Saudi Arabia to test National Early Warning Platform for Emergency Situations on phones
Residents across the Kingdom may receive a test alert as authorities assess the readiness of the national emergency warning platform
If your phone suddenly sends out a loud alert notification, don’t worry; it may simply be a test.
The Saudi Civil Defense has announced that it will begin testing the National Early Warning Platform for Emergency Situations, a system designed to send urgent alerts directly to mobile phones.
The test messages are part of efforts to assess the readiness and effectiveness of the national alert system. Authorities confirmed that no action is required if you receive one of these test notifications.
The early warning platform aims to provide residents with instant updates during emergencies such as severe weather events, natural disasters, or other public safety situations.
By sending alerts straight to mobile devices, officials aim to ensure that people receive important safety information swiftly and clearly.
Learn about the National Early Warning Platform for Emergency Situations and the instructions and guidelines to follow when receiving warning messages before and after an incident.#Civil_Defense#PreventionIsSafety pic.twitter.com/LxCzGbz62R
— الدفاع المدني السعودي (@SaudiDCD) March 9, 2026
Alongside the announcement, Civil Defense also shared guidelines on what to do if residents receive an actual emergency alert in the future.
The key advice is to stay calm and follow the official instructions given by authorities.
In most cases, people are advised to go indoors to the nearest safe place away from windows and open areas, and remain there until the danger has passed.
Residents are also advised to refrain from gathering in open spaces, balconies, or rooftops during emergencies.
If you receive a warning message while driving, motorists should safely pull over away from bridges and tall buildings until further instructions are issued.
For emergencies, residents can call 911 in the regions of Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, while 998 is used in other regions of the Kingdom.
Testing the system is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen emergency preparedness across Saudi Arabia and ensure residents receive critical alerts when they matter most.
Consider it a quick safety check – one that helps ensure residents stay informed if an emergency ever arises.
Here’s how to ensure emergency alerts reach your phone
To ensure you receive these alerts when they are sent, residents should check that emergency notifications are enabled on their phones and not blocked by device settings.
For iPhone users, open Settings, tap Notifications, then scroll down to Government Alerts and ensure Alerts and Testing Alerts are turned on.
Meanwhile, Android users can usually find this setting under Notifications > Advanced settings > Wireless Emergency Alerts.
Enabling these settings ensures your phone can receive official emergency alerts and system tests sent by authorities such as Saudi Civil Defense.
These alerts may appear on your phone with a loud sound and vibration to ensure they are noticed, even if your phone is on silent.
Images: Unsplash
