WhatsApp is testing scheduled messages. Here’s how the feature works
A new beta lets you write a message now and have WhatsApp send it later, even if your phone is switched off.
One of the most requested WhatsApp features may finally be on its way. WhatsApp is testing a way to schedule messages, so you can write a message now and have it sent automatically later. The feature was spotted in a recent Android beta version by WABetaInfo, a site that tracks upcoming WhatsApp features.
It is still a test, so not everyone has it yet. Here is how it works, based on what testers are seeing.
How to schedule a message
- Type your message in a chat as usual.
- Instead of tapping send, press and hold the send button.
- A menu appears where you choose the date and time.
- Confirm, and WhatsApp will send it at the time you chose.
What you can schedule
- Text messages and links
- Single photos
- Individual videos
You can schedule a message between 10 minutes and two weeks ahead.
Useful details
- Your phone can be off. Messages are sent from WhatsApp’s servers, so they go out even if your phone has no battery or no internet.
- You can change your mind. A section in the chat info screen shows all pending messages, and you can delete any of them before they are sent.
- It is invisible to the receiver. The other person cannot tell that the message was scheduled, and they are not told if you cancel it.
- Groups have a rule. A scheduled group message only reaches people who were in the group when you scheduled it.
Birthday wishes at midnight without staying awake? That alone will make this feature popular.
When will everyone get it?
Right now, the feature is limited to some users on WhatsApp’s Android beta (version 2.26.40.7). Reports expect a wider rollout in the coming weeks, but WhatsApp has not confirmed a date, and features in beta sometimes change before release. iPhone availability has not been confirmed yet.
Why it matters
Scheduling is common in email and on apps like Telegram, but WhatsApp users have had to rely on reminders or third-party apps, some of which are unsafe. A built-in option is more secure and much simpler.
It is especially useful for:
- Small businesses that message customers about offers or appointments
- People with family and friends in other time zones
- Birthday and anniversary messages at exactly the right moment
- Work reminders sent during office hours, not late at night
Tip
Avoid third-party “WhatsApp scheduler” apps that ask for access to your account. They can be a privacy risk. If you want to try the official feature early, you can join the WhatsApp beta programme on Android through the Google Play Store, but beta apps can have bugs.
