Emergency Alert (SG Alert)
Source: https://www.scdf.gov.sg/home/civil-defence-shelter/emergency-alert-(sg-alert)
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:09
Emergency Alert (SG Alert)
Government officials will NEVER ask you to transfer money or disclose bank log-in details over a phone call. Call the 24/7 ScamShield Helpline at 1799 if you are unsure if something is a scam. For details, visit the
ScamShield website
.
To help businesses reduce regulatory compliance costs, SCDF will implement three-year Fire Certificate (FC) validity periods for renewal applications from 1 Apr 2026 onwards. Please refer to the
SCDF Fire Certificate
webpage for more information.
The Civil Defence Heritage Gallery and Emergency Preparedness Centre will reopen to the public from 21 Apr 2026. The weekly Saturday morning Fire Station Open House will also be resumed with effect from 25 Apr 2026.
1
/
3
About Civil Defence Shelter
Public Warning System
Emergency Alert (SG Alert)
Types of Shelter
Regulating Civil Defence Shelter
Acts and Requirements
Waiver Application on Civil Defence Shelter Requirements
Hero banner for all pages except home page
Emergency Alert (SG Alert)
Emergency Alert (SG Alert)
Staying Informed in a Crisis
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) is implementing SG Alert, a mass emergency alert system for use during emergencies such as major fires, chemical or terror incidents, to quickly alert the public to take immediate action to protect themselves.
SG Alert leverages cell broadcast technology to deliver emergency messages without requiring mobile data or collecting personal information. By enabling alerts to be broadcast islandwide or within specific geographical zones, the system strengthens Singapore's emergency communications framework with secure, fast and reliable mobile outreach.
The system complements existing emergency communications platforms, including the Public Warning System, free-to-air television and radio broadcasts, social media, and the SGSecure mobile application.
SG Alert will only be activated during emergencies that require the public to take immediate action to protect themselves. Upon receiving the alert, members of the public should read the message carefully and follow the instructions provided.
SG Alert is designed to provide key information relating to the emergency such as:
A brief description of the incident
The affected location(s)
Protective actions to take
Official sources and links for more details
Functions
Users will receive the alert with SG Alert as the header, followed by the content of the alert.
Some users may receive SG Alert with the header Presidential alert instead of SG Alert due to compatibility issues, for example older phone models.
Despite the different header, the content of the alert remains the same.
SCDF will be working to regularise the header to SG Alert.
Key features of SG Alert include:
High speed delivery
:
SG Alert can reach the public within seconds by using cell broadcast technology - a mobile technology that sends multiple simultaneous messages via the local mobile cellular
networks. As the alerts operate independently of mobile data services, they remain reliable even during periods of network congestion or peak demand.
Seamless User Experience
:
The SG Alert system will be enabled on supported mobile phones with the latest operating systems (OS) – users are encouraged to keep their mobile phones updated to the latest OS to ensure uninterrupted access to SG Alert. No mobile application downloads or account registrations
are required.
Bypass phone notification settings
:
SG Alert will appear as a pop-up notification accompanied by a unique alert tone and distinct vibration pattern lasting up to 10 seconds. The alert will bypass a device’s
“Do Not Disturb” or silent mode settings.
Islandwide or Localised Activation
:
SCDF can activate SG Alert islandwide or target specific affected areas. Members of the public in Singapore, including foreign visitors connected to Singapore mobile
networks (including data only e-sims), within the designated area will receive SG Alert on their mobile phones.
Support in Four Official Languages
:
SG Alert will be issued in English and the user’s preferred mobile language setting. Devices set to other languages besides the 4 main languages (English, Mandarin,
Malay and Tamil) will receive the alert in English, based on users’ mobile phone settings specifically customised in Singapore.
Phased Operationalisation
SCDF, together with IMDA, is working with local Mobile Network Operators to progressively roll out SG Alert to ensure system readiness and a smooth implementation. The roll out of SG Alert will commence from May 2026 starting with Singtel’s network. SCDF targets to roll out SG Alert to StarHub’s network by end-2026, and M1’s network and SIMBA’s network by mid-2027.
Prior to the implementation of the SG Alert, SCDF will be conducting an islandwide public testing for Singtel users on
10 May 2026
to validate the system’s performance. Members of the public in the vicinity may receive the SG Alert test message on your phones during this testing period. More information on the islandwide public testing will be shared closer to the date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will everyone in Singapore receive the alert? Will visitors or tourists receive SG Alert?
SG Alert messages can be broadcasted islandwide or within specific geographical zones. When fully implemented, everyone in the affected area will receive the SG Alert, so long as their mobile phones are updated to the latest operating system in Singapore. Foreign visitors using mobile phones connected to Singapore mobile networks will also receive SG Alert while they are in the affected area.
Will I receive the alert if my phone is on silent mode or if I am on a call?
Yes. SG Alert is designed to override silent mode and come with a distinctive alert tone to get your attention during an emergency. During an ongoing call, SG Alert will display a pop-up message that overrides your phone screen so that critical information is not missed.
Do I need mobile data or WiFi connection to receive the SG Alert?
Mobile data and internet connection are not required. The SG Alert is broadcasted from mobile base stations to mobile phones through cellular network signal.
Why is the implementation of the SG Alert staggered across the telcos?
The rollout happens in phases in order to account for each mobile network’s different technical setup. This allows network performance to be fine-tuned based on the operator’s backend requirements to ensure the most stable experience for users across all the mobile networks.
Following the implementation in May 2026, Singtel network users will receive SG Alert during an emergency, while members of the public using other mobile network operations (i.e. Starhub, M1 and SIMBA) will continue to receive SMS-based alerts.
Will all mobile devices, including older models, be able to receive the alerts?
All mobile devices will need to be updated to the latest operating system in Singapore. More specifically, SG Alert is only supported on phones running on the latest Apple operating system (iOS) 26.4, or latest Google Android operating system OS 12.
Government officials will NEVER ask you to transfer money or disclose bank log-in details over a phone call. Call the 24/7 ScamShield Helpline at 1799 if you are unsure if something is a scam. For details, visit the
ScamShield website
.
To help businesses reduce regulatory compliance costs, SCDF will implement three-year Fire Certificate (FC) validity periods for renewal applications from 1 Apr 2026 onwards. Please refer to the
SCDF Fire Certificate
webpage for more information.
The Civil Defence Heritage Gallery and Emergency Preparedness Centre will reopen to the public from 21 Apr 2026. The weekly Saturday morning Fire Station Open House will also be resumed with effect from 25 Apr 2026.
1
/
3
About Civil Defence Shelter
Public Warning System
Emergency Alert (SG Alert)
Types of Shelter
Regulating Civil Defence Shelter
Acts and Requirements
Waiver Application on Civil Defence Shelter Requirements
Hero banner for all pages except home page
Emergency Alert (SG Alert)
Emergency Alert (SG Alert)
Staying Informed in a Crisis
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) is implementing SG Alert, a mass emergency alert system for use during emergencies such as major fires, chemical or terror incidents, to quickly alert the public to take immediate action to protect themselves.
SG Alert leverages cell broadcast technology to deliver emergency messages without requiring mobile data or collecting personal information. By enabling alerts to be broadcast islandwide or within specific geographical zones, the system strengthens Singapore's emergency communications framework with secure, fast and reliable mobile outreach.
The system complements existing emergency communications platforms, including the Public Warning System, free-to-air television and radio broadcasts, social media, and the SGSecure mobile application.
SG Alert will only be activated during emergencies that require the public to take immediate action to protect themselves. Upon receiving the alert, members of the public should read the message carefully and follow the instructions provided.
SG Alert is designed to provide key information relating to the emergency such as:
A brief description of the incident
The affected location(s)
Protective actions to take
Official sources and links for more details
Functions
Users will receive the alert with SG Alert as the header, followed by the content of the alert.
Some users may receive SG Alert with the header Presidential alert instead of SG Alert due to compatibility issues, for example older phone models.
Despite the different header, the content of the alert remains the same.
SCDF will be working to regularise the header to SG Alert.
Key features of SG Alert include:
High speed delivery
:
SG Alert can reach the public within seconds by using cell broadcast technology - a mobile technology that sends multiple simultaneous messages via the local mobile cellular
networks. As the alerts operate independently of mobile data services, they remain reliable even during periods of network congestion or peak demand.
Seamless User Experience
:
The SG Alert system will be enabled on supported mobile phones with the latest operating systems (OS) – users are encouraged to keep their mobile phones updated to the latest OS to ensure uninterrupted access to SG Alert. No mobile application downloads or account registrations
are required.
Bypass phone notification settings
:
SG Alert will appear as a pop-up notification accompanied by a unique alert tone and distinct vibration pattern lasting up to 10 seconds. The alert will bypass a device’s
“Do Not Disturb” or silent mode settings.
Islandwide or Localised Activation
:
SCDF can activate SG Alert islandwide or target specific affected areas. Members of the public in Singapore, including foreign visitors connected to Singapore mobile
networks (including data only e-sims), within the designated area will receive SG Alert on their mobile phones.
Support in Four Official Languages
:
SG Alert will be issued in English and the user’s preferred mobile language setting. Devices set to other languages besides the 4 main languages (English, Mandarin,
Malay and Tamil) will receive the alert in English, based on users’ mobile phone settings specifically customised in Singapore.
Phased Operationalisation
SCDF, together with IMDA, is working with local Mobile Network Operators to progressively roll out SG Alert to ensure system readiness and a smooth implementation. The roll out of SG Alert will commence from May 2026 starting with Singtel’s network. SCDF targets to roll out SG Alert to StarHub’s network by end-2026, and M1’s network and SIMBA’s network by mid-2027.
Prior to the implementation of the SG Alert, SCDF will be conducting an islandwide public testing for Singtel users on
10 May 2026
to validate the system’s performance. Members of the public in the vicinity may receive the SG Alert test message on your phones during this testing period. More information on the islandwide public testing will be shared closer to the date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will everyone in Singapore receive the alert? Will visitors or tourists receive SG Alert?
SG Alert messages can be broadcasted islandwide or within specific geographical zones. When fully implemented, everyone in the affected area will receive the SG Alert, so long as their mobile phones are updated to the latest operating system in Singapore. Foreign visitors using mobile phones connected to Singapore mobile networks will also receive SG Alert while they are in the affected area.
Will I receive the alert if my phone is on silent mode or if I am on a call?
Yes. SG Alert is designed to override silent mode and come with a distinctive alert tone to get your attention during an emergency. During an ongoing call, SG Alert will display a pop-up message that overrides your phone screen so that critical information is not missed.
Do I need mobile data or WiFi connection to receive the SG Alert?
Mobile data and internet connection are not required. The SG Alert is broadcasted from mobile base stations to mobile phones through cellular network signal.
Why is the implementation of the SG Alert staggered across the telcos?
The rollout happens in phases in order to account for each mobile network’s different technical setup. This allows network performance to be fine-tuned based on the operator’s backend requirements to ensure the most stable experience for users across all the mobile networks.
Following the implementation in May 2026, Singtel network users will receive SG Alert during an emergency, while members of the public using other mobile network operations (i.e. Starhub, M1 and SIMBA) will continue to receive SMS-based alerts.
Will all mobile devices, including older models, be able to receive the alerts?
All mobile devices will need to be updated to the latest operating system in Singapore. More specifically, SG Alert is only supported on phones running on the latest Apple operating system (iOS) 26.4, or latest Google Android operating system OS 12.