Overview
- On Thursday, September 10, 2026, the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) triggered a nationwide probe alarm at 11:00 via the Modular Warning System (MoWaS) and sent an Entwarnung at about 11:45.
- The test used multiple channels including Cell Broadcast, official warning apps (NINA and KATWARN), radio and TV, digital city displays, DAB+ digital radio and local measures such as sirens and loudspeaker vehicles.
- For the first time Entwarnung (all‑clear) messages were delivered by Cell Broadcast and DAB+ was used as an additional delivery path, while local participation remained voluntary so some places like the city of Munich did not sound sirens.
- BBK says many missed phone alerts were caused by device or coverage limits such as old operating systems, phones powered off or in flight mode, and it urges people to keep devices updated and switched on to receive Cell Broadcast.
- BBK opened a public feedback survey running 10–17 September to collect users’ experiences and improve systems, building on lessons from the flawed 2020 rollout and later events such as the 2021 Ahrtal flood that spurred repeated upgrades.