How to Easily Schedule Text Messages on iPhone

Some Noticeable Information

To schedule a delayed text message on your iPhone, you can create an automation in the Shortcuts app. Simply choose the desired time of day, enter the recipient and message details, and save the automation. It's important to note that the scheduled message will continue to repeat unless you manually disable or delete it.

Can You Schedule a Text on iPhone?

In certain situations, it is more convenient to compose a text message when the thought arises. However, there may be instances when you prefer to delay sending it. In this guide, we will demonstrate how to schedule a text message on iPhone for a specific time of your choosing.

Yes, there is a workaround available. As of November 2023, scheduling a text message is not a built-in feature. However, there are ways to achieve it with some adjustments.

One convenient option is to utilize the Reminders app on iPhone. By setting a reminder, you can prompt yourself to send the message at the intended time. Yet, this approach relies on having access to your phone precisely at the scheduled time, which may not always be feasible.

To schedule an automatic text message from a prewritten text, you will need to create an automation using the Shortcuts app. Although it may not be the most convenient option as it requires a few minutes to set up, it is the closest solution to accomplishing your desired delayed messaging. However, keep in mind that if you no longer want the message to be repeated, you must remember to remove the automation. Follow the steps below to implement this method.

How to Schedule a Text Message on iPhone

To begin setting up a postponed text message, access the Shortcuts app on your iPhone. In case you have removed it, you can easily download it again free of charge from the App Store.

Next, navigate to the Automation tab located at the bottom and tap on the plus symbol positioned on the top right corner. Upon doing so, opt for "Create Personal Automation."

If you don't have any automations tap "New Automation" in the middle of the screen instead.

At the top of the next screen, pick "Time of Day." On the subsequent When screen, choose "Time of Day" and pick the time in the box that appears.

You also have the option to select Sunrise or Sunset and set an offset. For instance, if your recipient is an early riser, you can choose a time near sunrise.

At the bottom, under Repeat, you can select Daily, Weekly, or Monthly. This is helpful for sending regular messages, such as reminders for family members. Additionally, you must choose between "Run After Confirmation" or "Run Immediately."

Please approve the push notification for Run After Confirmation in order for the Shortcut to run. Alternatively, you can choose to run the Shortcut immediately without any manual intervention by selecting Run Immediately. We have chosen to run it immediately and receive a notification when it executes, but feel free to choose the option you prefer. When you are ready, tap "Next."

To prevent your text message from being sent repeatedly, it is necessary to use the repeat setting. If you wish to schedule a message for a single occurrence, you can easily remove the automation once it has been sent, as detailed in the following section.

To access the Actions screen, expand the Next Action Suggestions section and select "Send Message." If it is not visible, simply enter "message" in the search bar at the top to locate it.

Then, on the subsequent screen, you'll use the top box to set up your text.

Tap "Message" in blue and type your text. Then, tap "Recipients" in blue, select or enter a contact, and choose "Done."

You'll then see the text message and recipient in the box. If you're happy with it, tap "Done" to finish.

You'll then return to the Automation screen in the Shortcuts app. You can schedule another text message the same way or simply close the app.

Delete or Disable Delayed Text Messages on iPhone

If you prefer to have a single scheduled message, you have the option to remove or deactivate the Shortcuts automation once your text has been sent. It is advisable to set a reminder or create a note in your to-do application to remember to stop the automation after it has finished.

To delete or disable the scheduled text message task, go to the Automation tab in the Shortcuts app and choose one of the following options:

- Swipe the automation from right to left and select "Delete" to completely remove it. Please note that no confirmation will be prompted, so make sure you intend to delete it before tapping Delete.

To disable the automation, select it, tap "Automation," then select "Don't Run."

While Apple currently lacks the ability to schedule texts in Messages, there is a workaround. Thankfully, iPhone users can utilize Shortcuts to schedule text messages.

Editor's P/S

As a hard fan of Apple products, I am always excited to learn about new features and capabilities. The ability to schedule text messages on my iPhone is a great addition, as it allows me to send messages at specific times without having to remember to do so manually. This is especially useful for sending birthday greetings or other important reminders.

The process of scheduling a text message is relatively simple and straightforward, involving the use of the Shortcuts app. The fact that the scheduled message will continue to repeat unless manually disabled or deleted is a thoughtful design choice, as it ensures that important messages are not forgotten or missed. Overall, I am very pleased with the addition of this feature and look forward to utilizing it in my daily life.