The WEA system is a public safety system allowing compatible mobile devices to receive geographically targeted, text-like messages alerting you of imminent threats to safety in your area.
WEA enables the president to address the American public during a national emergency. State and local authorities also use it to deliver important emergency information, like:
- Imminent threat warnings.
- Severe weather information.
- Amber alerts.
In addition to being used during emergencies, states and localities across the country periodically conduct tests of the WEA system. These tests are intended to provide training for local governmental authorities and ensure the WEA system works as intended. State and local authorities are encouraged to provide advance notice of scheduled WEA tests to promote public awareness.
Who's impacted
WEAs are broadcast to compatible devices within specific geographic areas. You will receive the alerts if you’re visiting an area that is experiencing an emergency (even if that area is not your home address) and you have your WEA-enabled, compatible device.
There are three versions of WEAs affiliated with different compatible devices:
- WEA 1.0:
- Has a maximum of 90 characters per alert.
- Allows for three alert classes (National, Amber, Imminent Threat).
- Is available in English only.
- WEA 2.0:
- Has a maximum of 360 characters per alert.
- Is available in both English and Spanish.
- Note: The alerting authority must offer Spanish transmissions for it to be available in this version.
- Allows for WEA 1.0 alert classes, as well as Public Safety and WEA Test categories.
- WEA 3.0:
- Offers improved geographical targeting accuracy to help focus on areas more affected by an emergency.
- Note: You can turn on location services in your device’s settings to get the most out of the geo-targeting.
- Allows for WEA 1.0 and WEA 2.0 alert classes.
- Offers improved geographical targeting accuracy to help focus on areas more affected by an emergency.
Compatible devices
See the different types of compatible devices by manufacturer and model, and their affiliated WEA version:
Apple
| Model name | WEA version |
| iPhone 6 devices | WEA 2.0 |
| iPhone 7 devices | WEA 2.0 |
| iPhone 8 devices | WEA 2.0 |
| iPhone X | WEA 2.0 |
| iPhone XR, XS, XS Max | WEA 3.0 |
| iPhone 11 devices | WEA 3.0 |
| iPhone 12 devices | WEA 3.0 |
| iPhone 13 devices | WEA 3.0 |
| iPhone SE | WEA 2.0 |
| iPhone SE (2020 & 3rd Gen) | WEA 3.0 |
| iPhone 14 devices | WEA 3.0 |
| iPhone 15 devices | WEA 3.0 |
| iPhone 16 devices | WEA 3.0 |
| iPhone 16e | WEA 3.0 |
| iPhone 17 devices | WEA 3.0 |
| iPhone 17e devices | WEA 3.0 |
| iPhone Air | WEA 3.0 |
| Model name | WEA version |
| Pixel 4 devices | WEA 3.0 |
| Pixel 6 devices | WEA 3.0 |
| Pixel 7 devices | WEA 3.0 |
| Pixel 8 devices | WEA 3.0 |
| Pixel 9 devices | WEA 3.0 |
| Pixel 9a | WEA 3.0 |
| Pixel 10 devices | WEA 3.0 |
| Pixel 10a | WEA 3.0 |
| Pixel 11 devices | WEA 3.0 |
Motorola
| Model name | WEA version |
| motorola razr fold | WEA 3.0 |
| motorola edge — 2025 and 2026 | WEA 3.0 |
| moto e | WEA 2.0 |
| moto e5 play | WEA 2.0 |
| moto e6 | WEA 2.0 |
| moto g — 2025 and 2026 | WEA 3.0 |
| moto g 5G — 2022 and 2024 | WEA 3.0 |
| moto g play — 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2026 | WEA 3.0 |
| moto g power devices | WEA 3.0 |
| moto g pure | WEA 3.0 |
| moto g stylus 5G devices — 2022, 2024, and 2026 | WEA 3.0 |
| moto g stylus — 2025 | WEA 3.0 |
| moto g7 power | WEA 2.0 |
| moto one 5G ace | WEA 3.0 |
| motorola razr — 2024, 2025, and 2026 | WEA 3.0 |
Samsung
| Model name | WEA version |
| A37 5G | WEA 3.0 |
| A03 LTE | WEA 3.0 |
| A12 LTE | WEA 3.0 |
| A13 5G | WEA 3.0 |
| A14 5G | WEA 3.0 |
| A15 5G | WEA 3.0 |
| A16 5G | WEA 3.0 |
| A25 5G | WEA 3.0 |
| A26 5G | WEA 3.0 |
| A27 5G | WEA 3.0 |
| A32 5G | WEA 3.0 |
| A36 5G | WEA 3.0 |
| A42 5G | WEA 3.0 |
| A50 | WEA 2.0 |
| A51 LTE | WEA 3.0 |
| A52 5G | WEA 3.0 |
| A53 5G | WEA 3.0 |
| A54 5G | WEA 3.0 |
| A57 5G | WEA 3.0 |
| A70 | WEA 2.0 |
| A71 5G | WEA 3.0 |
| Galaxy A17 | WEA 3.0 |
| Galaxy S10, 10e and 10+ | WEA 3.0 |
| Galaxy S20 5G devices | WEA 3.0 |
| Galaxy S21 5G devices | WEA 3.0 |
| Galaxy S22 5G devices | WEA 3.0 |
| Galaxy S23 5G devices | WEA 3.0 |
| Galaxy S24 5G devices | WEA 3.0 |
| Galaxy S25 5G devices | WEA 3.0 |
| Galaxy S25 5G Edge | WEA 3.0 |
| Galaxy S25 FE | WEA 3.0 |
| Galaxy S26 devices | WEA 3.0 |
| Galaxy S26 FE | WEA 3.0 |
| Galaxy S7 Edge | WEA 2.0 |
| Galaxy S7 Flat | WEA 2.0 |
| Galaxy S8 and 8+ | WEA 2.0 |
| Galaxy S9 and 9+ | WEA 2.0 |
| Note10 and 10+ | WEA 3.0 |
| Note20 5G devices | WEA 3.0 |
| Note8 | WEA 2.0 |
| Note9 | WEA 2.0 |
| SM-S711U | WEA 3.0 |
| Z Flip3 5G | WEA 3.0 |
| Z Flip4 5G | WEA 3.0 |
| Z Flip5 5G | WEA 3.0 |
| Z Flip6 5G | WEA 3.0 |
| Z Flip7 5G | WEA 3.0 |
| Z Flip7 FE 5G | WEA 3.0 |
| Z Flip8 5G | WEA 3.0 |
| Z Fold3 5G | WEA 3.0 |
| Z Fold4 5G | WEA 3.0 |
| Z Fold5 5G | WEA 3.0 |
| Z Fold6 5G | WEA 3.0 |
| Z Fold7 5G | WEA 3.0 |
| Z Fold8 5G | WEA 3.0 |
| Z Fold8 Ultra 5G | WEA 3.0 |
