How to Turn Off Emergency Alerts on iPhone and Android (Fast & Safe)

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How to Turn Off Emergency Alerts on iPhone and Android (Fast & Safe)

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Update: Thursday, November 27, 2025 · 4-minute read

Want fewer blaring alerts at night? Below are safe, quick ways to manage emergency notifications on iPhone and Android. For context, see our Explainer: What are Wireless Emergency Alerts? and Definition: AMBER Alert.

iPhone: Turn alerts off or adjust

Works on recent iOS versions; exact labels vary by region and carrier.

  1. Open Settings → Notifications.
  2. Scroll to the bottom to find Government Alerts.
  3. Toggle AMBER Alerts, Emergency Alerts, and (where available) Public Safety Alerts.
  4. Optional: Some models let you set alerts to Always Deliver or adjust Severe vs Extreme alerts.

Safety tip: Consider leaving Extreme alerts on. You can still reduce disruption by keeping other categories off and using Focus modes for nighttime.

Android: Turn alerts off or adjust

Menu names differ slightly by manufacturer. If you don’t see these exactly, use the Settings search for “Emergency alerts” or “Wireless alerts”.

  1. Open Settings → Safety & emergency (or Notifications).
  2. Tap Wireless emergency alerts (or Emergency alerts).
  3. Toggle categories such as Extreme threats, Severe threats, AMBER alerts, and Test alerts.
  4. Optional: Change Alert sound, Vibrate, or Override Do Not Disturb if your device offers those options.

For manufacturer-specific steps, see: our WEA explainer.

Control or disable test alerts

Test alerts may have their own toggle on both iPhone and Android. Turning off test alerts does not affect real emergency warnings. Availability varies by carrier and country.

How to re-enable alerts (recommended)

  1. Return to your device’s alert settings (same paths above).
  2. Switch Extreme and Severe alerts back on first.
  3. Re-enable AMBER and Public Safety alerts as needed.

Reminder: Some jurisdictions require certain alerts to remain on. When in doubt, follow local guidance.

FAQ

Is it legal to turn off emergency alerts in my country?

Regulations vary. In many places you can disable some categories, but not all. Check carrier and government guidance before changing settings.

Do alerts bypass silent mode?

Often yes—some alerts play a unique tone that can override silent or Do Not Disturb. If offered, you can turn off the “Override DND” option instead of disabling alerts.

What if I can’t find the menu on my Android?

Use the Settings search for “Emergency alerts” or open the Messages app → menu → Emergency alerts on some phones.

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