mutethephoneUpdated
WHAT THE GUIDANCE SAYS
Silent mode is not the same as switched off.
Ordinary calls and messages go quiet, but a UK Emergency Alert is designed to sound even on silent. Here is what official guidance says about muting your phone at night, at the wheel and in a real emergency.
ON SILENT but still listening
Check your phone
THE SHORT ANSWER
Three places where muting comes up.
Official guidance says something useful about each.
EMERGENCIES
GOV.UK says an Emergency Alert may make a loud siren-like sound, even if your phone is set on silent, for about 10 seconds.
Will it reach you?DRIVING
It is illegal to hold and use a phone while driving. Even an emergency alert should wait until you have stopped somewhere safe and legal.
Set it up firstSLEEP
NHS sleep tips include putting your phone on silent to avoid interruptions and placing it face down to reduce light.
See the numbersA QUICK PHONE CHECK
Pick the state your phone or tablet is in. The bar shows how likely a UK Emergency Alert is to reach it, according to GOV.UK.
Based on GOV.UK guidance on how Emergency Alerts work. Alerts work on iPhones running iOS 14.5 or later and Android 11 or later.
TWO NUMBERS WORTH KNOWING
One figure on how many phones an alert can reach,
one on how long it sounds.
≈ 90%
Mobile phones in an area an alert can reach
Before the 2023 national test, the government said Emergency Alerts can get urgent messages quickly to nearly 90 percent of mobile phones in a defined area when there is a risk to life.
REACH · CABINET OFFICE
≈ 10 seconds
How long the siren and vibration last
GOV.UK says the sound and vibration last for about 10 seconds. The UK-wide test at 3pm on Sunday 23 April 2023 sounded for up to 10 seconds.
THE SOUND · GOV.UK
The government says alerts will be used very rarely, only where there is an immediate risk to life, so people may not receive one for months or years.
FOUR THINGS TO SET UP
None of these needs a new phone or an app. They are settings and habits that fit the official guidance.
Search your settings for 'emergency alerts'. GOV.UK advises keeping severe and extreme alerts switched on for your safety.
GOV.UK says to make sure your device has the latest updates so it is compatible with Emergency Alerts.
Set up a mount, voice command or a headset before you set off. A mount must not block your view of the road.
The NHS suggests putting your phone on silent and face down, and avoiding screens for an hour before bed.
A CONCEALED PHONE
Because an alert sounds even on silent, it could reveal a hidden phone. GOV.UK says victims of domestic abuse with a concealed phone may find it appropriate to turn alerts off.
On an iPhone, go to notifications and turn off 'severe alerts' and 'extreme alerts'. On Android, search settings for 'emergency alerts' and turn off the same two. Switching the phone off also stops alerts.
Questions
Will an emergency alert go off if my phone is on silent?
It may. GOV.UK says your phone may make a loud siren-like sound even if it is set on silent, vibrate or read the alert out, for about 10 seconds.
Do I need to sign up or give my number?
No. GOV.UK says alerts are free, need no sign-up or app, and the government does not need your phone number or location to send one.
What should I do if an alert arrives while I am driving?
Do not read or respond to it while driving. Find somewhere safe and legal to stop first, or listen to live radio news if there is nobody else to read it.
Can I use my phone at traffic lights?
No. GOV.UK says the hand-held rule still applies when you are stopped at lights or queuing in traffic. The penalty is 6 points and a £200 fine.
Does putting my phone on silent help me sleep?
The NHS lists putting your phone on silent to avoid interruptions, and face down to reduce light, among its tips for sleeping better.
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