Since this was just a test only devices that were enrolled in the WEA test got the message.
Source: https://www.fema.gov/event/ipaws-national-test
“The WEA test will be directed only to consumer cell phones where the subscriber has opted-in to receive test messages, which will be in either English or Spanish, depending on the device’s language settings. Most mobile phones will not display the test message. In contrast, consumers will automatically receive real emergency alerts on compatible phones (even if they do not receive the test message).”
For instructions on how to enroll: https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/weatest_opt-in_instructions.pdf
I had notifications turned on and nothing happened.
Notifications =/ emergency test alerts are enabled.
The links I posted go over this.
The TLDR:
To enable test alerts dial: (Star) 5005 (Star) 25371#
To disable you can dial: (Star) 5005 (Star) 25370#
Same here
Well then THAT 'splains it.... I never did opt in to anything, so I guess that's why I didn't receive it. Fine by me. All I ever wanted from our government was to be left alone.
Thanks for the info
Exactly!!!
I never had to “enroll” to get amber alerts
Mine never happened... I’m enrolled in everything.
I’m opted in and did get the alert.
Nope. It didnt happen on mine and it was enrolled.
You would not get the WEA message unless you were connected to a cell tower:
Not Receiving an Alert
If someone near you received a WEA and you did not, it may be due to inadequate cell reception, or because when on a call, some mobile phones will not show an alert — this varies by make and model.
Not receiving an alert may also be because your mobile phone is:
*Set to “off” or “airplane mode” *Not connected to a cell site broadcasting the alert *Connected to a cell site that is not broadcasting the alert, undergoing *maintenance or is out-of-service *The device is opted out of receiving alerts. The location of the alerts opt-in/opt-out menu typically is in the notification settings menu. *If your mobile phone continues to receive the same WEA over and over it is most likely an issue with the device. Mobile phones should ignore subsequent re-broadcasts of a WEA but sometimes a device gets stuck in a loop repeatedly alerting for the same WEA. Powering off the device and turning it back on may help.
Source: https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/integrated-public-alert-warning-system/public/wireless-emergency-alerts
do we know if it has anything to do with timezones?
Why have an emergency alert system and settings on your device to accept them...but be so opaque about how to actually receive them? This is the first I've heard about the extra step of putting in a code to 'opt in' and I've followed discussions about the ebs since Trump did one...which I also didn't get.
If you are referring to the 2018 alert, that one that trump did was very special, it was a "Presidental Alert" that style of alert is very unique, it cannot be turned off by any phone, but it required a software update to be enabled on your device.
"FEMA’s test of a new third kind of alert — the presidential alert — was designed to alert every switched-on phone with cell service across the U.S. at roughly the same time.
You might have noticed that when you received the alert, it was sent directly over the cellular network. Sending tens of millions of text messages would have ground the cell networks to a halt. Although today’s alert was sent by FEMA, any future presidential alert can be sent solely at the discretion of the president and can be issued for any reason. And, unlike other alerts, Americans can’t opt-out of receiving a presidential alert."
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2018/10/03/fema-is-about-to-send-a-presidential-alert-to-millions-of-u-s-phones/
I never got the presidential alert, either.
I shut my phone down took my battery out and shut off my Wi-Fi I only looked at the television on the broadcast antenna. It was a faint noise not loud to alert anyone and the television show kept talking over it. There was never any scrolling that this is a test....they just did it.
Then what the hell difference does it make what language it's in, or whether the subscriber has opted in or not? LOL
Thanks for that PSA, Ive been feeling left out of the loop on these EBS's