UTAlert — Frequently asked questions

UTAlert is the University of Toronto’s official emergency notification system. It allows the University to quickly send important safety and operational messages via email, SMS text messages and mobile app push notifications.  

All current students, faculty, staff and librarians are automatically subscribed using their official University of Toronto email address. 

All current U of T students, faculty, staff and librarians are automatically subscribed using their official University of Toronto email address. You can also choose to receive alerts by SMS text message or phone call by adding your mobile number and updating your preferences.  

To add your mobile number for text or phone alerts: 

1. Go to utoronto.ca/alerts. 
2. In the box under ‘Update your UTAlert settings’, choose “Email” from the drop‑down menu. 
3. Enter your University of Toronto email address. A validation code will be sent to your inbox. 
4. Enter the code in the “Access Code” field and click “Verify.” 
5. Once verified, you can update: 
   • Your mobile phone number
   • Your messaging preferences (email, SMS, phone call) 
   • Your campus locations 
   • Your message types 

Note: Parents, visitors, contractors and local residents cannot subscribe to UTAlert by email or text message; however, they can receive university alerts by downloading the Alertable mobile app and choosing to follow the University of Toronto. 

Download the Alertable App (free to download):

• Google Play (Android)
• App Store (Apple)

All current U of T students, faculty, staff, and librarians are automatically subscribed to UTAlert using their official University of Toronto email address. 

You can also choose to receive alerts by text message or through mobile app push notifications by updating your contact preferences and downloading the Alertable app.  

The university strongly recommends downloading the Alertable app as the fastest way to receive UTAlert notifications on your mobile device. 

The mobile app is free to download on an Android or iOS device that can connect to a wireless network. 

Download the Alertable App (free to download):

• Google Play (Android)
• App Store (Apple)

To add your mobile number for text or phone alerts: 

1. Go to utoronto.ca/alerts. 
2. In the box under ‘Update your UTAlert settings’, choose “Email” from the drop‑down menu. 
3. Enter your University of Toronto email address. A validation code will be sent to your inbox. 
4. Enter the code in the “Access Code” field and click “Verify.” 
5. Once verified, you can update: 
   • Your mobile phone number
   • Your messaging preferences (email, SMS, phone call) 
   • Your campus locations 
   • Your message types 

All U of T students, faculty, staff, and librarians are automatically subscribed using their University of Toronto email address. 

To check whether your phone number is included, search your UTAlert profile using your U of T email address, not your phone number. If your mobile number isn’t listed, you can add it to your notification preferences.

Members of the public can receive university alerts by downloading the Alertable mobile app and choosing to follow the University of Toronto. 

UTAlert email and SMS text messages are distributed to members of the University of Toronto community only; parents, visitors, contractors and local residents cannot receive UTAlerts by email or text message. 

Download the Alertable App (free to download):

• Google Play (Android)
• App Store (Apple)

All University of Toronto students, staff, faculty and librarians are automatically subscribed to receive UTAlert messages to their University of Toronto email addresses. UTAlert messages are also sent by SMS text message and mobile app push notifications and telephone for members who provide a phone number and opt in. Alerts may also appear on official university websites, such as the Campus Status page, and social media channels. 

To add your mobile number for text or phone alerts: 

1. Go to utoronto.ca/alerts. 
2. In the module under ‘Update your UTAlert settings’, choose “Email” from the drop‑down menu. 
3. Enter your University of Toronto email address. A validation code will be sent to your inbox. 
4. Enter the code in the “Access Code” field and click “Verify.” 
5. Once verified, you can update: 
   • Your mobile phone number
   • Your messaging preferences (email, SMS, phone call) 
   • Your campus locations 
   • Your message types 

The university strongly recommends downloading Alertable to receive UTAlerts on your mobile device as it is the fastest way to receive notifications.  

Download the Alertable App (free to download):

• Google Play (Android)
• App Store (Apple)

By default, you will receive UTAlert text and email notifications only for your campus of origin — the campus linked to your primary relationship with the University (for example, where you study or work). This information is automatically uploaded into the UTAlert system from ACORN and HRIS. 

To receive notifications from additional campuses, you can update your settings: 

1. Go to utoronto.ca/alerts. 
2. In the module under ‘Update your UTAlert settings’, choose “Email” from the drop‑down menu. 
3. Enter your University of Toronto email address. A validation code will be sent to your inbox. 
4. Enter the code in the “Access Code” field and click “Verify.” 
5. Once verified, you can add extra campus locations to receive additional notifications. 

Yes. For community members who add their phone number to the system, UTAlert can send automated phone calls in addition to email, text and app notifications. 

To add your mobile number for text or phone alerts: 

1. Go to utoronto.ca/alerts. 
2. In the module under ‘Update your UTAlert settings’, choose “Email” from the drop‑down menu. 
3. Enter your University of Toronto email address. A validation code will be sent to your inbox. 
4. Enter the code in the “Access Code” field and click “Verify.” 
5. Once verified, you can update: 
   • Your mobile phone number
   • Your messaging preferences (email, SMS, phone call) 
   • Your campus locations 
   • Your message types 

UTAlert text messages and automated phone calls will likely come from the phone number +1-855‑756‑1140. Consider adding this phone number to your contacts as “UTAlert” to recognize it quickly. 

UTAlert notifications are sent when the university determines that sharing urgent safety or operational information is necessary. There is no set frequency — alerts are issued when needed. 

UTAlert is also tested once each semester. Test messages are always clearly marked as not real emergencies and help ensure the system functions reliably when it matters. 

All community members will receive the test message to their University of Toronto email address. If you expected to receive it by another method, check your contact information and settings. 

1. Go to utoronto.ca/alerts. 
2. In the module under ‘Update your UTAlert settings’, choose “Email” from the drop‑down menu. 
3. Enter your University of Toronto email address. A validation code will be sent to your inbox. 
4. Enter the code in the “Access Code” field and click “Verify.” 
5. Once verified, you can update: 
   • Your mobile phone number
   • Your messaging preferences (email, SMS, phone call) 
   • Your campus locations 
   • Your message types 

The Campus Safety app and the Alertable app (downloadable from: Google Play or App Store) serve different purposes.  

The Alertable app delivers real‑time UTAlert notifications about campus status, closures and urgent safety information.  

The Campus Safety app focuses on personal safety tools and resources, such as TravelSafer, which lets the Campus Safety Office monitor your route while travelling on or near campus. 

Both apps work together as part of the university’s broader efforts to support safety and provide timely information to the community. 

Check your phone’s notification settings to confirm that the app is permitted to send push notifications and ensure the app has not been offloaded or placed into hibernation by your device. 

Possible reasons include the app being offloaded or placed into hibernation by your device, notifications being turned off, not being logged into the app, or the device not having a data or Wi‑Fi connection. 

If the app has been offloaded or put into hibernation, you will not receive notifications until it is restored. 

To correct this:  

• iPhone: check that your phone hasn’t automatically offloaded the app to save storage. If it has, you will need to reinstall it before notifications can be resumed. 
• Android: make sure the app has not gone into hibernation mode. Reinstalling the app can help, and you will be prompted to disable app hibernation in your device settings. 

If the app has been offloaded or put into hibernation, you will not receive notifications until it is restored. 

You’ll only get SMS alerts if your mobile number is in your UTAlert profile and you’ve opted in to receive texts. 

If you accidentally block the UTAlert number, replying START can remove the block, but if you unsubscribe using the link in a previous text, replying START won’t work. 

To restore SMS alerts, sign in to your UTAlert profile with your U of T email and re‑add your mobile number to your notification preferences. 

To add your mobile number and re-subscribe to text or phone alerts: 

1. Go to utoronto.ca/alerts. 
2. In the module under ‘Update your UTAlert settings’, choose “Email” from the drop‑down menu. 
3. Enter your University of Toronto email address. A validation code will be sent to your inbox. 
4. Enter the code in the “Access Code” field and click “Verify.” 
5. Once verified, you can update: 
   • Your mobile phone number
   • Your messaging preferences (email, SMS, phone call) 
   • Your campus locations 
   • Your message types 

Message delivery times vary depending on the communication method and external factors. 

SMS messages may be delayed by carrier traffic, weak signal, device settings, or the age of your device. Email and app notifications are usually delivered more quickly. 
 
If you did not receive an alert at all, check your contact information and preferences at utoronto.ca/alerts. 

To check your UTAlert settings and update your contact information: 

1. Go to utoronto.ca/alerts. 
2. In the module under ‘Update your UTAlert settings’, choose “Email” from the drop‑down menu. 
3. Enter your University of Toronto email address. A validation code will be sent to your inbox. 
4. Enter the code in the “Access Code” field and click “Verify.” 
5. Once verified, you can update: 
   • Your mobile phone number
   • Your messaging preferences (email, SMS, phone call) 
   • Your campus locations 
   • Your message types 

You can review missed alerts through your email, your UTAlert profile, or the mobile app, depending on which notification channels you use. Active alerts are also displayed on the Campus Status page. 

Federal regulations require the university to include an unsubscribe link in all SMS text messages it sends. If you unintentionally unsubscribed from these alerts, you can restore your subscription by signing in to your UTAlert profile with your U of T email and re‑adding your mobile number to your notification preferences. 

To add your mobile number and re-subscribe to text or phone alerts: 

1. Go to utoronto.ca/alerts. 
2. In the module under ‘Update your UTAlert settings’, choose “Email” from the drop‑down menu. 
3. Enter your University of Toronto email address. A validation code will be sent to your inbox. 
4. Enter the code in the “Access Code” field and click “Verify.” 
5. Once verified, you can update: 
   • Your mobile phone number
   • Your messaging preferences (email, SMS, phone call) 
   • Your campus locations 
   • Your message types 

UTAlert stores your name, your U of T email address and any additional contact information you provide, such as a mobile phone number. U of T’s messaging and alerts system is provided by the application, Public Emergency Alerting Services Inc. (PEASI). For more information about how PEASI safeguards your personal information, please visit their Privacy Policy. 

Read more about how the University of Toronto protects your privacy.