How to turn off "Blue Alerts"?

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Level 1

4 points

How to turn off "Blue Alerts"?

I live in Texas, a very large state geographically. This morning at 4:54 a.m., I was jolted awake by a "Blue Alert" on my iPhone warning me of an alleged criminal who "injured" a sheriff's deputy in Hall County which is over 8 hours and 500 miles away from me. There is zero chance that this alleged criminal was in my bedroom or even in my county at 4:54 a.m. Plus, I'm not Batman and I'm not going to hunt for criminals. What am I supposed to do with the vague description (30 y/o, 6 ft, 200lb, white male in blue jeans and a blue shirt) in the "Blue Alert"? All this alert did was wake me from sleep, start my dogs barking and (frankly) greatly annoy me. The alert was counterproductive.

Is there a way to turn off "Blue Alerts"? If so, how do I do that? It's not clear on the iPhone. Thanks.

iPhone 14

Posted on Oct 4, 2024 8:46 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Allan Jones

Level 9

72,224 points

Oct 4, 2024 9:25 AM in response to JVSorel

I live in an area prone to wildfires and flooding, so I like natural disaster alerts, bit don't need to hear about an escape one state over.

If the Blue ones are bundled with the natural disaster versions and you find the Blue alerts lack a separate preference setting to opt out, you can let Apple know of your objection here:

Feedback - iPhone - Apple

Apple will not see you issue here.

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Answer 2

varjak paw

Level 10

177,418 points

Oct 4, 2024 9:13 AM in response to JVSorel

Yep, all of Texas got hit with that alert. Go to Settings -> Notifications. Scroll all the way to the bottom and turn off those settings as you wish. Blue Alerts are probably "Public Safety Alerts".

Regards.

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Answer 3

KiltedTim

Level 10

203,374 points

Oct 4, 2024 9:01 AM in response to JVSorel

It looks like those would either come through the amber alert system, in which case you can turn those off in settings, or through a dedicated app.

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Answer 4

KiltedTim

Level 10

203,374 points

Oct 4, 2024 11:16 AM in response to Allan Jones

I’m not sure Apple has any say in the matter. It sounds like it’s the way the State implemented it using the existing alert system.

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