Can your cell phone receive cell broadcast alerts? You can check this with the list of the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance. These models are not compatible.
The preparations for the nationwide warning day are underway in the warning center of the BBK. (Source: BBK)
- On December 8th, the authorities in Germany sent out a warning message via cell broadcast for the first time.
- Not every mobile phone can receive these.
- The BBK has published a list of incompatible devices.
On March 9th, a test warning will be sent via cell broadcast on the warning day in NRW and Bavaria. With the technology, all cell phones and smartphones registered in a radio cell of the mobile network can receive a warning message without having to first install an app or register for a service. The only requirement is that your cell phone must support Cell Broadcast.
Warning day: No alarm SMS received? That could be the reason
Why cell broadcast might not work for you
You didn’t receive an alarm SMS at 11 a.m. on the warning day 2023? Then you should check the following sources of error to find out why cell broadcast didn’t work for you.
But not all models do that. The Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) has published a list of devices, which are not suitable for receiving cell broadcast messages. There are many older Apple iPhones on it:
- iPhone
- iPhone 3G
- iPhone 3GS
- iPhone 4
- iPhone 4s
- iPhone 5
- iPhone 5c
- iPhone 5s
- iPhone 6/6 Plus
But even the Apple Watch in the cellular version is only able to receive warnings via cell broadcast from the fourth generation, according to the BBK. According to the Federal Office, however, certain Android devices are also unable to receive the new warning messages. These include the Google Pixel and the Google Pixel XL.
Also interesting…
However, the Federal Office points out that the list does not claim to be complete. The list only provides information on compatible and non-compatible devices from Apple, Samsung, Google and Sony. Industry giants like Xiaomi, Nokia or OnePlus are missing.
If you want to check for yourself whether your cell phone is ready to receive cell broadcasts, you can use the following instructions:
If you have not received a warning SMS, you should also check these possible sources of error in relation to cell broadcast.
Don’t miss anything with the NETWORK-Newsletter
Every Friday: The most informative and entertaining summary from the world of technology!
