The Emergency Alerts system will see mobile phones in the UK generate a ten-second siren and vibrate
An urgent government alert will be sent to millions of people in the UK with a mobile phone.
The Cabinet Office has told people to expect to receive the alert at around 3pm on Sunday, September 7.
Although that date is almost two months away, the government says it will be testing out its Emergency Alerts system.
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People can expect their phones to vibrate and make a loud siren for roughly ten seconds – even if they are set to silent.
But a message will appear on screens, stating the alert is only a test.
Around 87 million phones could be sent the message.
The UK government’s Emergency Alerts system is used to warn if there’s a danger to life nearby, including extreme weather.
It will only be the second test of its kind and follows a government commitment to test the system regularly to make sure it works optimally and familiarise the public with the alerts.
This is in line with standard practice in other countries, such as Japan and the USA
Ahead of the national test, the government will be running a public information campaign to notify people that the test is taking place, including communications targeted at vulnerable groups, such as victims of domestic abuse.
The campaign will also feature products in British Sign Language.
Pat McFadden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said: “Emergency Alerts have the potential to save lives, allowing us to share essential information rapidly in emergency situations including extreme storms.
“Just like the fire alarm in your house, it’s important we test the system so that we know it will work if we need it.
“This test is part of our action plan to build resilience across the whole country and secure the nation under the Plan for Change – from the £1 billion we’re investing in a new network of National Biosecurity Centres to the £4.2 billion we’re investing to build a new generation of flood defences to protect local communities.”
Since the first national test of the Emergency Alerts system in April 2023, five alerts have been sent, including during major storms when lives were at risk.
The largest ever use of the system saw approximately 4.5 million people in Scotland and Northern Ireland receive an alert during Storm Éowyn in January 2025, after a red weather warning was issued, meaning there was a risk to life.
Approximately 3.5 million people across Wales and the South West of England received an alert during Storm Darragh in December 2024. The storm went on to kill two people.