How to view old emergency alerts on Android and iOS?

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Emergency alerts on iPhone

Emergency alerts are sent to warn people about specific occurrences or situations in the country. They are loud, so you don’t miss them, and they can go off anytime. Most people find them annoying and may push the OK button to dismiss them, only to want to retrieve and read what they were about later.

So, how do you see old emergency alerts on Android and iPhone? Let’s find out together. But, first, you should know the types of alerts.

Types of emergency alerts

Four types of emergency notifications can be sent on your Android device. They are:

  • Extreme threats: This emergency notification involves an imminent catastrophic weather calamity that threatens your life and property. Examples include a hurricane, tornado, or tsunami.
  • Severe threats: This is for threatening situations that aren’t too extreme but require you to be cautious.
  • AMBER (America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response): These are for missing kids or children. The inspiration behind its name is Amber Hagerman, a 9-year-old who was kidnapped and murdered in 1996. The notification usually provides additional details like the location of the warning, vehicle descriptions, and the vehicle’s license plate number.
  • Presidential alerts: These alerts come directly from the President of the United States. They’re classified as “severe threats.” You can’t turn them off in the phone settings.

READ: How do you set parental controls on iOS

How to reread emergency alerts on an Android phone

Checking past emergency alerts on Android varies from one device to the next. Here are some reliable guides to try out:

  1. On Android Oreo 8.1, go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > Advanced > Emergency Alerts > Emergency Alert History. If you have Oreo 8.0, it’s called Mobile broadcast settings.
  2. On Android Oreo 8.1.0, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wireless emergency Alerts.
  3. Settings > Connections > More Connection settings > Emergency Alerts.
  4. Settings > Sounds & Vibrations > More Sound Settings > Emergency Alerts > Emergency Alert History.
  5. Open Messages > Tap on More > Settings > Advanced > Wireless Emergency Alert
  6. Settings > Security > History of Emergency Alerts

For devices that save the alerts as text messages, simply check your message history.

Another less-strenuous way to find past alerts on an Android device is to go to the search bar on your home screen and enter Emergency or Broadcasts. Tap on the available options, and you’ll be directed to the previous alerts.

If you still have difficulty finding an emergency alert that you dismissed by mistake, open your browser and visit your local tv network website. Chances are they have a breaking news banner at the top of their page that links to details of the alert. Tap on it.

How to enable and disable emergency alerts on Android

The emergency notification feature is usually enabled by default on Android devices. That’s because these alerts are important.

So, it’s not advisable to disable them. However, check the guides below if you want to adjust the settings.

How to enable wireless emergency alerts

  • Open Settings > Security.
  • Tap on Emergency Alerts Settings and Toggle On the alerts you want to see.

How to disable alerts on Android

  • Go to settings.
  • Tap on the More option.
  • Scroll to the bottom and tap on Emergency Broadcasts.
  • Tap on the Notification option from the drop-down menu to deactivate it if enabled.

You should note that activating and deactivating the alerts on Android varies among smartphone brands. Also, the presidential alert is not listed anywhere on the phones, so you can’t disable it.

Where are emergency alerts stored on iPhone?

Accessing past emergency warnings on iPhone is much easier. You simply pull up the notification center.

If your device is locked, swipe the center of the screen going up. But, if the device is open, swipe from the top of the screen.

How to receive test emergency alerts on iPhone in the U.S

iPhone users can opt to receive emergency alert tests by enabling the feature. Here is how you can activate it:

iOS 15.4 or later and WatchOS 8.4 or later

  • Search and download the Test Alerts profile.
  • Tap Allow.
  • Select the device to install the profile.
  • Open Settings and tap on the downloaded profile.
  • Tap on Install and follow the onscreen prompts.
  • After installation is complete, go to Settings and tap on Notifications.
  • Turn On Test Alerts.

To turn off the test alerts on iPhone or Apple Watch, open Settings > Notifications > Deactivate the Test Alerts. You can remove the profile entirely by going to Settings > General > Device management > Remove the Profile.

iOS 15.3 or earlier

To activate the Test Alerts:

  • Open the keypad and enter *5005*25371#
  • Tap the call button
  • You’ll get a notification that says Test Alerts Enabled.

To deactivate the Test Alerts

  • Open your phone’s keypad and enter *5005*25370#
  • Tap the call button
  • You’ll get a notification that says Test Alerts Disabled.

Conclusion

As annoying as they can be, emergency alerts are important. Enable them, so you don’t miss out on an important alert. Better safe than sorry!