The function that Telegram has had for years finally arrives
WhatsApp is developing a message scheduling feature that will allow users to write a message and choose exactly when it should be sent automatically. The functionality has been discovered in beta version 26.7.10.72 for iOS, available through the TestFlight program, although it is not yet active even for beta users.
According to information shared by WABetaInfothe new feature will be available for both individual and group chats, allowing any user to schedule messages without needing to resort to workarounds such as iOS Shortcuts automations. Unlike Business Broadcasts, which already offer message programming but are paid for, this feature will be completely free for all users.
The system will work directly: users will type their message, select the scheduling option, choose the date and time, and the message will remain in queue until the scheduled time arrives. Once the selected time is reached, it will be sent automatically without requiring any additional action from the user.
How message scheduling will work
WhatsApp will display scheduled messages in a dedicated section within the chat information screen. There, users will be able to see how many messages they have scheduled and access options to manage them. Control will remain completely in the hands of the user, as it will be possible delete any scheduled messages at any time before it is shipped.
An important detail is that deleting a scheduled message will not generate any notification or indication on the recipient’s device, since the message is deleted before delivery. This means that the receiver will never know that there was a planned message if the sender decides to cancel it.
The feature emerges as an evolution of the capabilities that WhatsApp initially developed for businesses. Business Broadcasts, previously known as marketing messages, allowed companies to schedule offers, coupons and promotions by choosing the optimal delivery time. Now, WhatsApp plans to extend these capabilities and make them available to all users at no cost.
Although the most obvious cases include birthday greetings or appointment reminders, message scheduling has broader applications in everyday life. One of the most useful scenarios is work communication: users will be able to compose messages outside of work hours and schedule them to be sent during appropriate work hours, avoiding disturbing to colleagues or clients at inappropriate times.
A feature that arrives late compared to the competition
Message scheduling is not new in the world of instant messaging. Telegram implemented this functionality years ago, allowing its users to schedule messages both in individual chats and in channels and groups. Pavel Durov’s application has historically used these functional differences as a marketing argument against WhatsApp.
Until now, WhatsApp users on iOS who wanted to schedule messages they had to resort to Apple’s Shortcuts applicationcreating automations that prepared messages to be sent at specific times. The process, while functional, was considerably less convenient than a feature built natively into the app.
The implementation of WhatsApp comes at a time when the application seeks to maintain its dominant position against competitors that offer more advanced functions. With more than 2 billion active users, WhatsApp has traditionally been conservative in adopting new features, prioritizing stability and simplicity over aggressive innovation.
At the moment, there is no information on whether the feature will also reach WhatsApp Channels, although it is possible that it will be incorporated in the future to allow scheduled updates. The feature is currently in development and is expected to begin rolling out to beta users first before a general rollout, with no confirmed date yet.
