UK emergency alert to hit every Brit phone with siren - what you need to know

Brits have been told to brace themselves for an emergency alertwhich will ping off mobile phones as part of Government tests.

The alarm aims to prepare the public for terrifying situations which could cause danger to life such as national security threats or extreme weather. Another test is set to take place later this year as tensions continue to rise between Russia and the West, as well as conflict in theMiddle East. The Government wants the UK to be ready for every disaster, and it all starts with understanding the emergency alert that officials will activate. It comes after it was first trialled in 2023.

As part of the alert, the message will state: "Severe Alert. 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. Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information. This is a test. You do not need to take any action."

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When UK emergency alert test will happen

Officials are yet to announce a date for the latest test. However, it will be later on this year.

Once the test is complete, it will be sent out every two years to keep people prepared for emergencies.

What will happen in emergency alert test?

Brits will know once an emergency alert is happening due to the steps which take place.

For starters, you will see the word 'operator' in the title. Your phone will also make a 'loud-siren' sound for around 10 seconds.

Can you opt out of emergency alert tests?

You can opt out but how you turn off the alert can be different depending on your phone manufacturer.

This is how to opt out on an android

• Go on your phone’s settings and look for ‘emergency alerts’ and turn off ‘test alerts’, ‘exercise alerts’, ‘operator defined’ and ‘operator alerts’.

How to opt out via other phones

• Emergency alerts may appear under a different name. You can look for 'wireless emergency alerts' or 'emergency broadcasts’.
• Visit your settings and look for message and then 'message settings', followed by 'wireless emergency alerts' and then 'alert'.
• Alternatively, the switch off could be found under 'sounds' and then 'advanced' and then 'emergency broadcasters'.
• Another option is to click onto 'general settings' and then 'emergency alerts'

What to do in UK emergency alerts

There is nothing you need to do. Emergency alerts are free and available without the need of connecting to WiFi and data.