How to schedule a text on iPhone (Send Later) — and its limits
You schedule a text on iPhone with Send Later, in iOS 18 or later. In Messages, tap +, tap Send Later, choose a time up to 14 days ahead, then send. Apple requires iMessage. Each scheduled message goes into one conversation and doesn't repeat, so a list of people or a weekly text needs a reminder instead.
The short answer
Scheduling a text on iPhone means using Send Later, a Messages feature in iOS 18 and later: tap the + button, tap Send Later, pick a time, and send as usual. Apple says you can schedule a message up to 14 days ahead and that you must be using iMessage, the blue-bubble service. The scheduled message shows with a dashed line and is delivered even if all your devices are offline. You need to be online to edit, reschedule or delete it. Send Later has no repeat option and puts each message into one conversation, so it can't send a personal text to everyone on a list. For a text that repeats every week or month, set a calendar reminder to send it.
For a weekly text, a text to green-bubble contacts, or the same text to a list, Send Later won't cover it; set a reminder to send builds a calendar file that alerts you every week or month, with your message in the note.
Steps: schedule a message with Send Later
These steps are Apple's, from the iPhone User Guide (iOS 18 and current versions).
- Open the Messages app.
- Go to the conversation where you want to schedule a message, or start a new conversation.
- Tap the + button, then tap Send Later.
- Tap the time to open the scheduler, then choose when you want the message to go out. The border of the text field turns into a dashed line, and the send time appears at the top.
- Type your message, then tap the Send button.
The message stays in the conversation with a dashed line until its time. Apple says scheduled messages are encrypted and stored on Apple servers only until sent. When it goes out, the bubble turns solid and the dashed line disappears.
Change, move or cancel a scheduled message
Apple says you can edit, delete or reschedule a message any time before its delivery time, or send it right away, but you need to be online. If you don't see it, scroll to the bottom: Apple notes scheduled messages may appear below sent messages.
| To… | Do this (Apple's steps) |
|---|---|
| Reschedule | Tap Edit beside the date above the scheduled message, tap Edit Time, choose a new time, then tap away from the scheduler |
| Send it now | Tap Edit beside the date, then tap Send Message |
| Edit the text | Touch and hold the bubble, tap Edit, make changes, then tap the confirm button (or the revert button to undo) |
| Cancel | Touch and hold the bubble, then tap Delete. Apple: it's canceled and not delivered |
Send Later limits
| Limit | Apple's answer | Source tier |
|---|---|---|
| iOS version needed | iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, watchOS 11, visionOS 2 or later | Apple, current |
| Service | "You must be using iMessage" | Apple, current |
| How far ahead (days) | Up to 14 | Apple, current |
| Recipient's device | "Your recipient can use any device, and they won't know that the message was scheduled" | Apple, current |
| Your phone offline at send time | Delivered "even if all your devices are offline" | Apple, current |
| Edit, reschedule, delete | Any time before delivery, but you must be online | Apple, current |
| Repeat (weekly, monthly) | No repeat option on Apple's page | Not documented |
| Green-bubble (SMS, MMS, RCS) conversations | Apple doesn't say. A third-party test (iPhone Life, iOS 26) says it isn't available for SMS or RCS | Not documented · third-party report |
| Many people, each their own copy | Apple describes one message in one conversation; no bulk option | Not documented |
| Names merged per person | None | Not documented |
Two catches: Apple's "any device" and "must be using iMessage" sit side by side without explaining how both apply to an Android contact, and a scheduled message to a group is still a group, where, in group iMessage or group MMS, Apple says everyone sees every reply. See why replies to your group text go to everyone.
When Send Later isn't enough
| Your need | Use | Honest caveat |
|---|---|---|
| One iMessage contact, within 14 days | Send Later | None, that's its job |
| A green-bubble or Android contact | A reminder at the time, then send it yourself | You have to be there to tap Send |
| The same text every week or month | A recurring reminder (.ics) | It reminds; it doesn't send |
| A list, each person with their own name | A reminder, then a send list | One tap per person |
| Fully hands-off sending | Not through Messages for texts you send yourself; a Shortcuts automation is the one documented route, with its own limits | See Shortcuts below |
For a list, pair the reminder with the send list on text them one by one: one row per person with an "Open in Messages" button and a tick-off.
What about Shortcuts?
Shortcuts is the closest built-in option for timed SMS, with caveats from Apple's guide:
- A personal automation is "triggered by an event," and Time of Day is one of the triggers.
- On iOS 18, some automations can run without asking once you turn off Ask Before Running and tap Don't Ask. Apple adds: "The automation will not notify you when it's triggered."
- The current guide says to enable Allow Running When Locked and notes "You also may need to set individual actions to run automatically."
- Automations are tied to one device. Apple says they back up to iCloud but sync to other devices turned off.
- Apple doesn't document whether a Send Message step goes out without a tap. It sends the same text to everyone, with no names.
Full walkthrough: mass texting with Shortcuts.
If you text the same list every week
The Batchrunner iPhone app has recurring weekly and monthly reminders (Pro). At the time you set, it sends you a notification; you open the app and tap Send for each batch, and a ledger shows who is sent, remaining or skipped. It does not send on its own. In Batchrunner 2.2, include {firstName} to open one conversation per person; without a merge token, a batch can open as a group. Free covers 10 recipients per send; Pro is $7.99/month or $39.99/year with a 3-day free trial. iPhone only, iOS 17 or later.
Get Batchrunner on the App StoreBatchrunner opens Messages; you tap Send for each recipient.
Send Later missing?
- Check your iOS version. Apple requires iOS 18 or later.
- Check the bubble color. Blue bubbles mean iMessage; green means SMS, MMS or RCS.
- Look in the + menu. Send Later sits behind the + button.
In a green conversation, Apple doesn't say Send Later works, and a third-party test says it doesn't. Use a reminder instead.
Questions people ask
Can you schedule texts on iPhone?
Yes, with Send Later in iOS 18 or later. Tap + in a conversation, tap Send Later, choose a time up to 14 days ahead, and send. Apple says you must be using iMessage.
Can I schedule a text from iPhone to an Android phone?
Apple says your recipient can use any device, but also that you must be using iMessage, and it doesn't explain how that works for a phone that can't receive iMessage. A third-party test (iPhone Life) says Send Later isn't available for SMS or RCS. For Android contacts, set a reminder and send it yourself.
Why is Send Later not showing in Messages?
Check two things Apple lists: your iPhone needs iOS 18 or later, and you must be using iMessage. Send Later is in the + menu. In a green-bubble conversation, expect it not to work; Apple doesn't document that case.
Can you schedule multiple texts on iPhone?
One at a time. Apple describes scheduling a message inside one conversation; it describes no bulk or repeat option. For many people, schedule each conversation separately or use a reminder and a send list.
Can an iPhone app send scheduled texts automatically from my number?
Batchrunner doesn't send on its own: it opens Messages and you tap Send. Send Later is Apple's own iMessage feature. Third-party apps can remind you at the time and open Messages, then you tap Send.
Sources (8)
- iPhone User Guide (current), Schedule a text message to send later
- iPhone User Guide (iOS 18), same topic
- Apple Support 118236, group text types
- Shortcuts User Guide (iOS 18), personal automation
- Shortcuts User Guide (iOS 18), run without asking
- Shortcuts User Guide (current), create a personal automation
- Shortcuts User Guide (current), automations are device-specific
- iPhone Life, How to schedule a text on iPhone (third-party test, iOS 26)