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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder about the government warning to our phones.

353 replies

TarasHarp55 · 21/03/2023 17:29

Does anyone know much about this emergency warning thing on our phones. Can't remember the exact day but in April they're going to test it out. Is it fear mongering again. I'm going to switch it off, anyone else.

OP posts:
Joystir59 · 21/03/2023 19:15

Opting out of emergency alerts

To opt out: Search your settings for 'emergency alerts'. Turn off 'severe alerts' and 'extreme alerts'.

User6495321 · 21/03/2023 19:15

Most countries probably just get them if there is real peril, what's the betting all our phones will go off if there is a yellow weather warning or a flurry of snow

User6495321 · 21/03/2023 19:18

ShutUpBaggyTits · 21/03/2023 19:14

In settings there's a "emergency warning" thing isn't there, which wasn't there till recently. So they have accessed it
*
They haven't accessed it. Its been added into a software update on your phone*

Can you tell me where it is on an iPhone? I've looked through settings but can't see it. (And my phone has updated with the latest update recently).

It's in notifications, right at the bottom

Pasadenadreaming · 21/03/2023 19:21

Hmm I don't think any of the phones in our house are new enough to get it. I was mildly interested to hear what the alert sounded like too!

Theseliesdontcunt · 21/03/2023 19:24

Yet another reason why phones are a PITA. I have got an ancient thing which doesn't go online, and it's switched off at night because my DC can ring the home phone if there's a problem. So even if the government start sending me messages, there's not much I'm going to do with them.

littlealexhorne · 21/03/2023 19:24

We got a couple of these when we were in Florida during a hurricane, didn't even realise they weren't already a thing back home til I read about the tests. Sure it makes you jump at the time but if it can potentially save lives, really no big deal, and definitely no big conspiracy.

Albiboba · 21/03/2023 20:06

TarasHarp55 · 21/03/2023 18:02

Same, I've managed to get through life without it. I also don't like the way the government can access your phone so easy. What will be next.

Show quote history

You also started your life without the internet but you didn’t reject that.

Its all just sounding a bit tinfoil hat really.

User6495321 · 21/03/2023 20:18

I shall probably switch it off as I don't use my phone much anyway, I often don't have it when I'm out when an alert might be more useful, just in the car in case of breakdown or paying for carpark and I wouldn't want it going off when I'm driving.

MrsSkylerWhite · 21/03/2023 20:20

Meh. We were told to put a door in our smallest room and sit under it in the 70s. Oh, and paint it white if we had time. That would have protected us from radiation, apparently. As would a spare mattress.

mdinbc · 21/03/2023 20:28

These are basically replacing the 'air raid' or emergency sirens that just about every town had in the past. I'm in Canada, and we have had a test a few times, but no emergencies. We do not have the ability to turn off the alarm. The alarms are sent to an area, or the whole province, depending on the situation.

We do not live in a tornado area, but we have in the past had tsunami warnings. This was before the system was implemented, and the emergency workers had to go door to door knocking to warn people in low lying areas. this new system is obviously more efficient, able to warn everyone in a certain area of an imminent emergency.

Noicant · 21/03/2023 20:29

I live abroad and we have one, the government doesn’t really bother us but around COVID they sent out alerts for restrictions etc. Was quite helpful, haven’t had a message in almost 2years.

This will just be for emergency situations, I don’t see why you would worry about it.

hiyaqwerty · 21/03/2023 20:34

You can turn it off, for iPhones, settings, notifications, scroll down to emergency alerts

Coolblur · 21/03/2023 20:34

The nature of my work means that this sort of test could be hugely distracting to the point of potentially posing a danger. I guess we'll all have to remember to switch our phones off that day if putting them on silent like we usually do doesn't stop the siren noise

MistyGreenAndBlue · 21/03/2023 20:39

People keep saying: just switch it off. But there's nothing on my phone that I can find.

Where should I be looking? I've been through my settings

MsJD · 21/03/2023 21:06

Noone has mentioned Alien Abduction, yet

premicrois · 21/03/2023 21:15

MistyGreenAndBlue · 21/03/2023 20:39

People keep saying: just switch it off. But there's nothing on my phone that I can find.

Where should I be looking? I've been through my settings

What phone?

With iPhone its settings > notifications then scroll to the bottom

Parker231 · 21/03/2023 21:19

premicrois · 21/03/2023 17:40

There are no doubt people in these other countries that also switch them off though.

Show quote history

Where I live you can’t opt out and switch it off. It’s a non issue.

MistyGreenAndBlue · 21/03/2023 21:21

premicrois · 21/03/2023 21:15

What phone?

With iPhone its settings > notifications then scroll to the bottom

Show quote history

Samsung S9

premicrois · 21/03/2023 21:21

Where I live you can’t opt out and switch it off. It’s a non issue.

It's only a non issue for some. So you find it a non issue, great, but please don't minimise the struggles of others, because no matter where you live, they will exist.

KilljoysMakeSomeNoise · 21/03/2023 21:25

Have they said what time it will be sent?

On St George's Day I will be taking part in a Scout parade. Just having visions of all the phones going off during a quiet part. Excellent!

Mum2jenny · 21/03/2023 21:26

Have already blocked them

TigerDroveAgain · 21/03/2023 21:31

one other poster has mentioned this but this is a risk to anyone (likely women lets face it) in abusive relationships who have secret phones

personally I dont mind getting the alerts although suspect not much one could do if the worst happens but its vital that people who need to know about this test do know

<<suspect a lot of nefarious burner phones will also get spotted>>

AlecTrevelyan006 · 21/03/2023 21:32

I’m not saying it’s aliens… but it’s aliens.

Meadowflower2023 · 21/03/2023 21:44

@Albiboba 😂😂
Love it!

CherrySocks · 21/03/2023 21:48

If you Google government warning alert there is information about it. It will sound in the early evening of 23 April. It will last about 10 seconds. If you are driving you should not read or respond to it but continue driving safely.