WhatsApp has started testing its scheduled messages feature on iOS, bringing the option to Apple’s users after initial testing on Android. The feature is rolling out to some beta testers using the WhatsApp beta for iOS version 26.42.10.19 through TestFlight. More users are expected to receive access over the coming weeks.
The feature has been in development since at least February. Earlier this month, WhatsApp began testing scheduled messages with selected Android beta users. Now, the company is extending the test to iOS, although a public release date remains unknown.
How Scheduled Messages Work
The feature works much like it does on Android. Users can type a message and then tap and hold the send button to open a date and time picker. After selecting a time, they can confirm the schedule using the green button at the bottom, which displays the exact delivery time.
WhatsApp allows users to schedule messages from 10 minutes ahead to two weeks in the future. Messages will be delivered at the selected time, even if the sender’s device is offline. A confirmation showing the scheduled message will appear in the chat, but only the sender can see it.
Users can schedule text messages, links, photos, and videos. However, each scheduled message supports only one photo or video. To schedule media, users must tap and hold the send button in the drawing editor.
Scheduled Messages Can Be Deleted Before Delivery
All scheduled messages are protected by end-to-end encryption. Users can also find them in a dedicated section within the chat information screen. From there, they can delete a scheduled message at any time before it is sent. WhatsApp will not notify recipients if a scheduled message is deleted.
Group chats have one additional limitation. A scheduled message will only reach people who were members when the sender scheduled it. Anyone who joins the group afterward will not receive that message.
WhatsApp has not announced when scheduled messages will become available to everyone on iOS or Android. The feature may need several more weeks of testing before a wider rollout begins. For now, access remains limited to selected beta testers.
