How to Schedule Messages to Send Later on iPhone, iPad, and Mac

You no longer need automation or a shortcut on your iPhone to schedule texts to wish on birthdays or anniversaries, business communication, or keep in touch. The new Messages app lets you schedule messages using the ‘Send Later’ option with iMessage in iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia. Also, this feature mainly works with the iMessage protocol and not with the upcoming RCS (including other Android phones) or regular SMS. Here’s how to schedule messages to send later from the Messages app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

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Things to Note About Scheduling Messages

The new Send Later option appears for iPhones with iOS 18, iPads with iPadOS 18, and Macs that run macOS Sequoia. If you don’t wish to wait for the public release in September 2024, you can install the respective developer or public beta to test this feature along with others on your devices. You can only schedule messages to be sent later for other iMessage users only. Besides, using an iPhone to schedule messages to send later is more reliable than using an iPad or Mac. For example, a Mac in sleep mode can’t send a scheduled message.

Also Read: Best Ways to Fix iPhone Not Sending Text Messages

Schedule Messages to Send Later on iPhone and iPad

To schedule messages for sending later, you need to follow the usual way of sending text. Of course, there’s a slight twist with that. Here’s what you need to do on your iPhone and iPad:

1. In the Messages app, select an existing conversation or create a new text to schedule a message.
2. Type your message in the text box. When done, tap the circular plus icon next to it and tap More.
3. Tap on Send Later at the top.

Type your message and click the circular plus icon next to it.

4. Select a date and time to schedule the message. Then, tap the Send (upward arrow) icon to schedule the message.

Use the scrolling sliders to adjust the Date and Time of the message.

That will schedule your message in the blue text (indicating it’s an iMessage) and a blue-lined border.

Edit or Reschedule a Scheduled Message on iPhone and iPad

After you schedule a message, you can notice the scheduled time banner in the text box. That’s to type out any follow-up message and schedule it for a different time. Did you spot a mistake with the text or change your mind about the time? It is easy to edit the text or time of the scheduled message.

Edit the Text of a Scheduled Message to Send Later

Like other messages, long-press on the scheduled message text to edit or delete it entirely.

Long-press on the scheduled message to edit the text.

Edit Time of the Scheduled Message to Send Later

To reschedule a scheduled message on iPhone or iPad, you’ll need to follow these steps:
1. Tap the Edit button under the Send Later section in the Messages app on iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap Edit Time from the context menu.
3. Use the options to set a new Date and Time to reschedule the message.

Also Read: Try These Fixes When Images Are Not Loading in Messages on iPhone

Schedule Messages to Send Later on a Mac

Setting a delayed text or scheduling messages to send later on Mac is relatively easy. Mostly because the Messages app on the Mac offers a straightforward way. Here’s how to schedule a message on Mac:

1. In the Messages app on Mac, select an existing conversation or create a new one.
2. Type your message in the text box. Click the circular plus icon next to the text box.

3. Select Send Later from the options.

4. Click on the Day or Month number to open a small calendar pop-up to choose a specific date.

5. Click on the number for Time to select and type any time for the hour and minutes.

6. After setting the Date and Time, hit Return to schedule the message.

Also Read: Here’s How to Mark All Messages as Read on iPhone and iPad

Edit or Reschedule the Scheduled Message on a Mac

You can always edit the text or reschedule the scheduled message to send later from the Messages app on Mac. The process is quite similar to the one on iPhone, but the experience is different.

Edit Text of the Scheduled Message to Send Later on a Mac

You can modify or change the text of a scheduled message the same way you’d typically edit the text of a sent message. Right-click on the scheduled message text and select Edit to change the text or Delete to remove it entirely.

Edit or Reschedule the Scheduled Message to Send Later on Mac

You can always reschedule a scheduled message to a later time from your Mac. Click the Edit button above the scheduled message.

Select Edit Time from the context menu that appears.

Next, select the Date or Time number to reschedule the message.

Time Your Messages in Advance

Sending a delayed or scheduled message for later can help you further your business communication and productivity. Of course, you can always schedule wishes for birthdays, anniversaries, and other occasions in advance. Note that these things work best on the iPhone since it tends to stay connected with mobile data or Wi-Fi. A scheduled message is relatively difficult to send on time when a Mac is in sleep mode or shut down.