Have you ever seen a sudden notification on your Xiaomi screen with a loud signal about an earthquake, hurricane or other emergency? it’s not a system failure or advertising – this is how the state’s emergency alert system, integrated into the firmware, works. MIUI. Such messages can save lives, but often cause panic among users who don’t understand their nature.
In this article, we will take a look at what emergency alerts are on Xiaomi, how they are technically implemented, what types of notifications exist and how to set them up correctly, why these messages can not be ignored even if they seem false, and what to do if the system is malfunctioning, and also answer the most popular question: can they be disabled and what consequences it will lead to.
What are emergency alerts on Xiaomi and why they are needed
Emergency alerts are part of the Public Warning System (PWS), which is supported by all modern smartphones, including Xiaomi devices, Redmi and POCO. Such notifications do not come from applications or telecoms operators, but directly from government services through special channels:
- 📡 Cell Broadcast (CB) — Mass messaging technology over cellular networks (does not require the Internet).
- 🛡️ Emergency Alert System (EAS) — Standard for the United States, Canada and some European countries.
- 🌍 EU-Alert – European system, mandatory for all EU countries from 2022.
- 🇷🇺 SONAR (Russia) – domestic analogue, working through the Ministry of Emergency Situations.
The main feature of such notifications is that they do not depend on your “Do Not Disturb” settings and come even when the Internet is turned off or when the Internet is not connected. SIM-The sound signal is accompanied by vibration and cannot be missed, this is done specifically to warn of a real danger: a tsunami, a terrorist attack, a chemical accident or a natural disaster.
⚠️ Note: In some countries (such as Japan or the United States), ignoring an emergency alert can be considered an offense if it leads to a threat to life. At Xiaomi, such notifications are of the highest priority - they can not be swiped or closed without confirmation.
From 2020, all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 and later are required to support these systems according to international security standards. Even if you bought the phone in China (where such alerts were not previously used), after updating the firmware function is activated automatically when you connect to the local cellular network.
What types of emergency alerts are available on Xiaomi
Not all emergency notifications are equally critical. MIUI They are divided into 3 categories according to the level of danger, each of which has its own sound signal and visual design:
| Type of alert | Examples of situations | Sound/vibration | Can I turn it off? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential (Extreme Alert) | Nuclear threat, terrorist attack, war | Loud siren-like signal (90 dB), repeated 3 times | ❌ No. |
| Critical (Severe Alert) | Earthquake, tsunami, hurricane, chemical accident | Intermittent signal (80 dB), vibration 10 seconds | ⚠️ Partially (depending on country) |
| Test/informational (AMBER Alert) | Missing child, traffic jam, system check | The normal sound of the notification, no vibration | ✅ Yes. |
On Xiaomi, critical alerts are displayed on a full screen with a red or orange background, blocking all actions until you click "OK". Test messages (such as monthly checks in the U.S. or Japan) come as normal push notifications, but with [TEST] marked in the title.
In Russia, since 2023, the SONAR system has been operating, which sends alerts through:
- 📱 Cell Broadcast (the main channel for smartphones).
- 📻 Radio and television (duplication).
- 🚨 Sirens and loudspeakers in cities.
⚠️ Note: If you travel with Xiaomi abroad, your smartphone will automatically adjust to local alert standards. For example, in Japan, you will receive earthquake warnings via the J-Alert system, even if your phone is purchased in Europe.
How to distinguish a real alert from a phishing?
How to turn on or off emergency alerts on Xiaomi
By default, emergency notifications are activated on all Xiaomi smartphones, but their settings can be changed. It is important to understand that completely disabling critical alerts is impossible at the firmware level, which is a requirement of the legislation of most countries. However, certain types of notifications (e.g. test or test notifications) AMBER Alert) can be deactivated.
To set up alerts:
- Open the Settings. → Passport and security → Emergency alerts.
- Select the notification category (e.g., “Presidential” or “Test”).
- Switch the slider to the On/Off position (where permitted).
- To reset to factory settings, click Restore default settings.
On some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12) the path may be different: → Google → Security → Emergency alerts (if you use Google Mobile Services).
Make sure that SIM-Card active (alerts are sent via the operator’s network)
Update. MIUI Up to the latest version (old firmware may have bugs)
Check if the "In the Plane" mode is disabled (Cell Broadcast blocks)
Set the volume of notifications to maximum (critical signals ignore "Do Not Disturb")
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If you want to completely disable all emergency notifications (which is highly discouraged), you will have to resort to radical measures:
- 🔧 Install custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS) without Cell Broadcast support.
- 📵 Use your phone without it SIM-The Internet (but there will be no mobile phone).
- 🛠️ Disable the cellular antenna hardware (requires disassembly of the device).
⚠️ Note: In some countries (USA, Japan, South Korea) it is legal to disable presidential alerts, for example, in the US, you can get a fine up to $100,000 WARNING Act.
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If the emergency alerts are in a foreign language, set the host country's primary language in your system settings, for example, in Japan, select Japanese, and earthquake reports will be duplicated in English.
Why emergency alerts may not come to Xiaomi
If your Xiaomi smartphone doesn’t receive emergency notifications, even though they should come (e.g. during a test alarm), the problem may lie in one of the following factors:
| Reason. | How to check | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The outdated MIUI firmware | Check the version in Settings → About the phone | Update the software through Settings → System Update |
| No support for Cell Broadcast | Check out the model specifications on Xiaomi’s website | Change phone (relevant to older models until 2018) |
| Failure to work SIM-map | Try calling or sending SMS. | Restart your phone or reinstall the SIM |
| Regional restrictions | Check if your country supports Cell Broadcast | Use the local one. SIM-map |
A common problem for Xiaomi users in Russia is that alerts are delayed or not coming at all due to the peculiarities of the work of SONAR.
- 📶 Not all operators (especially virtual ones) Tele2 Yota is fully supportive of the technology.
- 📡 In some regions, there are not enough towers with support for Cell Broadcast.
- 🔄 The phone can be linked to a foreign region (for example, if purchased on AliExpress with Chinese firmware).
To check if your device is running, you can use a test alert, for example, in the United States, you can dial it *5005*25371#, In Europe, they send text messages. TEST room 112. In Russia, there is no official way, but sometimes the Ministry of Emergency Situations conducts inspections – watch the news.
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If you didn't get an emergency alert when others received it, it doesn't always mean your phone is malfunctioning.You may have been out of Cell Broadcast coverage or your carrier doesn't support this technology.
What to do if the emergency alert came by mistake
False alerts are rare, but they do happen, for example, in 2022 in the United States due to a system failure. EAS Millions of users have received a "missile attack" message that didn't happen, if you're sure the alert is false:
- Don’t panic – check the official sources (Emergencies Ministry website, local news).
- Do not spread information on social networks until its reliability is confirmed.
- Take a screenshot of the notification – this will help investigate the incident.
- Notify the carrier or Xiaomi support team via the feedback form.
V MIUI There is a function of sending a false alert report:
- Open the notification (if it is still active).
- Press the details. → Report the problem.
- Choose the cause: "False alarm" or "Technical error".
If a false alert came to Xiaomi in Russia, you can call the emergency services hotline at 112 and clarify the information.
- 🇺🇸 USA: FEMA — +1 (800) 621-3362
- 🇯🇵 Japan: Fire and Disaster Management Agency - 119
- 🇪🇺 EC: 112 (single emergency number)
⚠️ Warning: Never ignore emergency alerts just because they came "for the first time" or seem suspicious. In 2023, many tourists in Turkey ignored the earthquake notification, mistaking it for spam - it cost lives!
How Emergency Alerts Affect Xiaomi’s Battery and Performance
Many users fear that the constant operation of the Cell Broadcast system drains the battery or loads the processor.
- 🔋 Battery consumption: Minimal (around 0.5–1% per day) as the module is activated only when the signal is received.
- 📶 Network load: no effect on Internet speed – alerts are transmitted via a separate channel.
- 🤖 Performance: No impact on the performance of apps or games.
However, in rare cases, there may be bugs:
- 🐌 Interface freeze when notified (relevant for Xiaomi with 2-3 GB of RAM).
- 🔊 Continuous sound after notification (reset by rebooting).
- 📵 Network loss after mass mailing (operator-side problem).
If you notice that after an emergency notification, the phone began to brake, try:
- Clear the system cache: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three points. → Clear the cache.
- Disable animation: Settings → Special features → Remove animation.
- Reset network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.
On Xiaomi models with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processors (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra) and later, the notification system is optimized at the chipset level - delays or friezes are unlikely. A2) It may be due to weak iron.
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If you've lost your mobile internet after the emergency alert, put your phone on the plane for 30 seconds, then turn it off, and that will reset the connection to the carrier's network.
The future of Xiaomi’s emergency alerts: what to expect in 2026-2026
Every year, the systems of emergency notifications are getting smarter. Xiaomi is already testing new features that will appear in the new system. MIUI 15 and newer:
- 🌍 Localization by GPS: The alerts will only come if you are at risk (now they are sent nationwide).
- 🤖 AI Filtering: The system will distinguish false positives from real threats.
- 📢 Voice notifications: for people with vision problems, the smartphone will voice the text of the alert.
- 🔄 Bilateral communication: the ability to send a response (e.g., “I’m safe” or “I need help").
In 2026, the new Advanced Mobile Location standard is expected to be introduced (AML), This feature is already working in Europe and will soon be available in Xiaomi for Russia.
For owners of Xiaomi Watch or Mi Band, integration with the alert system is being prepared: smart watches will vibrate and show brief information about emergencies, even if the phone is turned off or in another room.
Important: from 2026, the new regulation will come into force in the EU EECC, All manufacturers (including Xiaomi) must support the:
- 📡 Multichannel Alerts (via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Satellites).
- 🔒 Protection against counterfeiting (digital signatures for notifications).
- 🌐 Multilingual support (automatic translation into system language).