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How to Schedule A Text Message (For Personal And Business)

Have you ever forgotten to send an important text because you were caught up in meetings?

Scheduling is great for:

  • Wishing someone a happy birthday at the right time (rather than texting them at 3 am due to different time zones).
  • Sending meeting reminders when they’re most likely to be seen.
  • Coordinating with people across time zones without losing sleep.
  • Managing customer communications without being chained to your phone.

Text message scheduling is about to change all that—and it’s finally becoming native to our phones.

While Android users have enjoyed built-in text scheduling for years, iPhone users have been cobbling together workarounds with no real way to schedule texts without using third-party apps and complex shortcuts.

Thankfully, Apple is finally catching up with native scheduling in iOS 18.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about scheduling text messages, whether you’re using an iPhone, Android, or managing messages for a business.

What’s particularly exciting is how these tools are evolving. The addition of native scheduling in iOS 18 signals a shift in how we think about mobile communication—from purely reactive to strategically planned.

How To Schedule A Text Message On iPhone

Scheduling Text Messages in iOS 18

To schedule a text message on an iPhone, you can use the built-in Messages app if you’re running iOS 18 or newer, or the Shortcuts app for earlier versions or SMS messages. Here’s how to do it using both methods:

  1. Open the Messages App: Navigate to the conversation of the person you want to message.
  2. Compose Your Message: Type your text in the message field.
  3. Select Send Later:
    • Tap the Plus (+) button next to the text field.
    • Choose Send Later from the options.
  4. Set Date and Time: Use the date and time picker to select when you want to send your message.
  5. Send the Message: Tap the send button. Your message will appear in a dashed bubble with the scheduled time above it.

Scheduled messages can be edited or cancelled before they are sent by tapping the edit button next to the scheduled time.

Scheduling Text Messages Using Shortcuts App (iOS 17 and Earlier)

If you’re using an older version of iOS or need to send SMS messages, follow these steps:

  1. Open Shortcuts App: Locate and open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone.
  2. Create New Automation:
    • Tap on the Automation tab at the bottom.
    • Select Create Personal Automation.
  3. Set Time of Day:
    • Choose Time of Day and set when you want your message to be sent.
    • Select whether this should repeat daily, weekly, or monthly.
  4. Select Action:
    • Tap on Add Action, then choose Send Message.
    • Fill in your message and select recipients.
  5. Finalize Automation:
    • Disable “Ask Before Running” if you want it sent automatically without confirmation.
    • Tap Done to save your automation.

The scheduling feature in iOS 18 only works with iMessages, not SMS or RCS messages.

For older versions, using Shortcuts is a workaround but allows for scheduling SMS messages as well.

How To Schedule A Text Message On Android

Android users have enjoyed native text scheduling for years, with options varying by manufacturer and messaging app. Let’s break down the two main approaches:

How to Schedule a Text Message on An Android Phone

Method 1: Using Google Messages

  1. Open Google Messages
    • Unlock your Android device and locate the Google Messages app. Tap to open it.
  2. Start a New Chat
    • Tap the Start chat icon (usually a speech bubble or pencil icon) or select an existing conversation where you want to send the message.
  3. Compose Your Message
    • Type the text message you want to send.
  4. Access the Scheduler
    • Long-press the Send button (the right-pointing arrow). This will bring up a scheduling menu.
  5. Choose a Time
    • Select one of the suggested times (like “Later today” or “Tomorrow”) or tap on “Pick date and time” for a custom schedule.
  6. Confirm and Send
    • After setting your desired date and time, tap Save, then hit the Send button to schedule your message. It will appear in the chat with an icon indicating it’s scheduled.

Method 2: Using Samsung Messages

  1. Open Samsung Messages
    • Find and open the Samsung Messages app on your device.
  2. Create or Select a Conversation
    • Tap the + icon to start a new message or select an existing chat.
  3. Type Your Message
    • Enter the text you wish to send in the message field.
  4. Open Scheduling Options
    • Tap the + icon next to the text field, then select “Schedule message.”
  5. Set Date and Time
    • Choose your preferred date and time for sending the message.
  6. Finalize Scheduling
    • After selecting the date and time, tap Done to return to your conversation, then press the Send button to schedule it.

Alternative Methods

If your device doesn’t support these built-in features, consider using third-party apps which also offer scheduling options. The steps are generally similar: compose your message, access scheduling features, set your desired time, and confirm.

Google Messages

Google’s default messaging app offers scheduling with a clean, straightforward approach:

  1. Write your message
  2. Long-press the send button
  3. Select your preferred time or “Pick date and time”
  4. Confirm your selection

Key Features:

  • Suggested times (Later today, Tonight, Tomorrow)
  • Custom date and time selection
  • Easy rescheduling with a tap on pending messages
  • Message status indicators

What Makes Android Different

Unlike iOS’s new implementation, Android’s scheduling features have matured over years of iterations. This brings several advantages:

  • More flexible scheduling windows
  • Greater customization options
  • Better handling of failed deliveries
  • Broader device compatibility

Pro Tip: Android users can schedule messages even when offline—they’ll send automatically when connection is restored.

Online Messaging Platforms

Your mobile device isn’t the only way to send a text message.

Consumers and businesses can get access to online SMS services which offer incredible features and sending an SMS message online is easier to use than a mobile phone.

These aren’t just scheduling tools—they’re complete communication platforms.

An e-commerce business might use an SMS service to automatically send order confirmations, shipping updates, and delivery notifications. The cost per message is also incredibly affordable, but the automation and integration capabilities often justify the investment.

The real value of these business platforms lies in their ability to scale.

They can handle everything from one-off customer service messages to coordinated campaigns reaching thousands of recipients, all while maintaining personalization and tracking engagement.

What makes these platforms particularly powerful is their ability to integrate with existing business systems.

Your CRM, e-commerce platform, and customer service tools can all work together, creating a seamless communication flow that would be impossible with simpler scheduling tools.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Here’s what experienced schedulers have learned the hard way:

• Always double-check the AM/PM setting
• Consider the recipient’s likely schedule
• Have a backup plan for time-sensitive messages
• Review scheduled messages regularly for relevance

Business Applications

For businesses, scheduled messaging transforms from convenience to strategy. It’s about maintaining consistent customer communication without burning out your team.

Customer Communication Done Right

Appointment reminders become a seamless part of your workflow. Instead of having staff manually send reminders, schedule them automatically when the appointment is booked. A good sequence might be:

  1. Booking confirmation (immediate)
  2. Reminder one week before
  3. Final reminder day before
  4. Follow-up after service

For payment notifications, timing is crucial.

Schedule payment reminders for mid-morning on business days when people are most likely to take action.

Avoid sending on holidays or outside business hours unless absolutely necessary.

Internal Operations

Team coordination benefits enormously from scheduled messages.

Shift managers can schedule next week’s assignments in advance, ensuring everyone gets notified at appropriate times.

Meeting reminders can include prep materials, giving team members time to prepare.

The key is finding the right balance between automation and personalization.

Scheduled messages should make your operation more efficient without losing the human touch that builds relationships.