How to Enable and Understand Earthquake Alerts on Your Android Phone

The next time you receive an alert on your Android phone, it could be a lifesaving message about an imminent earthquake. Since launching the Android Earthquake Alerts System in 2021, Google researchers have reported that the system has detected and issued warnings for over 2,000 earthquakes, sending about 790 million alerts worldwide. These alerts typically give users between 10 to 60 seconds of warning before the strongest shaking arrives, providing crucial time to take safety measures. For example, during a magnitude 6.7 earthquake in the Philippines in November 2023, Google’s system sent the first alert just 18.3 seconds after the quake began, notifying nearly 2.5 million people. Recognizing the importance of such alerts, Google expanded the system to all 50 U.S. states and six U.S. territories last fall. Similarly, Samsung introduced its own earthquake alert system in June, adding another layer of protection for Android users. How to Turn On Google’s Earthquake Alerts on Android Earthquake alerts are usually enabled by default on Android devices, but it’s essential to verify that they are active. To ensure your phone can receive these alerts, follow these steps: Check if Alerts are Enabled: Open the Settings app. Tap Location. Ensure Location Services are turned on. Tap Location Accuracy. Make sure Improve Location Accuracy is switched on. Receiving Alerts: When the ground shakes sufficiently (typically for earthquakes of magnitude 4.5 or higher), your phone will receive either a Be Aware banner for mild shaking or a full-screen Take Action warning for stronger shaking. This gives you 10 to 60 seconds to seek shelter before the more damaging S-waves arrive. Can You Opt Out of Earthquake Detection Contributions? Yes, if you prefer not to contribute to earthquake detection, you can disable this feature: Turn Off Google Location Accuracy: Open the Settings app. Tap Location. Tap Location Services. Tap Location Accuracy. Switch Improve Location Accuracy to the off position. How Samsung’s Earthquake Alerts Work Starting in June, Samsung incorporated its own earthquake alert system into its One UI 8 update, which is available on its latest devices from the S, A, and Z series. This system aims to detect nearby earthquakes and issue full-screen warnings with an audible tone just before the shaking begins. In addition to providing vital information about the earthquake's magnitude and timing, Samsung’s system offers several advanced features: Preview Alerts: Tap "See a demo" to familiarize yourself with the full-screen warning and tone. Alert History: Review past notifications in the History or Log section. Customizable Thresholds: Set different seismic-intensity levels for day and night under Detection settings. Emergency Resources: Access a list of nearby shelters and your stored emergency contacts and medical information for first responders. How to Use Samsung’s Earthquake Alerts To configure Samsung’s earthquake alerts, follow these steps: Open Settings: Go to the Settings app. Navigate to Safety and emergency. Tap Earthquake Alerts (Samsung) to access the earthquake settings. Preview an Alert: Tap "See a demo" to experience the full-screen warning and tone. Review Past Alerts: Check the History or Log section to see previous earthquake notifications. Customize Thresholds: Under Detection settings, set separate seismic-intensity levels for Day and Night. Access Emergency Resources: Scroll to Emergency Resources to view a list of nearby shelters. Enable Emergency Info to display your emergency contacts and medical details on the lock screen when an alert is triggered. Both Google’s and Samsung’s alert systems are designed to provide early warnings of earthquakes, giving you valuable time to find cover. To stay informed and prepared, consider subscribing to our Tech Today newsletter, where you can receive the morning’s top stories in your inbox each day.