Turn off Amber Alerts in your notification settings

On a Samsung Galaxy S9, you can disable Amber Alerts through the Messages app settings. Open Messages, tap the three-dot menu in the top right corner, select Settings, then tap Notifications. Scroll down to find Amber Alerts and toggle it off. The alert will no longer appear on your phone, though the system will still receive them — you straightforward won't be notified.

If you want to disable all emergency alerts at once, you can do this from your main phone settings instead. Go to Settings > Apps > Messages > Permissions > Notifications, then turn off the toggle. This prevents the Messages app from sending any notifications, including Amber Alerts, but will also silence other message notifications unless you adjust them separately.

Key Takeaways

  • Amber Alerts on the S9 are controlled through the Messages app, not a separate emergency alert system.
  • Disabling Amber Alerts in Messages settings stops notifications without affecting other phone functions.
  • You can also disable all Messages notifications at once through app permissions in your main Settings menu.
  • Turning off Amber Alerts is different from disabling other emergency alerts like weather warnings or public safety messages.

Where Amber Alerts come from on your S9

Amber Alerts on Samsung phones arrive through the Messages app, which acts as the carrier for these notifications. Your wireless carrier sends them to your phone as a special type of message, and the Messages app decides whether to display them based on your settings. This is different from some other emergency alerts, which may come through a separate system.

The S9 does not have a dedicated emergency alert app like some newer Samsung models. Instead, Amber Alerts and other wireless emergency notifications route through your default messaging process. This means your notification settings in Messages directly control what you see.

Disable Amber Alerts without turning off all Messages notifications

If you want to keep receiving text messages but silence Amber Alerts specifically, the Messages app settings give you that option. Open Messages, go to Settings > Notifications, and look for the Amber Alerts toggle. Turn it off. Your regular text messages will continue to arrive and notify you normally.

This approach is useful if you want to stay reachable by contacts but find Amber Alerts disruptive. The alert system will still function — your carrier will still send them — but your phone will not display them or play a sound when one arrives.

Turn off all emergency alerts at once

If you want to disable not just Amber Alerts but all wireless emergency notifications, go to Settings > Apps > Messages > Permissions. Tap Notifications and toggle it off. This prevents the Messages app from sending any alerts or notifications to you.

Be aware that this also disables regular text message notifications. You will still receive texts, but your phone will not alert you when they arrive. You would have to open the Messages app manually to see new messages. If you want to keep text notifications but only disable Amber Alerts, use the method in the previous section instead.

Check your carrier settings for emergency alerts

Some wireless carriers allow you to manage emergency alerts through their own apps or online accounts. If you have a carrier app installed — such as Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile's app — open it and look for settings related to emergency notifications or alerts. Not all carriers offer this option on older phones like the S9, but it is worth checking if you want another layer of control.

Your carrier's settings may override your phone settings in some cases, so if you disable Amber Alerts in Messages but still receive them, check your carrier app to see if alerts are enabled there. Disabling them in both places ensures they will not reach you.

What happens after you disable Amber Alerts

Once you turn off Amber Alerts, your phone will not display them or play a notification sound when one is issued. You will not see a banner, popup, or vibration. The alert system itself continues to function — your carrier still sends the alerts to your phone — but your device straightforward does not show them to you.

If you change your mind later, you can re-enable Amber Alerts by going back to Messages > Settings > Notifications and toggling Amber Alerts back on. The change takes effect when ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling Amber Alerts affect other emergency notifications?

Disabling Amber Alerts in the Messages app only affects Amber Alerts. Other emergency notifications, such as weather warnings or public safety messages, may come through different systems and remain active. If you want to disable all emergency alerts, you would need to check your carrier settings or your phone's emergency alert system separately.

Can I turn off Amber Alerts but keep regular text messages?

Yes. Go to Messages > Settings > Notifications and toggle off only Amber Alerts. Your regular text messages will continue to arrive and notify you normally. This is the most selective way to disable just Amber Alerts.

What if I disable Amber Alerts and still see them?

Check your carrier app — Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile may have their own emergency alert settings that override your phone settings. Log into your carrier's app and look for emergency notification or alert settings. Disable them there as well. If you do not have a carrier app, contact your wireless provider to ask if they offer alert management.

Do I need to restart my phone after disabling Amber Alerts?

No. Changes to notification settings in the Messages app take effect when ready. You do not need to restart your S9 or do anything else — the setting change is active as soon as you toggle it off.