For a few seconds, AusAlert blared around parks, libraries and cinemas – but some didn’t get the alert at all

Australia underwent a nationwide test of a new warning system called AusAlert, which will be deployed in October to prepare Australians for fires, floods, terrorist incidents or health emergencies. Photograph: Darren England/AAP View image in fullscreen Australia underwent a nationwide test of a new warning system called AusAlert, which will be deployed in October to prepare Australians for fires, floods, terrorist incidents or health emergencies. Photograph: Darren England/AAP For a few seconds, AusAlert blared around parks, libraries and cinemas – but some didn’t get the alert at all Federal government touts emergency warning alert test as a success and says no approach works 100% of the time A blaring emergency warning alert Australians had been warned about was anti-climactic for some – and totally missed by others. Almost every phone in the country, alongside some smartwatches and tablets, was supposed to let off a loud noise at about 2pm AEST and receive a pop-up notification with the text “TEST MESSAGE” and “NO ACTION IS REQUIRED”. The event was the first nationwide test of a new warning system called AusAlert, which will be deployed in October to prepare Australians for fires, floods, terrorist incidents or health emergencies. The federal government has spent the past week telling the public about this test alert. But for many, it came and went in just a few seconds. Indigo Miller was working from home in Canberra when her colleagues reminded her of the notification. “I was counting down for two minutes before,” she says. “But it was pretty anti-climactic and I think I accidentally clicked it away. “Mine also wasn’t super loud so if I was outside and my phone was inside, I don’t know if I would hear.” Miller had attempted to film herself recording to try capture the sound of the alert, but her phone cut out as the siren went off. Busker Dani Bainbridge was about to start performing at Sydney’s Hyde Park when the alert began pinging. “It did the job, I think,” she said. But others did not receive an alert at all. Guardian Australia received reports of mobile users whose phones got a notification but did not blast a sound. Prior to the test, the National Emergency Management Agency received advice about 80% of Apple iPhones would ring, as well as 16 million Android devices. It also said the alert would go to iPhone models 11 and up running iOS 26.4 or later, Apple Watch models SE2, SE3, Series 6 and up running watchOS 26.4 or later, and Android devices running Android 12 or later. Guardian Australia was told of an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 12, a Samsung phone and other devices not receiving a notification despite being on. Federal emergency management minister, Kristy McBain, said 94% of targeted cell towers had successfully broadcast the alert. AusAlert test: what time will national emergency warning siren sound on phones in Australia today? Here’s what to know Read more “Don’t worry if you did not receive an alert – this could