UK emergency test alert sparks conspiracies from 'alien invasion' to 'nuke attack'

Atest emergency alert dispatched to nearly every smartphone in the UK on Sunday, September 7 has triggered wild fears.

A message will be delivered to almost every active iPhone and Android handset across the nation at 3pm, with the trial scheduled to run for 10 seconds as the government tests the warning system.

Authorities have confirmed future alerts will be deployed to inform Brits of terrorist incidents, civil defence emergencies and weather disasters, such as flooding or wildfires. However, conspiracy theorists throughout the country worry the alert could signal something far more sinister, such as an alien invasion or a nuclear strike by Russian warmonger Vladimir Putin.

READ MORE: Emergency alert LIVE as warning sent to almost all mobile phones

Taking to X after the 2023 alert, one concerned user wrote: "Why the sudden UK Emergency alert warning? What do the powers that be know that we don't know? Imminent terror attack? UFO/Alien invasion?"

Another chimed in: "The whole emergency alert thing is just making me think they think Russia is going to drop a nuclear bomb on us," while a third agreed: "This emergency alert thing that's coming in from Sunday... am I meant to believe that this has nothing to do with the very real threat of nuclear war, and that's why it's being introduced?".

Others were worried the test could coincidentally happen at the same time as a genuine emergency, leaving Brits in the dark.

"What if some proper sh** goes down just before they're due to send the emergency alert on Sunday and they have to send a real one? Like, aliens arrive or something? Everyone just reads the text and goes 'hmm, bit much,'" another added.

The trial will be dispatched to most active iPhones and Android devices across the nation, with 90 percent of mobile phone users anticipated to receive the notification.

Handsets that have been turned off will not get the message but those with their phones on silent will still hear an audio alert sounding from their device.

The exact text will read: "This is a test of emergency alerts, a UK government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby. You do not need to take any action. In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe.

"Find simple and effective advice on how to prepare for emergencies at gov.uk/prepare. Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information or to view this message in Welsh. Ewch i gov.uk/alerts am ragor o wybodaeth neu i weld y neges hon yn y Gymraeg."

Once the trial has been received, mobile users will be able to swipe the message away or click "OK" to continue using their phone as normal.

The government has not given any indication that Sunday's alert has been scheduled for a particular reason and urged Brits to remember the notification is just a trial.