WhatsApp is testing a native message‑scheduler on iOS, letting you compose a chat now and set a future send time. The beta lets you queue texts, images, videos, and voice notes for one‑on‑one or group conversations, giving you a built‑in “send later” tool without third‑party apps. If the clock icon appears in your update, you’ll be able to pre‑write reminders, birthday wishes, or business alerts and have them pop up exactly when you want.
How the Scheduler Works
The feature lives behind a tiny clock icon in the chat bar. Tap the icon, pick a date and hour, confirm, and your draft disappears into a holding area until the scheduled moment. When the time arrives, the message re‑enters the thread as if you’d just hit send.
Step‑by‑Step: Setting a Message
- Open a chat and type your message.
- Tap the newly added clock icon.
- Select the desired date and precise hour.
- Confirm – the draft slides into a hidden queue.
- At the appointed time, WhatsApp delivers the message automatically.
Supported Content Types
You can schedule plain text, photos, videos, and even voice notes. The beta shows that media files retain their original quality, and group chats can hold multiple scheduled items at once.
Why Scheduled Messages Matter Now
From a user standpoint, the appeal is clear. You can set a birthday greeting for a friend in a different time zone, remind a teen to finish homework at 8 p.m., or launch a flash‑sale alert without staying glued to your phone. The native scheduler keeps everything encrypted and avoids the privacy risks of third‑party tools.
Practical Use Cases
Whether you’re a social media manager, a parent, or a small‑business owner, the scheduler can streamline your routine.
For Professionals and Small Businesses
- Schedule promotional blasts to hit customers at peak engagement times.
- Queue reminders for volunteers or staff without manual follow‑ups.
- Line up holiday greetings or event announcements in advance.
The Road Ahead for WhatsApp Scheduler
Meta hasn’t confirmed a launch date, and the feature is currently limited to a small pool of iOS testers. No Android version has surfaced yet, but the company’s cross‑platform strategy suggests an eventual rollout. Key questions remain: how the scheduler respects “Do Not Disturb” settings, what limits exist on how far ahead you can set a message, and what anti‑spam safeguards will be in place.
Bottom Line
The scheduled‑message beta marks a modest but meaningful shift for a platform built on simplicity and privacy. By letting you pre‑write and set a future send time, WhatsApp answers a long‑standing demand. Keep an eye on your iOS update notes – if the clock icon shows up, you’ll be among the first to test‑drive a feature that finally lets you “send later” without ever leaving the app.
