Hidden phones: UK Emergency Alerts and domestic violence concerns [August 2026 Update]

An emergency government phone alert warning about wildfires sent in August 2026 has once again opened the debate about automated notifications and the risk it poses to victims of domestic abuse.

The alert caused phones to sound a loud alarm and show a warning text message, bypassing any active silent, mute and sleep settings on the phone. The timing was particularly problematic, happening at 7pm on a Friday evening, and with only a few minutes’ official notification that it was coming. For domestic abuse victims who keep a second phone hidden from their abusers, the loud alert could have immediately revealed their phone’s existence and location to their abuser.

According to the BBC (12), the Cabinet Office press release concerning the alert was only posted on their website 15 minutes before it happened. The alert was issued "after a direct request from fire and rescue services" according to Prime Minister Andy Burnham (15). It warned people about the risks of using disposable barbecues, naked flames and fireworks.

 

Multiple messages

One of the other issues was that even if phones were physically turned off at the time of the alert, when switched again, the alert would still sound unless the alert settings had been previously disabled. Phone owners on social media reported that they had received the alert multiple times. (14)

 

Domestic abuse victims and second phones

According to Woman’s Aid, a second phone is vital to many in relationships involving domestic abuse and coercive control:

"Survivors of domestic abuse frequently turn to second phones to help them access lifesaving support or flee from abuse." (12)

Padua Eaton of the domestic abuse groups The Harborough Doves said:

“Many people in domestic abuse relationships have a secret second phone in order to keep communication with friends or professionals and this alarm would have alerted abusers immediately.” (13)

 

Previous alert messages

The government first tested the UK Emergency Alerts system across the UK in 2025. That national test raised the concerns of domestic abuse support groups, including women’s aid charity Solace, who pointed out the safety and economic reasons for a second phone to be kept secret:

“Survivors may hide devices because they use them to seek and receive support, or to seek employment to increase their financial independence.” (10)

In 2025, Lucy Hadley, head of policy at charity Women's Aid said:

"A second phone ... may also be their only lifeline in emergencies. The emergency alerts pose a risk, not only because an abuser could discover a survivors’ second phone, but also because they could use this as a reason to escalate abuse.” (2)

 

How to turn off emergency alerts on your phone or tablet

The simplest method to prevent the test alert coming through is to turn off your phone completely. The alert text and sound are done "live", so the phone should not remind you of the text or sound an alarm once it's switched back on again.

However, just switching your phone to silent or sleep mode will NOT prevent the alert coming through. The BBC advises that alerts should not be received if your phone is in "airplane mode".(9)

You can also turn off the test and all future Emergency Alerts in your phone settings as follows:

 

For iPhone and Apple Devices

• • Go to Settings
  • Go to ‘Notifications’
  • Scroll down to the bottom to the section ‘Emergency Alerts’
  • Turn off both ‘Extreme Alerts’ and ‘Severe Alerts’

 

For Android phones and devices

• • Go to Settings
  • Find ‘Emergency alerts’
  • Turn off ‘Severe alerts’ and ‘Emergency alerts’

 

On some devices, you have more options under ‘emergency alerts’ so you should turn off ‘Extreme threats’, ‘Severe threats’ and ‘Test alerts’. Your device software may also use different names, such as ‘wireless emergency alerts’ or ‘emergency broadcasts’.

For more information on securing your tech, see the excellent guides from Refuge.

 

Government advice on turning off the alerts

The government advice is that:

"Women and girls who are subject to domestic abuse and have concealed phones can opt out of the national test either by turning off Emergency Alerts in their phone settings or by switching their phone off."

We might add as experienced family lawyers that this advice equally applies to male victims of domestic abuse. According to the ONS, 1.5 million men were victims of domestic abuse and violence in 2023/24.(4) For more details see our page on domestic abuse against men.

 

Police advice on turning off alerts for those suffering domestic abuse

Durham Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen advised that:

“It is paramount that every safeguard is taken to protect victims of domestic abuse whose lives could be at risk at the exposure of a secret mobile phone… I would urge all survivors to follow the guidance of how to disable these emergency alerts on their phones to reduce the risk of detection well ahead of the national testing.” (11)

 

Should I turn off emergency alerts for ever?

These alerts are designed to alert you and your family of imminent danger, so by their very nature, you'll never know when they are coming. You will need to weigh up for yourself the positive benefits of early warning against the risk of phone discovery.

 

Help for victims of domestic violence and emotional abuse

Abuse does not discriminate and is never acceptable. Anyone can be the victims of domestic abuse, regardless of age, race, background or marital status.

If you are experiencing domestic violence or abuse, the time to act is NOW.

• • Call 999 and if possible, get yourself and your children to a place of safety.
  • Call the National Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 200 0247 (women)
  • Call the ManKind confidential helpline on 01823 334244 (men)
  • Once you’re safe, contact us for professional legal advice on how to proceed.

 

We can and will help victims of domestic abuse

If you are a victim of any form of domestic violence, emotional abuse or coercive control, whether male or female, we can help. Please contact us at LGFL Ltd to arrange an urgent consultation. You can also book your initial 1-hour reduced fee advice session. (For qualifying clients, T&Cs apply).

Remember, if you are in any immediate danger, always call 999 for police assistance.

For more information, see our pages on:

• • Domestic Violence and Emotional Abuse against women
  • Domestic Violence and Emotional Abuse against men

To discuss your situation in complete confidence:

• • Call us
  • Email us
  • Request your initial reduced fee consultation 

 

About the author

Anne Leiper is Director and Co-Founder of LGFL Ltd. Anne deals with many of LGFL’s high net worth clients with complex financial matters, who value her determined and informed approach. Her aim is to always achieve the best financial settlement possible for any client.

• • Legal 500 Recommended Lawyer
  • Listed in Chambers and Partners
  • Listed Leading Lawyer at Wiselaw
  • Resolution Member and trained Mediator
  • Fully accredited collaborative lawyer
  • Accredited Family Lawyer by The Law Society

 

REFERENCES:

(1) Sky News. (2023). How to turn off UK-wide emergency alert, which could put domestic abuse survivors at risk. https://news.sky.com/story/how-to-turn-off-uk-wide-emergency-alert-which-could-put-domestic-abuse-survivors-at-risk-12859913

(2) Women’s Aid. (n.d.). UK emergency alerts. https://www.womensaid.org.uk/uk-emergency-alerts

(3) GOV.UK. (n.d.). How emergency alerts work. https://www.gov.uk/alerts/how-alerts-work

(4) Mankind Initiative. (n.d.). Statistics on male victims of domestic abuse. https://mankind.org.uk/statistics/statistics-on-male-victims-of-domestic-abuse/

(5) Department for Education. (2025, September). What you need to know about the emergency alerts test on 7 September. Education Hub. https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2025/09/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-emergency-alerts-test-on-7-september/

(6) GOV.UK. (n.d.). Emergency alerts. https://www.gov.uk/alerts

(7) GOV.UK. (n.d.). Emergency alert test: Frequently asked questions. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/emergency-alert-test-frequently-asked-questions

(8) Refuge Tech Safety. (n.d.). Secure your tech. https://refugetechsafety.org/secure-your-tech/

(9) BBC News. (2026). https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8e1n4d14kro

(10) The Independent. (2025). https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/emergency-alert-uk-text-opt-out-b2818021.html

(11) Durham Police and Crime Commissioner. (2025). PCC urges domestic abuse victims to opt out of government's emergency alert test. https://www.durham-pcc.gov.uk/news/pcc-urges-domestic-abuse-victims-to-opt-out-of-governments-emergency-alert-test

(12) Somerville, E. (2026, August 16). Emergency phone alert put domestic abuse victims at risk, campaigners say. BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyllkz80dlo

(13) HFM News. (2026, August 21). Domestic abuse support group warns emergency alert put victims at risk. https://harboroughfm.co.uk/hfm-domestic-abuse-support-group-warns-emergency-alert-put-victims-at-risk/

(14) Facebook. (n.d.). [Facebook post]. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1717084455237329/posts/4563805200565226/

(15) Brown, B. (2026, August 14). Alarm-ing: Why did I get an alert on my phone? The Government emergency wildfire warning explained. The Sun. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/40065400/government-emergency-wildfire-alert-explained/