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AMBER Alerts are issued to inform the public about active cases of missing minors in your area, but if you'd prefer not to receive these notifications, you can easily turn them off on your device. Ivan Pantic / Getty ImagesHave you ever been suddenly woken by your phone emitting a loud alarm followed by a text about a missing child in your area?
These emergency notifications are part of the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) system, a partnership between the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and various cellular providers.
However, there are times when you may want to silence AMBER Alerts or other emergency notifications due to their intrusive nature. We understand, and we've got the steps to help you out.
Understanding Wireless Emergency Alerts
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) play a vital role in ensuring public safety. Since their introduction in 2012, they serve a variety of functions, such as issuing warnings about severe weather, public safety concerns, and AMBER Alerts, which inform the public about missing children. The system also occasionally broadcasts test alerts to ensure its functionality.
What Are AMBER Alerts?
An AMBER Alert is a notification issued by law enforcement when a child is believed to be in danger or has been abducted. The term “child” refers to individuals 17 years old or younger. AMBER Alerts are a prime example of using wireless technology to combat crime.
AMBER stands for America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response, named after Amber Hagerman, a young girl whose tragic abduction inspired the program. With the advent of the WEA system, AMBER Alerts have been distributed across various platforms, including mobile phones, to quickly spread urgent information to the public.
Turning Off Emergency Alerts
While receiving an emergency alert can potentially save lives, you might prefer not to get them. These alerts can be jarring and intrusive, especially if you're dealing with a fussy baby or working in a quiet space like a library.
Luckily, both iPhone and Android devices provide settings that allow you to manage and control these alerts.
On iPhone
To disable AMBER Alerts on an iPhone, follow these steps:
- Launch the Settings app.
- Select Notifications.
- Scroll down until you reach Government Alerts, below the list of individual apps that manage notifications.
- Turn off the AMBER Alerts toggle.
You can easily undo this action if you choose to turn the alerts back on later. Additionally, you can disable other emergency notifications such as Public Safety Alerts, Test Alerts, and Emergency Alerts.
On Android
Disabling AMBER Alerts on Android devices differs slightly based on the model and software version:
For Android 12 and later
- Launch the Settings app.
- Tap on Notifications.
- Choose Advanced Settings.
- Locate and turn off the AMBER Alerts option.
For Android 9
- Open Settings.
- Tap on Apps & Notifications.
- Select Advanced.
- Disable Emergency Alerts by toggling it off.
Samsung devices and others may feature minor differences, so it’s important to explore the specific settings menu of your model for accurate instructions.
Reasons to Consider Keeping Emergency Alerts On
Although they can sometimes be disruptive, keeping emergency alerts active offers substantial benefits. AMBER Alerts and similar notifications play a crucial role in saving lives and delivering vital information during emergencies.
Mark John, Mike Young, and Mary Young, pictured during a press conference on August 11, 2013, recognized an Amber alert about missing teen Hannah Anderson and reported having seen Anderson and her abductor at a campground.
©STRINGER/Reuters/CorbisFor example, in 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice revealed that 1,200 children were located thanks to AMBER Alerts.
These alerts also act as a critical resource during severe situations, such as natural disasters or public safety crises.
Keeping emergency alerts active on your phone ensures you receive prompt updates on serious threats and missing individuals, which can help save lives and assist in locating missing children, or in the case of Silver Alerts, elderly or cognitively impaired people.
History of AMBER Alerts
The AMBER Alert system was established following a tragic event in 1996. Nine-year-old Amber Hagerman was abducted while riding her bicycle in Arlington, Texas. Despite an extensive search, Amber's body was discovered four days later, and she had been murdered.
Her case led to the creation of the AMBER Alert system, named in her memory, which was designed to quickly spread information about missing children to the public.
The alerts on our phones can be traced back to the 2006 Warning, Alert, and Response Network (WARN) Act. This law called for the establishment of the Commercial Mobile Service Alert Advisory Committee by the FCC, which laid the foundation for the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) system as we know it today.
FEMA offers essential training and resources to assist local authorities in efficiently creating and delivering these alerts. The partnership between the FCC, FEMA, and private cellular providers was pivotal in ensuring that vital emergency information reaches our phones directly and quickly.
Though it's possible to turn off AMBER and other emergency alerts, it’s essential to balance the convenience of disabling them with the life-saving advantages they offer. Public safety alerts are vital in keeping communities protected and informed.
