AusAlert - Quite short, really

[TheRealTMA]

I can’t believe all the influencers spouting virus warnings for the alert tone, and the holistic cafe that made any customers turn off their phones so as to not “polite” their brains by the alert tone. Sheesh.

 

[AuSammy]

What about the half wits complaining their privacy has been breeched because they are on the do not call register

 

[zig]

Received the alert on my iPhone, but not the watch.

 

[transpactraveller]

I didn't get anything on my iPhone, apparently because I haven't updated to the latest iOS software update?

But I get these alerts on my phone when I'm in the US, so what's different about Australia's that ours needs the very latest update?

Also probably not the best design for an emergency alerting system if it needs everyone to have the latest software updates to receive any alerts.

 

[RooFlyer]

Also probably not the best design for an emergency alert if you need everyone to have the latest software updates.

I think its a technology limitation, not system design; I think it ensures that you'll get the message off ANY telco network should you not be in area where you have coverage.# Like saying that seat belt laws are flawed if you have an old car without seatbelts. A good incentive to update!

But recent 000 outages take note!

 

[Wing Nut]

Mrs Nut was up at Gungahlin shops and said that a 20 something cooker mum with two littelies was absolutely paranoid: "how do they know my numbers, is it a war? What's this for?" Shook her head and walked off.

 

[Quickstatus]

I suppose those people whose i-devices didn't go off would have an incentive to upgrade. Or likely they would kick the can down the road?

 

[SYD]

I didn't get anything on my iPhone, apparently because I haven't updated to the latest iOS software update?

But I get these alerts on my phone when I'm in the US, so what's different about Australia's that ours needs the very latest update?

Also probably not the best design for an emergency alerting system if it needs everyone to have the latest software updates to receive any alerts.

Only needed to be iOS 26.4 or later. We’re several updates along now. 26.5.x.

 

[RooFlyer]

Only needed to be iOS 26.4 or later. We’re several updates along now. 26.5.x.

ABC radio in Tas saying for iPhones, you need iP 11 or higher. Correct?

 

[transpactraveller]

Only needed to be iOS 26.4 or later.

That was only released 4 months ago and not supported by the iPhone X/XR/XS (or older) models that many people still use. Also I know a lot of people have stayed on iOS 18 and not upgraded to iOS 26.

The US and UK emergency alerts only need iOS 14.5 (April 2021) or later, and EU-Alert works on iOS 15 (September 2021) or later. If you're trying to reach the absolute majority of the population, the UK, US and EU have done it much better than Australia.

 

[SYD]

ABC radio in Tas saying for iPhones, you need iP 11 or higher. Correct?

iPhone 11 onwards (pretty old) but iOS 26.4 onwards.

I suspect a lot of older phone owners have stuck with iOS 18.x.

As mentioned earlier, iPad iOS currently doesn’t support it at all (even those with cellular).

 

[SYD]

That was only released 4 months ago and not supported by the iPhone X/XR/XS (or older) models that many people still use.

That’s probably why they’re on the not compatible hardware list. Those models are all very old now.

The US and UK emergency alerts need iOS 14.5 (April 2021) or later, and EU-Alert works on iOS 15 (September 2021) or later, so why does Australia need iOS 26.4 (April 2026) or later?

Can’t speak for the UK, but not promptly updating your iOS does expose one to possible security flaws.

But there’s always that angst for older phone owners (Apple and Samsung) that that next update is going to effectively “brick” your phone…

 

[TheRealTMA]

Received the alert on my iPhone, but not the watch.

Same here and phone alert tone was only 2-3 secs rather than 10 secs?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Oh the ‘banana benders’ are not going to use it - FM - what a world in which we live

 

[TheRealTMA]

I suppose those people whose i-devices didn't go off would have an incentive to upgrade. Or likely they would kick the can down the road?

Take them to nimbin and sell them for a fortune!

 

[transpactraveller]

Even our Kiwi friends did better. To receive Emergency Mobile Alerts in New Zealand, iPhones require iOS 14.3 or later. Same for Canada.

Australia is a massive outlier to require such a recent iOS version.

 

[Pushka]

I think Aus Alert changed their website because when I first checked it in the Q&A - what do I do if I didn't receive the message, the wording read along the lines of - you don't need to do anything, it was just a test. Now there's a dedicated feedback page.