4 Ways to Schedule a WhatsApp Message

by
Spread the love

Sometimes you just want to disconnect from your phone, but when you interrupt that to send an important WhatsApp message, it just kills your R & R. You can keep that R & R going if you schedule important WhatsApp messages through one of the methods shown here.

Good to know: learn how to quickly find someone on WhatsApp, and start a new chat with them.

Content

How to Schedule a WhatsApp Message on iPhone

You can schedule WhatsApp messages on iPhone with the help of the native Shortcuts app. Download it if you don’t have it.

Open the app on your iPhone, and switch to the Automation tab at the bottom.

Press the + button in the top right to create a new automation. Tap the Create Personal Automation button to continue.

Tap Time of Day to set a time when you want your WhatsApp message to go out.

To select a particular date when this message should be sent, press Monthly underneath Repeat, select your date, and press Next. Later, if you no longer want this message to go out every month, you can disable the shortcut.

Tap the Add Action button.

Check the Suggestions From Your Apps options below. Press on the + button next to Send Messages (not Send Messages via WhatsApp).

Tap on the Message field to write your message, then tap Recipients to add the person you want to send the WhatsApp message to. Press Next.

Review your automation. Consider disabling the Ask Before Running toggle so that you won’t get distracted when the message goes out. Press Done.

Tip: if you want to double-check the message before it’s sent, leave the Ask Before Running toggle on. You can also perform last-minute edits on your message.

The new automation will appear in your Shortcuts app under Automation.

Tip: learn how to use WhatsApp to share your location with others.

How to Schedule a WhatsApp Message on Android

If you have an Android phone and want to schedule WhatsApp Messages, you’ll have to download a third-party app like Auto Text.

Install the app on your phone, and open it. Give whatever permissions the app asks you to give, as it’s required to schedule WhatsApp messages.

Press the + button on the lower-right side of the display.

Select WhatsApp from the list of apps.

Type a number/name, or press on the tiny person icon to access your WhatsApp contact list. (You’ll need to grant a few more permissions in this step.)

Add your message in the box below. You can also attach images, video, audio or document files, and use variables in your message.

Press below Date time to select the time you want the text sent out. Choose Pick a date & time to set a custom date and time. Leave the Ask before sending toggle off, and press the tick icon in the upper-right corner when it’s done.

One thing to note here is that the app requires you to remove your lock screen to send out the scheduled messages. While this can potentially compromise your device’s security, it is, unfortunately, the price to pay for scheduling WhatsApp messages on Android.

The good news, however, is that there’s a workaround. Use Android’s built-in Smart Lock feature that keeps your phone unlocked when in a trusted place, such as your home. On your device, go to Settings -> Security & privacy -> More security settings -> Smart Lock -> Trusted Places to add a new trusted place.

Security precaution aside, we should also note that the moment the message is sent, the app automatically wakes up your phone’s screen, which can be quite distracting and conspicuous.

Tip: you can use WhatsApp as a notes-taking app. Learn how to message yourself.

How to Schedule a WhatsApp Message on Mobile

Also schedule messages if you use the WhatsApp Business app for Android or iPhone. Note that this method isn’t viable if you’re looking to send a standalone message to that person. Instead, it’s designed to send automatic reply messages.

Open WhatsApp Business on your phone, and tap Settings at the bottom if you’re on iPhone. Tap the three dots in the upper-right corner, then select Settings on Android.

Go to Business Tools.

Tap on Away message. This feature allows you to send automatic replies when you’re away.

Type your message at the bottom, then press Schedule to add the time period during which you want the reply to be active.

Add your Recipients – either everyone or just select contacts.

Whenever someone sends you a message, an automatic reply will be sent to them instantly (only once).

FYI: lost valuable WhatsApp messages? Check out this guide to learn how to view deleted messages on WhatsApp.

How to Schedule a WhatsApp Message on the Web

It’s also possible to schedule a WhatsApp message if you use WhatsApp Web in Chrome.

Download the Blueticks extension, and add it to your Chrome browser.

Log in to WhatsApp on the Web. You’ll also need to Sign up with an account with Blueticks to access the scheduling option.

Open a chat, write your message, then click on the time icon on the right.

Select the date and time you want the message to go out. You can also further edit your message, as well as add an attachment. When you’re done, press on the Schedule Send button.

Tip: learn more about how to format text in WhatsApp.

Your message will appear as pending. You can quickly edit from there if you want to.

Perhaps you want to expand your knowledge of using WhatsApp even more. Learn how to search messages on WhatsApp and edit messages that you’ve already sent.

Image credit: Unsplash. All screenshots by Alexandra Arici.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

Our latest tutorials delivered straight to your inbox

Sign up for all newsletters.
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and European users agree to the data transfer policy. We will not share your data and you can unsubscribe at any time. Subscribe


Alexandra Arici –
Staff Writer

Alexandra is passionate about mobile tech and can be often found fiddling with a smartphone from some obscure company. She kick-started her career in tech journalism in 2013, after working a few years as a middle-school teacher. Constantly driven by curiosity, Alexandra likes to know how things work and to share that knowledge with everyone.

Leave a comment