WhatsApp is testing a new feature that will let users schedule messages, photos, videos, and documents for delivery at a later time. The feature could make it easier to send birthday wishes, share meeting reminders, and plan group announcements without having to remember to send them manually.
The scheduled messages feature is currently available to select Android beta testers running WhatsApp version 2.26.40.7 through the Google Play Store. A wider rollout is expected in the coming weeks, although WhatsApp has not confirmed a public release date.
One of the most useful aspects of the feature is that scheduled messages are expected to be delivered at the selected time even when the sender’s phone is offline. This would make message scheduling more convenient for people who want to plan communications in advance without keeping their phones connected.
What Is WhatsApp’s Scheduled Messages Feature?
WhatsApp’s scheduled messages feature will allow users to compose a message and choose when they want it delivered. Instead of sending the message immediately, the app will hold it for delivery at the specified date and time.
The feature is designed to support more than text. Users will also be able to schedule photos, videos, and documents, making it useful for personal conversations as well as work-related communication.
For example, users could prepare a birthday greeting the night before, schedule a reminder for a meeting the following morning, or arrange to share event details with a group at a specific time.
The feature could also help people communicate across different schedules without having to stay awake or set a separate reminder to send a message.
Scheduled Messages Will Work in Individual and Group Chats
The feature is expected to support both individual conversations and group chats.
This means users could schedule a message for a friend, send a reminder to a colleague, or prepare an announcement for a family or work group.
For group administrators and people who regularly coordinate events, scheduled delivery could reduce the need to manually send the same information at a particular time.
The ability to schedule media and documents could also prove useful for sharing event invitations, photographs, presentations, and other files when they are needed.
How to Schedule Messages on WhatsApp
The feature is being tested with a straightforward process that uses the existing send button.
Once the feature becomes available on a supported version of WhatsApp, users should be able to follow these steps:
- Open WhatsApp and enter the individual or group chat where the message needs to be sent.
- Type the message or prepare the content you want to share.
- Tap and hold the send button to open the scheduling options.
- Select the preferred delivery date and time from the menu that appears at the bottom of the screen.
- Confirm the selection to schedule the message.
The message will then be queued for delivery at the chosen time rather than being sent immediately.
The exact interface may change as WhatsApp continues testing the feature, so these steps should be treated as a description of the reported beta functionality rather than a guide to a feature already available to every user.
Can You Schedule Photos, Videos, and Documents?
Yes. The reported feature extends beyond text messages to include photos, videos, and documents.
WhatsApp is also planning to make scheduling available through its gallery picker, where users select images and videos to share. The reported interaction involves tapping and holding the send button to access the scheduling option.
This would allow users to prepare media in advance rather than having to return to the chat at the exact time they want to share it.
For example, someone organizing an event could prepare photographs or documents ahead of time and schedule them for delivery when the group needs them.
Will WhatsApp Send Scheduled Messages When Your Phone Is Offline?
One of the feature’s most notable reported capabilities is that scheduled messages will be delivered at the selected time even if the sender’s phone is offline.
This could be particularly useful for people with unreliable internet connections, those travelling, or anyone who wants a message to arrive while they are unavailable.
However, the exact technical implementation has not been fully detailed in the supplied feature information. Users should wait for WhatsApp’s official release notes to confirm how scheduled delivery behaves under different conditions, including connectivity issues and account restrictions.
The offline-delivery capability should therefore be understood as part of the reported testing, not as a guarantee that every scheduled message will always arrive regardless of circumstances.
WhatsApp Is Also Planning a Scheduled Messages Management Tab
WhatsApp is reportedly developing a dedicated Scheduled Messages section within chats. The addition would give users a place to review messages they have prepared for future delivery.
A management view could be particularly useful for people who schedule several messages or regularly use the feature for work.
According to the reported plans, users will be able to manage or delete scheduled messages. This would help them correct a mistake, remove an outdated reminder, or cancel a message when plans change.
For example, if a meeting is postponed, a user could remove the scheduled reminder instead of risking sending outdated information to colleagues.
The final design and the full range of editing options have not yet been confirmed. In particular, users should not assume they will be able to change the text, attachments, or delivery time until WhatsApp confirms those capabilities.
When Will WhatsApp’s Scheduled Messages Feature Roll Out?
The feature is currently being tested with select Android beta testers using WhatsApp version 2.26.40.7 from the Google Play Store.
WhatsApp commonly tests new capabilities with a limited group of users before deciding whether to expand availability. Testing allows the company to identify technical problems, evaluate usability, and refine the interface before a wider release.
The scheduled messages feature is expected to reach more users in the coming weeks, but the exact rollout schedule remains unconfirmed.
Users who cannot access the feature should not assume their app is malfunctioning. Availability during beta testing can vary by account, device, and testing group.
It is also not yet confirmed when the feature will become available on iPhone or whether the final release will include all the capabilities currently being tested.
How Could Scheduled Messages Change the Way People Use WhatsApp?
Scheduling could make WhatsApp more useful for people who depend on the platform for everyday planning and communication.
Potential uses include:
- Birthday greetings: Prepare messages in advance so you do not forget important occasions.
- Work reminders: Schedule meeting details, deadlines, or follow-up messages.
- Group coordination: Send event announcements and updates at a planned time.
- Sharing files: Schedule documents, photos, and videos for when recipients are likely to need them.
- Personal planning: Prepare messages ahead of travel, busy workdays, or other commitments.
The feature would not fundamentally change WhatsApp’s role as a messaging app, but it could make communication more flexible by separating the time a message is prepared from the time it is delivered.
For now, scheduled messages remain a feature under development. If the testing phase progresses successfully, the addition could give WhatsApp users a convenient way to plan communications without relying on memory or manually sending each message at the right moment.
