iPhone emergency alerts—such as AMBER alerts, severe weather warnings, and public safety messages—can be lifesaving. However, there are times when you may wish to disable them temporarily or permanently, such as when traveling abroad, during nighttime, or to avoid repeated alerts in low-risk situations.
Understanding iPhone Emergency Alerts
iOS categorizes government alerts into several types:
- AMBER Alerts: Child abduction emergency notifications
- Public Safety Alerts: Official warnings about threats to public safety
- Severe Weather Alerts: National Weather Service advisories
- Extreme Weather Alerts: Tornado warnings, flash flood emergencies
- Presidential Alerts: National-level alerts, which cannot be disabled
Key Points
- Control: You can disable AMBER, Public Safety, Severe, and Extreme Weather alerts.
- Mandatory: Presidential Alerts cannot be turned off or muted.
- Regional Variations: Available alert types may differ by country and carrier.
Why You Might Cancel Emergency Alerts
- Traveling Internationally: Different alert systems may send false alarms.
- Late-Night Disturbances: Repeated alerts can disrupt sleep.
- Testing and Maintenance: Carriers sometimes send test messages.
- Low-Risk Situations: In low-threat areas, alerts may be less relevant.
Warning
Disabling alerts removes important safety notifications. Consider carefully before turning them off, especially in areas prone to severe weather or civil emergencies.
Prerequisites and Compatibility
iOS Version Requirements
- Emergency alert controls were introduced in iOS 12.
- Ensure your iPhone runs iOS 12 or later:
- Settings > General > About
- Check Software Version; if below iOS 12, update via Settings > General > Software Update.
Carrier Support
- Most major carriers support alert settings, but availability varies by region and network.
- If options are missing, contact your carrier or check their support site.
How to Disable Specific Emergency Alerts
You can toggle individual alert types on or off in Settings.
Open Notifications Settings
- Launch the Settings app.
- Tap Notifications.
Scroll to the Bottom
- In the Notifications list, scroll all the way down.
- Under Government Alerts, you’ll see toggles for:
- AMBER Alerts
- Public Safety Alerts
- Severe Alerts
- Extreme Alerts
<img src=”https://i.imgur.com/4KE0b7V.png” alt=”Government Alerts section in iPhone Notifications settings” width=”300″/>
Toggle Off Unwanted Alerts
- AMBER Alerts: Toggle off to stop child abduction notifications.
- Public Safety Alerts: Toggle off to silence broad civil danger warnings.
- Severe Alerts: Toggle off weather watches and advisories.
- Extreme Alerts: Toggle off tornado, flash flood, and other urgent warnings.
Note: The Presidential Alerts toggle appears but is grayed out and cannot be disabled.
Confirming Alert Status
After toggling, verify that your settings took effect:
- Return to Settings > Notifications.
- Ensure the toggles remain off for the alerts you disabled.
- Optionally, have a friend trigger a test alert (carrier test) or use a test facility if available in your region.
Alternative Methods to Minimize Alert Disruption
If you can’t—or choose not to—fully disable alerts, consider these softer approaches:
Use Do Not Disturb or Focus Mode
- Do Not Disturb: Silence all notifications, including some alerts, during scheduled hours.
- Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb.
- Schedule start/end times or enable manually.
- Under Allowed Notifications, you can permit calls from favorites while silencing alerts.
- Custom Focus: Create a Focus profile that silences alerts except from specific people or apps.
- Settings > Focus > + to add a new profile.
- Configure Allowed Notifications and schedule or automate activation.
Mute Your iPhone or Lower Volume
- Slide the Ring/Silent switch to silent to mute tone and vibration, but alerts may still display onscreen without sound.
- Press Volume Down to lower alert volume.
Use Bedtime Mode in the Clock App
- Clock > Alarm > Bedtime lets you schedule quiet hours with minimal interruptions.
- Pauses notifications (including alerts) except alarms set in Clock.
Managing Alerts While Traveling
On trips, you may want different alert settings:
Temporarily Disable Unwanted Alerts
- Follow the Notifications toggles steps above before departure.
- Remember to re-enable on return to ensure safety alerts resume.
Use Airplane Mode with Wi-Fi
- Turn on Airplane Mode to disable cellular alerts, then enable Wi-Fi for internet.
- Note that AMBER and Presidential Alerts require cellular; they won’t reach you on Wi-Fi only.
Local SIM and Alert Systems
- If you insert a local SIM, emergency alert availability may differ.
- Check local authorities’ alert systems and carrier support documentation.
Troubleshooting Missing Alert Toggles
If you don’t see expected alert toggles:
Verify iOS and Carrier Settings
- iOS Update: Settings > General > Software Update.
- Carrier Update: Settings > General > About; wait for Carrier Settings Update prompt.
Reset Network Settings
Resets cellular, Wi-Fi, and VPN settings.
- Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.
- Tap Reset Network Settings, confirm.
- Reboot, then revisit Notifications toggles.
Contact Your Carrier
- Some carriers disable user control of certain alerts.
- Reach out to confirm whether toggles are supported or locked by carrier policy.
Re-enabling Emergency Alerts
To restore alert reception, simply reverse the toggle steps:
- Settings > Notifications
- Scroll to Government Alerts
- Toggle AMBER, Public Safety, Severe, and Extreme back On (green)
Ensure that you receive timely notifications in case of genuine emergencies.
Best Practices for Alert Management
- Re-enable After Disabling: If you turn off alerts temporarily, mark your calendar to turn them back on.
- Monitor Local Conditions: Stay informed via news apps or radio when alerts are off.
- Use Complementary Apps: Download reliable weather and safety apps that provide their own notifications.
- Maintain Battery Health: Critical alerts may not reach you if your phone dies—keep your device charged.
- Family Sharing: Ensure family members’ devices are configured to receive alerts, especially for child safety notifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I disable Presidential Alerts?
- No. Presidential Alerts are mandatory for all compatible devices and cannot be turned off or muted.
Will disabling alerts affect regular notifications?
- No. Only government-issued emergency alerts are affected; app and text notifications remain unchanged.
How often do carriers send test alerts?
- Carrier test schedules vary by region; check your carrier’s website for official test dates.
Will turning off alerts remove historical alerts from Notification Center?
- No. Historical alerts remain in Notification Center until you clear them, regardless of toggle position.
Is it legal to disable emergency alerts?
- Yes, in most regions you can disable individual alert types for your personal safety settings. However, heeding alerts is strongly recommended for public safety.
Conclusion
iPhone emergency alerts are a vital safety feature, but there are valid reasons to disable them temporarily or permanently for specific alert types (AMBER, Public Safety, Severe, Extreme) depending on your circumstances. This guide walked you through:
- Understanding which alerts you can control and which are mandatory.
- Enabling/Disabling specific Government Alerts in Settings > Notifications.
- Alternative methods using Do Not Disturb, Focus, and silent modes.
- Managing settings while traveling or using international SIMs.
- Troubleshooting missing toggles and software issues.
- Best practices for re-enabling and staying informed through other channels.
Always weigh the convenience of silencing alerts against the risk of missing critical safety information. By following these steps, you can tailor your iPhone’s alert behavior to your lifestyle while maintaining awareness of important emergencies.
