Testing the Emergency Alerts service

Following the successful national test of the UK Emergency Alerts system on 23 April 2023, the government and mobile network operators will be carrying out occasional ‘operator’ tests.

This is to assess improvements that have been made to the Emergency Alerts service.

You may get this alert if you have an Android phone that has operator test alerts turned on.

These operator tests are not alerting you of real danger. These alerts will always have ‘operator’ in the title and will confirm that no action is needed.

If you get an operator test alert, your phone may make a loud siren-like sound for about 10 seconds, unless it’s on silent.

Opt out of operator test alerts

To stop receiving operator test alerts, search your phone’s settings for ‘emergency alerts’ and turn off ‘test alerts’ and ‘operator alerts’.

If you cannot see test alerts or operator alerts:

• open your phone calling app
• use the keypad to enter *#*#2627#*#*
• search your settings for ‘emergency alerts’ and turn off ‘test alerts’ and ‘operator alerts’

If you continue getting operator test alerts, contact your phone manufacturer for help.