How to Enable Statewide Alerts on Your iPhone

Staying informed about statewide emergencies is crucial for your safety. Your iPhone is equipped to receive various government alerts, including those for severe weather, public safety threats, and AMBER alerts. By enabling these notifications, you can receive timely updates about critical situations in your area.

How Do I Enable Statewide Alerts on My iPhone?

To activate statewide emergency alerts on your iPhone, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings App: Locate and tap the Settings icon on your home screen.

2. Navigate to Notifications: Scroll down and select Notifications.

3. Access Government Alerts: Scroll to the bottom of the Notifications screen to find the Government Alerts section.

4. Enable Desired Alerts: Toggle on the types of alerts you wish to receive:

• AMBER Alerts: Notifications about missing persons, especially minors.
• Emergency Alerts: Information about imminent threats to safety or life.
• Public Safety Alerts: Updates on public safety issues.

By default, these alerts are turned on for your device. When you receive a government alert, your iPhone will emit a special sound similar to an alarm. (support.apple.com)

What Are Enhanced Safety Alerts?

In addition to standard government alerts, your iPhone can receive Enhanced Safety Alerts, which provide supplemental information for emergencies like earthquakes or floods. These alerts are delivered by Apple and may appear and sound different from standard government alerts. (support.apple.com)

How Do I Enable Enhanced Safety Alerts?

To activate Enhanced Safety Alerts on your iPhone:

1. Open the Settings App: Tap the Settings icon.

2. Go to Notifications: Select Notifications.

3. Scroll to the Bottom: Under the Enhanced Alerts section, tap Enhanced Safety Alerts.

4. Enable Alerts: Toggle on Earthquake Alerts and Imminent Threat Alerts.

By enabling these alerts, your iPhone will provide timely information about critical situations in your area. (support.apple.com)

What Is Local Awareness for Emergency Alerts?

The Local Awareness feature allows your iPhone to use your approximate location to improve the timeliness, accuracy, and reliability of emergency alerts. For example, earthquake alerts received on iPhone in California, Oregon, and Washington (including bordering regions) might be more timely or delivered with increased accuracy when Local Awareness is turned on. (support.apple.com)

How Do I Enable Local Awareness?

To activate Local Awareness for emergency alerts:

1. Open the Settings App: Tap the Settings icon.

2. Navigate to Notifications: Select Notifications.

3. Access Emergency Alerts: Under the Government Alerts section, tap Emergency Alerts.

4. Enable Local Awareness: Toggle on Local Awareness.

Enabling Local Awareness ensures that you receive the most accurate and timely emergency alerts based on your location. (support.apple.com)

Can I Disable Certain Alerts?

Yes, you can choose to disable specific types of alerts:

1. Open the Settings App: Tap the Settings icon.

2. Go to Notifications: Select Notifications.

3. Scroll to Government Alerts: At the bottom of the screen, find the Government Alerts section.

4. Toggle Off Desired Alerts: Turn off the switch next to the alert type you wish to disable.

Please note that some government alerts, such as Presidential Alerts, cannot be turned off. (support.apple.com)

Why Should I Enable These Alerts?

Enabling statewide emergency alerts on your iPhone ensures that you receive timely information about critical situations in your area, helping you make informed decisions during emergencies.

By following these steps, you can stay informed and prepared for any statewide emergencies that may arise.

Highlights:

• About emergency and government alerts on iPhone - Apple Support, Published on Tuesday, September 23
• Government, Emergency, and Enhanced Safety Alerts on iPhone - Apple Support, Published on Thursday, December 11
• How to turn on Local Awareness for Emergency Alerts on iPhone, Published on Friday, April 11