Messages on iOS 18 can schedule an iMessage to send later. You write the message now, choose a date and time up to two weeks ahead, and Apple sends it automatically at the scheduled moment.
This requires iOS 18 or later and an iMessage conversation. SMS and MMS messages cannot be scheduled with Send Later.
Does This Affect You?
Use this if you want to schedule a birthday message, business reply, reminder text, or late-night thought for a better time.
Schedule a Message
- Open Messages.
- Open the conversation or start a new one.
- Type the message but do not send it yet.
- Tap the plus button next to the text field.
- Choose Send Later.
- Tap the shown time, then choose the date and time.
- Tap away from the scheduler, then tap Send.
The scheduled bubble shows a dashed outline and waits below the conversation until the selected time. It can send even if your iPhone is offline at that exact moment because Apple holds the scheduled iMessage.
Change or Cancel a Scheduled Message
Edit the Time
Open the conversation, find the scheduled message, tap Edit near the scheduled date, choose Edit Time, and select a new time. You need to be online to reschedule.
Send Now
Use the same Edit menu and choose Send Message if you want it delivered immediately.
Edit the Message
Touch and hold the scheduled bubble, tap Edit, change the text, and save with the checkmark.
Delete Before Sending
Touch and hold the scheduled message and tap Delete. Since it has not been sent yet, the recipient never sees it.
Compatibility
Send Later works only for iMessage. If the conversation is green, iMessage is unavailable, or the recipient cannot use iMessage, the scheduling option will not appear.
Sources
- Apple Support: Schedule a text message on iPhone to send later
- Apple Support: Unsend and edit messages on iPhone