UK Phones Blare with Second Nationwide Emergency Alert Test
This afternoon, millions of mobile phones across the UK rang out with a loud siren and a vibrating buzz, part of the government’s second major test of its national emergency alert system. The drill, carried out at exactly 3pm, was designed to ensure the system is working properly and can be relied upon in a real crisis. A message appeared on screens making clear that this was only a test, reassuring people that no action was required.
The system is intended to warn the public when there is an immediate threat to life—whether that’s extreme weather, a terror attack, or another large-scale emergency. To make sure no one misses it, the alarm is set to override phone volume controls, meaning it can be heard even in noisy environments or when devices are on silent. According to officials, tens of millions of phones across the country received today’s message.
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The alert reached places as remote as Land’s End in Cornwall and Lundy Island in the Bristol Channel, where residents were impressed by the reach of the system despite poor signal. Some even reported getting it mid-flight, thousands of feet in the air. At the same time, though, not everyone had a smooth experience. A few users reported receiving garbled or jumbled messages, while others didn’t receive the alert at all. Government officials say those issues are likely down to individual handsets rather than the system itself, and no evidence has been found of widespread faults.
For many, the alert was disruptive but harmless—waking up snoozing pets, interrupting library silence, and even pausing sporting events. At the Women’s Rugby World Cup, play had to be halted for the alarm, while cricket and football matches also saw brief interruptions. Some people with hearing aids described the sudden siren as distressing, while others admitted they were startled by the volume.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised the test as “an important step in keeping people safe during national emergencies.” Darren Jones, the Prime Minister’s chief secretary, echoed that message, calling the drill a success that showed the system’s ability to reach millions of people quickly.
This is not the first time the system has been put to the test. The first UK-wide trial took place in April 2023, and since then, it has been activated in real emergencies. It was used to alert millions during Storm Darragh in late 2024, Storm Éowyn in early 2025, and even to help evacuate thousands in Plymouth after the discovery of an unexploded World War Two bomb.
Officials stress that regular testing is vital to make sure the system continues to work when it is most needed. As one minister put it, this is essentially a “national fire alarm”—a tool that people may never want to hear but will be grateful for in a real emergency. Today’s drill lasted just 10 seconds, but it demonstrated how a short, sharp signal could save lives if danger strikes.
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