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

by University of California, Berkeley

3.2
IOSWeather
MyShake delivers official USGS ShakeAlert warnings for West Coast earthquakes, providing seconds to minutes of advance notice. The app combines early warnings with preparedness resources for residents in seismic zones.

Detailed Review

MyShake Earthquake Alerts, developed by the University of California, Berkeley, represents a significant advancement in public earthquake safety technology. The application serves as an official interface for the USGS ShakeAlert system, providing early warnings specifically for California, Oregon, and Washington residents. As a free, research-backed tool, it occupies a unique position in the market by offering scientifically validated alerts rather than relying on crowdsourced data or secondary detection methods. The core functionality centers on delivering earthquake early warnings for seismic events measuring magnitude 4.5 or greater. The system utilizes ground motion sensors and advanced algorithms to detect earthquakes seconds before shaking reaches individual locations. This technological approach allows for varying warning times depending on distance from the epicenter, with more distant locations receiving longer advance notice. Additionally, the app incorporates educational resources including detailed safety guidelines for securing hazardous items, creating disaster plans, and executing appropriate protective actions during seismic events. User experience demonstrates practical effectiveness in real-world scenarios. The interface prioritizes clarity with immediate, attention-grabbing alerts that provide essential information about magnitude and estimated arrival time. Testing reveals the app consistently delivers notifications before built-in cellular emergency systems, as evidenced by multiple user reports. The design maintains simplicity with straightforward settings and minimal configuration requirements, though some users note occasional interface redundancies in the educational sections. User feedback trends consistently highlight the app's reliability in providing advance warning. Ad.a'm123496 reported on April 25, 2025 receiving approximately 10 seconds of warning before feeling shaking, while Tony2000 noted on April 15, 2025 receiving alerts two minutes before quake impact. Multiple reviewers including CrasianNinja (July 31, 2025) reported the app outperforming competing earthquake applications in alert speed and accuracy. Psychological benefits are frequently mentioned, with Kimmiay (August 6, 2025) specifically noting reduced earthquake-related anxiety through the app's predictive capabilities. The application demonstrates notable strengths in its official integration with the ShakeAlert system and proven warning effectiveness. However, limitations include geographic restriction to three West Coast states and reduced effectiveness for locations immediately adjacent to epicenters. The moderate user rating appears primarily driven by interface preferences rather than core functionality issues. Ideal use cases involve residents of seismic regions seeking scientifically validated early warnings combined with practical preparedness resources.

Key Features

  • USGS ShakeAlert integration delivers official earthquake warnings seconds before shaking arrives for magnitudes 4.5+
  • Geographically targeted alerts specifically cover California, Oregon and Washington seismic zones
  • Advanced warning system provides varying alert times based on distance from earthquake epicenter
  • Comprehensive safety guidelines offer preparedness advice and real-time protective action recommendations
  • Free access with no subscription requirements makes critical safety information universally available
  • Research-backed development by UC Berkeley ensures scientific validity and continuous system improvements

Why Users Love It

Official USGS ShakeAlert integration
Proven advance warning capability

Perfect for: West Coast residents seeking scientifically validated earthquake early warnings

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

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

#32

+11 from last week

Best Rank

#1

All-time high

Average Rank

#28

30-day average

User Reviews

MrsRoy
Apr 14, 2025

We just experienced a 5.2 earthquake. It was centered in Julian, and I’m in Corona! It was nice having at least 10 seconds to prepare. This app works! We just experienced a 5.2 earthquake. It was centered in Julian, and I’m in Corona! It was nice having at least 10 seconds to prepare.

-= Big B =-
Apr 14, 2025

What can I say.. it worked a few seconds faster than the USGS and cal emergency system. And both were a few seconds ahead of a quake epicenter about 45 miles away. Faster than California emergency alert What can I say.. it worked a few seconds faster than the USGS and cal emergency system. And both were a few seconds ahead of a quake epicenter about 45 miles away.

Kimmiay
Aug 6, 2025

This app has taken a lot of earthquake anxiety away from me. Being from the east coast I had never feeling an earthquake until I moved to California. The first earthquakes I ever felt were the Big Bear/Landers quakes and it scared me so much and I have bad anxiety anytime I feel a quake. This app takes that element of surprise away and gives me time to find a good place to go before it hits. I’d say a good 5-10 seconds, which doesn’t sound like a lot, but it’s enough to move to a safer place and takes that “surprise-the ground is shaking” away. It makes me so much less scared when the quake actually hits. We’ve had two bigger quakes since I installed it and both times, the early warning informed me before hand. Very thankful for this app! Amazing App This app has taken a lot of earthquake anxiety away from me. Being from the east coast I had never feeling an earthquake until I moved to California. The first earthquakes I ever felt were the Big Bear/Landers quakes and it scared me so much and I have bad anxiety anytime I feel a quake. This app takes that element of surprise away and gives me time to find a good place to go before it hits. I’d say a good 5-10 seconds, which doesn’t sound like a lot, but it’s enough to move to a safer place and takes that “surprise-the ground is shaking” away. It makes me so much less scared when the quake actually hits. We’ve had two bigger quakes since I installed it and both times, the early warning informed me before hand. Very thankful for this app!

CrasianNinja
Jul 31, 2025

I don’t know why the rating is so low. I have 5 apps downloaded to test which one I want to keep and this one is the only one that gave me a heads up before the earthquake hit 10 mins ago. I actually thought for a second I didn’t feel anything and then my house shook from a 4.5 quake. The other apps didn’t alert me until 10-30 seconds after it hit so it looks like I’ll be keeping this one and dumping the others. 10 second heads up I don’t know why the rating is so low. I have 5 apps downloaded to test which one I want to keep and this one is the only one that gave me a heads up before the earthquake hit 10 mins ago. I actually thought for a second I didn’t feel anything and then my house shook from a 4.5 quake. The other apps didn’t alert me until 10-30 seconds after it hit so it looks like I’ll be keeping this one and dumping the others.

SD-BeachGoers45
Apr 14, 2025

We had a big one this morning in San Diego – 6.0. The notification system worked! Thank you! But users have to enable their location to get the notifications. Don’t forget to enable your location! We had a big one this morning in San Diego – 6.0. The notification system worked! Thank you! But users have to enable their location to get the notifications.

App Details

Developer

University of California, Berkeley

Platform

ios

Rating

3.2

Last Updated

10/7/2025