Try not to be too startled on Wednesday, October 4, when FEMA and the FCC will send test messages to all iPhones, TVs, and radios as part of a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts.
The test, set to take place at 2:20 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday, October 4, will consist of two separate test portions that will occur at the same time. While the EAS section will handle sending the test message to televisions and radios at the time, the WEA will target all consumer cell phones and smartphones.
The last WEA test took place in August 2021.
The WEA test will be conducted using FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), which is a centralized internet-based system managed by FEMA to send authenticated emergency messages via multiple communication networks.
The test message will be displayed in either English or Spanish, depending on the language settings of the device. The English version of the message will say “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
A loud noise will accompany the test message. The tone is the same tone and volume as other National Weather Service warnings or Amber Alerts.
Only turned-on smartphones with cellular access will receive the message. If your device is only connected to WiFi or in airplane mode, it won’t get the notification.
iPhone owners can dial *5005*25371# to enable test notifications, or dial *5005*25370# to disable test notifications.
If the October 4 test is postponed, a backup test will take place on October 11.
(Via AppleInsider)