Schedule Messages – What is the ‘Send Later’ Option in Messages?
Reading Time: 7 minutes Have you ever thought, “I need to send a message, but it’s too late right now,” or maybe you wanted to wish someone a happy birthday at the exact stroke of midnight but knew you’d forget? I’ve been in both situations more times than I can count. I’d end up typing out a message, only to delete it because it wasn’t the right time to hit “Send.” That’s where the “Send Later” feature in Messages comes in handy.
This feature is a game-changer for anyone who needs to schedule messages ahead of time. For example, with New Year’s Eve approaching, I will be using “Send Later” to schedule a “Happy New Year!” message right at 12 AM when the new year begins. It’s perfect for making sure I don’t miss that exact moment, even if I get caught up in the celebration. Once you schedule a message, you can easily change the time, edit the content, or delete it altogether before it is sent. Whether it’s a reminder to a friend, a professional message that should go out during work hours, or just a friendly note you don’t want to forget, “Send Later” has saved me from many awkwardly timed messages. In this article, I’ll walk you through how it works and share my experiences using it.
Ready to get started? Let’s dive in!
Requirements
To use the “Send Later” feature, you must have iMessage enabled and be running iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, watchOS 11, or visionOS 2, or later. This ensures that your device supports scheduling messages. The great news is that your recipient doesn’t need to be on the latest software—they can be using any device, and they won’t have any idea that your message was scheduled—it looks just like a normal, real-time message on their end.
Keep in mind that you need an internet connection to reschedule, edit, or delete a scheduled message. Without a connection, you won’t be able to make any changes once the message is set.
Please note that you can schedule your messages to be sent up to 14 days in advance..
How to Schedule a Message Using ‘Send Later’
Scheduling a message is straightforward, and once you get the hang of it, you’ll wonder how you managed without it. The first time I tried it, I was nervous that it wouldn’t send at the right time—but it worked like a charm! Here’s a step-by-step guide to scheduling a message using the “Send Later” feature:
- Open the Messages App
Start by opening the Messages app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. This feature works across all your Apple devices running the latest software. - Create a New Message or Open an Existing Conversation
You can schedule a message in a new conversation or in an existing chat. I usually test the feature by sending myself a message first, just to make sure everything is set up correctly! - Type Your Message
Enter the text you want to schedule. It could be a reminder, a friendly note, or a “Happy New Year!” message for midnight—I’ve used it for all three! - Tap the Plus icon and Select Send Later
Tap the Plus icon and a menu will appear with a “Send Later” option. I remember being surprised the first time I discovered this—it’s a neat hidden trick!
- Choose the Date and Time
A scheduling screen will pop up. Here, you can select the exact date and time you want the message to be sent. I always double-check the time to make sure it’s set for AM or PM—I’ve made that mistake before!
- Tap “Arrow”
After selecting the date and time, tap “Arrow” to schedule the message. The message will now be set to go out automatically at the time you chose. - Confirmation
You’ll see a small clock icon next to the scheduled message, indicating that it’s set. I always breathe a sigh of relief when I see that confirmation, knowing my message is queued up and ready.
The text field’s border changes to a dashed line, and the scheduled time for your message is displayed above it.
And that’s it! You’ve successfully scheduled a message.
Managing the Scheduled Time of a Message
Life can be unpredictable, and sometimes you might need to change the time of a scheduled message. I’ve had moments where I realized I’d set a message for the wrong time, and thankfully, it’s easy to make adjustments. Here’s how to change the time for a scheduled message:
- Open the Messages App
Just like before, start by launching the Messages app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. - Find the Scheduled Message
Look for the message you’ve scheduled with a dashed line, which is a quick visual cue to identify it. - Tap Edit
Tap Edit. A menu will pop up, showing various options and select Edit Time. - Choose the New Date and Time
Change the date and/or time to your desired settings. It’s a good idea to take a moment to ensure everything is correct, just like when you first scheduled it.
With these simple steps, you can easily adjust the timing of your scheduled messages to fit your changing needs!
Editing a Scheduled Message
Sometimes, you might want to change the content of a scheduled message. Whether you need to tweak the wording or add more details, editing is just as straightforward as scheduling. Here’s how to edit a scheduled message:
- Open the Messages App
Start by launching the Messages app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, just like before. - Locate the Scheduled Message
Find the message you want to edit. - Press and Hold the Scheduled Message
Tap and hold on the scheduled message. A menu will appear, providing you with different options. - Select “Edit”
Choose the “Edit” option from the menu. This will bring you back to the message editing screen. - Make Your Changes
Here, you can modify the text of your message as needed. Whether you want to change a few words or add more information, it’s all possible! I remember a time I scheduled a message but wanted to include a specific detail at the last minute—editing made it easy. - Tap the “Check” Button
After you’re satisfied with your edits, tap the“Check” button to save the changes. The clock icon will still indicate that it’s scheduled, but now it reflects your updated message.
And just like that, you’ve successfully edited your scheduled message! It’s a handy feature that allows for flexibility, making sure you can always send exactly what you intend.
Deleting a Scheduled Message
If you find that you no longer need a scheduled message, or if you want to start fresh with a new one, deleting it is a breeze. Here’s how to remove a scheduled message from your queue:
- Open the Messages App
Start by opening the Messages app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. - Locate the Scheduled Message
Find the scheduled message you wish to delete. - Tap “Edit”
Tap and hold on the scheduled message until a menu pops up with various options. - Select “Delete”
From the menu, choose the “Delete” option. This will remove the scheduled message from your list. I remember feeling a bit hesitant the first time I did this, but it was a relief to know I could easily clear out messages I no longer needed.
And that’s it! Deleting a scheduled message is quick and straightforward, allowing you to manage your messages without hassle.
The “Send Later” feature in Messages is a fantastic tool for anyone looking to stay organized and timely with their communication. Whether you’re wishing someone a happy new year, reminding a friend about an event, or just ensuring your messages land at the right moment, this feature has you covered. I’ve found it incredibly useful in my daily life, and I hope it becomes just as helpful for you.
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