Here's How To Set Up Earthquake Warnings on WeChat

Abigail Weathers | Jun 10, 2025 4:30 pm | Add a comment | 104 reads

Last month, we brought you news of upgraded earthquake early warning systems in both QQ and WeChat. While Beijing isn't typically known as a high-risk earthquake zone, tremors aren’t unheard of. The capital experiences mild seismic activity from time to time, usually registering as low-magnitude quakes that are more startling than dangerous. However, early warning tools are still valuable for public safety, and today we'll share how to set up the function on WeChat, along with explaining its features.

Setup

In WeChat, search for the 中国地震台网 mini program (“China Earthquake Platform”)

Press the button that says “点击开启地震预警” (“Click To Activate Earthquake Warning.”)

Click to allow permissions for “地震预警通知” (“Earthquake Warning Notifications”) and “获取位置” (“Get Location”).

After this, you can add your present location to the list of “Places of Concern.” You can edit this entry or add new locations.

If you have allowed it, earthquake warnings will also be sent to your phone's lock screen as a notification.

Turn on the WeChat translation function for greater ease of use.

Earthquake information in the mini program is sourced from the China Seismological Network Center, the China Earthquake Warning Network, and National Emergency Broadcasting.

Features

The mini program has a number of features. At the bottom of the interface, you will see options for “Earthquake Warning,” “地震速报” (“Earthquake Summary”), and “预警管理” (“Early Warning Management”).

预警管理 Early Warning Management

This is the setup page shown above, where you can manage the location(s) for which you wish to receive earthquake early warnings. You can also watch a short video on using the mini program. There is a link for providing feedback, as well.

地震速报 Earthquake Summary

Here, you will find a list of recent earthquakes along with their severity, time of occurrence, location, focal depth, and distance from your current location. Clicking on an earthquake entry takes you to a map with the earthquake's information, plus additional information about its latitude and longitude. There is also a button to share this information with friends or groups on WeChat.

Earthquake Warning

On the top half of the screen, you will see a map of China with colored pins noting the locations of recent earthquakes. On the bottom half, there is a list of recent earthquakes, their severity, location, distance from your current location, and date and time of occurrence. Clicking on a pin on the map takes you to that earthquake's entry on the list. Clicking on an entry on the list takes you to another screen where, in addition to information already described, there will be a countdown in seconds to when the quake is expected to hit. You can also view a timeline of earthquake info for that location, suggested safety tips, and view a playback of the earthquake warning.

There is also the option to view an “Earthquake Hazard Guide.” Clicking on this option displays suggested courses of action if you find yourself inside a building, on a city street, or out in a scenic area during an earthquake.