MyShake Earthquake Alerts icon
MyShake Earthquake Alerts: Comprehensive Review of UC Berkeley's Seismic Warning App

by UC Berkeley Seismological Laboratory

โ˜…3.6
ANDROIDWeather
MyShake provides free earthquake early warnings using USGS ShakeAlert data for West Coast residents. The app combines real-time alerts with preparedness resources, though some users report notification delivery issues during actual seismic events.

Detailed Review

MyShake Earthquake Alerts, developed by UC Berkeley Seismological Laboratory, represents a significant public safety initiative that leverages the USGS ShakeAlert system to deliver early warnings for seismic events. The app serves as a critical bridge between official earthquake monitoring infrastructure and personal mobile devices, specifically targeting residents of California, Oregon, and Washington with free access to potentially life-saving alerts. The core functionality centers on delivering early warnings for earthquakes exceeding magnitude 4.5, typically providing several seconds of advance notice before shaking arrives. Beyond alerts, the application incorporates educational components including detailed earthquake safety guidelines, preparedness checklists for securing hazardous items, and disaster planning resources. A built-in seismograph feature allows users to view real-time ground motion data, adding an educational dimension to the utility. User experience varies significantly based on device settings and operating system configurations. The interface follows utilitarian design principles with clear alert screens and straightforward navigation. However, real-world usage reveals critical dependencies on proper notification permissions, particularly regarding Do Not Disturb settings and background operation stability. Multiple users report the app closing unexpectedly when running in background mode, potentially compromising its primary warning function. User feedback trends highlight both appreciation for the early warning concept and frustration with implementation details. Roma Levy's March 2025 review notes that Do Not Disturb settings prevented alarm activation during an actual earthquake, while Allison Carver's March 2025 review mentions background operation instability. Positive feedback from Geri Mars (August 2024) praises the straightforward setup process and seismograph feature, while Hokora Yinphine (November 2024) suggests interface improvements including dark mode implementation and more visible alert displays. The application demonstrates clear strengths in its integration with official seismic networks and comprehensive safety resources, though reliability concerns emerge regarding consistent alert delivery across diverse device configurations. Ideal usage requires meticulous attention to notification permissions and background operation settings. While not flawless in execution, the app represents one of the most accessible early warning systems available for West Coast residents seeking additional seconds to prepare for incoming seismic activity.

Key Features

  • โ€ขEarthquake Early Warning System delivering alerts through USGS ShakeAlert for magnitudes 4.5+ in West Coast states
  • โ€ขComprehensive safety resources including preparedness guides and disaster planning recommendations for earthquakes
  • โ€ขBuilt-in seismograph functionality displaying real-time ground motion data for educational purposes
  • โ€ขCustomizable notification settings requiring careful configuration to override Do Not Disturb modes
  • โ€ขBackground operation capability designed to maintain constant monitoring for seismic activity alerts
  • โ€ขLocation-based alerting system using manually entered home base information for targeted warnings

Why Users Love It

Official USGS ShakeAlert integration
Comprehensive preparedness resources

Perfect for: West Coast residents seeking earthquake early warnings and preparedness guidance

Screenshots

MyShake Earthquake Alerts screenshot 1MyShake Earthquake Alerts screenshot 2MyShake Earthquake Alerts screenshot 3MyShake Earthquake Alerts screenshot 4MyShake Earthquake Alerts screenshot 5MyShake Earthquake Alerts screenshot 6

App Preview

Ranking History

Track MyShake Earthquake Alerts's performance in Weather over the last 30 days

Top 5
Top 10
Top 15
Below 15

Current Rank

#41

โ†“

16 from last week

Best Rank

#20

All-time high

Average Rank

#33

30-day average

User Reviews

Roma Levy
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Mar 9, 2025

This is a great app. I really appreciate the early warning it provides. I discovered a problem with it with the quake this morning (9/12/24), though. I had Do Not Disturb set on my phone, and the alarm didn't sound. I have changed app notifications to allow this in the future, but I feel that as an emergency alert, the app should override Do Not Disturb, regardless of app settings. At the very least, the app should let the user know to adjust notifications settings at time of installation.

Geri Mars
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Aug 8, 2024

This is my second time giving this app a try. Setup instructions were easy to follow. I've manually entered my home base. So far, so good. Also, I like the built-in seismograph feature.

Stanley Moras
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Sep 22, 2025

Thank you ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป ๐Ÿ˜Š ใ€ฝ๏ธ๐Ÿ“ˆIt would be really cool to see the fault lines over the reports. ๐Ÿ“‰ใ€ฐ๏ธ ๐Ÿค™๐Ÿป Make sure you turn off Pause app activity it removes unused permissions, deletes temporary files, and stops notifications ... you want these on all the time. This app should be a top download for earthquake prone areas. Also to add the FEMA app too, don't wait for a crisis to come to you be educated not naive. I want you here.

Stanley Moras (Morasutti-Thรถlken)
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Aug 1, 2025

ใ€ฝ๏ธ๐Ÿ“ˆIt would be really cool to see the fault lines over the reports. ๐Ÿ“‰ใ€ฐ๏ธ ๐Ÿค™๐Ÿป Make sure you turn off Pause app activity it removes unused permissions, deletes temporary files, and stops notifications ... you want these on all the time. This app should be a top download for earthquake prone areas. Also to add the FEMA app too, don't wait for a crisis to come to you be educated not naive. I want you here.

Marcin L
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Jul 22, 2025

you may want to let Google know this, they need an override in their OS for apps like this. they have this feature if you don't use an app it turns it off. I just noticed that my app has been disabled for who knows how long. I assume that's what it is, it could be something else and optimization app perhaps.

App Details

Developer

UC Berkeley Seismological Laboratory

Platform

android

Rating

โ˜…3.6

Last Updated

9/7/2025