How to Schedule a Message to Send at a Later Time on Android and iPhone

How to Schedule a Message to Send at a Later Time on Android and iPhone

Sometimes, you need to send a text message at a later time—whether it’s a reminder, a birthday message, or a business follow-up. Fortunately, both Android and iPhone offer ways to schedule messages for future delivery.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the different methods available for scheduling text messages on Android and iPhone.

📱 How to Schedule a Message on Android

Method 1: Using Google Messages (Built-in Feature on Most Android Phones)

Google Messages allows you to schedule text messages without needing a third-party app. Here’s how:

1. Open the Google Messages app on your Android phone.

2. Start a new message or open an existing conversation.

3. Type your message as you normally would.

4. Press and hold the send button (blue arrow) until the “Schedule send” option appears.

5. Choose a preset time or tap “Pick date & time” to set a custom schedule.

6. Tap “Save”, and your message will be scheduled.

✅ Your scheduled message will have a clock icon next to it. If you need to edit or delete it, just tap on the message and select Edit or Cancel.

Method 2: Using Samsung Messages (For Samsung Galaxy Phones)

If you use a Samsung Galaxy phone with the Samsung Messages app:

1. Open Samsung Messages and compose a new message.

2. Tap on the three-dot menu in the top right corner.

3. Select “Schedule message” from the options.

4. Choose the date and time you want the message to be sent.

5. Tap “Done” and then send the message.

✅ The message will be sent automatically at the scheduled time.

Method 3: Using Third-Party Apps (For More Advanced Scheduling Options)

If your phone’s default messaging app doesn’t support scheduling, you can use third-party apps like:

• Do It Later

• Textra SMS

• Pulse SMS

These apps offer advanced scheduling options and allow you to automate messages for business or personal use.

📱 How to Schedule a Message on iPhone

Unfortunately, iPhones do not have a built-in message scheduling feature in the default Messages app, but you can schedule texts using Shortcuts or third-party apps.

Method 1: Using the Shortcuts App (Built-in iPhone Feature)

1. Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone (pre-installed on all iPhones).

2. Tap the Automation tab at the bottom.

3. Tap Create Personal Automation (or tap the “+” to create a new one).

4. Choose Time of Day, then set the date and time you want the message to be sent.

5. Tap Next, then tap Add Action.

6. In the search bar, type “Send Message” and select it.

7. Tap “Recipients” and select the contact you want to message.

8. Type the message you want to send.

9. Tap Next, then Done to schedule it.

🚨 Note: This method works best for recurring messages. However, it does not support one-time scheduled texts without manual confirmation when the time comes.

Method 2: Using Third-Party Apps for Scheduling Messages on iPhone

Since Apple does not allow automatic text scheduling in Messages, you can use apps like:

• Scheduled (Free with in-app purchases)

• Text Timer

• SMS Scheduler

These apps allow you to compose messages and schedule them for future delivery. Some may require manual confirmation before sending.

Final Thoughts

Scheduling text messages can help you stay organized, send timely reminders, and manage communication more efficiently. While Android offers built-in scheduling in Google Messages and Samsung Messages, iPhone users will need to rely on Shortcuts or third-party apps.

Have you tried scheduling messages on your phone? Let me know if you found this guide helpful!