# MessageFlashList

<admonition type="warning">

This component is still experimental. Please test thoroughly before using it in production.

</admonition>

<admonition type="note">

This component is available since version `8.6.2` of the SDK.

</admonition>

`MessageFlashList` is a drop-in alternative to `MessageList` that uses [`FlashList`](https://shopify.github.io/flash-list/docs/) (if installed). It improves throughput, scrolling, and memory usage versus `FlatList`, and uses [recycling](https://shopify.github.io/flash-list/docs/recycling) for virtualization.

## Best Practices

- Use in performance-critical screens after thorough testing.
- Follow FlashList’s performance guidance before benchmarking.
- Avoid `maximumMessageLimit` with `MessageFlashList` to prevent MVCP issues.
- Keep item renderers lightweight to benefit from recycling.
- Use `additionalFlashListProps` instead of `additionalFlatListProps`.

It accepts the same [props](/chat/docs/sdk/react-native/v8/ui-components/message-list#props) and [UI overrides](/chat/docs/sdk/react-native/v8/ui-components/message-list#ui-component-props) as `MessageList`, except `additionalFlatListProps` which becomes `additionalFlashListProps`.

Support was added in version `2.1.0` and later.

Before measuring performance, follow the [official recommendations](https://shopify.github.io/flash-list/docs/fundamentals/performance).

<admonition type="warning">

While technically supported, using `MessageFlashList` with `maximumMessageLimit` is not recommended. Recycling can make MVCP unstable. This may be improved or removed in the future.

</admonition>


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This page was last updated at 2026-04-17T17:33:45.056Z.

For the most recent version of this documentation, visit [https://getstream.io/chat/docs/sdk/react-native/v8/ui-components/experimental/message-flash-list/](https://getstream.io/chat/docs/sdk/react-native/v8/ui-components/experimental/message-flash-list/).