Being informed about risks that could affect your safety is essential, especially during natural disasters or emergencies. In Spain, the Civil Protection system has implemented emergency alerts to notify the public quickly and efficiently via their mobile phones. Although these systems have been in place for some time, not everyone has these notifications activated on their devices, which can be a risk in serious situations.
We'll explain in detail how these Civil Protection alerts work, how to activate them on iPhone and Android devices , and what subscribing to them entails. Activating these alerts can save lives and prevent material tragedies. We'll tell you step by step what you need to do to get your phone ready to receive important notifications.
What is the ES-Alert system and how does it work?
ES-Alert is the name of the emergency alert system used by the Spanish government to send warnings to mobile phones. This technology uses radio signals from cell phone towers, meaning that any device within the coverage area of that tower will receive the message. The major advantage of this system compared to traditional SMS is that it is not affected by potential mobile network congestion, which is crucial in emergencies.
The importance of Civil Protection alerts
The main objective of the alert system is to warn the public of imminent or ongoing emergencies , such as floods, earthquakes, attacks, or any other type of disaster that could endanger life or property. These alerts typically include specific information about the risks, as well as recommendations on how to behave, such as avoiding travel or following the advice of 112 , the emergency number in Spain.
A recent example of the importance of these alerts occurred during the DANA storm that affected the Valencian Community in November 2024. Unfortunately, many people did not have notifications activated on their phones, which aggravated the situation, as they did not receive the warning in time.
How to activate Civil Protection alerts on Android
The process for activating Civil Protection alerts on Android devices may vary slightly depending on the device manufacturer, but in general the steps are as follows:
- Accede to Settings on your mobile.
- Look for the option of Notifications or, in some cases, Security and emergencies.
- Within these menus, you will find the option to Wireless emergency alerts.
- In that section, activate both allow alerts , the Civil Protection Pre-alerts.
If you're having trouble finding the option, you can use the search box in Settings and type keywords like "alert," "civil protection," or "emergencies ." Alternatively, you can check your phone manufacturer's support page, as some devices may have different, specific paths.
How to activate Civil Protection alerts on iPhone
For iPhones , activating Civil Protection notifications is quite simple and requires following these steps:
- Open the app Settings on your iPhone.
- Go to Notifications.
- Scroll to the bottom of the screen and you will see an option called Civil Protection Pre-alerts. Activate it.
It's worth noting that only iOS versions 15.6 and later support these notifications; therefore, if you don't see this option, you may need to update your phone to the latest version.
Common problems when enabling alerts
On some older or outdated devices, the alert system may not work properly because the operating system version is not supported or the phone software has not been synchronized with ES-Alert system updates.
Additionally, another common problem is that the phone may have no signal when the message is sent or may be in airplane mode . It's crucial to ensure your phone is turned on, has signal, and is up to date to receive these alerts at all times. See here for more information on real-time earthquake alerts.
What to do when receiving a Civil Protection alert?
When you receive this type of alert, the first thing you'll notice is a loud beep accompanied by a persistent vibration. This sound is different from the other alerts on your phone and is designed to grab your attention immediately.
Carefully read the message that appears on your phone screen. It will include information about the type of risk and recommendations on how to act. In most cases, these alerts advise avoiding unnecessary travel and following the instructions of local authorities.
It's important to stay calm , follow the instructions in the message, and pay attention to other sources of information, such as radio, television, or social media, for further updates. If you are with other people, make sure they have also received the warning and are aware of the risk.
Finally, remember that even if you don't use alerts on a daily basis, having them enabled can make a big difference when it really matters.