Information about MyShake
App Feature
MyShake provides earthquake early warning alerts in California, Oregon, and Washington using USGS ShakeAlert, plus global quake maps, configurable notifications, safety tips, and optional community reporting that turns your phone into a mini-seismometer for research.
Verdict
Verdict: A capable, ad-free earthquake alert and preparedness app—excellent for West Coast early warnings, but with trade-offs in battery use and occasional UI/notification quirks.
Who is it for
Best for:
- Residents of CA/OR/WA who want ShakeAlert early warnings
- Users who value safety guidance, configurable quake notifications, and a global map
- Citizen scientists interested in contributing anonymous motion data
Not ideal for:
- People outside ShakeAlert regions seeking true early warning (not available yet)
- Users highly sensitive to battery drain or strict Do Not Disturb behavior
- Anyone needing polished, highly customized UI/advanced analytics dashboards
Real-world User Experience
Users like it:
Timely alerts that arrive seconds before shaking, clear spoken warning (“Shaking imminent!”) that grabs attention, no ads or clutter, adjustable notification regions/magnitude thresholds, and overall reliability when it matters.
Users complain about:
Noticeable battery impact for some devices; alerts may be silenced by Do Not Disturb unless configured; occasional UI issues (e.g., truncated labels on the map) and concerns about extra notifications if settings aren’t tuned.
Is it Worth Paying For?
The app is completely free with no ads and no in‑app purchases; you get full early warning features, maps, and safety content at no cost—excellent value.
How it Compares to Alternatives
Compared with other ShakeAlert‑enabled options and Android’s built‑in earthquake alerts, MyShake adds a richer map, configurable notifications, and safety resources while remaining free and research‑backed. Versus catalog apps (e.g., QuakeFeed or Earthquake Network) that focus on global listings and custom filters, MyShake’s advantage is official West Coast early warning and community reporting; its trade‑offs are higher battery usage for some and occasional UI quirks.
Summary
MyShake is a research‑driven, ad‑free earthquake app from UC Berkeley that delivers USGS ShakeAlert early warnings in California, Oregon, and Washington, alongside a global quake map, configurable notifications, and practical safety guidance. Real users report attention‑grabbing voice alerts and seconds of advance notice that help them take cover, while also noting battery drain and the need to whitelist alerts from Do Not Disturb. If you live on the U.S. West Coast and want reliable early warnings plus preparedness tools at no cost, MyShake is a strong pick; outside those regions it functions mainly as a solid earthquake information and community reporting app.






