Text message scheduling lets you type a message now, and have it automatically send at a set time. Unlike email, which is effortless, message scheduling is not as straightforward.
This is because there’s no built-in support from Apple. However, a few options exist to get things done. They have their caveats and drawbacks, but let’s learn how to schedule text messages on your iPhone.
- Use the Scheduled iOS app to schedule text messages
- Schedule text messages with the iOS Shortcuts app
Use the Scheduled iOS app to schedule text messages
How does this app work?
- Auto Send: You can choose a premium plan and send scheduled text messages automatically using a virtual number. The Scheduled app uses an SMS gateway for this. The recipient can reply to this virtual number, and you can read it inside the Scheduled app. The plan starts at $3.99 per month. You get credits that let you send automatically scheduled text messages from your iPhone.
- Schedule Messages: iOS has restrictions. Thus this or any app cannot send scheduled text messages. What this app will do is let you type the message, add the sender, and set the reminder. When the time comes, you only have to hit send. So, it’s not automatic text message scheduling, but it certainly is helpful.
- Download the Scheduled app for free from the App Store. Sign up using your phone number. Give the app access to contacts and notifications. Without these permissions, it will not be of much help.
- Tap CREATE MESSAGE.
- Then Tap To: and choose one or multiple contacts. Tap Done.
- Under Your message, type the desired message. Optionally, tap the tiny square icon to select a template.
- Tap Schedule date and set the preferred date and time. Make sure to choose AM and PM correctly. Tap anywhere else to exit this selection screen. (Send automatically tab here, requires a premium plan.)
- Tap SCHEDULE MESSAGE.
- When the time comes, the app will send you a notification. Tap it and then hit Send from the upper-right. The messages app screen will open. The contact number and message text will already be written. All you need to do is hit the arrow to send the message.
Using this app, you can schedule not only texts, but even calls and messages for WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, Slack, and more. For this, tap All from the top row and choose the desired service.
Schedule text messages with the iOS Shortcuts app
Before you begin:
- Make sure Allow Untrusted Shortcuts is enabled in Settings → Shortcuts.
- This method to schedule text messages works only if the iPhone screen is unlocked and on Shortcuts.
- Download and add the Send Delayed Text shortcut. For the download, follow this link. Next, tap Add Untrusted Shortcut.
- In Shortcuts, tap My Shortcuts and find this shortcut. Tap more.
- Scroll to the bottom, and under MESSAGES, tap Allow Access → OK. Tap Done.
- Now, tap on the shortcut. Tap on the desired contact.
- Type the desired text message and tap OK.
- Set the preferred time and tap OK.
- Leave Shortcuts open and the screen unlocked. The text message has been scheduled. It will be sent automatically at the set time.
In which situation is the above method helpful?
The limitation of keeping the screen unlocked and on Shortcuts, it hinders your iPhone’s efficiency. But suppose you have to sleep early, and you don’t want to miss sending the text for the new year, birthday, or anniversary.
In such cases, open Settings → Display & Brightness → Auto-Lock → Never. Now, follow the above steps to schedule the text message. Finally, connect your phone to a charging cable.
Another similar shortcut that you can use is the Delayed Time iMessage.
If you don’t want to use this app, you can use the Reminders app on your iPhone. You may also ask Siri something like ‘Remind me to text Donald at 9:30 PM today.’
This is how you can schedule text messages on your iPhone. If you’ve just switched from Android, you might find it inconvenient as the green team already has excellent built-in message scheduling.
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- How to use Messages app on iPhone
- iPhone not receiving texts from Android? 9 Possible fixes
A self-professed Geek who loves to explore all things Apple. I thoroughly enjoy discovering new hacks, troubleshooting issues, and finding and reviewing the best products and apps currently available. My expertise also includes curating opinionated and honest editorials. If not this, you might find me surfing the web or listening to audiobooks.