WhatsApp Tests Scheduled Messages on iPhone: How the New Feature Works

WhatsApp is expanding its scheduled messages feature to iPhone users, giving people the ability to prepare messages in advance and have them sent automatically at a selected time. The feature was previously spotted in development and recently began testing with some Android beta users. It is now rolling out to a limited number of testers using the WhatsApp beta for iOS.

According to reports, the feature is available to some users running WhatsApp beta for iOS version 26.42.10.19 through Apple's TestFlight platform. More beta testers are expected to receive access over the coming weeks.

Scheduled messages could make WhatsApp more convenient for people who need to send reminders, birthday wishes, work updates, or other messages at a specific time without having to remember to send them manually.

How WhatsApp Scheduled Messages Work on iPhone

The scheduling process is designed to be straightforward. Instead of sending a message immediately, users can select a future date and time for delivery.

To schedule a message in the supported beta version:

1. Open a WhatsApp chat and type the message you want to send.
2. Tap and hold the send button.
3. Select the desired date and time using the scheduling picker.
4. Review the delivery time displayed on the confirmation button.
5. Confirm the schedule to save the message.

The feature reportedly allows messages to be scheduled from as soon as 10 minutes ahead to as far as two weeks in the future.

Once scheduled, the message is sent automatically at the selected time, even if the sender's device is offline at that moment.

A private confirmation appears in the chat to show that a message has been scheduled. According to the report, this confirmation is visible only to the sender.

WhatsApp Will Support Text, Links, Photos, and Videos

Scheduled messaging is not limited to plain text. The feature also supports links, photos, and videos, making it useful for both personal conversations and everyday communication.

Users can schedule a text message or a message containing a link. Photos and videos can also be scheduled, although the current implementation reportedly supports only one photo or video per scheduled message.

For media, users can schedule content through the send button in the drawing editor.

This could be useful for preparing event invitations, sharing photos at a planned time, or sending important information when the recipient is most likely to see it.

However, the feature remains in beta, so its behavior and supported options could change before a wider release.

Scheduled Messages Will Be End-to-End Encrypted

Privacy is an important consideration for any messaging feature, particularly one that stores messages until a future delivery time.

According to the report, WhatsApp's scheduled messages are end-to-end encrypted. This is consistent with the platform's focus on protecting the contents of personal conversations.

Scheduled messages will also appear in a dedicated section within the chat information screen. Users can review their pending messages and delete a scheduled message at any time before it is sent.

If a user deletes a scheduled message before delivery, the recipient is not notified about the deletion.

These controls give users the ability to review upcoming messages and cancel them if plans change.

How Scheduled Messages Work in WhatsApp Group Chats

WhatsApp's scheduled messaging feature also accounts for changes in group membership.

According to the current beta implementation, a scheduled group message will be delivered to the people who were members of the group when the message was scheduled. Anyone who joins the group afterward will not receive that particular scheduled message.

This behavior could help preserve the intended audience of a message, especially when group membership changes between the scheduling date and delivery time.

Users should still review their group and message details before scheduling important information, particularly if the group is used for work or time-sensitive announcements.

When Will WhatsApp Scheduled Messages Be Available to Everyone?

WhatsApp has not announced a confirmed public release date for scheduled messages on iPhone or Android.

The feature is still being tested with a limited number of beta users, and access is expected to expand gradually. Additional testing may be necessary before WhatsApp makes the feature available to all users.

Beta availability can vary by account, device, and rollout stage. Installing a particular beta version does not necessarily guarantee access to the feature.

Users who do not see the scheduling option may need to wait for a future update rather than change their settings or reinstall the application.

Final Thoughts

WhatsApp's scheduled messages feature could be a useful addition for iPhone and Android users who regularly send messages at specific times. Support for text, links, photos, and videos makes it more versatile, while the ability to review or delete scheduled messages gives users additional control.

For now, the feature remains in limited beta testing, and WhatsApp has yet to confirm when it will become available to everyone.

As testing continues, users can expect more information about the final rollout and whether additional scheduling options will be introduced before the public release.