Reminder: National Emergency Alert Test This Weekend

People across the UK will receive a test Emergency Alert on their mobile phones at around 3pm this Sunday, 7 September 2025.

The system, which has been in place since 2023, is designed to warn the public if there is a danger to life nearby, such as during extreme weather events. Alerts allow vital information and advice to be sent quickly and directly to mobile phones.

During the test, phones will make a loud siren-like sound and vibrate for around ten seconds, even if set to silent. A message will also appear on screen, confirming that the alert is only a test.

The government runs national tests periodically to ensure the system works properly and to familiarise the public with how alerts will appear. Similar systems are already used in countries such as Japan and the USA.

Emergency Alerts have already been used in the UK to warn people during severe storms and other dangerous incidents, where they have the potential to save lives.

For more information about how the alerts work and what to expect, visit https://www.gov.uk/alerts