Get Your Free Guide to Disabling Amber Alerts

Understanding Amber Alerts: What They Are and How They Work

Amber Alerts are emergency notifications sent to the public when a child has been abducted and is believed to be in danger. The system is named after Amber Hagerman, a 9-year-old girl who was kidnapped and killed in Arlington, Texas, in 1996. Her parents, Richard and Donna Hagerman, worked with law enforcement and broadcasters to create a system that could quickly notify the public about missing children.

When a child disappears under circumstances suggesting abduction, law enforcement agencies evaluate whether certain criteria are met. These criteria typically include confirmation that a child has been abducted, reasonable belief the child is in danger, information about the suspected abductor or vehicle, and the belief that an alert could help recover the child safely. If these conditions are satisfied, authorities issue an Amber Alert to media outlets and to wireless devices in the affected area.

The alert system operates across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, and Mexico. Since the first Amber Alert was issued in 1998, the system has helped recover hundreds of children. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, between 1998 and 2023, more than 1,000 children were recovered as a direct result of Amber Alerts.

Amber Alerts are different from other emergency notifications. Weather alerts and civil emergency messages warn about environmental dangers or public safety threats like severe storms or hazardous material spills. Silver Alerts notify the public about missing elderly individuals with cognitive impairment. Blue Alerts inform the public about dangerous criminals who have fled from law enforcement. Each alert type serves a different purpose in the emergency notification system.

Practical Takeaway: Understanding how Amber Alerts work helps you recognize why you might receive these notifications and what action law enforcement is asking the public to take when an alert is issued.

How to Disable Amber Alerts on Different Devices

Most smartphones and tablets allow users to manage which emergency alerts they receive. The process varies depending on whether you use an Apple iPhone, Android device, or other mobile device. These settings are typically found in the phone's main settings application, often within a section labeled "Notifications," "Emergency Alerts," or "Cell Broadcast."

On iPhones running iOS 15.1 or later, users can disable Amber Alerts by opening Settings, scrolling to Notifications, then scrolling to the bottom of the list and selecting "Government Alerts." In this menu, you will see toggles for Emergency Alerts, Extreme Threats, Severe Threats, and Amber Alerts. You can turn off the Amber Alerts toggle while leaving emergency weather and severe threat alerts enabled if you prefer. The system allows granular control, meaning you can disable some alert types while keeping others active.

Android devices offer similar functionality, though the exact steps depend on your phone's manufacturer and Android version. On most Android phones, you would open Settings, go to Apps or Applications, find "Emergency Alerts," "Wireless Emergency Alerts," or "Cell Broadcast," and then access the alert settings. Some Android versions allow you to disable Amber Alerts specifically while keeping other emergency alerts active. Samsung devices, for example, often have a dedicated Emergency Alert Settings menu within the Messages app.

Tablets and other mobile devices may have different procedures. iPad users can adjust Amber Alerts through the same Government Alerts section as iPhones. Older devices or devices running older operating systems may not support the ability to disable Amber Alerts, as this feature was added to newer devices and software versions. Some basic phones without smartphone capabilities may receive Amber Alerts through cell broadcast technology that cannot be disabled on the device itself.

Practical Takeaway: Locate your specific device type in your phone's settings menu to find the emergency alerts section, and you can then toggle individual alert categories on or off based on your preferences.

Step-by-Step Instructions for iOS Devices

For users with Apple iPhones or iPads, disabling Amber Alerts involves several clear steps. Start by unlocking your device and opening the Settings app, which has a gray icon with gears. Once Settings opens, look for the "Notifications" option in the menu. This is typically located near the top of the list of settings options. Tap on Notifications to open that submenu.

In the Notifications menu, you will see a long list of apps and services. You need to scroll all the way to the bottom of this list. The bottom section contains system-level notifications rather than individual app notifications. Below all the app listings, you will find "Government Alerts" as an option. This section controls emergency notifications sent through your cellular network.

When you tap on Government Alerts, you will see several toggle switches. These typically include options for "Emergency Alerts," "Extreme Threats," "Severe Threats," and "Amber Alerts." Each toggle can be turned on or off independently. The Emergency Alerts toggle controls severe weather warnings. The Extreme Threats toggle controls threats to life and property. The Severe Threats toggle controls serious hazards. The Amber Alerts toggle specifically controls child abduction notifications.

To disable Amber Alerts, simply tap the toggle switch next to "Amber Alerts" to turn it off. The switch will change color from green to gray, indicating it is now disabled. You can turn Amber Alerts back on at any time by following the same steps and toggling the switch back on. Many users choose to leave other emergency alerts enabled while disabling Amber Alerts if they find the notifications disruptive but still want to receive severe weather or emergency threat information.

Practical Takeaway: On iOS devices, the path is Settings → Notifications → Government Alerts → toggle off Amber Alerts, and you can complete this process in approximately one minute.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Android Devices

Android devices offer the ability to disable Amber Alerts, but the exact location of these settings can vary depending on your phone's manufacturer and the version of Android running on your device. The most common location on standard Android phones is within the messaging app or a dedicated emergency alerts app. Start by opening your phone's main Settings app, which typically has a gear icon.

Look for an option labeled "Apps," "Applications," "App Management," or "Notifications." The exact wording depends on your device manufacturer. Once you access this menu, look for an app called "Emergency Alerts," "Wireless Emergency Alerts," "Cell Broadcast," "Emergency Alert Service," or "CellBroadcastReceiver." Different manufacturers use different names for this application. Tap on this app to open its settings.

Within the Emergency Alerts app settings, look for options related to alert types. You should see toggles or checkboxes for different categories of alerts, such as Emergency, Extreme, Severe, and Amber. Some versions also list these as "Primary," "Secondary," and "Public Safety" categories. To disable Amber Alerts, uncheck or toggle off the option specifically labeled "Amber Alerts" or "Child Abduction Emergency (Amber Alerts)."

For Samsung devices specifically, you may find these settings in a different location. Open Settings, go to Apps, and look for the Messages app. In Messages, tap the menu button (usually three dots), select Settings, and then find Emergency Alerts or Cell Broadcast Alerts. From there, you can manage which alert types you receive. On Google Pixel phones, the Emergency Alerts app settings are typically accessed through Settings → Apps & Notifications → Notifications → Emergency Alerts.

Practical Takeaway: For Android devices, the general path is Settings → Apps → Emergency Alerts app → find and disable Amber Alerts toggle, though the exact location varies by manufacturer, so checking your specific phone model's documentation may be helpful.

Why People Disable Amber Alerts and Important Considerations

People choose to disable Amber Alerts for various reasons. Some find the notifications intrusive or disruptive, particularly when alerts are issued late at night or during work hours. Others receive alerts for abductions occurring in distant parts of their state or region where they cannot reasonably provide assistance. Parents and caregivers sometimes disable the alerts if they find the repeated notifications stressful or anxiety-inducing. Individuals who work in fields requiring silent phones, such as healthcare or education, may disable alerts to avoid disruptions.

However, there are important considerations to think about before disabling Amber Alerts. Law enforcement