On Sunday, 7th September 2025 there will be a national UK emergency alert test.

Mobile phones in the UK will be sent a test emergency alert at around 3pm on Sunday 7 September 2025 as part of plans to strengthen the country’s preparedness. 

The emergency alerts system is used to warn if there’s a danger to life nearby, including extreme weather. It allows vital information and advice to be sent to people rapidly in an emergency.

During the test, mobile phones will vibrate and make a loud siren sound for roughly ten seconds, even if they are set to silent. A message will also appear on phone screens, making it clear the alert is only a test.

Victims and survivors who have a secret phone that they may hide from an abusive partner must be informed to take action to prevent the phone from activating.

The alerts can be turned off in device settings under ‘emergency alerts’.

Refuge have provided a video to inform victims and survivors how to ensure their secret phone (iPhone and Android devices) does not play the notifying sound.