How to opt out of the government emergency test on Sunday

The UK government's Emergency Alerts system is scheduled for a nationwide test on Sunday, September 7, at 3 p.m. This system is designed to issue critical warnings in the event of a life-threatening emergency, such as severe flooding or wildfires.

The alert will be sent to all compatible 4G and 5G mobile phones and tablets, making a loud, siren-like sound and causing the device to vibrate, even if it is on silent.

While the system is intended for public safety, some people may wish to opt out of the test and future alerts. This might be for a variety of reasons, including for those who have a concealed phone and are at risk of domestic abuse, where the alert could reveal their location.

The government advises keeping the alerts switched on for your own safety, as they could provide life-saving information. However, if you have a valid reason to disable the test, here is how you can do so on both iPhone and Android devices:

How to Opt Out on iPhone

To disable the emergency alerts on an iPhone, you will need to adjust your notification settings.

1. Go to your phone's Settings.
2. Select Notifications.
3. Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page.
4. You will find toggles for "Severe alerts" and "Emergency alerts". Turn both of these off.

How to Opt Out on Android

On most Android devices, the process is similar.

1. Go to your phone's Settings.
2. In the search bar at the top, type "emergency alerts".
3. From the search results, select the emergency alerts settings.
4. You should see options for "Extreme alerts" and "Severe alerts". Turn both of these off.

Note that the names of these settings may vary slightly depending on your phone's manufacturer and the version of Android it is running. The settings may also be found under "Wireless Emergency Alerts" or "Emergency Broadcasts" in some cases.

For some Android devices, particularly for "operator test alerts," you may need to take an additional step.

1. Open your phone's dialer app.
2. On the keypad, enter *#*#2627#*#*.
3. This should disable the mobile broadcast testing mode, and you can then proceed to disable the other alerts in your settings.

Alternative Methods and Important Considerations:

• Airplane Mode: Putting your phone in airplane mode before the test is scheduled to go off may prevent you from receiving the alert.
   
• Switching Off: A device that is turned off will not receive the alert.
   
• Older Devices: Not all devices are compatible with the system. Older phones, or those not connected to a 4G or 5G network, may not receive the alert regardless of your settings.
   

It is important to remember that this test is a crucial part of ensuring the system is effective in a real-life emergency. While you have the option to opt out, the government and emergency services encourage the public to keep these alerts enabled for the safety of themselves and their community.