As of today, you can also receive an NL Alert with the official NL Alert app. This app provides more information and options than the standard emergency notification.
Official NL Alert app now available
The app was developed on behalf of the Ministry of Justice and Security, which makes the app more reliable than unofficial NL Alert apps. Just like a regular NL Alert, this app sends you a notification in the event of a serious incident in your area.
The national government warns that the app is not a replacement for the normal NL Alert notifications. “The app serves as a supplement to the standard emergency notifications on your phone,” according to the app’s description.
In addition, the app always needs permission to your location data to work properly. So always set up your iPhone properly to also receive the normal Alerts. In our tip you can read step by step how setting NL Alert works on your iPhone.
Intended for additional information
The NL Alert app is therefore primarily intended as a means of accessing additional information about emergency notifications. For example, the app contains a map of the Netherlands, on which is indicated in red in which areas an Alert has been sent. At the bottom of the screen you are kept informed of the current situation, for example if the fire brigade is busy extinguishing a large fire. Through the ‘Be Prepared’ tab, the apps provide tips to prepare yourself for emergencies that may arise in the future.
In the settings of the NL Alert app you can switch on notifications and sound and set which areas in the Netherlands you want to receive an Alert. That is handy, because with regular Alerts you only receive a notification if you are present in the area yourself. For example, if you work in another city, it can still be nice to receive an Alert if something is going on in your city.
You add a location via the settings screen, after which you search for a location in the search bar. Then you indicate in which radius of this environment you want to receive notifications.
Thanks for the tip, Mario!