All mobile phones in Barcelona will receive a message at 11 am with instructions on how to proceed in the case of a serious emergency.
The same message will be sent to phones in municipalities in the metropolitan area and nearby counties between 10 am and 1 pm.
Reception of alerts
Devices must be switched on and have coverage from their network provider to receive the alert, as the message will be sent using mobile phone masts to all phones within their coverage. If the phone is off, has no coverage or is on plane mode, the message will be received later, providing this is within the validity period for the alert.
The notification is accessible regardless of the phone service provider and will be received by default if phones have been updated with the latest versions of Android and iOS systems. If not, users should follow these instructions. Under no circumstances will users be charged for the alert.
What the alert will be like
The message will be striking, to duly warn people, as shown in this video. The alert is pre-determined and cannot be configured. When a mobile receives the message, it will also vibrate and emit a sound even if the device is in silence.
The message will have the title of “Civil Protection Alert” or “Presidential Alert” and once read, users must choose the “Accept” option that appears on the screen.
If you receive the message while driving, it is essential to stay calm and not do anything which would compromise road safety such as abrupt braking or sudden lane changes.
Evaluation
A brief survey will be conducted to assess the test alerts, once the message has been received. To reply, users should use the QR code or link, fill in the survey and verify their location. The survey is anonymous and does not use personal data.