This afternoon, mobile phones across the UK blared out a siren-like sound as the Government conducted a nationwide test of an early warning system. This marked the second national test of its kind, with nearly everyone owning a mobile phone or tablet receiving the alert. The alert is designed to warn Brits about potential life-threatening disasters such as extreme weather events or terrorist attacks.
It’s estimated that almost 100 million phones would have received today’s alerts. However, not everyone was alerted, leading to some confusion. Here’s why your phone might have stayed silent while others around you were sounding off. Around 95% of the population would have had the 4G or 5G access needed for today’s test. Those with older phones connected only to 2G or 3G, or WiFi only, wouldn’t have received a message, reports the Mirror.
If your device was switched off or in aeroplane mode at the time, you also wouldn’t have been alerted. Even if your phone was on silent, it wouldn’t have made a difference, as previously warned to domestic abuse survivors with secret phones.
It’s believed that the emergency alert would have only worked on iPhones running iOS 14.5 or later, as well as Android phones and tablets running Android 11 or later. If your phone or tablet isn’t up-to-date with the latest software updates, then you may not have been alerted.
Today’s test alert represented the second-ever for Brits, with the initial one occurring a couple of years back, in April 2023.
The first time around, phone users received the same advance warning; however, it was discovered that some devices failed to receive the warning, which could well mean the difference between life and death during dangerous real-world situations.
Whilst emergency alerts have been mostly popularised as tests, they have also been previously utilised during emergency situations.
In 2024, the system was deployed on multiple occasions.
In January of that year, Leicestershire residents were warned of adverse weather conditions, whilst in February, the alert helped to aid the evacuation of some 10,000 Plymouth residents after an unexploded World War II bomb was discovered.
A few months later, in May 2024, Cumbrian residents were alerted to dangerous flooding.
Those who have received today’s alert will have also been sent the following explanatory message: “This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a UK Government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby. You do not need to take any action. In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe.”
For additional details on the UK’s emergency alerts, visit GOV.UK..