UK emergency alert to be tested for second time in September

The government said that the national system to send emergency alerts to mobile phones in the UK will be tested again in September.

The compatible phones will witness vibration and make the sound of sirens for 10 seconds while displaying a message at 15:00 GMT on September 7, even if it is silent.

Alerts dedicated to cases where an imminent danger to life, such as harsh weather events or during a terrorist attack.

Although the system has been deployed at the regional level five times in the past few years, the previous test at the country in 2023 revealed technical problems – where some people receive alert early than expected and others do not receive it at all.

Many on the three network He didn’t get anythingAlong with users on other networks – while some Receive multiple alerts. The government later said the message It did not reach about 7 % of compatible devices.

The Cabinet Office said at the time that the problems that were revealed will be reviewed and addressed before another test.

She said that the September test was aimed at ensuring the regime’s work well and ensuring that people are aware of alerts, in line with other countries that it also uses, such as the United States and Japan.

Of the about 87 million mobile phones in the UK, the alert will only appear on smartphones on 4G or 5G networks. You will not receive old phones, phones connected to 2G or 3G networks, the message.

“Just like a fire alarm in your home, it is important to test the regime until we know that it will work if we need it,” said the Minister of the Council of Ministers.

The system was used to send alerts to 4.5 million phones in Scotland and Northern Ireland during the EOWYN storm in January 2025, 3.5 million in England and Wales during the previous month.

It was also used to help evacuate more than 10,000 people in Pleimmouth as a 500 kg bomb of World War II was a bomb It was carefully removed and took to the sea to be detonated After detection.

Tercy Lee, CEO of Playmouth City Council, said it was an “invaluable tool” and provided the residents “clear information in a critical moment.”

Although the devices that are not connected to mobile or Wi-Fi data will continue to receive the alert, those that are turned off or in the plane mode will not.

Charitable societies of home assault have previously warned that the regime may endanger the victims by alerting the aggressor to a hidden phone. The National Center for Home Violence advised people who have hidden phones to stop them throughout the test period.

The government emphasizes that emergency alerts must remain in operation, but they have Publish For victims of home abuse on how to withdraw.

A public information campaign will be run before the test to notify people that it will happen.

Communications will be targeted into weak groups, such as home abuse victims, and British sign language products will be used in the campaign.