---
title: What defines a Flash Message, and how does it differ from standard SMS?
description: "A Flash Message is a type of SMS that appears instantly on a recipient’s screen without needing to be opened, often disappearing after display (e.g., \"Emergency: Power outage at 5 PM -SMSGAT\"). Unlike standard SMS, which sit in the inbox…"
url: "https://www.smsgatewaycenter.com/blog/kb/what-defines-a-flash-message-and-how-does-it-differ-from-standard-sms/"
updated: "2025-02-25"
category: Bulk SMS / General
---

# What defines a Flash Message, and how does it differ from standard SMS?

A Flash Message is a type of SMS that appears instantly on a recipient’s screen without needing to be opened, often disappearing after display (e.g., "Emergency: Power outage at 5 PM -SMSGAT"). Unlike standard SMS, which sit in the inbox until read, Flash Messages are ideal for urgent alerts. SMSGatewayCenter supports Flash SMS via our **[SMS gateway](https://www.smsgatewaycenter.com)**, perfect for time-sensitive notifications.

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- [Can I edit the message content of a scheduled SMS?](https://www.smsgatewaycenter.com/blog/kb/can-i-edit-the-message-content-of-a-scheduled-sms/)

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