FEMA is going to buzz your phone today — here’s why and how to opt out

FEMA is going to buzz your phone today — here's why and how to opt out

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If y'all've ever listened to the radio or watched TV, you lot're probably familiar with the Emergency Broadcast system, which interrupts your regularly scheduled circulate with an annoying tone, followed by a message.

That system will be tested today, (Aug. 11) at 2:20 p.m. ET, which will send out an alert non but on the airwaves, but also to phones that accept opted in to receive alerts. This is the second test of the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) organization since information technology was implemented in 2018, and has been used on a local level for such things every bit AMBER alerts or severe weather.

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Since its inception, FEMA has upgraded WEA so that information technology tin send more than detailed messages, the ability to include web links, and support for Spanish-language alerts to phones where the default language is set to Spanish. Information technology's as well improved geo-targeting so that the intended bulletin more precisely reaches those for whom it's intended.

This is the second ever nationwide WEA exam. Those who have opted in should receive the post-obit message: "THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed."

If you'd rather non have your phone buzz today (or whenever there's an Amber alert), you tin conciliate this feature in your telephone. Here's how.

How to opt out of receiving emergency alerts

How to opt out of emergency alerts on Android phones

i. Open up the Letters app

2. Open Settings.

3. Select Avant-garde

iv. Click on Wireless Emergency Alerts

5. Click on Settings (this may be three dots in the upper right corner)

6. Choose which alerts you wish to receive, if any.

How to opt out of emergency alerts on iPhones

1. Open Settings

2. Select Notifications

three. Coil to the bottom of the screen to the Government Alerts section.

4. Choose which alerts y'all want to receive.

Keep in mind that turning off this feature volition not disable Presidential Alerts, which are also sent out nationally.

Michael A. Prospero is the deputy editor at Tom's Guide overseeing the abode, smart home, drones, and fitness/wearables categories, too as all buying guides and other evergreen content. When he's not testing out the latest running lookout man, skiing or training for a marathon, he's probably using the latest sous vide machine or some other cooking gadget.