WhatsApp is finally building scheduled messages, a feature users have asked for for years, and it will let you choose a specific date and time for a message to send automatically without opening the chat again. The tool is still under development, but early signs show Meta is preparing to add it directly inside the app instead of forcing users to depend on workarounds.
For now, WhatsApp does not support native message scheduling, so many users rely on the Shortcuts app on iPhone to automate messages, which works but requires manual setup and feels less convenient than a built-in option. Once this feature goes live, you will type your message, pick the date and time, and let WhatsApp handle the rest while the message stays queued until delivery.
WABetaInfo spotted the feature inside the latest TestFlight beta version 26.7.10.72 for iOS, where new references point to a “Scheduled Messages” section inside the chat info screen.
“This feature is currently in development and not yet available for beta testing.”
The report also notes that once development wraps up, WhatsApp will roll it out to select beta testers before a wider public release.
How scheduled messages will work
Based on what has surfaced so far, you will be able to schedule messages in both individual chats and group conversations, which means you can plan birthday wishes, reminders, or work updates without worrying about forgetting the exact time. After scheduling a message, WhatsApp will place it inside a dedicated section within the chat info page, where you can view, manage, or delete pending messages before they are sent.
If you delete a scheduled message before delivery, WhatsApp will not notify the recipient because the message never reaches their device. That keeps you fully in control of what goes out and when.
Business tools paved the way
WhatsApp already lets businesses schedule promotional messages through Business Broadcasts, a paid feature that helps brands send offers at specific times. Now the company plans to bring similar scheduling control to regular users for free, which signals a shift toward making advanced messaging tools available to everyone.
It is still unclear whether WhatsApp will support repeating messages like Telegram’s recurring reminders, but the addition of basic scheduling alone closes a long standing gap between WhatsApp and rivals such as Telegram and iMessage.
The feature remains under development, and WhatsApp will release it in a future update once testing begins.
