Your Android phone has an earthquake alert feature! Here’s how to activate it

Google has introduced a crucial feature to enhance safety in India by launching an earthquake alert system for Android devices. This system utilises smartphone sensors like accelerometers, effectively transforming phones into small seismometers capable of detecting tremors.

Developed in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the National Seismology Center (NSC), this initiative aims to provide early earthquake alerts to Android users in India, particularly in areas likely to be affected by seismic activity.

Here’s a look at what the Google earthquake alert system offers and its significance for users.

Earthquake alerts in local languages

Google's earthquake alert system in India is designed to be user-friendly and informative. To cater to the diverse linguistic landscape of India, these alerts will be available in local Indian languages supported by the Android platform.

Two types of alerts: ‘Be Aware’ and ‘Take Action’

The earthquake alerts generated by Google fall into two categories: ‘Be Aware’ and ‘Take Action.’

Be Aware alerts: These alerts are dispatched to users when their devices detect MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity) levels 3 and 4 shaking during an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.5 or higher. 

‘Be Aware’ alerts display a notification on the screen without generating any sound. This is particularly useful if the user's phone is set to ‘Do Not Disturb’ or silent mode.

Take Action alerts: Users experiencing MMI 5+ tremors during an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.5 or higher will receive ‘Take Action’ alerts. These alerts override the phone's notification settings, including ‘Do Not Disturb,’ and produce a loud sound.

Furthermore, the alert provides guidance to users on recommended safety actions, such as taking cover under a table.

Detection and swift alert delivery

The method developed by Google is intended to identify future earthquakes using the vast number of Android phones scattered over diverse geographies.

The company boasts that its alert often reaches users several seconds before they feel any shaking, providing enough time for precautionary measures.

Requirements for earthquake alerts

To receive earthquake alerts, users must meet certain requirements:

- Use a phone with Android 5 or later

- Have Wi-Fi or cellular data connectivity

- Enable location settings on their devices

Activating earthquake alerts

Users can activate earthquake alerts on their Android devices by following these steps:

- Navigate to Settings > Safety & Emergency > Earthquake Alerts

- Alternatively, enable earthquake alerts through Settings > Location > Advanced > Earthquake Alerts

Note: As per Google Support, earthquake alert is available in India; however, the feature is not available in our current location i.e. Noida. This feature may not be available in all Android devices.

Google's commitment to safety

It's important to note that Google has already made an effort to improve safety in India by sending flood notifications driven by AI to every region. In 2018, the company started a test programme for flood alerts in Patna, the capital of the state of Bihar. In 2020, these alerts were extended to the entire country of India.