Cell Broadcast is a warning system that the BBK (German Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance) can use to send warning signals to mobile devices throughout Germany.

The Cell Broadcast service works without the need to install a warning app and complements the existing warning apps such as NINA or Katwarn.

Network operators such as Deutsche Telekom send the respective warning message via their mobile communications network. However, the respective authority/crisis management team is responsible for the content. For further questions, please contact the German Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) or visit http://warnung-der-bevoelkerung.de/en/ (you will be redirected).

Cell Broadcast is already activated on the latest mobile devices. The latest version of your device’s operating system must be installed for Cell Broadcast. For iOS, this is version 15.6.1 and later (excl. 16.0.X) as well as 16.1 and later, and version 11 and later for Android.

For other operating systems and older Android versions, the user may need to activate the Cell Broadcast service. To do this, please consult the device-specific settings or contact the manufacturer.

Note: You can find the Cell Broadcast settings on many devices via the search function in device settings by entering the term “Cell Broadcast”, “warning notification” or “emergency messages”.

First off: For your safety, the highest warning level cannot be deactivated on newer devices. You can manage lower warning levels via the Cell Broadcast settings of your device.

Cell Broadcast settings for newer mobile devices.

• Android version 11 or later. You can find the setup options in the advanced settings of the messaging app or, alternatively, in the device settings under “messages”. There, you can determine whether you wish to receive the warning and test messages on your device or not at any time.
• iOS (Apple) version 15.6.1 or later. (excl. 16.0.X) as well as version 16.1 and later: You can find the setup options in the device settings under “notifications”. You can change the warning and test notifications settings at the bottom of the screen.

For other operating systems and older Android versions, the user may need to activate the Cell Broadcast service. You can find the Cell Broadcast settings on many devices via the search function in device settings by entering the term “Cell Broadcast”, “warning notification” or “emergency messages”.

We ask for your understanding that we can only offer detailed instructions for common device manufacturers and operating systems. If you cannot find the right instructions for your device, please visit the respective website for assistance.

1. Cell Broadcast is already activated on the latest mobile devices. The latest version of your mobile device’s operating system must be installed for Cell Broadcast.
2. Not all cell phones are able to receive Cell Broadcast messages. Older devices are frequently unable to receive such messages and no longer receive any updates from the manufacturer.
3. You will not receive a warning notification via Cell Broadcast if your mobile device is in flight mode. You may receive a notification at a later time when you deactivate flight mode and your mobile device connects to the mobile network again (depending on how long the Cell Broadcast message is sent).
4. Mobile devices that are in other modes such as “silent” or “do not disturb” as well as devices that are connected to Wi-Fi in addition to mobile networks will also receive the Cell Broadcast notification.
5. It is not possible to make a general statement concerning all mobile devices in Germany capable of receiving Cell Broadcast messages as many factors play a role when it comes to receiving these messages.
   Further information is provided by the German Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) at http://warnung-der-bevoelkerung.de/en/ (you will be forwarded).

Cell Broadcast warns the public about disasters and emergencies. This is performed by sending a text message with warning signal to the mobile device (smartphone or cell phone). This message is displayed directly on the cell phone screen and cannot be muted.

Yes. An alarm can be switched off by confirming receipt of the warning message.

Test warnings state that the message is a test warning. Such warnings usually take place on national or state warning days and are announced in the press some days/weeks in advance.

You cannot deactivate warnings issued by federal and state governments as part of the warning test. This is because they usually use the highest warning level.

You can deactivate test warnings, on the other hand, as these are functional tests carried out by the network operators. You can disable them in your device's mobile settings as follows

iOS: Settings > Notifications > Mobile notifications > Test alerts 

Android: Settings > Security & emergencies > Emergency notifications for mobile devices

The national warning day is still aimed at informing people in Germany about warnings and, in doing so, raising their awareness. More information is available on: www.warnung-der-bevoelkerung.de/en (you will be redirected).

The German Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) uses various warning media/channels. One of these warning media is Cell Broadcast whereby a warning notification is sent as a text message via mobile communications networks.

The Cell Broadcast warning notifications are sent in German and English. Mobile devices with German as the set language usually only display the warning notifications in German.

No personal data such as location data is collected or processed when sending Cell Broadcast messages. The warning signal is sent to all ready to receive mobile devices without the sender of the warning notifications knowing or being able to record the mobile number or any other data of the recipient.