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A message that will be sent to mobile phones across the country during the second ever national test of the Emergency Alerts system has been revealed today.

Millions of mobile devices will receive the text of less than 100 words, and will vibrate and make a siren sound for roughly ten seconds at around 3pm on Sunday, September 7.

The national test of the Emergency Alerts system was announced by Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden last month, alongside a new Resilience Action Plan to improve the way the government prepares for and responds to emergencies.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden, said:

At around 3pm on Sunday, September 7, millions of people across the country will read this message on their mobile phones during a critical national test of our Emergency Alerts system.聽

Just like the fire alarm in your house, it鈥檚 important we test this system so that we know it will work if we need it. The alerts have the potential to save lives.

The message, which will be sent to all 4G and 5G phone networks in the UK, will make clear that this is a test and no further action is required. It also includes a sentence in Welsh, directing speakers to a full translated version of the text.

The message will say:

鈥淭his is a test of Emergency Alerts, a UK government service that will warn you if there鈥檚 a life-threatening emergency nearby.

鈥淵ou do not need to take any action. In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe.

鈥淔ind simple and effective advice on how to prepare for emergencies at .

鈥淰颈蝉颈迟 for more information or to view this message in Welsh. Ewch i am ragor o wybodaeth neu i weld y neges hon yn y Gymraeg.鈥�

The test will be the second of its kind, and follows a government commitment to test the system regularly to make sure it works optimally and familiarise the public with the alerts.聽

Ahead of the national test, the government is running a public information campaign to notify people it is taking place, including communications targeted at vulnerable groups such as victims of domestic abuse. The campaign has also featured the first national information .

Since the first national test of the Emergency Alerts system in April 2023, five alerts have been sent, including during major storms when lives were at risk.聽

The largest use of the system saw approximately 4.5 million people in Scotland and Northern Ireland receive an alert during Storm 脡owyn in January 2025 after a red weather warning was issued, meaning there was a risk to life.