Phones on September 7
Overview
A loud emergency alert will be sent to millions of mobile phones across the UK at around 3:00pm on Saturday, 7 September, as part of the UK government’s second nationwide test of its Emergency Alerts system.
The high-pitched alarm and on-screen warning will appear on approximately 87 million 4G and 5G-connected devices, causing phones to vibrate and sound for up to 10 seconds.
Authorities are urging the public to be aware that this is only a test, with the full message released in advance to avoid confusion or panic.
What the Alert Will Say
“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.”
Why the Test Is Happening
The Cabinet Office says the test is crucial to ensure the system works reliably in real emergencies, such as:
- Severe storms
- Wildfires
- Flooding
- Public safety threats
The alert system has already been used several times, including:
- Storm Darragh (Dec 2024) – Alerts sent to 3.5 million people in affected areas
- Plymouth bomb evacuation (Jan 2025) – Over 10,000 people evacuated
- Storm Eowyn (Jan 2025) and flash flooding events in Cumbria and Leicestershire
Government Statement
Pat McFadden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said:
“Emergency alerts have the potential to save lives, allowing us to share essential information rapidly in emergency situations including extreme storms.
Just like the fire alarm in your house, it’s important we test the system so that we know it will work if we need it.”
Public Awareness and Privacy Concerns
The government is running a public information campaign ahead of the test, including outreach to:
- Vulnerable groups such as victims of domestic abuse who may keep secret phones
- Elderly and non-English speakers who may not understand the test alert message
Can I Turn It Off?
Yes. Users can opt out of receiving test alerts by visiting gov.uk/alerts or adjusting alert settings in their smartphone’s emergency alert preferences.
Read more from Lancaster.
