How your phone could warn you seconds before an earthquake hits

By Phong Ngo July 30, 2025 | 06:47 pm PT

A Google-developed system turns Android phones into earthquake detectors, sending real-time alerts seconds before shaking begins, while iPhone users can rely on a third-party app for similar warnings.

The Android Earthquake Alerts (AEA) system, created in partnership with the University of California, Berkeley, uses smartphone sensors to detect early seismic waves and deliver alerts before stronger shaking occurs, according to a study published July 17 in Science, USA Today reported.

Two types of alerts are issued. Be Aware notifications are for light shaking, while Take Action alerts are for stronger shaking and override the phone screen with a loud alarm. Warnings typically arrive 15 to 60 seconds before the shaking starts, according to Fox News.

Android Earthquake Alerts on a smartphone. Photo courtesy of Google

During a magnitude 6.2 earthquake in Turkey in April, the system issued its first alert eight seconds after the quake began. Over 16 million alerts were delivered, giving users up to 20 seconds of advance warning.

AEA currently sends about 18 million alerts per month and covers 98 countries. According to LiveScience, the system expanded from 250 million users in 2019 to 2.5 billion in 2024.

Google reported that 85% of 1.5 million survey respondents found the alerts "very helpful." Only three false alerts were recorded among more than 1,300 confirmed events.

To activate the feature, Android users can go to Settings, tap Safety & emergency, select Earthquake alerts, and turn it on. Users can also test the alert sound. If you have a smartwatch running Wear OS, it can vibrate to alert you of an earthquake, even if the phone is not nearby.

iPhones, though equipped with similar sensors, are not part of the detection network. Apple does not support earthquake detection natively, but users can install the free MyShake app for alerts from official seismic agencies.