About emergency and AMBER alerts on your iPhone

Learn how to turn emergency or AMBER alerts on or off.

 

    

About emergency and AMBER alerts

In the United States, iPhone can receive emergency and AMBER alerts. In the event of an emergency, you can receive these types of alerts:

  • Alerts issued by the President or government agencies
  • Alerts involving imminent threats to safety or life
  • AMBER alerts
  • Alerts for extreme weather conditions

In Japan, iPhone can receive Emergency Earthquake Alerts from the Japan Meteorological Agency. Learn how to set up emergency alerts for Japan.

Government alerts vary by carrier and iPhone model, and may not work under all conditions.

Turn Government Alerts on or off

By default, Government Alerts are turned on for your device. When you receive a Government Alert, you hear a special sound that's similar to an alarm. If you want to turn these alerts on or off, follow these steps:

  1. Go to Settings > Notifications.
  2. Scroll to the very bottom of the screen.
  3. Under Government Alerts, turn the type of alert on or off.

Government Alerts are supported on iPhone 4s and later on AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon, along with most rural carriers.

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