Short answer. Taiwan warns through outdoor sirens with distinct patterns and the cell-broadcast Public Warning System 12. The air-raid alarm is one 15-second long tone, then two 5-second short tones, repeated three times; the all-clear is a continuous 90-second tone 1. National-level phone alerts, such as earthquake early warnings and air-raid alerts, cannot be switched off 2.
What do Taiwan's sirens sound like?
The National Public Safety Guide sets out these patterns 1:
| Signal | Pattern | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Air-raid alarm (防空警報) | one 15-second long tone, then two 5-second short tones, 5 seconds apart; repeated 3 times | Take the go-bag, go to a basement or interior room (no lifts) or a place marked 防空避難; adopt the protective posture |
| Air-raid all clear (防空警報解除) | continuous long tone for 90 seconds | — |
| Nuclear accident alarm (核子事故警報) | 1 second on, 1 second off, repeated 25 times, then a voice announcement | Go indoors, close doors and windows, set air conditioning to recirculate, follow TV and radio |
| Nuclear accident all clear | one long tone of 50 seconds, then a voice announcement | — |
| Tsunami warning (海嘯警報) | 5 s on, 5 s off, 5 s on, then a voice message twice (without voice: 5 s on, 5 s off, repeated) | Move to high ground (3rd floor or higher), away from the coast, not by car |
| Tsunami all clear | continuous long tone for 90 seconds | — |
Note that the air-raid and tsunami all-clear signals share the same pattern: a continuous 90-second tone 1.
What alerts arrive on my phone?
Taiwan's Public Warning System sends alerts to phones by cell broadcast, in four classes 2:
| Class | Examples | Sound | Can it be turned off? |
|---|---|---|---|
| National-level alert (國家級警報) | earthquake early warning, air-raid alert | special sound | No |
| Emergency alert | evacuation, toxic hazard | special sound | Yes |
| Warning notice | severe thunderstorm, reservoir release | SMS sound | Yes |
| Monthly test message | — | — | — |
In the official wording: "國家級警報-如地震速報、防空警報，特殊聲響，不可關閉接收" 2.
Which official apps should I install?
- 消防防災e點通 (National Fire Agency): evacuation shelters, relief stations, supply distribution stations, real-time alerts 3.
- 警政服務 (National Police Agency): air-raid shelter locations, real-time alerts 3.
What if the internet is down?
The guide lists AM and FM radio frequencies by region (north, central, south, east, Penghu, Kinmen-Matsu) for use if the internet is lost in wartime; in the north, for example, AM 1494, FM 94.3 and FM 101.3 31. A portable radio and spare batteries or a hand-crank generator are on the official supply list (kit). See /guides/emergency-radio.
Frequently asked questions
Can I turn off air-raid alerts on my phone in Taiwan?
No. National-level alerts, which include air-raid alerts and earthquake early warnings, cannot be disabled 2.
How do I know the air raid is over?
A continuous long tone of 90 seconds signals the all clear 1.
What should I do when the nuclear accident alarm sounds?
Go indoors, close doors and windows, set air conditioning to recirculate and follow TV and radio 1. Iodine tablets are taken only when the government orders it (iodine). See also /guides/shelter-or-evacuate.
Where do I go after a tsunami warning?
To high ground or the 3rd floor or higher, away from the coast, and not by car 1.
Sources
- 國防部全民防衛動員署 — 災害應對 - 臺灣全民安全指引 — https://prepare.mnd.gov.tw/emergency-responses (accessed 2026-10-20)
- 國家災害防救科技中心 (NCDR) — 12月｜行政法人國家災害防救科技中心-2023防災特輯 (災防告警細胞廣播與物聯網) — https://www.ncdr.nat.gov.tw/NCDR-Topic/2023/Dec/index.html (accessed 2026-10-20)
- 國防部全民防衛動員署 — 當危機來臨時 - 臺灣全民安全指引 — https://prepare.mnd.gov.tw/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Taiwan, worked out for your household.
- Water, food and equipment counted for each person and pet
- The nuclear plants and zones around your home
- Phaenyx Safe: one tap to tell your people you are safe
Sources
- 國防部全民防衛動員署 · 災害應對 - 臺灣全民安全指引 checked 2026-10-20
- 國家災害防救科技中心 (NCDR) · 12月｜行政法人國家災害防救科技中心-2023防災特輯 (災防告警細胞廣播與物聯網) checked 2026-10-20
- 國防部全民防衛動員署 · 當危機來臨時 - 臺灣全民安全指引 checked 2026-10-20