# QuakeAlertUSA — Earthquake Early Warning

> Earthquake early warning system with shaking intensity and time estimates. (iPhone/iPad app by EarlyWarningLabs LLC.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/quakealertusa/id961670831 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [EarlyWarningLabs LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/917644229)
- Category: Utilities
- Price: Free
- Rating: 3.20/5 from 143 App Store ratings · 50 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 9.1 · 49 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2016-05-11
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/quakealertusa/id961670831/reviews.md

## What is QuakeAlertUSA?

The QuakeAlertUSA app will alert you that an earthquake has occurred and will send a push alert to your mobile device. This alert includes information about the expected shaking intensity at your location and the time until the expected shaking, along with a message instructing you to drop, cover, and hold on.

Warning times can range from 10 to 60+ seconds depending on the location, depth, and magnitude of the earthquake’s epicenter. 

With Bypass Do Not Disturb enabled, you can ensure that the audio alert can be played at any time, even if your phone is on silent or do not disturb allowing you to react in time for the incoming shaking.

The QuakeAlertUSA app uses data provided by the USGS and ShakeAlert. This App is an official pilot created in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey and should be considered a “beta” product with no implied guarantees.  The app covers users while they are physically within the boundaries of the State of California.

## Key features

- Earthquake push alerts
- Expected shaking intensity
- Time until shaking
- Drop, cover, hold on instructions
- Bypass Do Not Disturb for audio alerts
- USGS and ShakeAlert data integration

## Recent user reviews (10 of 50)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/quakealertusa/id961670831/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Doesn’t work

*2023-01-24, version 3.2.2*

I’ve had this app for sometime. I have it set to detect all local earthquakes and it has never alerted me even after a 3.8 that shook my house pretty good. It also drains my battery like crazy even after changing settings. I just deleted it!

### 2/5 — Warning! Battery Killer!

*2023-01-11, version 3.2.2*

Even with “Background App Refresh” turned off (and virtually never launching it), this app consistently accounts for 15-20% of my daily battery usage.

Deleting until it’s fixed.

### 1/5 — Still a battery killer

*2022-11-24, version 3.2.2*

Two years ago someone wrote a review that the app was draining their battery. It still is — 37% off my battery was being used by it. MyShake offers the same warnings without battery issues. I’m using it exclusively now.

### 1/5 — Didn't notify me of the 5.1 that happened a few miles away

*2022-10-25, version 3.2.2*

I have all location and notification permissions enabled, yet this failed to let me know about the 5.1 San Jose earthquake that just happened...even after the fact. It's in the app when I check but I've received zero notifications for the last couple years even though I have the highest sensitivity level on. It unfortunately is useless and just drains my battery from constant location provisions. I'll have to delete this.

### 1/5 — Doesn’t work

*2022-05-26, version 3.2.2*

Last night there was a 4.3 magnitude earthquake here and this app did not warn me nor is it showing the earthquake in the list of earthquakes. My other app, MyShake did both. Maybe this app only works above a certain magnitude? Probably won’t be keeping this app.

### 4/5 — App keeps crashing but good app

*2022-03-09, version 3.2.2*

I recently installed this app today and my first impressions were not that really good because it would crash sometimes. But on the other hand, my other impressions were the simulation of the QuakeAlert and the maps and quake occurrences by list. So if you can fix the crashes on the app, it would be splendid. If your looking for a QuakeAlert app, this is recommended, but I will give you a advice, it will crash sometimes. I’m giving it a 4.5/5. And it will be useful since I’m a Junior High Student

### 1/5 — No alerts

*2022-02-27, version 3.2.2*

This app must not work in Ventura County, about 100 miles north of Los Angeles.  We’ve had two earthquakes and a few aftershocks in the last two weeks located only 5miles away, including a 4.1 yesterday that never once alerted.  Not once have I gotten an alert in over a year of having this app.  I have my alerts set to the lowest setting, too, so there should at least be something.  Had high hopes, but it’s been useless.

### 2/5 — Failed on early warning.

*2021-09-19, version 3.2.2*

Had a 4.3 earthquake 8 miles away and never received an early or even a late warning. Another app I have was 3 minutes after quake ended, but I did get it. I checked this app as soon as the quake ended and it was listed as a 4.7, but never any type of warning. When I think about it, I’ve never received any warning from them on any quakes and all notifications are on. It still has a ways to go.

### 2/5 — Activate again??

*2021-05-06, version 3.2.2*

Yesterday I downloaded the quake alert app and activated it.  Today I got an email from them thanking me for downloading and activating, plus some info about the app.  I then went to the app and it says I must activate the app for it to work.  How did I get unactivated?

### 5/5 — No alerts yet thank goodness but good app

*2021-05-06, version 3.2.2*

A suggestion - can you add two features:

- Notifications of quakes around me that are smaller than 3.0. I keep an eye out for swarms and this would be a nice feature for geeks like me. It’s not the urgent alert mind you - just a notification that appears on the Lock Screen similar to a new email 

- Fault line maps - an option to switch to a map that shows the major fault lines (eg San Andreas, Newport Inglewood)

## Frequently asked questions about QuakeAlertUSA

### What does the QuakeAlertUSA app do?

The QuakeAlertUSA app provides early warnings for earthquakes. It sends push alerts to your mobile device when an earthquake has occurred, informing you about the expected shaking intensity at your location and the estimated time until the shaking begins. The app also includes instructions to 'drop, cover, and hold on' for safety.

### How does the app provide early warnings?

The app uses data provided by the USGS and ShakeAlert to detect earthquakes. Depending on the earthquake's location, depth, and magnitude, warning times can range from 10 to over 60 seconds, allowing users to prepare before shaking arrives.

### Can I receive alerts even if my phone is on silent?

Yes, the app features a 'Bypass Do Not Disturb' option. This ensures that the audio alert can be played at any time, even if your phone is on silent or in do not disturb mode, so you don't miss critical warnings.

### Is this app free to use?

Yes, the QuakeAlertUSA app is available for free. It does not have any associated costs for downloading or using its core features.

### Who is this app intended for?

This app is specifically designed for users who are physically located within the boundaries of the State of California. It aims to provide them with timely earthquake alerts and safety guidance.

## Version history (last 1 release)

### 3.2.2 — 2020-06-17

Further bug fixes for older devices.

Update from 3.2:

Bypass Do Not Disturb is here!  Get audio alerts of incoming earthquakes at all times even if your phone is on silent or do not disturb.

My Quakes screen will only show past alerts that were sent to your device for new users.  (existing users see some historical earthquakes).

Metropolitan Transportation Commission logo added to the menu

Squashed a few bugs

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*
