I’ve gotten emergency weather alerts on my phone for most of my life, but didn’t get one today that another person in my household did. It’s …possible that they lied about this -but, still, it spooked me and I want to make sure that I get important weather alerts where I live. In my phone’s settings, it says that precise location had to be turned on to get emergency alerts from google (i have a pixel). I think this is garbage, and i would like to get around it. Emergency alerts are still a public service in the US, right? I should still get the really dire warnings like tornades and such regardless of what settings or apps i have on my phone? Or has that changed in recent years.
Tornado alerts, etc are often based on what cell tower you are connected to. Since a cell tower has a limited range then only phones in their vicinity get activated by the alert.
Thank you. I really appreciate this clarity.
Where do you see it telling you you need precise location to see emergency alerts?
Your phone has two sets of things that could be called “emergency alerts”. One is the emergency alert system that’s controlled by the government and managed by your phone company. That one doesn’t require precise location.
The other is “crisis alerts” which is Google basically running a search for crisis near you and then telling you. This one may require more precise location.It’s entirely possible for your phone to just not get the cell network based alert. You can be connected to a tower outside of the alert area while someone right next to you is connected to one inside. Or you can just not get it because cell communications are imperfect. The issuer will typically resend several times to try to ensure it gets through to people, but it’s not perfect.
Thank you. This is what i thought.