When the ground starts shaking, the first question is usually "How strong was that, and where?" The second is "Is a tsunami coming?" Your phone can answer both quickly, but only if it's set up correctly. This guide covers the four main alert sources in the Philippines, what each can and can't do, and the settings to check today.
First: alerts can't predict earthquakes
An alert means the earthquake has already started
Every alert system detects an earthquake after it begins. At best, it can warn people farther away a few seconds before the strongest shaking reaches them. Near the epicenter, the shaking usually arrives before any alert. Your main safety response is always the same: Drop, Cover, and Hold On as soon as you feel shaking, whether or not your phone alerts you.
Alerts are most valuable after the shaking. They tell you how big the quake was and whether to expect a tsunami, so you can act fast.
1. Government emergency alerts (cell broadcast)
Under the Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act (RA 10639, 2014), mobile network operators must send disaster alerts to subscribers for free. The NDRRMC and the telcos use an emergency cell broadcast system that pushes alerts to every compatible phone in an affected area. These alerts play a loud, distinctive tone and appear on screen even if you have no load or data.
They are used for major hazards such as tsunami warnings, strong earthquakes, typhoons and volcanic eruptions. They're not sent for every quake. Expect them only for events that call for action.
Check that they're turned on
- iPhone: Settings → Notifications → scroll to the bottom → Government Alerts. Turn on Emergency Alerts.
- Android: Settings → Safety & emergency (or Notifications → Advanced) → Wireless emergency alerts. Turn on the extreme and severe alert types. The menu names vary by phone brand, so you can also search Settings for "emergency alerts."
2. Android Earthquake Alerts System
Google launched the Android Earthquake Alerts System in the Philippines in June 2021. It turns Android phones into tiny seismometers: when many phones in one area detect the first, faster waves of a quake at once, Google's servers estimate the location and magnitude and send alerts to phones in the region, sometimes seconds before the strongest shaking arrives.
- Two alert levels: a "Be Aware" notification for lighter shaking, and a full-screen "Take Action" alert for stronger shaking. The "Take Action" alert sounds loudly, even on silent or Do Not Disturb.
- How to turn it on: Settings → Safety & emergency → Earthquake alerts (on some phones it's under Location → Advanced). It needs location and an internet connection.
- Limits: it's run by Google, not PHIVOLCS, so its magnitude estimates can differ from official figures. It may also miss people closest to the epicenter. During a 2021 quake off Occidental Mindoro, users farther away reportedly got warnings while those nearest did not.
3. PHIVOLCS: the official source
PHIVOLCS is the government agency responsible for earthquake and tsunami information in the Philippines. Its bulletins are the ones LGUs, schools and the media act on.
- Earthquake bulletins usually come out within minutes of a quake on the PHIVOLCS website and its official social media pages. Turn on notifications for those pages so updates reach you.
- Tsunami information and warnings come from PHIVOLCS after strong offshore quakes. These are the alerts that matter most for coastal communities.
- HazardHunterPH is the government's hazard-assessment tool, which can also show recent quakes detected by the Philippine Seismic Network.
Curious how PHIVOLCS detects and reports a quake so quickly? See how earthquakes are monitored in the Philippines.
4. Earthquakes PH live map
Our live earthquake map shows every recent quake across the Philippines on one screen, with magnitude, depth, active faults and daily activity. You can also get alerts while the page is open:
- Open earthquakes.ph on your phone or computer and leave the tab open.
- Tap the bell (🔕 → 🔔) at the top of the map to turn on alert sounds.
- Get notified: the map refreshes about every 5 minutes. When a new magnitude 4.5 or stronger quake appears, a banner pops up with its location and size, with a sound if the bell is on.
It's a good way to keep an eye on activity during an aftershock sequence or while working at a desk. But it's informational only. It isn't an official warning service, and alerts only work while the page is open. Always follow PHIVOLCS and NDRRMC for official advisories.
Which alert source does what?
| Source | Phones | Speed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency cell broadcast | All compatible phones, no app needed | Minutes | Official tsunami and disaster warnings |
| Android Earthquake Alerts | Android only | Seconds | Possible warning before strong shaking |
| PHIVOLCS | Any (web and social media) | Minutes | Official magnitude, intensity and advisories |
| Earthquakes PH | Any browser | About 5 minutes | Seeing recent quakes on a map, tracking aftershocks |
No single source covers everything, so use more than one. Cell broadcast is your safety net, Android alerts may give you seconds of warning, PHIVOLCS gives you the official facts, and a live map shows you the bigger picture.
Watch out for fake alerts
After every strong quake, fake "predictions" and edited screenshots spread on social media, such as "Magnitude 8 to hit Manila tonight, PHIVOLCS says." No agency predicts earthquakes. Before sharing anything, check that it came from PHIVOLCS, NDRRMC or your LGU. Our earthquake myths vs. facts post covers more of these.
Your 5-minute setup checklist
- Turn on Emergency / Government alerts in your phone settings.
- On Android, turn on Earthquake alerts, and keep location and internet on.
- Follow PHIVOLCS and your LGU's DRRM office on social media, with notifications on.
- Bookmark earthquakes.ph for a quick look at recent quakes.
- Set up the same alerts on family members' phones, especially for elderly relatives.
When an alert comes in
- Shaking or a "Take Action" alert: Drop, Cover, and Hold On right away. Don't run outside while the ground is shaking.
- Near the coast with strong or long shaking: don't wait for a warning. Move to high ground immediately. Read our tsunami safety guide.
- After the shaking: check PHIVOLCS for official details, expect aftershocks, and grab your go-bag if you need to evacuate.
Open the live map, tap the bell, and see every new magnitude 4.5+ earthquake in the Philippines as it's reported.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Philippines have an earthquake early warning system?
Not in the way Japan does. There's no widely available government system that alerts everyone's phone seconds before shaking. PHIVOLCS reports quakes within minutes and issues tsunami warnings, and Google's Android Earthquake Alerts System can sometimes give a few seconds of warning on Android phones.
Do iPhones get earthquake alerts in the Philippines?
iPhones don't use Google's Android system, but they do receive government emergency alerts by cell broadcast, as long as Emergency Alerts are turned on. For details, follow PHIVOLCS or check a live map.
Are emergency alerts free?
Yes. RA 10639 requires telcos to send disaster alerts free of charge. You don't need load or data to receive them.
Why didn't I get an earthquake alert?
The alerts may be turned off, your location or internet may be off (Android alerts need both), the quake may have been too small or far away, or you may have been so close to the epicenter that the shaking came first.
Can any app predict earthquakes?
No. Alert systems detect quakes after they start. Ignore any message that claims to predict one.
Related: the complete earthquake safety guide, magnitude vs. intensity explained, and our September 2026 earthquake recap.
Sources: Republic Act No. 10639 (Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act, 2014); NDRRMC and telco announcements on the Emergency Cell Broadcast System; Google, Android Earthquake Alerts System (Philippines launch, June 2021); PHIVOLCS. Phone menu names vary by brand and software version.