This Sunday 7th September, the UK Government will be testing its emergency alert system again. They’re an important public safety tool used by the UK Government to warn people about life-threatening situations such as severe flooding, extreme weather, wildfires and other emergencies.
This means our phones will vibrate and make a loud noise even if they are on silent. If you have a secret or burner phone which your abuser doesn’t know about, we advise you to disable the alerts so you phone isn’t revealed.
For most people, these alerts provide crucial information that could help keep them safe. But for some, particularly domestic abuse survivors using a hidden or secondary phone, an emergency alert can become a very different kind of risk.
Why hidden phones matter
Many survivors use a separate phone that an abuser does not know about. They may use it to contact domestic abuse services, speak to trusted friends or family, access financial support, search for housing or employment opportunities, or develop an escape plan.
How to turn off emergency alerts on iPhone
- Open Settings
- Select Notifications
- Scroll to the bottom of the screen
- Turn off Severe Alerts
- Turn off Extreme Alerts
Depending on your version of iOS, these settings may appear under Government Alerts.
How to turn off emergency alerts on Android
- Open Settings
- Search for Emergency Alerts
- Turn off Severe Alerts
- Turn off Extreme Alerts
If you can’t find the setting immediately, use the search function within your phone’s settings menu and search for “Emergency Alerts”.
Additional digital safety tips
If you’re experiencing domestic abuse and use a hidden device, consider regularly reviewing your digital safety settings. We recommend you:
- Turn off lock-screen notification previews
- Use a strong PIN or passcode
- Review location-sharing settings
- Use private browsing where appropriate
- Regularly clear browsing history if it is safe to do so
- Seek advice from specialist domestic abuse services on creating a digital safety plan
Are you supporting survivors of domestic abuse? Share this guide to help ensure hidden phones remain safe and undiscovered. One simple setting change could make a massive difference to someone’s safety.