How to turn off 'Armageddon' siren on phones as emergency alert test confirmed
In just two months' time, mobile phones throughout the UK will trigger a prominent, inescapable siren as part of a comprehensive test of the UK Government's emergency alert system.
The siren, intended to sound for about 10 seconds even with phones on silent mode at 3pm on Sunday, September 7, is a rehearsal measure for genuine emergencies. A visible warning message will appear on phone screens, making it clear that it is only a test.
This exercise will be the second nationwide trial of the system, which was launched in 2023, and has been activated five times since then to inform people of extreme weather conditions and other serious incidents.
Although the alerts are recommended for all, individuals can opt-out, especially those who might be at risk from a sudden alert.
Campaigners have raised concerns about the potential danger of the siren exposing individuals with concealed phones to abusive partners, for example. So, how do you deactivate this emergency alert on your phone?
Well, how you opt out depends on what phone you have. However, the alert can be dismissed by swiping away or pressing 'OK'. If you continue getting test alerts after opting out, you should contact your phone company for help.
Otherwise, keep reading below for device-specific instructions.
iPhone
iPhone users should navigate to the Settings menu and press Notifications.
Once selected, users should scroll down to the bottom of the page to view the emergency alerts menu.
If their phone is running on iOS 18 or later, users can choose to turn off both severe alerts and extreme alerts.
Use the toggle to switch it on or off.
Android
Android users search for 'emergency alerts' in the settings menu to turn off the alert.
If you cannot see them in your settings:
open your phone calling app
use the keypad to enter *#*#2627#*#*
search your settings for 'emergency alerts' and turn off 'test alerts', 'exercise alerts', 'operator defined' and 'operator alerts'
Both emergency and severe alerts can be switched off here, too, but the device must also be running on Android 15 or more recent software.
Other mobile phones and tablets
Depending on the manufacturer and software version of your phone, emergency alerts settings may be called different names, such as 'wireless emergency alerts' or 'emergency broadcasts'.
The settings can usually be found in one of the following ways. Go to:
'message', then 'message settings, then 'wireless emergency alerts', then 'alert'
'settings', then 'sounds', then 'advanced', then 'emergency broadcasts'
'settings', then 'general settings', then 'emergency alerts'
Then turn off 'test alerts', 'exercise alerts', 'operator defined' and 'operator alerts'.
On the emergency alerts' potential to save lives, The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden, said: "They allow us to quickly share vital information in dangerous situations, such as severe storms."
"Just like a fire alarm at home, testing ensures the system works when we need it most."
One of the most significant activations of the alert was amid Storm Éowyn in January 2025, as 4.5 million individuals in Scotland and Northern Ireland received notifications following a red weather warning.
Storm Darragh also prompted alerts to another 3.5 million people, and the system was similarly employed during flash floods in Cumbria and Leicestershire.
Countries such as Japan, the US, and Germany already have similar systems, while Finland conducts monthly national tests.
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