iPhone Amber Alert Shocks Bay Area iPhone Users

An Oakland iPhone alert shocked many iPhone users today as officials pushed out a mass alert to the iPhone and Android devices to help track down a 35-year old suspect who took an older black man and a teen hostage after robbing a convenience store.

Police issued an Amber Alert that arrived on many iPhones and Android devices in the Bay area sounding very loud alerts that caused confusion and terrified some users, especially those in public places who heard loud alerts sounding throughout a mall or shopping center.

The iPhone Amber alert asks citizens to look for a 35 year-old male that may be in a  2001 red Infinity QX4 SUV with a California license plate 6JFM648. At this time the suspect is still loose and may have a knife. Anyone that spots this vehicle or the man should call authorities immediately.

Many users report hearing the loud alerts in public places and reacting with surprise or fear about the ear-splitting noise that the Amber Alert sound makes on the iPhone or Android devices. If more than one device is in the room users will very likely hear multiple loud noises in succession. Depending on the device the sounds may come through in silent mode.

Twitter user reactions show many users in public reacted with surprise to the iPhone Amber Alert, and at least one reaction claims everyone promptly ignored the information. Currently searches for iPhone Amber alert on social media show these reactions as well as some users sending messages to friends who were in the area to make sure they are OK.

Just experienced the iPhone Amber alert for the first time. I finally understand why everyone was saying how terrifying it is

— Amanda Sienkiewicz (@ajsienkiewicz) February 11, 2014

That amber alert scared the crap out of me on my iphone but at least its letting everyone aware of it.

— The Dark Knight (@spaceship1991) February 11, 2014

this new iphone amber alert sound actually made me clench my butthole. what the hell

— hiro antagonist (@steppinlazer) February 11, 2014

everyone on this bus with an iPhone just got an amber alert at the same time, and everyone ignored it. the system works.

— Jake Boxer (@jakeboxer) February 11, 2014

This might sound mean but i skip all them tweets that talk about amber alert! I dont be tryna annoy somebody wit somethin that annoy me.

— Trey (@Treysmith_21) February 12, 2014

iPhone Amber Alerts and Android Amber alerts are a fast way for government officials to draw attention to missing children and can play a key role in tracking down a dangerous suspect and saving a life, so many officials appreciate this new feature, but it is possible to turn the Amber alerts off.

Here is what to do when you get an iPhone Amber Alert. To turn iPhone Amber Alerts off, go to Settings -> Notification Center -> Scroll all the way down and toggle AMBER Alerts off. This will stop any future alerts. This same are lets you turn off Emergency Alerts.