Man texting on phone
AMBER alerts are a special type of notification, but can still be turned off.
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  • Although you should keep them on, you can turn off AMBER alerts on both iPhones and Androids.
  • To turn off AMBER alerts on an iPhone, head to the Notifications section of your Settings app.
  • On an Android, you can turn off AMBER alerts with the Wireless Emergency Alerts menu.
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The AMBER Alert system is a national emergency response system designed to help find abducted children. It gives you information about both the child and suspected kidnapper.

By default, your phone will notify you whenever an AMBER alert goes out in your area. On most phones, they'll ring your phone even if it's silenced – you can receive AMBER alerts at any time of day.

AMBER alerts, just like other emergency safety alerts, are important and can contain vital information. If you have the choice, you should leave them on. But if you really don't want to see or hear them, you can easily turn them off on your iPhone or Android.

How to turn off AMBER alerts on an iPhone

1. Start the Settings app and tap Notifications.

An iPhone's Settings screen, with the "Notifications" option highlighted.
Open your Notifications menu.
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2. Scroll down to the Government Alerts section. Here you can toggle off AMBER Alerts, along with Emergency and Public Safety Alerts.

A list of apps, and a list of government alerts that can be sent to a smartphone. The government alerts are highlighted, and the "AMBER Alerts" option is turned off.
Flip the "AMBER Alerts" switch to the left.
William Antonelli/Insider

How to turn off AMBER alerts on an Android

1. Open the Settings app and tap Apps & notifications.

An Android's settings menu, with the "Apps & notifications" option highlighted.
This menu may also be called just "Notifications."
William Antonelli/Insider

2. Tap Advanced, and then select Wireless emergency alerts from the options that appear.

A list of options. The "Wireless emergency alerts" option is highlighted.
You can also search for "Wireless emergency alerts" right from the main settings page.
William Antonelli/Insider

3. On the page that opens, toggle off AMBER alerts to disable them.

You can also disable Extreme threats, Severe threats, and Test alerts from this page. Alternatively, just toggle off Allow alerts at the top of the page to disable everything.

A list titled "Wireless emergency alerts" that presents a series of options and toggles. "AMBER alerts" is highlighted and toggled off.
You can turn off just AMBER alerts, or all the alerts.
William Antonelli/Insider

Dave Johnson contributed to previous versions of this article.

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