You can schedule text messages on your iPhone to send automatically at a future date and time using the built-in Send Later feature in iOS 18. This allows you to compose a message now and have it delivered precisely when you want, whether for a birthday, a reminder, or a message best sent at a specific moment, and the recipient will never know it was scheduled.
What is Send Later on iPhone?
Send Later is a native feature in the Messages app on iPhones running iOS 18 or later. It lets you schedule iMessages (and SMS messages to non-Apple users) to be sent up to 14 days in advance. The feature is completely discreet: the person receiving your scheduled message will see it appear as a normal text, with no indication that you set it to send at that time.
How to schedule a message with Send Later
Follow these steps to schedule a message using the built-in Send Later feature:
- Open the Messages app on your iPhone.
- Go to an existing conversation or start a new one.
- Tap the + icon next to the text field.
- Select Send Later from the menu.
- Tap the displayed time to open the date and time picker, then choose the desired date and time for delivery.
- Type your message in the text field.
- Tap the send arrow to schedule the message.
A scheduled message will appear in the conversation with a clock icon next to it, confirming it is set to send at the chosen time. You can also access the Schedule option by long-pressing the send button instead of using the '+' icon.
How to edit or delete a scheduled message
Before a scheduled message is delivered, you can modify or cancel it. To do so, tap the Edit button that appears above the message bubble, or touch and hold the message bubble itself. From there, you can choose to reschedule the message to a different date and time, edit the text, or delete it entirely. You must be connected to the internet to make any changes to a scheduled message.
Requirements for Send Later
To use Send Later, your iPhone must be running iOS 18 or later. You also need an active internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular data) to schedule, edit, or modify messages. However, note that if you want to schedule messages across different platforms, you can also use third-party apps that offer similar functionality, this is especially relevant when comparing how to schedule a text message on Android and iPhone.
For users who frequently manage multiple conversations, it is helpful to know that you can pin conversations in the messages app to find them more easily, ensuring your scheduled messages are always in a visible thread. Additionally, if you want to control your availability, you can customize who sees your focus status in messages, so your scheduled messages don’t accidentally reveal your activity status to certain contacts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I schedule messages to Android users?
The recipient will receive the message as a normal text. If the recipient is using a different device or platform, they may receive the message at the time it was originally sent instead.
What happens if my phone is off when the message is scheduled to send?
If your iPhone is turned off or not connected to the internet at the scheduled time, the message will not be sent immediately. It will be delivered automatically once your phone is powered on and connected to the internet again.
Can I schedule recurring messages?
No, the built-in Send Later feature does not support recurring or repeating messages. Each scheduled message must be set individually. For recurring reminders, you may need to use the Reminders app or a third-party scheduling tool.
Will the recipient know I scheduled the message?
No. The recipient will see the message appear as a normal text with no indication that it was scheduled. There is no timestamp or label showing the message was sent later.
Can I schedule a message to myself?
Yes, you can schedule a message to your own number or email address using Send Later. This can be useful for setting personal reminders or notes that you want to receive at a specific time.
Are timed messages available for all messaging apps?
No, the Send Later feature is only available for the native Messages app.
For the wider topic, see text messaging and T-Mobile texts.
