How to schedule a text message in iMessage

Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night and remembered you had to text someone in the morning? It happens to everyone. While most modern apps allow for delayed messages, iMessage This feature is still lacking. Fortunately, there is still a way to schedule iMessages. Here's what you need to know.

How to schedule iMessages

The stock Messages app on the iPhone doesn't have an iMessage scheduling option (as of this writing). You can do this in several ways, depending on how much you like third-party apps and the time of day you're sending the message.

Schedule iMessages via Reminders

The simplest way to schedule a message is to do it manually via Notes. The app can Reminders The basics of an iPhone are to perform this trick. You can use this basic scheme:

1. Create a new reminder by clicking on "+" at the bottom left.                                       
2. Fill in the address with the person's name or phone number so you can find them.                       
3. In a box Notes Write the letter.                                                           
4. Locate "the details" To set up a reminder.                                                                         
5. switch "the date" Select the day you need to send a message.                               
6. switch "the time" Select the time you want to send a message.                                 
7. Click on "addition" in the top right.                                                             
8. Confirm your notification settings if prompted.

By setting up a reminder, you'll receive a notification at a specific time and date. You can then:

1. Open Reminders.                                                                                               
2. select icon "I" On the left of the reminder.                                                                       
3. Copy text from section Notes To iMessage (double-tap the text "to select all" ثم "copies").
4. Open Messages and find the person you are sending the message to.                                   
5. Paste the message text you copied (tap and hold the box and select "sticky").       
6. Send an iMessage.                                                                                 

One major downside to this method is that you still have to send the message manually. This means you'll need to be near your phone when the notification bell rings.

Scheduling iMessages via Automation

Another built-in feature you can use to schedule a message is “Automation” in Reminders. It allows you to send a message automatically, but you need to set it up for each message and cancel it afterward. However, this is the most straightforward way to schedule messages to be sent when you need them without additional manual work.

Here's how to set up an automated message:

1. Open Shortcuts Click on the Automation tab at the bottom.                             
2. Locate “Create personal automation.”                                                                             
3. Click on time of day.                                                                       
4. Select a specific time of day and choose the time below the check mark. You can also choose Sunrise or Sunset, but this may be less useful.
5. within "repetition" , Locate "weekly" and select the day of the week (this day should glow blue, so deselect all other days). If you need to send a message a little further in advance, select "monthly" And choose the day of the month.
6. Click on "the following" in the top right.                                                             
7. within "procedures" , Locate Send a message.                                                       
8. Fill in my field "message" و "Recipients".                                                                 
9. Locate "the following".                                                                                                     
10. deselect Question before running Check it in the pop-up menu.                 
11. switch Notification when running.                                                                       
12. Automation Task Overview and Select "It was completed".                                                               

With a task set, your phone will send an iMessage at the desired time. However, depending on the setting, it will also repeat the message every day of the week or month you choose.

To avoid this, you'll need to remove the automation task. Once you receive the notification that your message has been sent (and hence triggered), Notification when running earlier), here's what you need to do:

1. Open Shortcuts and Automation.                                                                               
2. Locate the mission that you want to cancel.                                                                         
3. switch “Enable this automation”.                                                                     
4. Alternatively, you can delete an automation task by swiping it from right to left in the automation list.

With the automation task disabled (but not removed), you can edit that automation task the next time you need to schedule a message. Edit the task fields. ("when" و "Do it" Enable or disable the task as required for more messages.

Scheduling iMessages via a third-party app

If you want to schedule a message without the hassle of going back and forth through automation options, there are some apps you can download from the App Store.

Note that due to Apple restrictions, apps cannot send messages on your behalf, so most of these apps only allow you to create a reminder or task. You'll still need to confirm the message is sent.

Scheduled

Scheduled is one of the most popular iOS planning and scheduling apps, working with messages, notes, reminders, calendar events, and more.

The basic app is free, but it comes with a long list of limitations, such as the ability to only schedule a few messages each month. However, if you only need to send a scheduled message occasionally and want a few more features to play with, this is a great option.

Although the app has a relatively low rating in the store, its feature set is hard to come by and recent updates have fixed most of the issues noted in reviews.

Scheduled is the only option with the Premium plan that sends messages on your behalf.

Moxy Messenger

Moxy is an amazing free option considering its limitations. It allows you to create unlimited messages and schedule them to be sent whenever you need them.

However, since it can't send messages automatically, it will send you a notification that you must confirm. This means it's impossible to schedule a message when you're unavailable (such as in the middle of the night when you're asleep).

Carrier Messaging

This is an iPad-compatible version of the message scheduling software. Like other free options, it gives you a reminder to send a message at the appropriate time to complete the action. The free version sets a relatively generous monthly message limit.

Going Premium also enables voice controls but still restricts you to having to send the actual message via push notification.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q1: Can you cancel sending a scheduled message?
The answer: If you send a message through Automation, it still uses the native messaging app. You can locate, edit, or unsend the message (in iOS 16 or later).

If you're using a third-party app, check their FAQ and terms to see what processes they use. If they're using the native Messenger app, the process is similar to automation.

Q2: Can you schedule a text on iMessage?
The answer: Unfortunately, no. You need to use the Automation app to schedule an automatic message to be sent. Most third-party apps can't send messages automatically, even if they allow scheduling.

Send on the go with automation

Automation is the best way to schedule iMessages and send messages to your contacts regardless of the time of day. However, don't forget to disable the task afterward, or you risk sending them unwanted messages (unless that's your goal).

Have you found an easier way to schedule a message? iMessage And send it automatically? Let us know in the comments below.