How to Turn Off Amber and Emergency Alerts on Your Phone: A Quick Guide to Avoiding Unwanted Interruptions

Amber and emergency alerts can be crucial in notifying the public of imminent threats or missing persons, but the loud, intrusive nature of these alerts can sometimes feel disruptive, especially if they occur late at night or during quiet moments. If you’d like to know how to turn off these alerts on your Android or iPhone, this guide will walk you through each step, along with some insights into why these alerts can feel bothersome at times.

Why Do Emergency Alerts Feel Disruptive?

Amber and emergency alerts are designed to grab your attention instantly, which is why they’re often accompanied by loud, unique sounds. This can be a double-edged sword—while they can be life-saving in certain situations, many people find them jarring, especially when they go off unexpectedly. However, both Android and iPhone offer ways to adjust or disable these alerts if you’d prefer more control over your phone’s notifications.

How to Disable Amber and Emergency Alerts on Android

Turning off emergency alerts on Android devices is relatively simple, though the exact steps may vary depending on the version of Android and the phone brand you have.

1. Open the Settings App: Go to your Android phone’s main settings.

2. Navigate to ‘Notifications’ or ‘Sound’: In some versions, you may need to go into ‘Sound & vibration’ settings.

3. Look for ‘Wireless Emergency Alerts’ or ‘Advanced Settings’: Scroll down until you find the section for wireless or emergency alerts.

4. Select ‘Amber Alerts,’ ‘Extreme Threats,’ and ‘Severe Threats’: Each type of alert will have its own toggle switch. You can disable Amber Alerts specifically or all types of emergency notifications if you prefer.

5. Toggle Off the Alerts You Don’t Want: Simply switch off the alerts that you find unnecessary. 

> Interesting Fact: Many people don’t realize that they can selectively disable only certain types of alerts on Android. For instance, you could leave on extreme weather alerts while turning off Amber Alerts, giving you more flexibility in managing notifications.

How to Disable Amber and Emergency Alerts on iPhone

Disabling these alerts on iPhone is just as straightforward. However, it’s essential to note that you can’t customize as many alert types as on Android. iPhones only offer options to disable both Amber and Emergency alerts in a single toggle.

1. Go to Settings: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

2. Open ‘Notifications’: Scroll down to find the Notifications section.

3. Scroll to the Bottom for ‘Government Alerts’: At the bottom of the notifications settings, you’ll see the options for ‘AMBER Alerts’ and ‘Emergency Alerts.’

4. Toggle Off Both Alerts: Simply switch off these options to stop receiving government alerts.

> Did You Know? iPhones in the United States are required by federal law to receive Presidential Alerts, which can’t be turned off. These alerts are reserved for situations of extreme national emergency and are rarely used.

Benefits and Downsides of Turning Off Emergency Alerts

Pros of Disabling Alerts:

- Reduced Interruptions: By disabling non-essential alerts, you can maintain a quieter phone environment.

- Better Focus: Fewer sudden loud notifications mean you can work or relax without the risk of startling interruptions.

Cons of Disabling Alerts:

- Less Awareness of Local Threats: You might miss notifications about critical weather conditions or safety hazards in your area.

- Potentially Missing Important Amber Alerts: While Amber Alerts are infrequent, they’re vital in helping locate missing children, and turning them off might mean missing the chance to assist in an emergency.

Considerations Before Disabling Alerts

1. Check Settings Periodically: If you’re traveling or moving to a new area, you may want to re-enable these alerts temporarily, especially if you’re in a region prone to extreme weather.

2. Customize Where Possible: Some Android devices allow customization of emergency alerts by severity. This can be a good compromise between staying informed and minimizing disruptions.

Turning off emergency alerts can help tailor your phone’s notifications to your preferences. Whether you decide to keep them on or off, knowing how to adjust these settings can give you greater control over when and how your phone alerts you, letting you maintain a balance between awareness and peace of mind.