Overview

• The Cabinet Office released the bilingual English‑Welsh test message, which tells recipients they do not need to take any action and points to gov.uk/alerts.
• Alerts will be broadcast to devices on 4G or 5G, will override silent settings with a siren and vibration for about 10 seconds, and will not reach phones that are switched off, Wi‑Fi only, or on 2G/3G.
• Messages are delivered based on a user’s current location in the UK without requiring location services to be turned on.
• Ministers describe the system as a vital safety tool and are running a public information campaign with accessibility guidance, including materials for vulnerable groups and a British Sign Language video.
• The service has been used locally five times for severe weather, floods and an unexploded WWII bomb, and MPs are urging wider outreach beyond mobile phones such as printed preparedness advice.