Alertswiss

Alertswiss is an app by the Federal Office of Civil Protection of Switzerland that is designed to help you survive disasters and minimize harm. This app automatically alerts you about all types of natural and technological hazards and provides comprehensive instructions on how to behave. You can download Alertswiss for your iOS, Android, and Windows Mobile devices.

Functionality 5/5

Alertswiss app allows you to set up emergency alerts for your current location and optional cantons where your family, relatives, and friends live. You can also view a detailed map to escape or avoid disaster’s epicenter. All reports and alerts come from cantons of Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

Design 5/5

Alertswiss latest version has a clear, intuitive user interface. All content is divided into 4 tabs, such as Messages, Precaution, Blog, and Settings. All emergency instructions include step-by-step schematic examples. Texts are split up into short paragraphs for fast navigation.

Usability 4.5/5

During the field testing for this Alertswiss review, we figured out that the app receives relevant information even about insignificant natural disasters like weak earthquakes and icing. The Civil Protection Office takes care of citizens 24/7. However, this app doesn’t have permission to turn off the silent mode and send you alerts, when you are offline, so it’s urgent to have a stable WiFi or 3G/4G network connection.

There are 3 types of notifications that stand for 3 levels of severity. If you receive an alert, it means that you have to leave all your current occupations and adopt the appropriate behavior that is described in the instruction. The second type is called Warnings. It provides a report about incidents with recommendatory instructions. All other reports are highlighted as information. Don’t neglect them as some may contain crucial information about weather conditions.

Cross-platform use 5/5

You can install Alertswiss on one or several iOS, Android, and Windows Mobile devices. There is also an option to check updates on the official website of the responsible department. Sign in using one account to synchronize settings.

In-app purchases

Alertswiss free app provides access to the full list of features. You don’t have to purchase any additional content. This app doesn’t consume a lot of mobile data, so you don’t have to consider buying a bigger data plan.

The Bottom Line

This application is a must-have for all citizens of Switzerland and Liechtenstein as it provides the most recent disaster reports. It takes account of your current location and the chosen cantons. This app is the fastest way to start saving yourself in an emergency.