WhatsApp is finally introducing a feature iPhone users have waited years for: scheduling messages to send automatically later.
According to WABetaInfo, the feature is rolling out to select testers running WhatsApp beta for iOS version 26.42.10.19 through Apple’s TestFlight program. The update lets users compose a message and choose exactly when it should be delivered, even if WhatsApp is closed or their iPhone is offline.
Scheduling a message is relatively straightforward. Users can type their message, press and hold the send button, and select a delivery date and time. Messages can be scheduled anywhere from 10 minutes to two weeks in advance, making the feature useful for birthday greetings, reminders or contacting someone in another time zone.
The functionality supports text messages, photos, videos and links, although media attachments must be scheduled individually. Scheduled messages also maintain WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption. Users can view and delete upcoming messages through a dedicated section in the chat information screen. Deleting a scheduled message before delivery won’t notify the recipient.
The feature also works in group chats, although messages will only reach members who belonged to the group when the message was originally scheduled.
WhatsApp introduced the same functionality to Android beta testers earlier this month. The addition follows several recent improvements to WhatsApp on iPhone, including a new shortcut for searching older conversations and ongoing changes to its Liquid Glass interface.
For now, scheduled messages remain limited to select beta testers, with availability expected to expand over the coming weeks.
Want to see more of our stories on Google?
P.S. Want to keep this site truly independent? Support us by buying us a beer, treating us to a coffee, or shopping through Amazon here. Links in this post are affiliate links, so we earn a tiny commission at no charge to you. Thanks for supporting independent Canadian media!
