The next time you get an alert on your Android phone, it could be vital information. Google expanded its earthquake alert system Last fall; This week, Samsung presented its own version It could be even better. Here’s how these critical alerts work and how you can activate them.
Android earthquake alerts are available in the 50 American states and six American territories, notably the American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and the minor peripheral islands.
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How the alerts of the Android earthquake work
Since 2020, Google has put on earthquake alerts available in California, Oregon and Washington, thanks to a partnership with the United States Geological Survey (USGS), California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Caloes) and the Shakealert System of the USGS. These alerts were based on traditional seismometers to detect earthquakes.
Google’s most recent and more widespread alerts are based on the integrated accelerometers present in many Android phones to provide vital information to people in Shakelert areas. The Android earthquake system alerts the Crowdsourced data analysis system to detect low or light tremors. If an earthquake of 4.5 or more is detected, Google sends one of the two alerts.
If an earthquake occurs, your phone will reject a specific tone and tell you how strong and distant the earthquake is. A warning “Be aware” next to a message that says “to wait for slight tremors” means that light to moderate tremors are potentially along the way. An “acting” warning which tells you to immediately seek shelter, a decrease, a roofing and a holder means moderate to extreme tremors is possible. The two alerts offer an estimate of the distance to which the epicenter of the earthquake is.
When the tremors are finished, says Google, you can press for advice on what to do next.
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If you want to withdraw from the earthquake alerts, you can prevent your phone from contributing to the detection of earthquakes by extinguishing the precision of the Google location of your phone. You can also deactivate seismic alerts by going safe and emergency, then by pressing the location, then in advanced alerts and earthquakes.
Android seismic alerts can only provide a few seconds of warning, but these can be essential in an emergency.
Samsung deploys better earthquake alerts
Despite the fact that its devices operated on Android, in June 2025, Samsung presented its own version of earthquake alerts. Samsung did not explain the operation of its alerts (ZDNET contacted an answer), but it is sure to assume that it is similar to that of Google.
An important factor improves the Samsung option, however. You can change the alert threshold to a 1.0 earthquake, which would generally be imperceptible, and you can define different day and night thresholds. Google is limited to alerts on earthquakes of 4.5 or more.
Samsung alerts should be available with the ONE UI 8 update, which will take place on its latest handsets covering the S series to the A and Z series.
How to activate Android earthquake alerts
Earthquake alerts on your Android can be activated by default, but to check (and activate them if they are not), head to the settings menu of your phone and find security and emergency. Press the earthquake alerts and you will see a rocking (and a demonstration button, so you will know what to expect).
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The Android and Samsung notifications should alert you to an earthquake before feeling it, giving you a few precious seconds to find a shelter. Even if you do not live in an area subject to earthquakes, it is a useful characteristic to have.
