WhatsApp Working on Scheduled Messages Feature

[MacRumors]

WhatsApp developers are working to bring scheduled messages to the Meta-owned platform, reports WABetaInfo.

A scheduled message allows users to type a message and choose a specific date and time for it to be sent automatically. Telegram already has the feature, while Apple has offered a similar Send Later option in its Messages app since iOS 18.

While the feature is yet to be functioning in the latest WhatsApp beta on TestFlight, WABetaInfo shared an image showing a new Scheduled Messages option in a group chat info page. From here, users will apparently be able to view the number of messages they have scheduled and access options to manage them. The feature is expected to work for both individual chats and groups.

The ability to schedule messages is one of the app's most requested features, so this should come as welcome news to users. Currently, the only way to schedule a WhatsApp message is to use a shortcut workaround in Apple's Shortcuts app.

Article Link: WhatsApp Working on Scheduled Messages Feature

 

[TwoBytes]

There's a shortcut do this?

 

[thelion7]

There's a shortcut do this?

Not sure, but i'm not the best at doing shortcuts and I don't think the average everyday users even knows they exist.

So I think making it a default feature in the app such as press and hold the send button to get the option to schedule.

Would be great.

I'm terrible for needing to message someone about something, tell myself i'll do it later and then forget.

So yeah, I'd welcome this feature!

 

[n-evo]

Still waiting for multi account/number support to finally drop on iOS. Has been in testing since early summer.

 

[tomtad]

Has anyone got some stats on WhatsApp usage over time, especially in the US?

I get the feeling iMessage is on a road to a dead end

 

[SilmarilFinder]

Finally! its been long overdue.

There's a shortcut do this?

I tried almost everything but no. you have to have a shortcut for every message, which in practice its not feasible.

 

[rbbloom99]

I will stop using Apple Messages and use WhatsApp 100% of the time when this happens. I’m 12 time zones away from my family.

 

[-BigMac-]

WhatsApp getting worried about RCS?
Timing is certainly curious…

 

[deuxani]

We are 8 months in since iOS 26 was presented and WhatsApp, with the most simple and basic design of any of the big apps, still doesn’t have Liquid Glass rolled out. It’s madness!

 

[apparatchik]

WhatsApp getting worried about RCS?
Timing is certainly curious…

RCS replaces SMS / MMS, which is essentially irrelevant where Whatsapp dominates, if you live in a "WhatsApp country" RCS is completely irrelevant as nobody texts there anymore.

 

[fede777]

Always wondered why Instagram has this, but not WA yet.

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

Goood lord finally, telegram has had it for half a decade

 

[iGeek2019]

Whilst I don't use WhatsApp extensively like some may a 'Scheduled Message' feature would be welcomed - we have a work group chat and it's not always ideal to message out of hours, for various reasons, so this may be beneficial.

 

[Ja50n]

Whilst I don't use WhatsApp extensively like some may a 'Scheduled Message' feature would be welcomed - we have a work group chat and it's not always ideal to message out of hours, for various reasons, so this may be beneficial.

I’m surprised they don’t have it already, I’ve been scheduling messages in other apps for years…

 

[-BigMac-]

RCS replaces SMS / MMS, which is essentially irrelevant where Whatsapp dominates, if you live in a "WhatsApp country" RCS is completely irrelevant as nobody texts there anymore.

Yea because RCS wasnt available😦

 

[lusty]

I miss the days when programmers just did things. It’s a timer. This should take less than ten minutes. Announce when it’s done, otherwise the gap between announcement and delivery is just showing how useless you are.

Even Siri can set a frickin’ timer!!

 

[apparatchik]

Yea because RCS wasnt available😦

Sure, but nobody is going back to texting where everything is already Whatsapp based, Whatsapp is not only for personal communications, companies use Whatsapp to give customer support (it has interactive menus), I can ask my electricity company to give me my balance, I can schedule a technician visit with my internet provider, I get flight changes notifications, etc. all automated through Whatsapp.

I'm a developer myself and just developed a web app where we send patients their lab results on PDF both through email and whatsapp for increased reach, etc.

Companies have started to send 2FA codes through Whatsapp instead of SMS in a lot of places. Amazon uses it to send package updates, etc.

RCS is inconsequential (a day late and a dollar short) where a cross-platform, feature rich solution has already taken hold.

 

[bLackjackj]

WhatsApp staff working on features that no one asked for or needs…are they anxious about their jobs much?

 

[Dr McKay]

no one asked for

Are you sure? Did you check with everybody who uses WhatsApp?

 

[Gix1k]

I use WA when I travel abroad due to all that's used really, but I cannot stand it. There's just something about iMessage.

 

[svish]

I don't use the app much, however this is a useful feature. Will try it out once it launches.

 

[rydewnd2]

I will stop using Apple Messages and use WhatsApp 100% of the time when this happens. I’m 12 time zones away from my family.

you do realize that you can do this already with messages?

 

[theinstructor]

you do realize that you can do this already with messages?

On the iPad only…

 

[lusty]

you do realize that you can do this already with messages?

You do realise that most people don't want to use a closed messaging platform where they can't contact half of the planet? Leaving messages has nothing to do with features, it's a dead platform. I assume the other poster meant that they need this feature and it's been keeping them on a platform they don't want to use.