All UK mobile phones to receive 'Armageddon alert' - what you need to do next
Millions of people across the UK will hear a loud siren from their mobile phones in a major test of the emergency alert system.
The "Armageddon alert", which was first trialled in 2023, is sent to phones across the UK to ensure people are aware of a life threatening emergency in their area, such as a wildfire, severe flooding or extreme storms. Emergency alerts are only sent by the emergency services or government departments, agencies and public bodies that deal with urgent situations.
A national test will take place later this year to ensure the system is working properly. Ministers compared the need to test the alert process to testing a fire alarm in your house.
Similar emergency systems exist in countries like Japan and the US. In Finland, a nationwide test is done every month, while other countries like Germany trial it annually.
A public information campaign will be rolled out ahead of the test, including communications targeted at vulnerable groups, such as victims of domestic abuse. Everyone is urged to keep the life-saving alert switched on but it is possible to opt out if it would put someone at risk.
Here's everything you need to know about the national test of the alert system later this year.
What time will the test take place?
The system will be tested for the second time at 3pm on Sunday, September 7, with Brits receiving a message warning of danger to life nearby. Mobile phones will vibrate and emit a loud siren for around 10 seconds - even if they are set on silent.
A message will also pop up to make clear that this is only a test. There is no need to do anything when the test alert happens, just swipe the message away or click 'OK' on the phone home screen.
When a real alert happens, the message will include a phone number or a link to the GOV.UK website for more information about the emergency. You can see all previous alerts at: https://www.gov.uk/alerts/past-alerts
Why is the test taking place?
Regular testing ensures the system is functioning correctly, should it be needed in an emergency.
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."
Who will receive the test alert?
The test will function like a real life Emergency Alert on the approximately 87 million mobile phones in the UK.
Emergency Alerts work on all 4G and 5G phone networks in the UK. Your mobile phone or tablet does not have to be connected to mobile data or wifi to get alerts. However, you will not receive alerts if your device is turned off; connected to a 2G or 3G network; wifi only; or not compatible.
For real emergencies, it depends on where you are and if are affected by a local emergency. Alerts are based on a phone's current location - not where someone lives or works. A person does not need to turn on location services to receive alerts.
Data about people, their device or location will not be collected or shared. The emergency services and the UK government do not need a person's phone number to send an alert.
What should drivers do?
The government says you should not read or respond to an emergency alert while driving or riding, reminding people it is still illegal to use a hand-held device while driving.
People are urged to find somewhere safe and legal to stop before reading the message. If there's nowhere safe and legal to stop, and nobody else is in the vehicle to read the alert, people can listen to news on live radio to find out about the emergency.
Has the alert been used outside of a test?
The "Armageddon alert" was first trialled across the country in 2023 and five localised alerts have been sent since then to warn of extreme weather.
The largest use was during Storm Eowyn in January, when 4.5million people in Scotland and Northern Ireland got the alert after a red weather warning was issued over risk to life. Some 3.5million people in Wales and the South West of England received an alert during Storm Darragh in 2024, and it has also been used during flash flooding in Cumbria and Leicestershire.
It was also rolled out when an unexploded World War II bomb was discovered in Plymouth in February 2024. Tracey Lee, chief executive of Plymouth City Council, said: "This was the first time the system had been used in a real emergency, and it played a vital role in helping us safely evacuate over 10,000 people and coordinate a complex, multi-agency response."
What is being done to support victims of domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse campaigners have previously warned that the siren could alert abusive partners to someone's secret phone. The government has assured there is the option to opt out of alerts if needed.
The government is continuing ongoing engagement with domestic violence charities and campaigners in the run up to the test, to ensure people know how to switch off alerts on a concealed phone.
How you opt out depends on your device. Full instructions telling you how to opt out are available at: https://www.gov.uk/alerts/opting-out People are advised to contact their device manufacturer for help if they continue to get alerts.
What is being done to support deaf, hard of hearing, blind or partially sighted people?
During the test, audio and vibration attention signals will let people know they have received an alert, if accessibility notifications have been enabled on their mobile phone or tablet.
The government is also continuing ongoing engagement with disability charities and campaigners in the run up to the test.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
7 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Air India crash victim's mum horrified as authorities send wrong body back to the UK in a casket
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MUM whose son died in the Air India plane crash has been left horrified after authorities sent the wrong body back to the UK. Amanda Donaghey, 66, was left heartbroken and appalled after DNA evidence proved Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek's casket actually belonged to another victim. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 DNA evidence proved Air India crash passenger Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek's casket actually belonged to another victim Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 6 Fiongal and husband Jamie filmed themselves waiting to board the doomed plane Credit: Instagram 6 All but one passenger died when the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft crashed in Ahmedabad, India Credit: Reuters Fiongal, 39, had been to India celebrating his wedding anniversary with husband, Jamie, 45. The pair were all set to fly home to Britain on the doomed Flight AI171 when disaster struck just a minute into the journey. Moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport, the pilots lost altitude as the plane came crashing towards the ground. Footage captured the moment it smashed into a medical college hostel. A total of 241 passengers and crew plus 19 people on the ground were all killed in the tragedy - including 52 Brits like Fiongal and Jamie. Amanda initially believed the two men had caught a flight home two days earlier until she received an emotional phone call from the dad of Fiongal. A brave Amanda then flew out to India shortly after being told both men were on the plane when it crashed. She went to look for her son or, in the worse case scenario, bring his remains home. She told The Sunday Times: "Visiting the site and seeing it was something I felt like I had to do. I wanted to understand what had happened. "I remember all these burnt trees. The trees were scorched black. But there were still birds and squirrels in those trees, which I found quite profound. How pilots cutting engines sparked TWO plane disasters after South Korea & India crashes as calls for cockpit CCTV grow "It was like a bomb site. You would think it was from a war scene, but there were still these small birds twittering." Hours after the crash, it was confirmed that only one person had survived the accident. Despite the tragedy, Amanda remained determined to help find Fiongal's remains. She gave blood to help find a DNA match before being informed officials had found the body and sent it back to the UK. Jamie had already been identified by this point with both men's families hoping to lay them to rest next to each other. Amanda rushed back to the UK hoping to say her final goodbyes after being assured that Fiongal was in the casket. The family had started to plan Fiongal's funeral when they received a gut-wrenching phone call from the police. A British coroner had completed a second, more thorough DNA test on the remains which were inside the casket. Fiongal's tragic final video A HEARTBREAKING final video posted by Fiongal came just hours before their tragic death in the Air India crash. In the chilling final clip filmed at Ahmedabad airport, Fiongal and Jamie, dressed in floral shirts and visibly happy, reflect on their trip. Fiongal says: "We are at the airport just boarding. Goodbye India. Ten-hour flight back to England. What was your biggest takeaway Jamie?" Jamie responds: "I don't know," prompting Fiongal's laughter and a teasing, "Thanks for your contribution." Fiongal jokes that his main lesson was "don't lose your patience with your partner," to which Jamie smiles and replies, "You snapped at me at the airport for having chai." Passengers mill in the background as Fiongal adds: "I'm going back to Britain happily, happily calm." Earlier social media posts from the couple showed their experiences in Ahmedabad, including a seven-hour car journey to a stunning hotel. In one clip, Fiongal lies on a large bed beside a giant swing, describing the hotel as "beautiful" and saying he felt "very, very happy." Their time in India was captured in a series of posts showing henna tattoos, shopping for fabrics and gifts, and riding in a tuk-tuk through busy streets. On their final night, Fiongal reflected: "So, it's our last night in India and we've had a magical experience. Some mind-blowing things have happened. "We are going to put all this together and create a vlog. It's my first ever vlog about the whole trip and we want to share it." Jamie added: "We have been on quite a journey and then spending our last night here in this beautiful hotel, it's really been a great way to round off the trip." They did not belong to Fiongal. "It was heartbreaking," Amanda said. "We don't know what poor person is in that casket. This is an appalling thing to have happened." Amanda's experience is tragically just one of many parents struggling to find closure after the crash due to a mix up of many caskets. NHS microbiologist Shobhana Patel, 71, and her husband Ashok, 74, both died in the crash. The couple, from Orpington, Kent, were repatriated in different coffins but DNA tests in Britain found other body parts along with Shobhana's. One heartbroken family was even forced to cancel funeral plans due to the mix-up of bodies, the Mail Online reported. And in another harrowing mistake, "commingled" human remains - consisting of body parts of more than one victim - were reportedly packed into a casket before being shipped to the UK. It is thought that only Indian authorities carried out DNA tests on victims with no input from any international agency. India's Ministry of External Affairs said: 'All remains were handled with professionalism.' Brit families previously slammed the chaotic ground operation following the horror smash on June 12. One relative reportedly blasted the "lack of transparency and oversight in the identification and handling of remains". 6 Brit families previously slammed the chaotic ground operation following the horror smash on June 12 Credit: AFP 6 Vishwash Ramesh was the sole survivor of the Air India crash Credit: Dan Charity
Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Weird £1 supermarket item clears slippery decking in minutes and gardeners swear by it
There are few things more unpleasant than stumbling out onto a decking covered in slimy green algae - luckily, there's a strange hack going viral that gardeners say can get rid of it If your garden deck is covered in a slippery green mess, there's a wacky but effective trick going viral — and it costs just one pound. Algae are a collection of organisms that thrive in the UK's damp weather. When left to fester, they can quickly spread their gunky tendrils all over your garden, turning your deck into a slippery danger zone. Even worse, algae will eventually break down, resulting in a repulsive odour that can overpower your home. Luckily, you may not need to fork out on patio cleaners or a power washer to get rid of it. Experts say the fastest way to clean algae off decking could be hiding in your bathroom cabinet. According to outdoor specialists at Decking Superstore, shaving foam can actually be a great way to remove the dreaded slime from your garden. They explain: 'It sounds bizarre, but shaving foam is surprisingly effective at cleaning algae off decking. The consistency means it sticks to the wood and breaks down the slime.' Another major benefit is that it also avoids damaging your decking. They add: 'It rinses away easily and doesn't harm the surface.' The reason why shaving foam is so effective is because of its thick consistency. This allows it to stick to the surface instead of running off like other liquids. In turn, this gives it time to loosen algae from the deck, making it easier to remove. It's also a gentle option, making it safe to use around pets and kids, unlike many harsh chemical cleaners. As bizarre as it might sound, the trick has gained popularity, with more Brits trying it for themselves. Sophie Willoughby, a volunteer with the Royal Horticultural Society, tried it after nearly slipping on a set of slick steps in her garden. She said: "I thought it was one of those silly hacks that wouldn't actually work. But I was shocked. I left it for about ten minutes, gave it a light scrub, and the algae just lifted off." She added: "I've used expensive deck cleaner before and this worked better — plus it smelled nicer!" The way to use it is simple: pick up a can of plain white shaving foam (which you can find for £1 at Boots) and then spray a generous layer over any green or slippery patches. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, then scrub off with a stiff broom or brush. Once that's done, rinse the areas thoroughly with water to remove any remaining algae.
Daily Record
19 hours ago
- Daily Record
The one way to know for sure which neighbour is responsible for garden fence
The question of who should pay for a fence is a common source of disputes among neighbours - but there is an easy way to find out. Struggling to determine who's responsible for a garden fence in need of repair? Well, you're not alone, as it's a common issue among Brits, with many airing their grievances on social media. Fortunately, specialists have divulged the one way to find out "with certainty" which neighbour ought to be painting, repairing, or even replacing the fence between two homes. Many homeowners might try to pass the buck to their neighbours instead of mending the fence themselves, leading to endless back-and-forth arguments. Some neighbours are even reluctant to share costs equally because they don't view it as their problem. However, it could very well be their fence that requires attention, even if they didn't realise it. So, what's the definitive method to resolve this conundrum? Jacksons Fencing experts assert there's only one surefire approach to settle disputes and alleviate the tension with your adjacent household, reports the Mirror. One initial indicator is to check if the 'good' side of the fence is facing your property, as it's common practice for homeowners to have the 'good' side outward. The professionals at Jacksons Fencing clarify: "Typically, you can guess who owns a fence by seeing where the rails are, with the fence typically facing away from their property so that their neighbour gets the 'good' side of the fence." They add: "This is the most secure way of facing fencing so there are no rails for anyone to use to climb into your garden. This is then repeated with the neighbour on the other side to ensure that each home has both a 'good' and 'bad' fence side." Whilst this represents a quick and simple method for making an educated guess about fence ownership, the experts revealed that it frustratingly isn't a guaranteed approach. The sole way to definitively establish ownership is by consulting the Title Plan or Land Registry documents. Within these records, a 'T' symbol shows who the boundary belongs to, which will determine responsibility for fence maintenance. Should the 'T' marking appear on both sides creating an 'H' shape, the fence is jointly owned and both neighbours must collaborate on its upkeep as it constitutes a 'party wall'. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Should you believe the boundary is wrong, the specialists suggest examining the Land Registry to discover who bears responsibility for the fence - regardless of whether the property is rented or owned. Nevertheless, if your neighbour owns the fence but allows it to become an eyesore, regrettably it's not simply a matter of requesting they address it, and this issue may need disclosure during house sales. Jacksons Fencing explained: "Frustratingly, there is no way to make your neighbour repair their fence, even if it is rotting and making your garden look unsightly. "You can look to hire a disputes expert but this will go down as an official dispute and will have to be declared when selling your house. "The only way to get around this would be to install your own fence within your boundary right next to it."
