How Do I Turn Off Emergency Alerts

Okay, let’s be real for a second. There you are, deep in a Netflix binge, or maybe just trying to nap—finally—when your phone lets out a shriek that could wake the dead. It’s an emergency alert. And your first thought isn’t “Is everyone safe?” It’s “How do I turn this thing off?” I get it. You are not a monster for wanting peace.

We all love being kept safe. But do we really need a test alert at 2:00 PM on a Tuesday? No. You just want to silence the digital tornado that is your government’s love language. So, let’s fix that.

The Big Scary Siren: Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)

These are the heavy hitters. The Presidential alerts, the AMBER Alerts, the tsunami warnings. They come with a special vibration that feels like the phone is having a seizure. It’s dramatic.

Now, the bad news: you cannot turn off Presidential alerts. Sorry. That’s the law. It’s like the emergency brake on a bus—you just have to live with it.

But everything else? Oh, we can absolutely silence that chaos. Most alerts like AMBER, Severe Weather, and Public Safety warnings? They’re optional. You have the power. Mwahaha.

For Your iPhone (Because, Of Course)

Grab your phone. Go to Settings. Yes, that gray gear icon. Scroll down until you see “Notifications.” It’s usually near the top, but don’t stress.

Scroll all the way to the bottom of that screen. Do you see a section called “Government Alerts”? It’s usually hiding there, like a secret menu. Tap it.

Here’s the magic: a list of toggles. You’ll see “AMBER Alerts,” “Emergency Alerts,” and “Public Safety Alerts.” Just flick the switch to off for the ones you hate. It’s that easy. The phone won’t explode. Probably.

One tiny warning: this also turns off the monthly test alerts. If you live near a tornado alley, maybe think twice? But hey, you do you.

For Your Android (The Wild West)

Android is like a box of chocolates—every phone is different. But don’t panic. The path is similar. Open your Settings app. Usually that gear icon again.

Search for “Emergency Alerts” or “Wireless Emergency Alerts.” You might find it under “Safety & emergency” or “Connections.” It’s a bit of a scavenger hunt, honestly.

Once you find it, you’ll see a menu like “Alert types.” Here you can uncheck boxes for “AMBER Alerts,” “Extreme Threats,” and “Severe Threats.” Just uncheck the boxes you want to ghost. Tap “OK” if it asks.

Heads up: some Androids hide the AMBER toggle in a special “Cell Broadcast” setting. If you can’t find it, just search “AMBER” in the Settings search bar. You’ll find it. I believe in you.

The Sneaky App Alerts (The Real Villains)

Sometimes your phone is screaming, but it’s not the government. It’s your weather app or the News app. Those are like needy friends who text you every time a cloud moves.

To shut those up: go to Settings > Notifications. Scroll down your list of apps. Find the one that keeps screaming “TORNADO WARNING!!!” It’s probably your weather app.

Tap on it. Then toggle “Allow Notifications” to off. Alternatively, set it to “Deliver Quietly” or “Critical Alerts Only.” That way you get the big stuff, but not the “Light Rain Coming” nonsense.

You can do the same for the Emergency SOS feature on iPhones. It’s in Settings > Emergency SOS. Turn off “Call with Hold” and “Call with 5 Presses” if you keep accidentally summoning the cavalry when you drop your phone.

A Final, Guilty Plea

Before you turn off every alert forever, ask yourself: Do I really want to miss the one alert that matters? AMBER Alerts help find kids. Severe weather saves lives. But, like, the test alerts? Those are pointless noise.

My advice? Be a selective silencer. Keep the real emergency stuff on. But feel free to mercilessly murder the test alerts and the app notifications that scream “Wind Advisory” at 3 AM. Your sleep schedule will thank you.

Now, go forth. Silence the chaos. And maybe buy some earplugs for the Presidential alert. We all have to live with that one.