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How to Stop Flash Messages in iPhone and iPad Permanently

Last Updated on March 27, 2020 by Amar Ilindra 23 Comments

After updating my iPhone 7 to iOS 11, I started getting hell lot of flash messages frequently. I used to get 2-3 such irritating flash SMS for every 10 minutes. The worst part of these messages is, they prevent the screen from sleeping and drains the battery if you failed to close the flash SMS and I literally want to stop flash messages in my iPhone.

Initially, I thought this is happening due to recent iOS 11 update as I didn’t face any such flash messages issues in previous iOS versions. Then after researching for about 15 minutes, I understood they are from my network service provider (Airtel in my case) and we can easily stop flash messages or SMS irrespective of network provider.

Why should you stop flash messages/SMS in your iPhone or iPad?

I’ll say you 4 reasons why you should immediately disable flash messages from the network provider in your smartphone.

  1. It drains the battery.
  2. Clicking “Accept” or “Okay” unintentionally may activate new service you don’t need and you’ll be charged for the same.
  3. Most of those flash messages are SPAM. (Ex: Get a Change to WIN a SMARTPHONE, Press OK)
  4. They are really irritating if you get any message when you’re at any important work.

Step by step guide to disable flash SMS in iPhone and iPad

Here in this guide, I’ll show you a quick fix to disable flash SMS in Airtel. This process to permanently stop flash messages is same for almost every network providers like Airtel, Vodafone, Idea, Jio, Docomo, BSNL etc.

  1. Unlock your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Go to Settings.
  3. Tap on Mobile Data and select SIM Applications.
  4. Select the Service at the top of the list (Airtel now! in my case).
  5. Click Start/Stop and select Stop.
  6. Select Accept to confirm the selection.

Step by step guide to stop flash messages in iPhone and iPad

Note: Before iOS 12.1, SIM Applications option is located at Settings -> Phone

For few network providers, It may show Activate/Deactivate in the place of Start/Stop. Proceed according to the options available inside SIM Applications screen.

After clicking “Stop” or “Deactivate”, you’ll receive an SMS confirming flash SMS service has been disabled on your number.

you'll receive an SMS confirming flash SMS service has been disabled

Flash SMS Problem not yet solved?

If you’re unable to stop flash messages even after following above steps or if you can’t find any services under SIM Applications, then the flash SMS you’re receiving is not from the service provider. They might be coming from unknown sources either to promote their business or to spam your device.

Unfortunately, they are Class 0 SMS and we can not control it unless you know the details of the sender. Since flash SMS are not stored as the normal message we can’t know the sender details to block them. We can not do much about Class 0 flash SMS, all we can do to it is ignoring them.

example of class 0 flash SMS in iPhone

Check this thread on Apple community about Class 0 SMS. Seems you’re not the only one facing this issue. We’ll update the article if we find any solutions to stop Class 0 flash messages.

Conclusion

It is very simple to disable or stop flash SMS in any iPhone or iPad running on any version of iOS. Make sure you receive the confirmation message after deactivating flash SMS and also make sure you never accidentally click on “OK” button in flash messages. Hope this guide to stop flash messages on iPhone and iPad is useful and helpful for you.

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Amar Ilindra is a tech-savvy individual who is passionate about gadgets and new technology. He is a full-stack developer who enjoys experimenting with technology and sharing his experiences through blogging. When he's not writing, he devotes his time to creating practical web and mobile applications for both Android and iOS platforms.

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Comments

  1. Avatar for SirajSiraj says

    June 8, 2021 at 10:30 PM

    I’ve been receiving flash messages sayin gm my sms capacity is full , I should delete old sms and I did, still the flash did not stop, I’m on Airtel and I couldn’t find anything Like stop or deactivate

    Reply
    • Avatar for Mohammed Numan AzizMohammed Numan Aziz says

      February 4, 2022 at 6:17 PM

      I am also not getting rid of deactivate. In sim application there is a option airtelnow but if click that option. I am not moving further

      Reply
  2. Avatar for Gaurav PanchalGaurav Panchal says

    February 18, 2020 at 7:25 PM

    I couldn’t found Sim Application option in iPhone 11 iOS Version 13.3.1. Tried to find it in both side 1) Settings -> Mobile Data
    2) Settings -> Phone

    Reply
    • Avatar for Amar IlindraAmar Ilindra says

      May 6, 2020 at 10:44 AM

      Who is your SIM network provider?

      Reply
  3. Avatar for CarolineCaroline says

    December 25, 2018 at 4:32 PM

    There’s nothing related to FLASH or airtel or whatever under the sim application. I’m on latest software , please help me out , i’m getting annoyed by this messages .

    Reply
    • Avatar for Amar IlindraAmar Ilindra says

      December 25, 2018 at 5:46 PM

      What is your phone carrier?

      Reply
      • Avatar for vijayvijay says

        April 20, 2019 at 7:15 PM

        vodafone

        Reply
        • Avatar for Amar IlindraAmar Ilindra says

          May 6, 2020 at 10:46 AM

          For Vodafone, there should be an option named FLASH!

          Reply
          • Avatar for FaisalFaisal says

            August 3, 2020 at 2:01 AM

            There is no flash option in my sim application. The only option i found is roaming. My sim is vodafone..and these flash messages are literally irritating me to the hell

          • Avatar for Amar IlindraAmar Ilindra says

            August 3, 2020 at 8:27 AM

            In Vodafone, you can disable the flash messages by sending SMS too.

            Prepaid: Message CAN FLASH to 144
            Postpaid: Message CAN FLASH to 199

  4. Avatar for RynRyn says

    December 12, 2018 at 1:25 PM

    I can’t find an option to diactivate/stop this flash message thing in my carrier. My network provider is Ooredoo. I try asking help from them but they have no idea how and said it cannot be stop, except to block it.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Amar IlindraAmar Ilindra says

      December 12, 2018 at 2:08 PM

      Which version of iOS you are using on your iPhone/iPad

      Reply
  5. Avatar for azwinazwin says

    November 18, 2018 at 6:46 PM

    why my phone setting at sim applications not have like that ?

    Reply
    • Avatar for Amar IlindraAmar Ilindra says

      November 19, 2018 at 4:08 PM

      If you are using iOS 12.1, you will find SIM Applications option at Settings – Mobile Data

      Reply
  6. Avatar for Vishnu ShethVishnu Sheth says

    November 11, 2018 at 12:51 PM

    In-spite of following the above steps, I’m still getting the flash images. My carrier is Airtel.

    Tested it using iPhone 7 – iOS 12.1

    For iOS users using the latest iOS version, SIM Applications will be in a different location and not as mentioned above. Below are the steps to reach the target location.

    Step 1: Open Settings.
    Step 2: Click on “Cellular”

    And you should find “SIM Application” there.

    If anyone is having a workaround for stoppage of flash images (due to sending a text message) PLEASE drop in an email to me as I may not get notified if you put in the solution here. A kind request.

    Thank You.
    Vishnu

    Reply
    • Avatar for Amar IlindraAmar Ilindra says

      November 19, 2018 at 4:14 PM

      AFIK, Airtel never sends flash IMAGES. To be frank, I have never seen a flash IMAGE.

      I doubt you are receiving them from some other source or they might be a Class 0 SMS

      Reply
  7. Avatar for aTrustyaTrusty says

    September 2, 2018 at 8:00 PM

    There’s no SIM Applications option on my iPhone 6s iOS11.4.1

    Reply
    • Avatar for Anil KumarAnil Kumar says

      November 5, 2018 at 6:55 PM

      Please send Stop message to 593350 to stop flash message in idea Network.
      It works fine for me.

      Reply
  8. Avatar for VickyVicky says

    June 18, 2018 at 2:54 PM

    It doesn’t show anything about flash messages in the idea menu
    Pls help me sort this out

    Reply
    • Avatar for Amar IlindraAmar Ilindra says

      May 6, 2020 at 10:47 AM

      Try dialing *121*46# from your phone dialer (for IDEA users only)

      Reply
  9. Avatar for Pratik PPratik P says

    February 27, 2018 at 10:33 AM

    It worked for me. I’m on Vodafone network.
    But I didn’t receive any SMS after deactivating the service. However, it did the trick and I’m not getting any flash SMS on my iPhone SE.

    Reply
  10. Avatar for LesLes says

    November 6, 2017 at 8:18 PM

    It seems the network providers have wised up this. I am on Vodafone and the SIM Settings option has been removed from the menu!!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Amar IlindraAmar Ilindra says

      May 6, 2020 at 10:49 AM

      The only option left for you is contacting the Vodafone customer care. They can disable flash messages on your number.

      Reply

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