UK Emergency alert message to be sent to mobiles in new test
Emergency alerts is a UK government service that warns people when there's a danger to life nearby.
Gov.uk says: "In an emergency, your mobile phone or tablet will receive an alert with advice about how to stay safe."
Alerts will only be sent by emergency services, government departments, agencies and public bodies.
They will usually alert people to things like sever flooding, fires or extreme weather.
Some people received emergency alerts from the UK and Scottish Governments back in January due to the red weather warning and strong winds associated with Storm Éowyn.
While the last test of the service took place on April 23, 2023.
An emergency alert was sent out to people across the UK and Northern Ireland in January due to Strom Eowyn. (Image: Rebecca Black/PA Wire)
The last test alert read: "Severe Alert. This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK government service that will warn you if there's a life-threatening emergency nearby.
'In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe.
"Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information. This is a test. You do not need to take any action.'
Following the successful test of the UK Emergency Alerts system in 2023, the government said it would carry out "occasional operator tests" to assess improvements made.
The next national test is set to take place later this year (an exact date is yet to be revealed).
Every mobile phone in the UK is set to receive a new emergency alert test message in 2025. (Image: Lauren Hurley/PA Wire) The Gov.uk website says: "You may get this alert if you have a phone that has operator test alerts turned on.
"These operator tests are not alerting you of real danger. These alerts will always have 'operator' in the title and will confirm that no action is needed."
If you get an emergency alert, your mobile phone or tablet will:
The alert will also include a phone number or a link to the Gov.UK website for more information.
What does the alert look and sound like? 🚨
Emergency Alerts will appear on the home screen of your device and you will hear a loud siren-like sound and feel a vibration for up to 10 seconds.
Watch the video below 📽️👇 pic.twitter.com/U0ZvNr31yt
Emergency alerts, according to the Government website, will only work on the following devices:
Other phones that do not run iOS or Android may also receive alerts.
You may also still be able to receive alerts if operating on an earlier version of Android.
To check, search your device settings for 'emergency alerts'.
You will not receive an emergency alert message if your device is:
If you do not wish to receive an emergency alert message as part of the national training, you can opt out.
To stop receiving operator test alerts on Android devices, search your phone's settings for 'emergency alerts' and turn off 'test alerts', 'exercise alerts', 'operator defined' and 'operator alerts'.
If you cannot see them in your settings, the government recommends:
RECOMMENDED READING:
Met Office emergency alerts gives Brits 'heart attacks' as they expect 'WW3'
Virgin Media O2 to continue switch off next month leaving customers with no internet
BBC iPlayer to stop working on select TV boxes from next month - is yours one?
Depending on the manufacturer and software version of your phone, emergency alert settings may be called different names, according to Gov.uk.
The settings can usually be found in one of the following ways. The government website says to go to:
"Then turn off 'test alerts', 'exercise alerts', 'operator defined' and 'operator alerts'," it adds.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
9 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
SQA blasted over late exam results even by TEXT as nervous Scots pupils rage online
Thousands of school pupils were also warned to expect a delay in their results arriving in the post 'ABSOLUTE DISGRACE' SQA blasted over late exam results even by TEXT as nervous Scots pupils rage online Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ANXIOUS Scottish school pupils have been left furious after waiting hours to receive their exam results by text. After enjoying the summer holidays, 147,000 students are receiving the grades they have been working towards during the last school year. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 147,000 pupils are set to get their exam results today Credit: Alamy And thousands of students signed up to get their results of their Nationals, Highers, and Advanced Highers exams by text and online. The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) previously revealed that the grades would be released at around 8am. But dozens of anxious and nervous pupils have blasted the qualifications body after they still hadn't received them by 11am. Many have flocked to social media to demand answers from the SQA as they wait for their certificates. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one person said: "Is anyone else STILL waiting on SQA results? This is an absolute disgrace." Another added: "Omg, where are the exam results texts? 8am they said". Is anyone else STILL waiting on SQA results? This is an absolute disgrace Angry post on X Someone else wrote: "SQA, please where are my results". While a fourth posted: "The SQA is taking the utter p***". And a fifth chimed in: "My postman comes in like 4 hours. I cannot wait that long, please, where is my text or email with my results". Weather experts previously warned mobile phone coverage and power outages caused by Storm Floris could delay any results text messages being sent through. Jenny Gilruth apology as thousands of students received 'blank' result certificates Widespread disruption hit Scotland yesterday as the monstrous storm battered the country with gale-force 100mph winds. Thousands of school pupils were also warned to expect a delay in their results arriving in the post due to the storm. The SQA said the aftermath of Storm Floris could delay the results being posted out to homes. While the results were sent out by first-class post, there is a chance that they could arrive later than expected. Royal Mail workers have already confirmed there will be delays in post getting to the Outer Hebrides, Orkney, and Shetland. Scotland's education secretary says there are still ways to access grades despite delays to some hard copies. Jenny Gilruth says there were ways for those waiting to access results by text, email or students calling their schools or the SQA helpline. She told BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme: 'I know this will be disappointing and nerve-wracking for some of the young people involved. 'But those signed up for the text and email service should still receive their results by that route and certificates when they do arrive in the post. 'They can also contact their school or college or the SQA helpline, but the first port of call is to contact the school or college directly.' What can I do if I fail my exam? IF someone doesn't get the results they're hoping for, then it's important not to panic - there is lots of support available. The SQA's candidate advice line will be open for students to call and can be reached on 0345 279 1000. It will open at 8am today and will stay open until 8pm this evening. It will also be available from 8.30am until 5pm tomorrow, Thursday and Friday. Anyone who doesn't manage to meet a conditional offer for university or college can also apply to Ucas' clearing process, external. This is used by universities and colleges to fill empty places in different courses. Skills Development Scotland (SDS) has also set up a special results helpline, with careers advisers on hand to provide support and assistance. The agency will operate an advice line which will be open from today until Friday. Anyone who needs advice or who didn't get the result they hoped for can call the helpline number on 0808 100 8000. An SQA worker responded to some students on X who shared their frustrations. They said: "All MySQA texts have been sent, but it can take a wee while longer depending on your service provider and the way they've chosen to send it to your device. "So long as you signed up to MySQA by 16/07 at 5pm and clicked the activation link in your inbox, you'll receive your results soon. "Please also check your spam folder in case the email has gone there. "If you have not yet received your results certificate, then your school or college will be able to tell you your results. "All the best when you receive them!" The SQA has been contacted for comment by The Scottish Sun.
Glasgow Times
11 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Work to restore power to thousands as Storm Floris moves on from Scotland
Work is also under way to clear trees from several railway lines which were blocked by the storm. Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) said it had restored power to 50,000 properties since the onset of the high winds. The company said: 'Now the winds have died down and moved into the North Sea, it's become safer for our field teams to get to faults on the network, although strong gusts are still forecast for today and we'll be monitoring the forecast closely. 'Our teams worked for as long as the light permitted last night and were deployed again early this morning, with the support of helicopters to assess the network from above. 'This has been a particularly damaging storm and we'll be working hard to reconnect customers as safely and quickly as we can – but it will take time.' The company, which is the network operator for northern Scotland, said it had organised meal provision in some of the affected communities. On Tuesday morning, Network Rail said it had reopened 30 out of 34 routes in Scotland. It said: 'We've dealt with hundreds of fallen trees overnight, with our response and maintenance working in teams to cover as much ground as possible. 'Our control-room team continue to co-ordinate the response on the lines which remain closed.' ScotRail said some routes in the north are still facing disruption. There was travel disruption around the country from Storm Floris (Gareth Fuller/PA) On Monday night, the Scottish Government's resilience room held an emergency meeting to help decide an appropriate response to the storm, which has also led to delays in exam results being delivered to pupils in some island communities. Ministers including Angela Constance were joined by representatives from the Met Office, Police Scotland, Transport Scotland, Sepa and transport and utilities companies. Trunk road companies are continuing to remove fallen trees and debris from roads. The storm left debris hanging from a gantry over the Kingston Bridge in central Glasgow on Monday. The Government said there have been 119 incidents on the rail network caused by Storm Floris, including 75 tree-related ones. With winds of up to 90mph in some parts of the country, a significant clear-up job will be required to inspect lines and carry out repair work before it is safe to restore a full service. More wet and windy weather is forecast for late on Wednesday and Thursday, but no Met Office weather warnings are in place for Tuesday. 🚆Many of our routes are now reopen. Some routes in the North are still being worked on. Please check our app and website for the latest service information. — ScotRail (@ScotRail) August 5, 2025 ScotRail is urging customers to check their journey via the app, website or JourneyCheck before they travel. On X, Network Rail said it has 'worked closely with all train operators' to co-ordinate the railway's response to the storm. The railway operator said: 'We've been working around the clock to keep services moving today. 'Our teams will continue inspecting routes for #StormFloris damage overnight, but this will continue into Tuesday morning.' Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Mike Silverstone said: 'While the system later this week won't carry as many impacts as Storm Floris, a further period of unseasonable wet and windy weather is on the way late on Wednesday and into Thursday for those in north-western parts of the UK. 'An area of low pressure from the west will bring some strong winds, especially for those in western parts of Scotland. 'Gusts over 50mph are possible for a time. Some heavy rain will also accompany the strong winds, with up to 30mm possible.'
South Wales Argus
12 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Work to restore power to thousands as Storm Floris moves on from Scotland
Work is also under way to clear trees from several railway lines which were blocked by the storm. Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) said it had restored power to 50,000 properties since the onset of the high winds. The company said: 'Now the winds have died down and moved into the North Sea, it's become safer for our field teams to get to faults on the network, although strong gusts are still forecast for today and we'll be monitoring the forecast closely. 'Our teams worked for as long as the light permitted last night and were deployed again early this morning, with the support of helicopters to assess the network from above. 'This has been a particularly damaging storm and we'll be working hard to reconnect customers as safely and quickly as we can – but it will take time.' The company, which is the network operator for northern Scotland, said it had organised meal provision in some of the affected communities. On Tuesday morning, Network Rail said it had reopened 30 out of 34 routes in Scotland. It said: 'We've dealt with hundreds of fallen trees overnight, with our response and maintenance working in teams to cover as much ground as possible. 'Our control-room team continue to co-ordinate the response on the lines which remain closed.' ScotRail said some routes in the north are still facing disruption. There was travel disruption around the country from Storm Floris (Gareth Fuller/PA) On Monday night, the Scottish Government's resilience room held an emergency meeting to help decide an appropriate response to the storm, which has also led to delays in exam results being delivered to pupils in some island communities. Ministers including Angela Constance were joined by representatives from the Met Office, Police Scotland, Transport Scotland, Sepa and transport and utilities companies. Trunk road companies are continuing to remove fallen trees and debris from roads. The storm left debris hanging from a gantry over the Kingston Bridge in central Glasgow on Monday. The Government said there have been 119 incidents on the rail network caused by Storm Floris, including 75 tree-related ones. With winds of up to 90mph in some parts of the country, a significant clear-up job will be required to inspect lines and carry out repair work before it is safe to restore a full service. More wet and windy weather is forecast for late on Wednesday and Thursday, but no Met Office weather warnings are in place for Tuesday. 🚆Many of our routes are now reopen. Some routes in the North are still being worked on. Please check our app and website for the latest service information. — ScotRail (@ScotRail) August 5, 2025 ScotRail is urging customers to check their journey via the app, website or JourneyCheck before they travel. On X, Network Rail said it has 'worked closely with all train operators' to co-ordinate the railway's response to the storm. The railway operator said: 'We've been working around the clock to keep services moving today. 'Our teams will continue inspecting routes for #StormFloris damage overnight, but this will continue into Tuesday morning.' Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Mike Silverstone said: 'While the system later this week won't carry as many impacts as Storm Floris, a further period of unseasonable wet and windy weather is on the way late on Wednesday and into Thursday for those in north-western parts of the UK. 'An area of low pressure from the west will bring some strong winds, especially for those in western parts of Scotland. 'Gusts over 50mph are possible for a time. Some heavy rain will also accompany the strong winds, with up to 30mm possible.'
