On 14 August 2026 millions of people across England and Wales received an Emergency Alert from the UK Government warning of a very high risk of wildfires. The alert was a timely reminder of something we don't often think about when creating phone-free environments: sometimes being unable to access your phone is very different from being unable to receive an important message.
For events, live television and performances, securing phones is often essential. Organisers want audiences to be present in the moment, prevent unauthorised filming and protect confidential content.
But that doesn't mean a phone needs to be disconnected from the outside world.
Not all phone pouches work in the same way
Some phone pouches on the market are designed to block or interfere with mobile signals once a phone is secured inside them.
That might sound like a useful feature when the goal is to stop people using their phones. But there is an important downside.
If a phone cannot receive a mobile signal, it cannot receive important communications either.
The UK's Emergency Alert system is specifically designed to send warnings directly to compatible mobile phones and tablets through nearby mobile phone masts. It works over 4G and 5G networks and does not require the phone to be connected to mobile data or Wi-Fi.
Lockabl keeps phones secure without blocking the signal
At Lockabl we take a different approach.
Our premium phone pouches are designed to prevent access to the device while allowing the phone to remain connected.
That means event organisers can create a genuinely phone-free environment while the devices themselves remain capable of receiving important communications.
So if an Emergency Alert is issued while an audience member's phone is secured inside a Lockabl pouch, the phone can still receive the alert (provided it is switched on and within range of the relevant mobile network).
That's an important distinction. The phone is inaccessible to the user, but it isn't deliberately cut off from the network.
Security without unnecessary isolation
For productions and events, the primary purpose of a phone pouch is simple: keep the phone secure and keep the audience present.
That's exactly what Lockabl has delivered for productions such as SNL UK and major live events including the BRIT Awards. Phones remain securely with their owners whilst audiences can focus on what is happening in front of them, rather than what is happening on their screens.
The recent Emergency Alert is a useful reminder that there is value in keeping that connection available.
And it isn't just emergency alerts. For parents attending an event, knowing their phone can still receive calls or messages means a babysitter can get in touch if something unexpected happens at home. The phone stays securely locked away whilst remaining connected to the people who may need to reach them.
You don't necessarily need to choose between a secure phone-free environment and a connected phone. With Lockabl, you can have both.
A phone-free event doesn't have to mean a disconnected phone
Creating a phone-free environment should be about controlling access to devices, not necessarily cutting those devices off from the world.
Whether you're running a television production, concert, comedy show, film screening, corporate event or any other phone-free experience, Lockabl provides a simple way to secure phones while keeping them connected.
Because sometimes the most important thing your audience's phone can do is receive a message they weren't expecting.