Sometimes you may receive a text alert containing warnings and public safety information on your mobile phone. This is likely sent by Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS), an alerting platform used by emergency management officials to disseminate public safety information via geographically targeted text to mobile phones. While Google Public Alerts shows similar warnings and public alerts as CMAS, it is an independent platform developed by Google. Google Public Alerts sends emergency messages to mobile phones via Google Now and also surfaces alerts on various Google properties such as Google Search and Google Maps.
The method for turning off emergency alerts depends on your wireless service provider, but here are some common things to try:
- iPhones: Settings -> Notifications -> Government Alerts
- Android devices:
Option 1: Settings -> Wireless & networks -> More -> Emergency Alerts OR
Option 2: Messaging -> Settings -> Emergency message settings - Windows phones: Messaging -> ... -> Settings -> Emergency Alerts
- Blackberry phones: Messages -> Options
If the above methods don't work, please contact your wireless service provider for instructions.