Android phone in UK may give off test alert siren this afternoon

If you are in the UK and have an Android phone there is a small chance your phone may receive an emergency alert this afternoon. This may result in the phone (or tablet) giving off a siren-like sound.

But don’t worry you’re not in any danger. The UK government is testing its upcoming Emergency Alert System that’s due to become operational this summer. If you do get such an alert it will make clear that it is just a test.

The tests are planned between 1pm-2pm (BST).

According to the UK government there is a “small” chance your Android phone may make a siren sound during this time. From their website –

Some mobile phone networks in the UK are testing emergency alerts between 1pm and 2pm.
If you have an Android device, there’s a small chance you may get a test alert. Your device may make a loud siren-like sound.

According to the government, the message will say –

This is a mobile network operator test of the Emergency Alerts service. You do not need to take any action. To find out more, search for gov.uk/alerts

The Emergency Alert system will be used to send emergency broadcasts to people either in a specific location or across the entire nation when there is an immediate threat to life.

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This can include severe flooding, fires, terrorist incidents and other public health emergencies. The system is based on sending alerts to a person’s current location as opposed to where they live or work.

If I get an alert, does this mean the government has my phone number?

No. The alert signal is broadcast from masts and is sent to any compatible device capable of receiving 4G/5G signals within its range. The broadcast does not need to know the phone number of the receiving device (nor does the receiving device need to even have a phone number.)

The government has also warned people in Reading, Berkshire that they may also receive a emergency alert test (regardless of phone) between 1pm-2pm BST on June 29th.

So if you do get such a warning this afternoon, there’s no need to panic. It’s just a test.