Bangladesh has experienced a worrying rise in mild to moderate tremors in the last few weeks. Many of these quakes were felt strongly in Dhaka, Narsingdi, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar and Sylhet. This created fear among residents and raised urgent questions about preparedness. While Bangladesh still lacks a nationwide early warning system, millions of people already have a simple safety tool in their hands: their smartphones.
Most Android phones now come with a built-in earthquake alert feature. Turning it on can give you a few seconds of warning before the strongest shaking reaches your area.
iPhones do not have Google’s system, but they receive alerts through government emergency warning protocols when available.
How the alert system works
Android phones use their internal motion sensors to detect unusual shaking. When thousands of phones in one region feel the same movement at the same time, Google checks the data and decides if it is an earthquake. If confirmed, it sends instant alerts to nearby users.
There are two types of alerts:
Be Aware: For lighter shaking.
Take Action: For stronger shaking, with a loud alarm that can override the Silent or Do Not Disturb mode.
Most phones in Bangladesh support this feature. Follow these steps to turn on earthquake alerts on your Android:
If your phone has the “Safety & Emergency” menu:
Open Settings
Tap Safety & Emergency
Select Earthquake Alerts
Turn it ON
If you don’t see that option:
Open Settings
Tap Location
Find Earthquake Alerts
Turn it ON
To work properly, you must keep the location and internet (mobile data or Wi-Fi) on. You will receive alerts even when the screen is locked.
Bangladesh lies close to several active fault lines. In densely populated areas like Dhaka, even a few seconds of warning can help people drop, cover and protect themselves from falling objects or breaking glass.
