Take your mind back to 2023. It was a sunny spring day in April and at 3pm sharp, everybody’s phone suddenly buzzed with a siren-like noise. The nationwide notification was an emergency alert test set off by the government, designed to warn the public of life-threatening events nearby, such as severe flooding or fires.
This year, another UK-wide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) is happening. To make sure you’re not caught off-guard, here’s what we know about the 2025 emergency alert test so far.
When is the UK emergency alert test happening?
An exact date for this year’s EAS test hasn’t been confirmed yet.
What happens during an emergency alert?
The EAS causes mobile phones to vibrate and let out a 10-second siren-like sound, even if they’re on silent mode. It’s sent out in the event of things like severe flooding, fires or extreme weather and will be based on your current location, not where you live or work.
A notification pops up with advice on how to stay safe and a phone number or link to the government website for more information. On some devices, the alert will be read out.
Has the Emergency Alert System been used in real life?
The alert has been used in real life four times since it was first trialled in 2023. It was issued on January 6 this year to warn people along the River Soar that it was likely to flood. A month earlier, an alert was sent to people in Wales and southwest England ahead of Storm Darragh.
Another one was sent by Plymouth City Council to warn people that a World War Two bomb was going to be transported through the streets after being found in a local garden.
Can I turn it off?
To turn the system off and stop your phone making a sound and vibrating, you’ll have to head to your phone’s settings and turn the alerts off manually.
On iPhones and Androids, you can search ‘emergency alerts’ in settings before opting to turn off ‘severe alerts’ and ‘emergency alerts’.
The other option to stop the emergency alert system is to switch your device off entirely or put it in aeroplane mode.
ICYMI: Legendary Glasgow nightclub The Shed could reopen – but under a new name.
Plus: How to win Omaze’s latest £6 million mansion in Norfolk.
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out UK newsletter for the latest UK news and the best stuff happening across the country.