Finally, after a long wait of 17 years, we may soon be able to schedule messages on WhatsApp. Like other messaging apps such as Telegram and Signal, the new “Scheduled Messages” feature will let users draft messages in advance and send them automatically at a chosen date and time.
Finally spotted in WhatsApp’s iOS beta 26.710.72 on TestFlight, the long-awaited message scheduling feature lets users plan messages ahead of time. Appearing as a separate option within group chats, it’s designed to help with reminders, birthday greetings, appointments, and work updates, allowing you to stay organized without worrying about sending messages manually. Similar to Telegram, a scheduled message will be sent automatically at the specified time and date without requiring any additional action from the user.
Once a message is scheduled, WhatsApp will show it in a dedicated section on the chat information screen, giving users an easy way to track and manage their scheduled messages. Users can see how many messages are pending, and they have the option to delete or edit them before they’re sent, without the recipient being notified.
Scheduled messages appear in a separate section on the chat info screen.
Users can view, edit, or delete messages before sending.
No notifications or indications are sent to the recipient.
iOS users without the feature in the stable version can use the Shortcuts app to automate message scheduling by selecting a contact, typing the message, and setting the time for it to send.
Currently, there is no information on whether the option to schedule messages will be extended to Channels, but it is quite possible that WhatsApp might include this in a future update. Additionally, the message scheduling feature is still in the development phase, making it uncertain when or if WhatsApp will release it to all users.
