WhatsApp is finally bringing one of the messaging platform's most requested features to iPhone users. The company has started rolling out scheduled messages to some WhatsApp beta testers on iOS, allowing users to prepare a message and choose exactly when it should be delivered.

The feature is currently available through WhatsApp beta for iOS version 26.42.10.19 via TestFlight. However, the rollout is gradual, meaning installing the compatible beta does not guarantee that every tester will immediately see the new scheduling option.

The addition could make WhatsApp significantly more convenient for people who regularly need to send birthday wishes, reminders, work updates or messages at a specific time.

How WhatsApp Scheduled Messages Work

The new feature allows users to compose a message normally and then select a future date and time for delivery.

Instead of tapping the Send button immediately, users can press and hold the Send button. WhatsApp then opens a scheduling screen where a date and time can be selected.

After confirming the schedule, WhatsApp keeps the message pending until the selected delivery time. The feature is designed to send the message automatically, even if the WhatsApp app is closed or the device is offline at that moment.

This makes the system more convenient than relying on reminders or manually sending a message later.

How to Schedule a Message on WhatsApp for iPhone

If the feature is enabled on your WhatsApp beta account, the process is straightforward:

Step 1: Open a WhatsApp Chat

Open WhatsApp on your iPhone and enter the individual or group conversation where you want to send the scheduled message.

Step 2: Write Your Message

Type the message you want to send in the chat composer.

Step 3: Press and Hold the Send Button

Instead of tapping Send normally, tap and hold the Send button.

WhatsApp will open the scheduling interface.

Step 4: Select the Date and Time

Use the date and time picker to choose when you want WhatsApp to deliver the message.

Step 5: Confirm the Schedule

Review the selected delivery time and tap the confirmation button.

WhatsApp will then keep the message scheduled until the selected time.

The confirmation appears in the chat for the person who scheduled it, rather than being shown to the recipient as a normal message before delivery.

WhatsApp Supports Scheduled Photos, Videos and Links

The scheduling feature isn't limited to plain text.

According to the current beta implementation, users can schedule:

• Text messages
• Links
• Photos
• Videos

For photos and videos, the scheduling option can be accessed while using WhatsApp's media editing interface. However, the current beta limits each scheduled message to one photo or video at a time.

This means users who want to schedule multiple individual media files will need to create separate scheduled messages.

Messages Can Be Scheduled Up to Two Weeks Ahead

WhatsApp gives users a useful scheduling window.

The current implementation allows messages to be scheduled starting 10 minutes into the future, while the maximum scheduling period is two weeks.

This could be useful for everything from sending a quick reminder later in the day to preparing a birthday message several days ahead of time.

For example, someone could write a birthday greeting on Monday and schedule it to arrive on the following weekend without having to remember to send it manually.

Scheduled Messages Are End-to-End Encrypted

WhatsApp's scheduled messaging system is designed to maintain the platform's end-to-end encryption.

This means scheduled messages remain protected under WhatsApp's existing encryption framework rather than being treated as ordinary unprotected reminders.

The security aspect is particularly important because scheduled messages can contain personal conversations, links, photos and videos.

Users Can Manage Scheduled Messages

WhatsApp is also adding a dedicated area for managing messages that are waiting to be sent.

Scheduled messages can be accessed through the chat information screen. In group conversations, users can find them through the group information section.

From there, users can view pending scheduled messages and delete them before delivery.

If a scheduled message is deleted before WhatsApp sends it, the recipient does not receive a deletion notification because the message was never delivered in the first place.

Scheduled Messages Also Work in Group Chats

The feature isn't restricted to one-to-one conversations.

WhatsApp is supporting scheduled messages in group chats as well.

There is an important limitation, however. A scheduled group message will be delivered only to members who were already part of the group when the message was scheduled.

Someone who joins the group after the scheduling event will not receive that particular scheduled message.

This behavior helps maintain the context that existed when the sender originally scheduled the message.

Why This Feature Is Useful

Scheduled messaging could be useful in several everyday situations.

Birthday Messages

Users can prepare birthday wishes ahead of time and schedule them for midnight or another preferred time.

Work and Business Messages

Employees and business owners can prepare announcements or reminders in advance instead of interrupting their workflow later.

Different Time Zones

People communicating with friends, family members or colleagues in other countries can schedule messages according to the recipient's appropriate time.

Reminders

A message can be prepared in advance for an appointment, event or important task.

iPhone Users Previously Had to Use Workarounds

Before WhatsApp's native scheduling feature, iPhone users who wanted automated WhatsApp messages had to rely on alternatives such as Apple's Shortcuts automation system.

While Shortcuts can provide scheduled actions, setting up an automation is considerably less convenient than having a scheduling option directly inside WhatsApp.

WhatsApp's new approach puts the functionality directly into the chat composer, making it easier to schedule individual messages.

When Will WhatsApp Scheduled Messages Be Available to Everyone?

For now, scheduled messages remain a beta feature.

WhatsApp is gradually rolling out the functionality to selected iOS beta testers through TestFlight. Even users running the compatible beta version may not see it immediately because availability is being expanded gradually.

WhatsApp has not yet announced a confirmed date for the feature's stable release to all iPhone users.

The company is also testing scheduled messages on Android. The Android beta implementation supports similar functionality, including scheduled text, photos, videos and links, with messages capable of being delivered even when the device is offline.

WhatsApp Scheduled Messages Could Become a Major Convenience Feature

The arrival of native scheduled messaging addresses a feature gap that WhatsApp users have faced for years.

Instead of relying on reminders, third-party tools or complicated automation, users will eventually be able to schedule messages directly from the WhatsApp chat interface.

The current iOS beta rollout is still limited, so most users will need to wait for a wider release. Nevertheless, the feature's move into beta testing suggests WhatsApp is making meaningful progress toward bringing native message scheduling to its wider user base.

For iPhone users, the ability to schedule text, photos, videos and links up to two weeks ahead could make WhatsApp much more useful for personal communication, work and business messaging.