Government to issue UK wide text Emergency Alert - Sunday 7 September
The government will be sending out a text Emergency Alert to mobile phones at around 3pm on Sunday 7 September 2025, as part of their plans to strengthen the country's preparedness.
The Emergency Alerts system is used to warn about danger to life nearby and allows vital information and advice to be sent to people rapidly in an emergency.
During the test, mobile phones will vibrate and make a loud siren sound for roughly ten seconds, even if they are set to silent. A message will also appear on phone screens, making it clear the alert is only a test. No further action will be required by the public.
The test will be the second of its kind and follows a government commitment to test the system regularly to make sure it works optimally and familiarise the public with the alerts.
Ahead of the national test, the government will be running a public information campaign to notify people that the test is taking place, including communications targeted at vulnerable groups, such as victims of domestic abuse. The campaign will also feature products in British Sign Language.
The government has also launched a Resilience Action Plan to improve the way the government prepares for and responds to emergencies.
The Resilience Action plan campaign will include information on simple and effective steps people can take to be more prepared for an emergency.
The Cabinet Office has produced a frequently asked questions document about the upcoming national Emergency Alert test taking place on 7 September.