From Emergency Alerts to OTPs: What Sets Flash SMS Apart?
Communication is the key—but does it equate all messages? Nope!
Some messages are important so they demand more attention than the regular ones. Regular ones can surely wait, but the critical ones do need immediate delivery. Not just delivery, but the receiver must see it instantly as it can be an emergency alert or a time-sensitive OTP. This is the reason, these 'instant seen' demanding messages are called Flash SMS.
What Is Flash SMS ?
Special Messages can't wait in the inbox for you to see, they appear directly on the screen. These special messages are known as Flash SMS .
Flash SMS messages, unlike the regular ones, ensure you get alerted in critical situations; including storms, earthquakes, and other natural disasters.
Class 0 SMS messages prioritize the message over the regular ones, making sure it hits your screen for immediate visibility—credit goes to the unique protocols these messages utilize.
When You Might Receive a Flash SMS
Emergency Alerts & Public Safety
In case of situations when the public has to be alerted via any means of communication, flash messages serve the role by urgently notifying everyone with short emergency messages by the government.
For example, if you live in hurricane-prone regions, the local government might send you alerts via Flash messages about the incoming hurricane.
As for other situations including, citywide power outages or any kind of health emergency, you'll find these frequent messages popping over your screen so that you won't miss an important update.
OTP (One-Time Password)
To save you from scams and online threats, online platforms use OTP to verify if you're the right person to create an account/sign in/sign up/change the password.
These OTP messages can't be sent via any other means than the original platform thanks to the 2FA (factor authentication).
This provides a sense of security that no one can hack your account by sending you fake OTPs.
Marketing & Promotions
Due to the emergence of online buying and selling, businesses use SMS services to promote their products. But in case of a sale or a time-sensitive discount offer, they use flash SMS to notify their potential buyers.
This helps them earn more clients by boosting sales, thanks to the urgency created by flash messages. For example; imagine how boosted a business's CTA will be if notified its customers about a 1-hour valid sale.
Two-way Communication
Flash SMS also allows interactive communications. Just for example, if your service provider has improved the services this far, they might send you a flash SMS to ask if you've liked the new services or if previous ones were better.
You will not be just able to see that message, but will be allowed to reply to it instantly ensuring a two-way communication.
Differences: Flash SMS vs. Regular SMS vs. Push Notifications
| Characteristics | Flash SMS | Regular SMS | Push Notifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Flash SMS makes sure you see the notification, this is why it comes in a full-screen pop-up mode. | Regular messages just come in your inbox making sure you see the message once you open the messaging app. | Push Notifications are shown in the notification bar until you clear the bar manually. |
| Visibility | Flash SMS are visible the moment you receive them. Can't ignore them as they'll be deleted forever if not saved manually. | You can check regular SMS anytime whenever you're free, so the visibility depends on you. | The visibility of push notifications completely depends on the device you possess. |
| Storage | Flash SMS are just for that exact moment, this is the reason they are not saved automatically in the storage. But if you want, you can save them manually. | Regular messages are saved in storage the moment they're received. | Push Notifications are saved temporarily in the storage. |
| Character Count | Flash SMS isn't supposed to be lengthy, that's why the word count is limited. | Regular messages have a flexibility of 160 words per SMS , making sure the message makes sense and delivers the update or information. | The word count for push notifications varies per message. |
| Intent | Flash SMS is sent for a sole purpose which is URGENT communication either 1-way or 2-way. | Regular SMS is for a normal or a general conversation between the sender and the receiver. | Push notifications are all about app-based alerts. So it helps users to get notified of the app's updates so that they won't miss any. |
| Duration | The minute you have read the OTP or any critical flash SMS , it will disappear unless you save it immediately in your inbox. | Regular messages always stay in the inbox, you can read them anytime. | Push notifications are just for a temporary time period. They aren't saved in the inbox or in any other app. |
What Are the Benefits of Flash SMS ?
Instant Visibility
Anything that creates urgency grabs attention somehow, and this is what Flash SMS does.
Flash messages pop on your screen making you look at them even if you usually avoid notifications.
For example, when a bank has to alert its customers about a fraud, it uses flash SMS , so that all of the customers stay informed without any kind of delay.
Reliability in Critical Situations
Flash SMS doesn't rely fully on network connections, which is the reason why you'll find the flash messages fully operative in scenarios where the connectivity chances are nearly zero.
Life-saving information needs to be shared with everyone living in the region, and this is why public safety organizations always rely on flash messages, as never mind how weak the network signals are, flash SMS won't miss a number.
No Need for an App or Inbox
Flash SMS doesn't require recipients to have specific apps downloaded on their devices, not even the class 0 SMS message needs access to your inbox.
This makes flash messages super flexible and universally accessible, all thanks to the simplicity and ease of receiving these messages.
Enhanced Security and Control
Your OTPs and financial alert messages are not the type of information you want anyone to see or have access to.
This is why you'll find flash SMS highly secured because they are not stored permanently in your storage, so the risk of data theft or prying will be zero.
How do you enable/stop Flash SMS on an iPhone/Android phone?
Before following the step-by-step methods, you must know that not all iPhone and Android devices allow users to enable/disable flash SMS on their own, so for this you must contact your network provider.
Even some network providers don't allow it either which is why you must contact your network support team and submit your request about the enabling or disabling of flash SMS .
Enable/Disable Critical Alerts on iPhone
iPhone uses flash SMS for critical alerts while urgently notifying the user by delivering the message in a way that it pops up on the screen making sure the receiver sees it instantly.
Step 1: To enable or disable iPhone critical alerts, click on the settings app.
Step 2: You'll find the Notifications option right there. Click on it.
Step 3: Choose the app that is supposed to be managed. Let's say you want to tap Message.
Step 4: Turn on to enable the critical alerts, while turning off will result in disabling them.
Enable/Disable Flash SMS on Android
All Android devices don't have a flash SMS enable or disable feature, but if your device is equipped with the feature, you must follow the steps to turn it on or off:
Step 1: Go to the Messages App on your phone.
Step 2: Click on three dots to open the settings of the Messaging App.
Step 3: Toggle the Flash SMS option to turn it on or off.
To stop receiving Flash SMS from any specific number, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open the Messaging app.
Step 2: Click on the saved flash message.
Step 3: Click on the 3 dots.
Step 4: Tap the add to blocklist option and you won't get any flash message from that chosen institute/organization.
Step 5: You can enable it back after unblocking the flash SMS sender from the blocklist.
Bonus: How to Manage Flash SMS Without the Overload
Turn off Critical Alerts on iPhone/Turn off Flash SMS on Android
Simply follow the above-mentioned methods, and turn off Android Flash messages and iPhone critical alerts in a single tap. In this way, you won't be annoyed with limitless continuous Flash SMS every day.
Contact Your Network Provider for Help
If turning off doesn't help, it's better to utilize the tools offered by the network provider in your area to simply block the spam flash messages that bother you on a regular basis.
Contacting the network provider support team and telling them about the reason for disabling will make the process easier for you.
Note: In India, many network providers offer dedicated apps to users, in order to disable flash messages.
Key Takeaway
You must have known by now about—what is flash SMS .
Flash Messages are the type of messages that one can't afford to ignore, especially during times when your whole account sign-in or password-changing process depends on a 1 single OTP.
Flash SMS is helping both businesses and government officials, as unlike regular messages, it earns attention the minute it is delivered. So, even with the emerging AI technology, flash SMS is still in use by big companies and institutes to deliver information-packed messages that create an impact.
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