Protecting secret emergency phones during a warning system trial: A guide
The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Jane Hutt, has shared guidance in advance to help individuals make informed decisions, particularly those in vulnerable situations. On a specific date, a test emergency alert will be sent to all mobile phones across the UK, producing a loud sound and vibration on all compatible devices, even if they are set to silent.
This test alert is part of a nationwide emergency alert system and is not to be confused with real emergency alerts, which will not come with advance public warning. The Cabinet Secretary emphasizes the importance of maintaining access to potentially life-saving alerts on primary phones.
For those in Wales, the Live Fear Free helpline offers free, confidential advice for anyone experiencing domestic abuse. The helpline number is 0808 80 10 800. The Cabinet Secretary encourages anyone in an unsafe household to seek support. Further information, including access to local services, is available on the Live Fear Free website.
Individuals experiencing domestic abuse who keep a hidden phone for emergency use may face a safety risk due to the test alert. To prevent hidden phones from being found, emergency alerts can be turned off on most iPhone and Android devices. On these devices, emergency alerts can be disabled by searching for 'emergency alerts' in the settings and disabling 'severe alerts', 'extreme alerts', and 'test alerts'.
Common paths in settings for disabling emergency alerts include: Messages > Message Settings > Wireless Emergency Alerts > Alerts, Settings > Sounds > Advanced > Emergency Broadcasts, and Settings > General Settings > Emergency Alerts. On other types of mobile phones or tablets, the settings might appear under different names such as 'wireless emergency alerts' or 'emergency broadcasts'.
In Germany, the mobile phones and tablets affected by the test operation where emergency alert broadcasts can be deactivated at the announced time are not specified in the provided search results. However, such tests are typically related to the nationwide emergency alert system tested on September 11, 2025, including sirens and alert functions on compatible devices.
The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Jane Hutt, wants everyone in Wales to be safe and informed. She acknowledges that emergency alerts may cause concern for those in vulnerable situations with a second, hidden, phone for their safety. Therefore, it's crucial to disable 'severe alerts', 'extreme alerts', and 'test alerts' on hidden phones to prevent them from sounding during emergencies.
