WhatsApp is working on a Scheduled Messages feature so users can set texts to send automatically at a chosen date and time in individual and group chats.
WhatsApp Finally Catches Up with Scheduled Messaging
WhatsApp is reportedly preparing a long-awaited upgrade that will let users schedule messages to be sent automatically at a later time. The tool, spotted in a recent beta build of the app, would finally bring WhatsApp in line with rival messaging platforms that have offered similar functionality for years.
The feature was identified by WABetaInfo, a website that tracks upcoming changes to Meta’s messaging apps. According to their report, Scheduled Messages have been found in beta version 26.7.10.72 of WhatsApp for iOS. While the option is still hidden from most users, its presence in the code suggests that WhatsApp engineers are actively testing it behind the scenes.
If rolled out publicly, Scheduled Messages would be available in both one-to-one and group chats. That means users could plan birthday greetings, reminders, or work-related updates ahead of time and let WhatsApp deliver them automatically, instead of relying on memory or setting alarms to send messages manually.
How Scheduled Messages Work Inside WhatsApp
Early screenshots show that WhatsApp is building a simple scheduling flow into the existing chat interface. Users would write a message as usual, then choose an option to schedule it rather than sending it immediately. A date and time picker would allow them to set exactly when the message should be delivered.
Once a message has been scheduled, it would appear in a dedicated “Scheduled Messages” section inside the chat information screen. From this panel, users could review the messages they have queued up, adjust the text or timing if plans change, or cancel the message altogether before it is sent.
WABetaInfo’s preview focuses on a group chat example, where an upcoming announcement has been scheduled for later. However, there is nothing in the current design to suggest that the feature will be restricted to groups only. On the contrary, the expectation is that the option will work in normal one-to-one conversations as well, giving all users more control over when their messages go out.
Why Scheduled Messages Matter for Everyday Users
For everyday users, scheduled messages could remove a lot of small headaches. Instead of waiting until midnight to wish a friend happy birthday, you could draft the message earlier in the day and schedule it to send at the perfect time. Parents might schedule school-related reminders to class groups, while professionals could line up meeting notes or follow-up messages during working hours without worrying about time zones.
Group admins in particular may find the feature helpful. Many community groups, office teams and student batches already rely on WhatsApp for daily coordination. With Scheduled Messages, admins could pre-plan announcements, deadline reminders or event details and send them at moments when most members are active, improving visibility and reducing spam-like repetition.
The feature would also be useful in regions where late-night messaging is frowned upon or could disturb people. Instead of holding back urgent information until the next morning, users could schedule a polite early-morning message that arrives when it is less intrusive.
Release Timeline and What We Still Don’t Know
Despite the excitement, it is important to note that Scheduled Messages are still under development and are not yet available to regular beta testers. Features discovered in beta code often change before launch, and in some cases they never ship at all if priorities inside the company shift.
WhatsApp has not made any official announcement about the rollout, nor has it shared a timeline for when the feature might reach Android, iOS or the web and desktop versions of the app. Until Meta confirms details publicly, all information about how the tool will work across different platforms should be treated as provisional.
Even so, the presence of Scheduled Messages in the latest beta is a strong signal that WhatsApp understands user demand for more flexible messaging tools. If and when the feature goes live, it will close one of the biggest gaps between WhatsApp and competing chat apps, making it easier for people to manage conversations on their own schedule.
