How to Remove CMAS Alert from Consumer Cellular Phone

Phone showing CMAS alert settings on AndroidIf your Consumer Cellular phone keeps buzzing with sudden loud alerts, you’re not alone. These are CMAS alerts, and while they can be helpful in emergencies, sometimes they can also be annoying or disruptive, especially at night or during meetings.

I’m Farrukh Nawaz, and after helping thousands of mobile users with tips, I’m here to guide you on how to remove CMAS alerts from your Consumer Cellular phone step by step, no tech jargon, no confusion.

Let’s jump straight in.

What Does CMAS Mean on My Phone?

CMAS stands for Commercial Mobile Alert System. These are emergency alerts sent by the government and your mobile network to warn you about:

  • Natural disasters (earthquakes, floods)

  • Amber Alerts (missing children)

  • Presidential alerts (rare)

  • Imminent threats to safety

You’ll usually hear them as loud, siren-like alerts, even if your phone is silent.

But are CMAS alerts required?

Yes, some alerts (like presidential alerts in the U.S.) are mandatory by law. But others like Severe Weather or Amber Alerts can be turned off on most phones.

How to Get Rid of CMAS on Consumer Cellular Phone?

Here’s the good news: you can disable most CMAS alerts manually from your phone’s settings. But how you do it depends on whether you’re using an Android or iPhone with Consumer Cellular.

iPhone emergency alerts toggle in settings

For Android Users (Samsung, Motorola, Nokia, etc.)

Step-by-Step: Turn Off Emergency Alerts on Android

  1. Open Settings

  2. Tap on Notifications or Sound & vibration

  3. Look for Wireless Emergency Alerts or Advanced settings

  4. Tap on Emergency Alerts

  5. Toggle OFF the alerts you don’t want:

    • Extreme threats

    • Severe threats

    • AMBER alerts

  6. You can also turn off the alert sound if you want to keep alerts but silence the noise.

📌 Note: You cannot disable Presidential Alerts on any U.S. phone due to federal law.

🔹 For iPhone Users (iPhone SE, 7, 11, 13, etc.)

How to Turn Off CMAS on iPhone (iOS 16 and above)

  1. Go to Settings

  2. Tap on Notifications

  3. Scroll down to the Government Alerts section

  4. Toggle OFF:

    • AMBER Alerts

    • Emergency Alerts

    • Public Safety Alerts

💡 Tip: You may also see a Test Alerts option. Turn it off if visible.

How to Stop Emergency Alert Text Messages?

If you’re receiving text messages instead of alerts, it’s likely Test Alerts or silent system messages. To stop those:

On Android:

  • Go to Phone app > Settings > Wireless Emergency Alerts

  • Turn off Test Alerts

On iPhone:

  • Dial this code: *5005*25371# to enable test alerts

  • Dial *5005*25370# to disable test alerts

  • Press Call

These codes work on most iPhones in the U.S.

What If My CMAS Alert Settings Are Missing?

If you don’t see the alert settings on your Consumer Cellular phone:

  1. Make sure your phone software is up to date

  2. Some older phones may require carrier or system updates

  3. Try searching for “Emergency Alerts” using the Search bar in Settings

  4. You can also call Consumer Cellular support: 📞 1 (888) 345-5509

How Do You Turn Off Do Not Disturb on Consumer Cellular Phone?

Sometimes, alerts bypass Do Not Disturb mode, but it’s good to double-check that it’s set up correctly.

For Android:

  1. Go to Settings > Sound > Do Not Disturb

  2. Tap on Exceptions or What Can Interrupt

  3. Make sure Emergency Alerts aren’t allowed to override DND (if your phone allows this)

For iPhone:

  1. Go to Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb

  2. Tap Options

  3. Ensure Time-sensitive notifications are turned off if you want complete silence

Some emergency alerts will still break through DND even if your phone is on silent.

Why Are CMAS Alerts Important?

Even though they can be a bit jarring, CMAS alerts exist to save lives. In situations like:

  • Flash floods at night

  • Child abductions in your area

  • Fires or evacuations

These alerts give you a head start to protect yourself and your loved ones.

But if you’re a senior citizen, someone with anxiety, or just someone who wants peace at night, learning how to control these alerts is smart and responsible.

Should I Turn Off CMAS Alerts Completely?

It depends. Here’s a quick comparison:

Alert TypeCan Be Disabled?Should You Disable It?
PresidentialNoNever
Severe WeatherYes If it’s too frequent
Amber AlertsYesCase-by-case
Test AlertsYes If you’re not a tester
Public Safety Yes Your choice

Real-Life Example: Nighttime Alert Shock

Amina, a retired teacher in Florida, shared how her phone “screamed” at 2:30 a.m. with a flood alert. “I panicked, thinking something happened to my kids,” she said.

After learning how to manage alerts, she now keeps AMBER and weather alerts off, while still allowing critical notifications.

Quick Tips to Handle CMAS Alerts Smartly

  • Keep your phone updated – so alert settings stay visible.

  • Customize alerts – only get the ones you need.

  • Use Focus Mode or DND properly – for peace during sleep.

  • Educate elderly family members – they may not know how to manage alerts.

Control, Not Chaos

Now that you know how to remove CMAS alerts from your Consumer Cellular phone, you’re in control again. No more surprise sirens in the middle of your nap or jumma prayer.

Just remember alerts are there to help, not hurt. Use them smartly, stay safe, and keep your sanity.

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