Wireless emergency alerts
Keep
The app that receives government emergency, AMBER and public safety alerts broadcast by carriers and shows them on screen.
Android (AOSP) package
Cell Broadcasts
Keep: com.android.cellbroadcastreceiver Keep Vendor documentation
The open source emergency alert app on phones that do not use Google's build of the alerts module. Keep it: Cell Broadcasts is needed for the phone, its updates or its security.
What it does
This is the open source version of the app that displays wireless emergency alerts, such as extreme weather warnings, AMBER alerts and presidential alerts, broadcast by carriers to every phone in an area. Phones with Google apps usually run Google's build, com.google.android.cellbroadcastreceiver, while other phones and older versions use this package. It shows alerts with the required sound and vibration and keeps the alert history.
Also shown as Wireless emergency alerts.
If you disable it
You stop seeing emergency alerts. To silence particular alert types, use the alert settings instead.
How to disable it
On most phones Settings greys out Disable for this package, so ADB is the way to turn it off. The commands below work without root and can be undone.
Disable it (reversible)
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.cellbroadcastreceiverTurn it back on
adb shell pm enable com.android.cellbroadcastreceiverThe stronger option removes it for your user only; the original copy stays on the phone and a factory reset brings it back. Prefer disabling: it is easier to undo.
Uninstall for the main user
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.cellbroadcastreceiverRestore after an uninstall
adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.cellbroadcastreceiverNew to ADB? Set it up in about ten minutes.
Data and battery
Receives broadcast messages from the network and keeps the alert history on the device.
Where it appears
- Made by Android Open Source Project.
Questions people ask
What is com.android.cellbroadcastreceiver?
com.android.cellbroadcastreceiver is Cell Broadcasts. The open source emergency alert app on phones that do not use Google's build of the alerts module.
Can I disable Cell Broadcasts?
Keep it: Cell Broadcasts is needed for the phone, its updates or its security. On most phones it takes ADB.
What happens if I disable Cell Broadcasts?
You stop seeing emergency alerts. To silence particular alert types, use the alert settings instead.
Sources
- Android source: CellBroadcastReceiverAndroid source
- Android Open Source Project: CellBroadcast moduleAndroid source
- Universal Android Debloater list entryCommunity list
Each source answered when this page was checked on 25 October 2026.
Confidence: Vendor documentation. Backed by the maker's own documentation, the Android source or the Play listing. How we decide a verdict.
Cite this page: https://mysystemapp.com/packages/com.android.cellbroadcastreceiver/ (verified 25 October 2026). Something wrong or out of date? Request a correction.