The Amber Alert (or AMBER) system is used to broadcast wide-ranging announcements in the case of child abductions, accessing televisions, public radio stations and even smartphones to inform the public about the latest developments.
However, there are some situations where you may want to turn off amber alerts, as well as other emergency alerts, as they are loud and can go off at any time of the day.
Therefore, we have put together this handy tutorial to guide you through disabling Amber alerts on your Android phone.
Tools and requirements
To turn off amber alerts, you will need a Android phone working Android 12 or later – You can still turn off alerts on older versions of Android, but the process is different.
Quick Steps on How to Turn Off Amber Alerts on Android Phone
- Start in the home screen
- Open the Settings app
- Scroll down and select the Security and Emergency Tab
- Select the Wireless Emergency Alerts Menu
- Turn off AMBER alerts button
Step by step guide on how to turn off Amber alerts on Android phone
1. Find and open the Settings app.
(Image: © Futuro)
Turning off amber alerts requires a trip to Settings app. On most Android phones (we're using a OnePlus 12), the Settings app will appear as a gear or gear icon. Simply tap the app to open it.
2. Scroll down and select the Security & Emergency tab.
(Image: © Futuro)
Now, find the Security and Emergency Tab in the middle of the setup menu list. If it is proving difficult to find, try using the search bar in the Settings app to type the name Security & Emergency manually and tap the name to open the tab.
3. Select the Wireless Emergency Alerts menu.
(Image: © Futuro)
We're almost there: once you're in the Security and Emergency tab, look for the Wireless Emergency Alerts Tab with a faint arrow pointing to the right. Tap this tab to enter the final menu.
4. Disable the AMBER alerts option
(Image: © Futuro)
The Wireless Emergency Alerts menu comprises a list of buttons for different types of alerts, with a brief description of each. In this case we are looking for the AMBER alert button. Tap the toggle switch to turn off amber alerts.
In this menu, you also have the option to disable extreme and severe alerts, which are activated when a threat to life is determined, as well as the option to disable all alerts completely.
Further down the menu, you can choose to participate in alert system testing and allow your phone to create reminders at regular intervals after an alert is transmitted.
Troubleshooting
Do I need to install the Settings app?
No, the Settings app comes pre-installed on your Android phone and in most cases it cannot be removed. It is an important part of the Android operating system and can be accessed at any time.
If you need to access the Settings app but can't find the icon, you can open the App Drawer by swiping up on the Home screen and look for it there. Many Android phones also come with the option to search the system by swiping down on the home screen.
How do I turn Amber Alerts back on?
If you want to turn amber alerts or another type of emergency alert back on, simply follow this guide to step three. Ignore step four and then slide the lever back to its active position.