Don't panic: UK phones to sound at once in emergency drill

Millions of phones will all blare at once on Sunday across the UK as the government tests a national emergency drill Michael M. Santiago

Tens of millions of mobile phones across the UK will blare a siren sound at the same time on Sunday as part of government efforts to better prepare for national emergencies.

The nationwide test comes as officials seek to strengthen the country's resilience amid more frequent extreme weather events and concerns around Russia's war in Ukraine.

At 3:00 pm (1400 GMT), most of Britain's 87 million mobile phones and tablets will emit the noise and vibrate for about 10 seconds, the government has said.

Users will also receive a message saying the warning is only a drill, in what is just the second test of the national emergency alert system following the f