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AT-Alert
AT-Alert is a public warning system based on the cell broadcast technology. Austria has had a well-established warning and alarm system for more than 30 years, utilizing around 8,300 civil protection sirens nationwide. AT-Alert is designed to complement these sirens and will not replace the proven system. The primary goal of this additional alert channel is to reach as many affected people as possible directly via their mobile phones during emergencies. Therefore, AT-Alert will be used across Austria. Please ensure that your mobile phone is compatible with AT-Alert. More information can be found under the section „How do you receive AT-Alert messages?“.
Contact: at-alert@bmi.gv.at
How does AT-Alert work, and what does the abbreviation AT-Alert stand for?
AT-Alert is a service that enables authorities to send warning messages directly to mobile phones in the affected area. By using the cell broadcast system, messages can be sent quickly and anonymously to all mobile phones within selected mobile network cells.
An AT-Alert message contains information about an impending or existing danger and recommended behavior.
There are different alert levels, with the highest level, the emergency alert, always being activated and cannot be turned off.
The abbreviation "AT" is the internationally recognized two-letter country code for Austria, and the English term "Alert" translates to "Alarm" in German. Following the naming convention, the English term is also used in the original German name.
The naming of the public warning system "AT-Alert" was carried out in accordance with the EU technical implementation directive ETSI TS 102 900. Similar systems in other EU countries have been named using the respective country code and "Alert", such as FR-Alert in France.
However, alert levels have been named in German, e.g., "Notfallalarm". Mobile phones configured in English should display the English translation of the alert level. Warning message texts are generally sent out in both German and English to warn as many people in Austria as possible about impending or spreading major emergencies or disasters.
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Why was AT-Alert introduced?
In 2018, the Council of the European Union amended the directive on the European Electronic Communications Code. According to this directive, all member states were required to implement a warning system for number-based interpersonal communications devices (mobile phones). This service was established in Austria in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of the Interior, federal states, and Austrian mobile network operators.
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How does Cell Broadcast work?
Cell broadcast is a technological standard in modern mobile networks that allows the transmission of written messages (e.g., safety-relevant information, warnings) directly to mobile phones within a geographically defined area.
The term "cell broadcast" refers to both the mobile network cell (cell) and the transmission (broadcast) and describes the technical capability of sending messages within one or more cells of a mobile network.
Since danger zones and mobile network-covered areas do not always align perfectly, it is possible that individuals who are not directly at risk may receive messages. Due to the large number of mobile network cells, messages can be sent with a high degree of accuracy.
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Who operates the mobile network in Austria?
As of 2024, three network operators (A1, Magenta, Drei) operate mobile networks in Austria, with approximately 20,000 mobile network sites. In the event of a message transmission, the mobile network sites have numerous cells from which the affected area can be selected.
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How reliable Is AT-Alert?
High redundancy was prioritized in the technical implementation of AT-Alert to make this critical system as fail-safe as possible. AT-Alert depends on a functioning mobile network.
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Who can trigger AT-Alert messages, and when?
AT-Alert messages can be triggered by the nine regional warning centers of the federal states and by the federal situation center within the Federal Ministry of the Interior.
When required, the triggering agencies transmit a corresponding message on behalf of or for the respective responsible authority to the mobile network operators.
It is always at the discretion of the responsible authority or the emergency organization acting on behalf of the authority in the event of imminent danger to decide whether to issue an AT-Alert message, when, for which area (state, municipality, valley), and with what text.
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How is an AT-Alert message issued?
The triggering agencies select the affected area within a computer-assisted system and create a message text. This information is automatically transmitted to the mobile network operators and broadcast to all mobile phones registered in the cells of the affected area.
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What distinguishes AT-Alert messages from SMS?
The SMS standard allows “one-to-one” communication by sending messages to a specific phone number. In contrast, AT-Alert messages are sent via the cell broadcast standard, which is a "one-to-many" communication form.
Messages are not sent to specific phone numbers but are broadcast from the mobile network cells. This means that mobile phones in a potential danger area can be reached without users having to register or provide personal data.
If a mobile device is registered in a cell that broadcasts a cell broadcast message, it will receive the message. Unlike SMS, no personal data (such as phone numbers) is used, and reception is anonymous.
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For which events can AT-Alert messages be triggered?
Messages can be sent for any event if the responsible authority deems it appropriate due to an impending or spreading major emergency or disaster. Examples of potential trigger events include:
- Life-threatening natural hazards (severe storms, extreme rainfall, extreme flood risk, heavy snowfall, high avalanche danger, extreme wildfire risk)
- Life-threatening technical hazards (incidents involving radiological, biological, and chemical substances, such as gas leaks, chemical spills, explosion risk, smoke hazards)
- Life-threatening police situations
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What are the alert levels of AT-Alert?
AT-Alert messages have various alert levels, depending on the mobile phone:
- Emergency Alert
- Extreme threat
- Severe threat
- Threat Information
- Missing Person
- Test alert
- Exercise Alert
The highest alert level (Emergency Alert) is not visible in the phone's settings menu, is always enabled by default, and cannot be turned off. Messages at this alert level will always be received with a loud tone on the mobile phone, even if it is set to silent. Other alert levels can be enabled or disabled through the settings menu (see the section "What Mobile Phone Settings Are Available?").
The responsible authority decides which alert level to use when issuing a message.
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How do you receive AT-Alert messages?
Mobile phones can receive AT-Alert messages if they:
- are located in the warned area
- are turned on
- are not in airplane mode
- have an up-to-date operating system (Android version 11 or higher, iOS/iPhone version 17.4 or higher)
AT-Alert is automatically enabled in the operating systems. Thanks to the cell broadcast system, even people whose phones are registered abroad, such as tourists, can be warned when they are in the warned area. The highest alert level, "Emergency Alert", is always activated and cannot be turned off. Even if your phone is set to silent mode, the emergency alert will trigger a loud notification. The other alert levels can be optionally disabled (see the section "What Mobile Phone Settings Are Available?").
AT-Alert messages can be sent at various alert levels (see the question "What are the Alert Levels of AT-Alert?").
You will receive an AT-Alert message if your compatible device (mobile phone and/or Apple Watch) is in a warned area or enters such an area and the corresponding alert level is enabled on your phone.
Roaming users (phones registered abroad) can also receive AT-Alert messages when they are in Austria in a warned area and the corresponding alert level is enabled.
AT-Alert messages will continue to be sent until the issuing authority either actively ends the broadcast or the message automatically expires after a preset duration.
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How do I receive alerts without a mobile phone?
Emergency alerts via mobile phones are an addition to other types of public warning systems (sirens and media broadcasts). In a crisis situation, information is also distributed through news media/traditional media, radio, and social media. Please make sure to always get information from official channels.
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Are alerts received in "Do Not Disturb" mode?
Mobile phones can also receive AT-Alert messages in "Do Not Disturb" mode, as AT-Alert messages are classified as a "critical alert". However, there may be some differences between operating systems. Unlike in airplane mode, the mobile network connection is not interrupted in "Do Not Disturb" mode. Therefore, AT-Alert messages cannot be received in airplane mode, but they can be received in "Do Not Disturb" mode.
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Can other devices with a SIM card receive AT-Alert messages?
Devices connected to the mobile network via a SIM card (e.g., cars, modems, etc.) may be able to receive and display cell broadcast messages. However, these messages are mainly intended for mobile devices.
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Do push-button phones also receive AT-Alert messages?
Push-button phones often support 4G or at least 2G GSM, which generally makes them capable of receiving AT-Alert messages. If such a device is only equipped with a 2G module, only the highest alert level, "Emergency Alert", will be transmitted.
How individual mobile phones respond to AT-Alert messages and display the warning cannot be answered universally, as this depends on the specific device and manufacturer.
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Do I need to register or download an app to receive AT-Alert messages?
No. Receiving AT-Alert messages does not require any registration or app download. It is only necessary to ensure that the reception of such messages is enabled on your mobile device.
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What mobile phone settings are available?
We recommend accessing the relevant menu on your mobile phone before reading further (Android: “Safety & Emergency”; Apple/iPhone: “Notifications”) and reviewing the menu options based on the information provided below.
You will find the following sub-settings, which can be enabled or disabled on your device:
Android
- Extreme threat
- Severe threat
- Threat Information
- Missing Person
- Test Alert
Apple/iPhone
- Extreme threat
- Severe threat
- Threat Information
- Missing Person
- Test Alert
- Exercise Alert
In general, mobile phones (Android from version 11 and iPhones from iOS 17.4) can receive all alert levels. iPads are not supported. However, the Apple Watch Series 4 (with cellular capability) is supported.
AT-Alert depends on the Apple iOS 17.4 and Android 11 operating systems.
During the rollout of AT-Alert, we engaged with the major operating system manufacturers (Apple and Android). Both companies have implemented AT-Alert in their next releases. Apple and Google integrated the AT-Alert-specific system configurations into their devices starting with Apple iOS 17.4 and Android 11. Receiving AT-Alert messages on mobile phones with older operating system versions is generally not possible at this time.
To potentially receive cell broadcast messages on devices with older Android operating systems or other non-compatible devices, please contact your device manufacturer.
Devices using the 2G/GSM network can only receive the highest alert level ("Emergency Alert").
For Android devices, it is recommended to have the latest version of the Google Play application installed to ensure compatibility with AT-Alert.
Information on Huawei devices:
Due to ongoing legal restrictions between Google (or the U.S.) and Huawei, Huawei devices currently cannot access the Google Play Store. As a result, it is not possible to receive AT-Alert messages on Huawei devices.
To potentially receive cell broadcast messages on Huawei devices, please contact your device manufacturer.
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Can alerts be enabled or disabled on a mobile phone?
In general, it is possible to enable or disable the reception of AT-Alert messages, depending on the mobile phone and the installed operating system (see "What mobile phone settings are available?").
However, this does not apply to alerts of the highest warning level (Emergency Alert), which cannot be disabled and is therefore not displayed in the settings.
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Can a phone number/device be excluded from AT-Alert?
It is not possible for the responsible authority or issuing entity to actively exclude specific phone numbers or devices from AT-Alert, as alerts are sent to a geographical area rather than to individual recipients. The authority cannot identify who is located within the alerted area.
You have the option to block the reception of AT-Alert messages by manually disabling the respective alert levels on your mobile device. The settings can be found as follows, depending on the operating system:
Android:
- Settings Safety & Emergency Emergency Alerts
Apple:
- Settings Notifications Scroll down to the bottom
However, the highest alert level ("Emergency Alert") cannot be viewed or disabled.
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What does an AT-Alert message contain?
Messages sent via AT-Alert generally include information about what has happened or is threatening to happen and where. Additionally, they may provide behavior or action recommendations on how you should respond.
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How to respond after receiving an AT-Alert message?
Follow the behavior or action recommendations provided in the AT-Alert message, if applicable.
Official warnings that trigger civil defense sirens are also broadcast by the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (e.g., Ö3 and ORF regional studios). If necessary, additional instructions, behavior or action recommendations, and orders from authorities will be announced on the radio. Therefore, we recommend turning on a radio and paying attention to the information provided by the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation after a civil defense warning or alarm is issued via sirens, as well as after receiving an AT-Alert message. At the local level, responsible authorities and emergency organizations will, if needed, provide further information and instructions to the public through loudspeaker announcements.
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How can I find the AT-Alert message afterward?
A general guide on how to retrieve AT-Alert messages later cannot be provided at this time. The availability of past messages depends on the operating system and may change with updates.
Android Operating System:
You can search for "Emergency" in the settings menu to access the "Emergency Notifications" section. In this menu, you will find a tab called "Previous Emergency Alerts", where the AT-Alert message can be viewed.
iOS Operating System:
Retrieving AT-Alert messages on an Apple iPhone with the iOS operating system is currently only possible to a limited extent. AT-Alert messages can be found in the iPhone’s Notification Center until they are actively cleared. To view AT-Alert messages again, swipe down from the top of the iPhone’s home screen to open the Notification Center, where all received messages are displayed.
Important: This only works if the Notification Center has not been cleared. If the Notification Center is cleared by tapping the "x" in the top right corner, the AT-Alert message is permanently deleted and cannot be retrieved on iOS devices.
We are in contact with device manufacturers to improve the retrieval of past alerts.
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Can I view warnings that are currently active in Austria?
You can view all currently active AT-Alert messages in Austria on the following website of the Austrian Regulatory Authority for Broadcasting and Telecommunications (RTR): warnungen.at-alert.at .
Only AT-Alert messages issued by the responsible authorities are displayed. Active AT-Alert messages are visible for 24 hours. Historical messages can be found using the filter function.
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How can an official alert be identified?
The message will always indicate the authority from which it was sent. AT-Alert messages from the responsible authorities can be viewed on the website of the Austrian Regulatory Authority for Broadcasting and Telecommunications (RTR) at warnungen.at-alert.at .
Official warnings that trigger the activation of civil defense sirens are also announced by the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (e.g., Ö3 and ORF regional studios). In such cases, additional behavior or action recommendations and instructions from authorities may be communicated via radio.
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How are users protected from fake alerts?
The highest security standards are in place (including the use of certificates for data transmission) to ensure that only authorized entities, acting on behalf of or for the responsible authorities, can send alerts via AT-Alert. This prevents the transmission of fake alerts.
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How is data protection ensured with AT-Alert?
The mobile technology "Cell Broadcast", on which AT-Alert is based, ensures complete anonymity due to its functionality. No personal data is requested or used. The alert messages are transmitted via the control channel of the mobile network cells. There is no feedback mechanism, making the reception of a message via Cell Broadcast similar to receiving a radio broadcast. The issuing authority has no information about the mobile phones reached or the personal data of the mobile phone users.
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Last update: 31 January 2025