The UK government has announced its second nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS), designed to ensure mobile users can receive life-saving notifications during critical events.
The test will take place on Sunday, September 7, 2025, at 3 p.m. BST, reaching approximately 87 million 4G and 5G mobile phones across the UK.
Phones will emit a 10‑second loud siren and vibration—even if on silent mode.
A message stating “This is a test…” will appear, clearly indicating it’s not a real emergency.
The alert is broadcast via cell broadcast technology, meaning it doesn’t require internet or data access and is unaffected by network congestion.
Who Will Receive It
- All active 4G and 5G smartphones running iOS 14.5+ or Android 11+ in coverage areas en.wikipedia.org+
- Phones that are powered off, on 2G/3G networks, Wi‑Fi only devices, or those with alerts disabled will not receive the test.
Why It Matters
- The system has already been used to warn millions during real emergencies like Storm Éowyn, Storm Darragh, floods, and the Plymouth bomb evacuation lbc.co.uk+
- Regular testing ensures the system works properly in a crisis and builds public familiarity, helping to save lives by enabling fast action ciobulletin.com15.
Public Guidance
- Drivers are advised not to interact with their phones during the alert. They should find a safe place to stop before reading the message en.wikipedia.org
- Vulnerable individuals, including domestic abuse survivors, will be shown how to opt out or silence the alert in advance
Wider Preparedness Context
- This test aligns with broader national resilience efforts that include pandemic exercises, flood defense investments, and biological security upgrades
- The UK’s move mirrors practices in other countries like Japan, Canada, and the U.S., which conduct similar emergency broadcast drills theguardian.com.