In brief
- Google has expanded its Android earthquake warning system from 98 to over 200 countries and regions, as announced on October 15, 2026.
- Google's post does not list Poland, but according to Spider's Web, the system covers users in Poland. New regions will receive alerts gradually over the course of a week.
- Your phone acts as a mini vibration sensor. An alert can provide a few seconds to take cover, though not for every earthquake.
What Google announced
On October 15, 2026, Google announced on its blog the expansion of the Android Earthquake Alerts System. This is an earthquake warning system built into Android phones. It previously operated in 98 countries and regions and now covers over 200. Google cited Panama and Guatemala as examples of new locations.
According to the company, the system has sent over a billion alerts since its launch in 2021. Google states that alerts will begin reaching new regions from the day of the announcement and will be fully available within the following week.
Does it work in Poland
The Google blog post itself does not provide a list of countries and does not explicitly mention Poland. Spider's Web reported on October 16 that Android users in Poland can use the system. The site also lists other countries covered by the alerts that are popular with tourists: Greece, Turkey, Italy, Croatia, Albania, and Spain.
Poland also appears on the list of active areas on the Android help page (as of October 16). At the same time, Google notes that alerts are not available everywhere and that the feature's performance depends on the device and region. The easiest way to check is on your own phone.
How it works and how to enable it
Android phones have motion sensors. Google uses them as small seismographs. When many phones in one area detect vibrations at the same time, the system identifies it as an earthquake and sends a warning to people nearby. According to Google's help page, alerts apply to earthquakes with a magnitude of 4.5 or greater, and the system uses the phone's approximate location.
Google describes three types of alerts. "Be Aware" is a brief notification for light shaking. "Be Prepared" warns of stronger tremors. "Take Action" occupies the full screen during moderate to strong shaking and provides instructions on how to protect yourself. In the coming months, the "Be Prepared" alert is set to include a map showing the shaking intensity, estimated magnitude, and safety tips.
A separate app is not required. According to Spider's Web, you can find the feature in Settings, under the Safety & emergency or Location section, labeled Earthquake Alerts. Names may vary depending on the phone. Location services and internet access must be enabled.
What this means for users in Poland
Poland is located in an area of low seismic activity. However, Spider's Web notes that tremors do occur, including in mining regions and mountainous areas. The feature may be more useful while traveling, for example, during vacations in Mediterranean countries.
It is worth knowing the limitations. Google warns that not every earthquake will be detected and that magnitude estimates may be inaccurate. An alert may arrive before, during, or after the shaking. Spider's Web also emphasizes that Google alerts do not replace official emergency service communications.
Sources
- Google: Android earthquake alerts now available in more than 200 regions
- Google (Android help): Get help during an emergency with your Android phone
- Spider's Web: Google włącza Polskę do systemu ostrzegania. Wystarczy telefon z Androidem
Article prepared with the help of artificial intelligence based on: Google, Spider's Web. Facts checked automatically against these sources. The Wiadomości PRO newsroom is responsible for this publication.
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