Learn how to schedule a text on iPhone with step-by-step instructions. Discover methods for sending delayed or scheduled messages using iOS shortcuts and other tools.
Scheduling a text on an iPhone might sound like something you can’t do, but actually, it’s a helpful feature that’s easy to use. Whether you want to send a birthday message, remind someone of something, or make texting easier, scheduling a message can save you time.
In this guide, we’ll show you different ways to schedule text messages on your iPhone. This includes both iMessage and regular text messages, with or without using extra apps. Whether you need to send a single message or set up recurring messages, we’ll help you do it.
Why Schedule a Text on iPhone?
Scheduling texts on your iPhone is a helpful tool that can save you time and make life easier. Here’s why you should try it:
- Send Messages at the Right Time: If you’re texting someone in a different time zone or need to send a reminder at a specific time, scheduling your text ensures it goes out when you want it to.
- Never Forget Important Dates: You can schedule messages for birthdays, anniversaries, and other important events, so you never miss a special day.
- Stay Organized: Scheduling your texts helps you keep track of messages without needing to remember when to send them.
Although the iPhone doesn’t let you schedule texts directly in the Messages app, you can still do it with the Shortcuts app or third-party apps.
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Can you schedule a text message on an iPhone?
Yes, you can schedule a text on your iPhone. While the Messages app doesn’t allow this directly, you can use the Shortcuts app, which Apple makes, or third-party apps like “Scheduled.” These tools let you schedule a time for your message to be sent later, making it easier to send messages when you need them without having to remember.
Best Apps to Schedule Texts on iPhone
If you want to send a message later on your iPhone, there are a few apps that can help you do this. These apps let you write a message now and pick a time for it to be sent automatically.
One app is Shortcuts, which comes with your iPhone. With Shortcuts, you can set up your phone to send a message at a particular time. It’s free, but it might take a little time to learn how to use it.
Another app is Scheduled. It’s easy to use and lets you plan your messages for later, like birthday wishes or reminders. Some features in this app might cost money.
If your iPhone has iOS 18 or newer, you can also use the Send Later feature in the Messages app. You tap the plus (+) button, choose “Send Later,” pick the time, and your message will be sent at that time, even if your phone is off.
There are also other apps you can use, like AutoSender and Quo. These apps let you schedule messages for both text messages (SMS) and iMessages. Some of these apps let you send messages to multiple people at once, which is helpful for reminders or announcements. But keep in mind, some of these apps might charge you for certain features.
These apps can help you stay organized and make sure you don’t forget to send important messages.
How to Schedule a Text on iPhone Using Shortcuts
Apple’s Shortcuts app is a helpful tool on your iPhone that can automate many tasks, including sending text messages at a specific time. It’s not something built into the iPhone, but with Shortcuts, you can set up custom actions to send messages whenever you want.
Easy Guide to Schedule a Text on iPhone Using Shortcuts
- Download and Open the Shortcuts App:
- First, download the Shortcuts app from the App Store if you don’t have it yet. It’s free and works on iPhones with iOS 12 or later.
- Create a New Shortcut:
- Open the Shortcuts app and tap the “+” button at the top right of the screen.
- Tap “Add Action” to start creating your shortcut.
- Set Up the Message Action:
- In the search bar, type “Send Message”.
- Select the “Send Message” action, then pick the person you want to send the message to.
- Type the message you want to send.
- Add a Time Delay:
- In the search bar, type “Wait”.
- Choose “Wait” and set how long you want to wait before sending the message (for example, 1 hour or 2 hours).
- Set the Shortcut to Run Automatically:
- After the wait time, add another action: “Send Message”.
- This way, the shortcut will wait for the set time and then send the message automatically.
- Save and Activate:
- Tap “Next”, give your shortcut a name, and tap “Done”.
- You can run the shortcut manually, or set it to run automatically using the “Automation” tab in Shortcuts.
Things to Keep in Mind:
While Shortcuts is handy, it does have some limitations:
- Manual Trigger: You may need to start the shortcut yourself, depending on how you set it up.
- No Full Automation: iPhones don’t allow fully automatic texting at a set time without some manual steps.
This app helps you schedule texts, but it’s not fully automatic like some Android phones. Still, it’s an excellent tool for organizing your messages.
How to Schedule a Text on iPhone with Third-Party Apps
If you want an easier way to schedule texts without complicated steps, you can use third-party apps. These apps make it easy to schedule your messages to be sent later. Here are some popular apps that help you do this:
Scheduled
The Scheduled app is well known for scheduling text messages on iPhones. It lets you plan when to send SMS and iMessages. Here’s how to use it:
- Download the Scheduled app from the App Store.
- Open the app and tap the “+” icon to start a new message.
- Choose who you want to send the message to and type the message.
- Pick the date and time you want the message sent.
- The app will remind you to send the message at the right time. You need to tap to send it manually, which is excellent if you want to be reminded.
AutoSender – Auto Texting
AutoSender is another app that lets you send scheduled SMS messages automatically. It’s easy to use. Once you set the message and time, the app will send it for you. However, you have to pay a small fee to unlock all features.
Text Later
Text Later is a simple app for scheduling messages. Unlike other apps, you don’t need to be reminded to send the message. You just set the time and date, and the app will automatically send the message when it’s time.
These apps make it easy to send messages at the right time, without needing to remember when to do it yourself.
How to Schedule Texts on iPhone Using iMessage
Some people prefer native messaging platforms like iMessage. This heading can target users who want to schedule iMessages specifically.
Can You Schedule a Text Message on an iPhone to an Android?
Yes, you can schedule a text message from your iPhone to an Android phone using the same methods mentioned earlier. It works the same way, whether you’re sending an iMessage or a regular SMS message. Just make sure the person you are texting is using a phone that can receive SMS messages (like most Android phones).
How to Automatically Send Text Messages on iPhone
Even though iOS doesn’t let you send text messages automatically without doing something yourself, you can still set reminders or use other apps to send messages later. These methods are helpful for busy people who want to ensure their messages are sent at the right time to the right person.
Commonly Asked Questions
Can You Set Text to Send at a Certain Time on iPhone?
Yes, you can set text messages to send at a particular time using the Shortcuts app or third-party apps like Scheduled. iOS doesn’t natively allow this feature, but these workarounds provide easy solutions.
How to Schedule Text Messages on iPhone Shortcuts?
To schedule text messages on iPhone using Shortcuts, create a custom automation that includes the “Send Message” action, followed by a delay action (e.g., “Wait”) before sending the message. This lets you automate message sending after a specified period.
How Do You Send a Scheduled Text on iPhone Without Using Third-Party Apps?
While iOS doesn’t support scheduling texts directly, you can use the Shortcuts app to create automations that send messages after a set delay. This allows you to send messages at a specified time without third-party apps.
Learning how to schedule a text on your iPhone can help you save time and stay on top of your messages. Whether you’re using the Shortcuts app or another app, scheduling texts makes it easier to send messages at the right time without forgetting.
Now that you know how to schedule a text, you can use these tips to stay organized and manage your messages better.
For more ways to save time on your iPhone, check out other articles about iPhone shortcuts, helpful apps, and time-saving tricks.
Peyman Khosravani is a seasoned expert in blockchain, digital transformation, and emerging technologies, with a strong focus on innovation in finance, business, and marketing. With a robust background in blockchain and decentralized finance (DeFi), Peyman has successfully guided global organizations in refining digital strategies and optimizing data-driven decision-making. His work emphasizes leveraging technology for societal impact, focusing on fairness, justice, and transparency. A passionate advocate for the transformative power of digital tools, Peyman’s expertise spans across helping startups and established businesses navigate digital landscapes, drive growth, and stay ahead of industry trends. His insights into analytics and communication empower companies to effectively connect with customers and harness data to fuel their success in an ever-evolving digital world.
