Turning on earthquake alert system in smartphones

Some regions of Bangladesh experienced a 5.2 magnitude earthquake on December 2, 2023, at approximately 9:35 am. It left the residents of Dhaka scared and fearful about an even bigger earthquake, which is considered to be lurking around for some time. 

While the unpredictable nature of earthquakes poses a significant challenge, staying informed and prepared minimises potential risks. One effective way to enhance your safety is enabling earthquake alerts on your mobile device.

For Android users, here is a step-by-step guide on how to activate earthquake alerts:

1. Navigate to your phone's Settings option.
2. Click on 'Safety & Emergency.'
3. Select 'Earthquake alerts.'

If you cannot find the 'Safety & Emergency' option, an alternative method is available:

1. Access your phone's Settings.
2. Click on 'Location.'
3. Scroll down to find 'Earthquake alerts.'

It is essential to note that a stable internet connection, either through mobile data or Wi-Fi, is required for earthquake alerts to function. Although steps may vary for operating systems below Android 12, they should generally be similar for most modern Android models supporting the Google Play Store.

For iPhone users, the process is equally straightforward:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Click on 'Notifications.'
3. Scroll down to find 'Emergency Alerts.'
4. Toggle the option to turn alerts on or off.

Enabling earthquake alerts on your mobile device ensures that you receive immediate notifications when an earthquake is detected in your vicinity. These alerts provide information, including the estimated magnitude and the distance of the quake from your current location. Notifications are sent before, during, and/or after shaking begins, allowing users to take necessary precautions.

It is important to understand that the feature utilises the user's approximate location to relay information about nearby earthquakes with a magnitude of 4.5 and above. However, users should exercise caution, as magnitude and shaking intensity estimates may have errors.
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