An emergency alert has reached millions of phones today as the government tested an early warning system designed to sound a loud alarm through compatible devices.
The alert, which is intended to warn Brits of impending and ongoing disasters such as an extreme weather event or a terrorist attack, sounded a siren-like tone at 3pm today.
Some Brits however have complained their alert and message came through at different times to other people, with one person blasting it as an "absolute farce of a system" after he didn't get the alert at all. BBC presenters were even caught trying to fill time as their alerts didn't go off when expected.
People with 4G and 5G compatible mobiles also received a message telling them the alert was a test event after they were warned to "keep your cool" when the time came.
Tube carriage hears emergency sounds
A couple who were sitting in Liverpool Street Station said they received the test alert while on the Tube.
Mark, 44, of Essex, said: “It came through twice for me. The whole Tube carriage’s phones started going when we got signal.”
There was a limited service on the Tube today amid strike action lasting until Thursday night.
'It wasn't loud'
One person said the alert wasn't loud.
Jasmine Patel, 53, said: “It did take me by surprise but then because Meera was with me she explained.”
Ms Patel and her 19-year-old daughter Meera Sreejit, both from Ipswich, were standing by one of the departure boards when the alert went off.
“It wasn’t loud,” Ms Patel continued, “but you could understand that many people were getting it at the same time.”
Alert designed to also be felt by deaf or blind people
Many Brits heard the alert, which should have rang out for around 10 seconds at 3pm today.
Some people however might not have been able to hear the alert so phones also vibrated for people with vision or hearing impairments.
'I never received my emergency test alert - government system is a farce'
Today's nationwide test of an early warning system has been blasted as an "absolute farce of a system" by one phone user, who claims that, despite having a Samsung S24 with the latest Android update, plus a consistent 5G signal, he did not receive an alert.
Speaking with the Mirror after today's 3 pm test, Damian Myzylowskyj claimed: "I have my phone setup to receive the emergency notification but neither have happened."
According to Damian, who is today celebrating his 40th birthday, both his son and partner are "in the same boat" as himself in terms of missing the alert, which should have emitted a loud siren-like sound from their devices, accompanied by an explanatory message.
Damian, from Chester, told us: "I think it's a bit of a disgrace that if there is something major happening that affects the population, everyone is not being informed. I have the most up-to-date software on my phone, and to miss out is poor from the government."
Read the full story here.
BBC presenters forced into awkward moment waiting for alert
Some Brits have complained their alerts came through at different times to others, with some people saying their alerts came after 3pm.
This was caught live as BBC presenters were forced to fill air time when the emergency siren did not come through when expected.
Do other countries use emergency alerts?
The UK is not the only country to use and test it's emergency alaert system.
For example, phones in the US recieve alerts alerts for a range of emergencies such as weather alerts or missing people.
Other countries, such as Japan and Finland, also run regular tests of their emergency alerts system.
How is the government able to reach your phone?
Some people may have thought the government needed phone numbers to send out today's alert but it does need numbers or locations.
During an emergency, local mobile phone masts will broadcast an alert, and every compatible device within range of a mast will receive the alert. Emergency alerts function on all 4G and 5G networks in the UK.
Your device doesn't need to be connected to mobile data or Wi-Fi to receive alerts. They're free, and you don't need to sign up or download an app to get them.
'Test ran as expected', government says
The Cabinet Office revealed the emergency alart test "ran as expected" adding that the department will now work with mobile network operators to analyse the test - as part of regular maintenance of the system to ensure it is working properly.
Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, said: "Thank you for taking part in today’s test, which saw tens of millions of phones successfully receive the message across the country.
"The test took just seconds, but will help the government keep the country safe 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
"The next time you hear the siren, it may be a real emergency, so remember to stay calm and follow the advice in the Emergency Alert."
England cricket clash halted as alert went off
England's white-ball cricket team are playing an ODI against South Africa today, with the third game of the series taking place at the Utilita Bowl in Southampton.
The clash was paused at 3pm as the test alarm was sent to nearly all phones in the country.
Organisers for the ODI were prepared and paused the action so it would not be impacted by the ringing phones. Alarms rang out across the ground as people in the crowd were seen checking their phones.
Before the game, the ECB said in a statement: "Plans are in place to ensure fans attending Utilita Bowl on Sunday are aware of the national test of the emergency alerts system, which is due to take place during the third England Men’s Metro Bank ODI vs South Africa.
"We will work with match officials ahead of the game, and take appropriate action depending on the state of the game. Fans will be kept updated with in-stadia announcements as the game progresses."
Some Brits complain they 'didn't get emergency alert on time' as not all received it
At around 3pm on Sunday, mobiles connected to 4G and 5G networks vibrated and sounded for about 10 seconds in the second test of the system – after the first in 2023.
But some are concerned that their alert was late or did not sound at all.
One person wrote: "The government telling us the emergency alert would go off at 3:00pm but it actually went off at 3:01pm."
"The emergency alert looms," replied another.
Others complained they hadn't received it at all. "Did anyone else not get the emergency test alert? no message, no noise, nothing," someone wrote.
Read the full story here.
What the alert should have looked like
People who recieved the emergency alert would have also seen a message pop up on their phone.
Why didn't some Brits didn't receive an emergency alert?
At 3 pm today (Sunday, September 7), Brits up and down the UK will have seen their phones emit a loud siren-like sound, as the government tests out a nationwide test of an early warning system.
It's anticipated that nearly 100 million phones will have received today's alerts. But not everyone will have been alerted, causing some confusion. Here's why your phone may have remained silent, even as friends and family members' devices sounded out.
Approximately 95 per cent of the population will have had the 4G or 5G access required for today's test, while those with older phones connected to just 2G or 3G, or WiFi only, won't have received a message.
You also won't have been alerted if your device was switched off or in aeroplane mode at the time. Having had it on silent wouldn't have made a difference, as domestic abuse survivors with secret phones were previously warned.
It's understood that the emergency alert will only have 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 running the latest software updates, then you may not have alerted.
Read the full story here.
Emergency alert sounds across most of UK mobile phones
How to prepare for the alert if you are visually or hearing impaired
The alert has been made widely accessible to the general public this year, meaning both hearing and visually impaired people will know when they receive it.
Audio and vibration signals will be used to deliver the message to people signed up for the test today, and people can learn more about the support available here.
30 minutes until alarm test
There is now just half an hour to go until today's alarm test, giving people a relatively short window to turn off their phones or opt out of the notifications altogether.
Will your data be collected during the government's test?
While the government maintains the test is vital for ensuring a lifesaving measure is operating smoothly, it may concern people with particular privacy concerns.
Among some concerns will be data collection, but the method being used to sent the alerts will mean nothing like this is involved in the alert process. The messages are being sent out via mobile phone masts to people on 4G and 5G networks, meaning there is no direct contact with people's personal devices and no opportunity for data collection.
Drivers face penalties if they pick up phone on the road
With almost everyone in the country set to receive the warning, this means it'll hit thousands of drivers' phones while they're on the road.
But they won't be able to pick up their phone at the time, the government warns, with people who do so risking a hefty fine. Those who pick up their phones could get six points on their licence and a £200 fine, with the government warning: "Do not read or respond to an emergency alert while driving or riding."
Government posts alarm reminder
The government has posted a reminder to its official social media channels telling people to prepare for the big test at 3pm.
Remember today is the Emergency Alerts test.
— GOV.UK (@GOVUK) September 7, 2025
A siren-like sound and notification will happen at 3pm on compatible UK mobile phones and tablets. pic.twitter.com/XpujXMTyi3
Alarm will sound even if phone is on silent
People who need to keep their phone hidden during today's emergency test should remember that the tone, which is loud and siren-like will sound regardless of whether people have their phone on silent or not.
Those who want to miss the alarm altogether will need to switch it off using the government's guide.
Emergency test alert sparks conspiracies from 'alien invasion' to 'nuke attack'
Authorities have confirmed future alerts will be deployed via the system - which is being tested today - to inform Brits of terrorist incidents, civil defence emergencies and weather disasters, such as flooding or wildfires. However, conspiracy theorists throughout the country worry the alert could signal something far more sinister, such as an alien invasion or a nuclear strike by Russian warmonger Vladimir Putin.
Emergency test alert sparks conspiracies from 'alien invasion' to 'nuke attack'
How the government got your number for the critical test
During an emergency, local mobile phone masts will broadcast an alert, and every compatible device within range of a mast will receive the alert. Emergency alerts function on all 4G and 5G networks in the UK.
Your device doesn't need to be connected to mobile data or Wi-Fi to receive alerts. They're free, and you don't need to sign up or download an app to get them.
Government's method of getting your number for the UK emergency alert
Full list of people who won't receive the phone emergency alert warning today
The UK Emergency Alerts can be used to warn people about severe weather, flooding and fires and will normally be sent by emergency services or government departments/bodies. While officials believe that the majority of mobile phone users will experience the emergency test, some people won't get the alert - and there are a few reasons why.
Nearly 100 million phones to receive alerts
Nearly 100 million phones will receive today's alerts, the government expects.
Officials estimate that there are around 87 million mobile phones in the UK, and around 95 percent of the population has the 4G or 5G access required to recieve the alert.
People with older phones connected to just 2G or 3G won't receive the message, neither will those switched off or in aeroplane mode at the time of the test.
Test designed to 'reduce inconvenience'
Today's test which will last for 10 seconds, has been designed to "balance the need for comprehensive testing with reducing inconvenience to the public", the government has said.
The UK emergency alert system - explained
Anyone needing an in-depth explanation of the emergency alert system can watch the below video.
Why is the government conducting another test?
The government's latest test is necessary to ensure the test system is functioning best for when it's ultimately needed for potentially perilous situations.
The official reasoning for the latest test is as follows: "Regular testing ensures the system is functioning correctly, should it be needed in an emergency. The test is not intended to alert you to real danger and you will not need to take any further action."
Brits told to 'keep their cool' during test
Pat McFadden, who was until recently a senior Cabinet Office minister, said ahead of the test this year that he expected Brits to "keep their cool" when phones sound today.
He said: "I know Brits will keep their cool when phones across the UK make a siren-like noise... It's important to remember this is only a test, just like the fire drills we all do in our schools and workplaces."
Domestic abuse charities' warning to victims
Domestic abuse charities have warned the emergency alert system could endanger victims by alerting their abusers to a concealed phone.
The National Centre for Domestic Violence has advised people with concealed phones to ensure they are turned off ahead of the test before it takes place at 3pm.
The government has advised people to keep them on given their life-saving purpose, but has published a guide walking people through the steps to turn them off.
When have the alerts been used outside of tests?
The emergency alerts have been mostly popularised as tests, but they have found use during emergency situations in the past.
The system was used several times in 2024, once in January to warn Leicestershire residents of adverse weather, again in February to aid the evacuation of 10,000 Plymouth residents following the discovery of an unexploded World War Two bomb, and in Cumbria in May to alert residents of dangerous flooding.
Emergency alert 2025 to incorporate accessibility features
This year's emergency alert will incorporate accessibility features, the government has confirmed.
Cabinet minister Abena Oppong-Asare said: "We have ensured that the Emergency Alerts system works with voice reader software. This means that everyone who already has this and all other accessibility settings enabled on their phones should have the alert read out to them."