Support groups helping refuges and women and girls in abusive relationships have offered special advice for those who use ‘secret phones’

The government is carrying out a national test of its Emergency Alerts system this Sunday, September 7, at 3pm.

The test alert will be sent to all compatible 4G and 5G mobile phones and compatible tablets across the country.

Regular testing ensures the system is functioning correctly. The test is not intended to alert you to real danger and you will not need to take any further action.

Emergency Alerts is a government system that provides warning and advice in a life-threatening emergency.

The government does not need to know your phone number or location to send you an alert.

The alerts system has been established to provide warning of a range of potential emergencies such as wildfires, severe flooding and extreme storms.

Emergency alerts will only be sent by the emergency services, government departments, agencies and public bodies that deal with emergencies.

Helpfully, the government’s warning ahead of Sunday’s test advises: “Do not read or respond to an emergency alert while driving or riding.”

When you receive an alert, your phone or tablet may make a loud siren-like sound, even if it’s set on silent, it may vibrate and it should read out the alert.

The sound and vibration will last for about 10 seconds.

An alert will include a phone number or a link to the GOV.UK website for more information.

The last time there was a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert was in April 2023.

Support groups helping women and girls at risk from abuse have issued advice for those who use “secret phones”.

“There is a significant risk that the emergency alert test could reveal a hidden phone or spare phone for women who are experiencing domestic abuse,” one voluntary group in Croydon has advised.

Refuge have a really useful guide on how to safely disable these alerts for iPhones and android phones which can be found by clicking here.

Information about the upcoming national test is available in British Sign Language (BSL) and Easy Read formats.

Visit gov.uk/prepare for more information.

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