How to Schedule Text Messages on iPhone (Send Later)

Ever forgotten to wish a friend happy birthday?

Or wanted your message to land at exactly 12:00 AM, but fell asleep at 11:45?

We've all been there. Short answer: on an iPhone with iOS 18 or later, use Send Later in the Messages app.

Back in 2017, when I first wrote this guide, the iPhone couldn't send a scheduled text by itself. Apps like Scheduled could only remind you, and you still had to send the message yourself.

Not anymore. Send Later sends the message for you, so you don't need a reminder app.

I'll cover how to schedule a text, how to edit or cancel one, and what to use for repeating texts.

Also Read: How to Schedule WhatsApp Messages on Android and iPhone

TL;DR

• Use Send Later: in Messages, tap "+", then "Send Later", and choose the time. It needs iOS 18 or later and an iMessage chat.
• Up to 14 days ahead: you can't schedule further than that, and your iPhone doesn't have to stay on.
• Edit or cancel any time before it sends: you need to be online to do it.
• Repeating texts: Send Later is for one message. Use a Shortcuts automation for anything that repeats.
• Scheduling apps: Scheduled still exists, but its free mode only sends reminders. Later is now a reminders app, and Text Timer is off the App Store.

What Is Send Later?

Send Later is Apple's built-in way to schedule a text in the Messages app. You pick a time, and iOS sends the message for you at that time.

Scheduling Options at a Glance

For a single message, use Send Later. For anything that repeats, use Shortcuts.

How to Schedule a Text Message on iPhone

Requirements

• An iPhone with iOS 18 or later.
• An iMessage conversation. Apple says you must be using iMessage for Send Later, so it's meant for blue-bubble chats.

The person you're texting won't know the message was scheduled.

Also Read: The Apple Ecosystem: Why It's So Hard to Leave

Steps

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Open the conversation, or start a new one.
3. Tap the "+" button next to the text field, then tap "Send Later".
4. Tap the time to open the scheduler, and choose when you want the message to go out.
5. Type your message and tap the send button.

The text field gets a dashed border, and the time it'll be sent shows up at the top.

Until it's sent, your message stays in the chat with a dashed outline. When it goes out, the bubble turns solid.

How Far Ahead Can You Schedule a Text?

The limit is 14 days, so you can't set a birthday wish for next year just yet.

For anything in the next two weeks, Send Later is the easiest way.

Does Your iPhone Need to Be On?

No. Apple says the message is delivered even if all your devices are offline.

Scheduled messages are encrypted and kept on Apple's servers only until they're sent. After that, Apple removes them from its servers.

How to Edit, Reschedule or Cancel a Scheduled Text

You can change your mind any time before it's sent. First, open the conversation.

If you don't see your message, scroll to the bottom of the chat. Scheduled messages can show up below the ones you've already sent.

Then:

• Edit the text: touch and hold the message, tap "Edit", make your changes and confirm.
• Cancel it: touch and hold the message and tap "Delete". It won't be delivered.
• Change the time: tap "Edit" next to the date above your message, tap "Edit Time", pick a new time, then tap away from the scheduler.
• Send it right now: tap "Edit" next to the date, then tap "Send Message".

One thing to watch: you need to be online to edit, reschedule or delete a scheduled message.

How to Schedule a Repeating Text

Send Later is for one message, up to two weeks ahead. If you want something that repeats, like a reminder text every week, use Apple's Shortcuts app.

In iOS 27, Apple moved automations inside each shortcut. Here's how to set one up:

1. Open Shortcuts and make a new shortcut with the "Send Message" action. Pick the contact and type your message.
2. Tap "Edit", then "Automation", and choose "Time of Day".
3. Set the time and how often it should run.

Three things to know:

• Notifications: by default, iOS shows a notification asking you to run the automation, so it won't send by itself.
• Running without asking: open the shortcut, tap "Edit", tap the Info button, go to "Privacy" and turn on "Allow Running When Locked". Apple says some actions may also need to be set to run automatically.
• Test it first: send it to yourself before you rely on it. You don't want your friend getting the same message every day by mistake.

What Happened to the Scheduling Apps?

When I first wrote this, I recommended three apps. Here's where they are now:

• Scheduled is still on the App Store, now called Scheduled - Send text later. When I first wrote this, I tested it on iOS 10, and it only sent reminders. Today, it still has a free reminder mode, plus paid options that can send texts and emails for you. Before you pay, check in the app how it sends your message and which number it comes from.
• Later is now a reminders app, not a text scheduler.
• Text Timer is no longer on the App Store.

For most people, the built-in Send Later is all you need now.

Can You Schedule WhatsApp Messages on iPhone?

WhatsApp has its own story. I've covered it in my guide on how to schedule WhatsApp messages.

Also Read: How to Auto-Reply on WhatsApp (Android and iPhone)

Final Thoughts

In 2017, the best an app could do was remind you. Today, your iPhone sends the message for you with Send Later, up to 14 days ahead, even if your phone is offline.

The main catch is that you need to be online to edit, reschedule or cancel. For repeating texts, use Shortcuts and test it on yourself first.

Apple moved automations inside each shortcut in iOS 27, so the exact menus may change again. Now you'll never miss that 12:00 AM birthday wish again.

FAQs

Can I schedule a text message on iPhone without an app?

Yes. Use Send Later in Messages on iOS 18 or later, up to 14 days ahead.

How far ahead can I schedule a text on iPhone?

Up to 14 days. Send Later doesn't let you pick a date further away than that.

Do I need to keep my iPhone on for a scheduled text to send?

No. Apple says the message is delivered even if all your devices are offline.

How do I edit or cancel a scheduled text on iPhone?

Touch and hold the message, then tap "Edit" to change it or "Delete" to cancel it. You need to be online to do either.

How do I schedule a text that repeats?

Use a "Time of Day" automation in Shortcuts and turn on "Allow Running When Locked", so it runs without asking. Test it on yourself first.

Still stuck? Tell me through the contact page.