The UK's new emergency alert will soon be tested with every phone to make a loud siren - unless you turn the alerts off beforehand. On Sunday, April 23 at 3pm, there will be a national test of the UK Emergency Alerts service, which sends a notification to your mobile phone or tablet with advice about how to stay safe during a life-threatening crisis.
The government does not need to know your phone number or location to send you an alert. During the alert your mobile phone or tablet may make a loud siren-like sound, even if it’s set on silent, vibrate, and read out the alert.
The sound and vibration will last for about 10 seconds, with the alert including a phone number or a link to the GOV.UK website for more information. The alert on Sunday 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.
