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Understanding Cell Broadcast: What It Is and How to Enable Emergency Alerts on iPhone and Android

Life09 Jul 2026 17:09 GMT+7

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Understanding Cell Broadcast: What It Is and How to Enable Emergency Alerts on iPhone and Android

Cell Broadcast Emergency Alerts Notification Recently, or Cell Broadcast Services (CBS) recently sent a message informing the public about a traffic closure due to repairs on the Purple Line subway tunnel along Prachathipok Road on 9 July 2026.

Receiving information quickly is key to safety. Cell Broadcast (pronounced 'cell broadcast') has become an increasingly discussed alert system because it can instantly send messages to people via mobile phones. Many have seen warning messages pop up on their screens but may not fully understand how the system works. Thairath Online will help explain it in more detail.

Getting to know what "Cell Broadcast" alert system is.

Cell Broadcast, or Cell Broadcast Services, is a system that sends emergency alert messages from government agencies directly tomobile phonesof people in targeted areas immediately. The key features are that it does not require knowing phone numbers, installing apps, or using internet signals, relying instead on mobile network signals directly.

When a message is sent, the system displays an alert with a sound notification on the screen, even if the phone is locked. Cell Broadcast alerts are typically used for important cases such as

  • natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, and storms,
  • evacuation orders or urgent government warnings,
  • road repair or closures affecting public traffic,
  • national emergency alert system tests,
  • and safety emergencies.

How to enable Cell Broadcast emergency alerts on iPhone and Android.

To set up emergency alerts on mobile phones with the iOS operating system oniPhoneand Android, the menu options may differ slightly depending on the phone model and brand. It is recommended to update the operating system to the latest version (Android version 11 or iOS version 18 or higher) to fully support government alert notifications. .

How to enable Cell Broadcast alerts on iPhone.

1. Go to Settings.
2. Select Notifications.
3. Scroll to the bottom to find Emergency Alerts (TH-ALERT).
4. Turn on Emergency Alert notifications or all related alert types.

How to enable Cell Broadcast alerts on Android. 1. Go to Settings.

2. Select Security and Emergency.
3. Enter the Wireless Emergency Alerts menu.
4. Enable all alert types, such as severe alerts, earthquake alerts, and test alerts.
.

Clarifying why some phones do not receive Cell Broadcast alerts.

Checking and enabling settings in advance helps reduce the chance of missing important alerts. However, some may wonder why they don’t receive Cell Broadcast messages despite alerts being sent. Common reasons include:

  • Emergency alert notifications are turned off on the phone.
  • The operating system does not support or is not updated to the latest version.
  • The phone is outside the area covered by the alert broadcast.
  • The phone is turned off or has no network signal at the time.

Cell Broadcast alert on 9 July 2026.

The Cell Broadcast alert issued on 9 July 2026 automatically sent a message to citizens’ phones stating:

DDPM alerts traffic closure 09-07-2026

16:58:04 Officials are currently inspecting Prachathipok Road. To facilitate urgent repairs of the Purple Line subway tunnel, all lanes on Prachathipok Road from Ban Khaek intersection to Wongwian Yai, and from Wongwian Yai to Ban Khaek intersection are closed from 17:30 onwards. DDPM.

During this time, supported phones (Android version 11 or iOS version 18 and above) received the same alert message.

Sending alerts via the Cell Broadcast system is a significant step in developing the country’s emergency alert system to deliver information quickly, accurately, and to the widest possible audience.

Summary Cell Broadcast Service is an alert system that helps the public quickly and widely receive emergency information. Enabling alert notifications on your phone beforehand is an easy way to enhance safety for yourself and those around you. When fully operational in the future, a brief alert message may significantly reduce losses.