You can disable Amber Alerts in your phone's settings, but the process differs between iPhone and Android
Amber Alerts are emergency notifications sent to all phones in a geographic area when a child is reported missing under circumstances suggesting danger. Your phone receives these as full-screen interruptions, often with sound and vibration, because they bypass your normal notification settings. You cannot disable them completely on most phones — they are designed to reach everyone — but you can silence the sound and vibration, or turn off the alert type entirely depending on your device and carrier.
The exact steps depend on whether you use an iPhone or Android phone, and which version of the operating system you have. Both platforms let you control how Amber Alerts behave, though neither lets you delete the notification category from the system entirely.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone, Amber Alerts live in Settings under Notifications, and you can toggle them off or silence the sound separately from other emergency alerts.
- On Android, the setting is usually in Settings under Apps and Notifications or Emergency Alerts, and the exact location varies by manufacturer and Android version.
- Turning off Amber Alerts means you will not receive notifications about missing children in your area, so consider whether you want to silence only the sound instead.
- Some carriers also let you control Amber Alerts through their own apps or customer portals, which may override your phone settings.
How to disable Amber Alerts on iPhone
On iPhone, Amber Alerts are part of the Government Alerts system. Open Settings, then scroll down and tap Notifications. Scroll to the very bottom of the Notifications list — you will see a section called Government Alerts with three options: Emergency Alerts, Extreme Threats, and Amber Alerts. Tap Amber Alerts and toggle the switch to off.
If you want to keep receiving Amber Alerts but silence the sound and vibration, leave the toggle on and instead go back to Settings, then Sounds and Haptics. Scroll down to Government Alerts and toggle off Sound and Vibration. This way the alert will still appear on your screen, but it will not interrupt you with noise or vibration.
The Government Alerts section only appears if your iPhone model and iOS version support it. If you have an older iPhone, you may not see this option at all, which means your device does not receive Amber Alerts through this system.
How to disable Amber Alerts on Android
On Android, the process varies depending on your phone manufacturer and which version of Android you are running. The most common path is: open Settings, then Apps and Notifications (or just Notifications), then look for Emergency Alerts, Wireless Emergency Alerts, or Cell Broadcast. Tap that option and look for Amber Alerts specifically. Toggle it off or adjust the notification sound.
If you cannot find Emergency Alerts in that location, try opening Settings and searching for "emergency" or "amber" — the search function will take you directly to the right menu. On Samsung phones, the setting is often under Settings > Apps > Emergency Alerts. On Google Pixel phones, it is under Settings > Safety and Emergency > Emergency Alerts.
Some Android phones let you turn off the sound separately from the alert itself. If you see options for Alert Sound or Vibration, you can silence those while keeping the visual notification. This is useful if you want to know about missing children but do not want your phone to interrupt you loudly.
What happens when you turn off Amber Alerts
When you disable Amber Alerts, your phone will no longer display notifications when a child is reported missing under dangerous circumstances in your area. You will not see the alert on your lock screen, and you will not receive the notification in your notification center. This means you lose the ability to help search or watch for the missing child, which is the primary purpose of the alert system.
Turning off the sound and vibration, rather than the alert itself, is a middle ground that many people choose. You will still see the notification if you look at your phone, but it will not interrupt you with noise or vibration. This is especially useful if you work in a quiet environment or sleep during times when alerts are common.
Why your carrier might override your phone settings
Some wireless carriers — AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and others — have their own systems for sending emergency alerts. These carrier systems sometimes bypass your phone's notification settings, meaning you might receive Amber Alerts even after turning them off in your phone's settings. This is intentional: the carriers are required by federal regulation to send these alerts to all phones on their network.
If you are still receiving Amber Alerts after disabling them in your phone settings, contact your carrier directly. They may have a separate opt-out process through their customer service line or online account portal. However, many carriers do not allow customers to opt out of Amber Alerts, only out of other emergency alert types like weather warnings.
The difference between Amber Alerts and other emergency notifications
Amber Alerts are one type of emergency notification, but your phone also receives other types: Emergency Alerts (for when ready threats like tsunamis or active shooters), Extreme Threats (for severe weather), and Public Safety Alerts (for things like gas leaks). On iPhone, you can control each type separately in the Government Alerts section of Notifications. On Android, the options vary by manufacturer, but most phones let you toggle different alert types on and off individually.
Many people turn off Amber Alerts but keep Emergency Alerts and Extreme Threats on, because those affect when ready personal safety. Amber Alerts are important for finding missing children, but they do not pose a direct threat to you, so some people choose to disable them to reduce interruptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning off Amber Alerts affect other emergency notifications?
No. On both iPhone and Android, Amber Alerts are a separate category from Emergency Alerts and Extreme Threats. You can turn off Amber Alerts while keeping other emergency notifications on. Check your phone's settings to make sure you are toggling only the Amber Alerts option.
Can I turn off Amber Alerts for my child's phone?
Yes, if you have access to the child's phone, you can disable Amber Alerts the same way you would on your own phone. On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications > Government Alerts > Amber Alerts and toggle off. On Android, the path depends on the manufacturer, but it is usually in Settings > Emergency Alerts or Apps and Notifications.
Why do Amber Alerts interrupt even when my phone is on silent?
Amber Alerts are classified as emergency notifications, so they bypass your phone's normal Do Not Disturb and silent settings. This is by design — the system assumes that emergency information should reach you regardless of your notification preferences. You can silence the sound in your phone's settings, but the alert will still display on your screen.
If I turn off Amber Alerts, can I turn them back on later?
Yes. Go back to the same settings menu where you turned them off and toggle the switch back on. There is no waiting period or reactivation process — the change takes effect when ready.
Do I need to restart my phone after disabling Amber Alerts?
No. Changes to notification settings take effect when ready on both iPhone and Android. You do not need to restart your phone or sign out and back in.