Scheduling of text messages on iPhone has come a long way over the years. Whether you’re running the latest iOS 18 or an older version, there are practical solutions to how to schedule a text on iPhone. This guide covers everything available, from Apple’s built-in features to powerful third party tools so your important message is never missed again. We’ll also go through some troubleshooting tips to help you in case of any complications with the feature.
Can you schedule a text message on iPhone?
Yes, you can absolutely schedule text messages on iPhone, but the answer is dependent on your iOS version, as well as the type of message you’re sending. Apple has traditionally placed iMessage as a real-time communication tool, which is why native scheduling was so many years away. However, iOS 18 finally brought the feature of sending later to the native Messages app. This update makes it easier than ever to plan iMessage conversations with other Apple users.
For older versions of iOS or to schedule SMS and RCS message to Android people, you will have to rely on workarounds such as the Shortcuts app or third-party applications. The good news is that these alternatives are reliable and they provide even more flexibility than the native solution.
Use a parental control app to prevent teens from potential risks online.
How to schedule a text on iPhone with iOS 18 and higher?
iOS 18 brings a major improvement to iPhone messaging: the Send Later feature. This lets you schedule iMessages up to 14 days in advance, and it works across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac as long as iCloud Messages is enabled.
For Apple-to-Apple communication, this native option is simple and convenient. Thus, no complicated workarounds needed. But if you want more flexibility, or if you need to schedule messages to Android users, you’ll need other options like Shortcuts, Reminders, or third-party apps. Knowing all your options ensures your messages always reach the right person at the right time.
Schedule a text on iPhone with Shortcuts app
The Shortcuts app is one of the most powerful tools for scheduling text messages, especially if you have to schedule SMS messages to Android users. It also helps create recurring automated messages. This technique forms your individual automation that will manage your message delivery for you, at any specified time period. Here are step-by-step directions on how to schedule a text message on an iPhone with the Shortcuts app.
- Open the Shortcuts app (this is already installed in iPhones with iOS 13+ on board).
- Touch Automation tab at bottom of the screen.
- Select “Create Personal Automation” (the + Icon).
- Choose “Time of Day” as your trigger or choose another trigger such as “Sunrise” or “Sunset.”
- Change the time to which you want to send your message, by changing the hour and minute.
- Select repeat frequency by tapping “Monthly” or “Yearly” if you want to have recurring messages – select “Never” for send one time.
- In the upper-right corner tap “Next.”
- Choose “Send Message” in the list of actions (use the search bar if necessary).
- Tap on the Message field and type the full text of your message.
- Tap Recipients and choose the recipient of the message.
- Choose whether or not to ask for a confirmation before sending (toggle setting “Ask Before Running” if you want to change it).
- Tap “Done” in order to save your automation.
Automation will now work and will run at the specified time without involving you. This method works for SMS messages, iMessage messages and even WhatsApp messages using iOS Shortcuts.
Schedule text messages on iPhone via iMessage
The native scheduling of iOS 18 is the easiest Apple-to-Apple communication.
Important: This feature only works if iMessage is enabled for both users – it cannot be used to schedule messages to Android devices.
Here is a Step-by-step guide on how to send a text message at a certain time on iOS 18:
- Open messages & Tap on a conversation.
- Type in your message in the text field.
- Tap on the “+” button in the left side.
- Tap on “More” and click on “Send Later.”
- Tap on a blue time bubble (by default “Tomorrow 9:00 AM”).
- Choose your date and time of departure (up to 14 days in advance).
- Touch the blue send arrow and schedule.
- Open Calendar & tap on “+ New Reminder.”
- Name it “Send text to [Contact Name].”
- Touch “Details” to expand options.
- Set date and time 10 – 15 minutes before you want to send.
- In notes type your entire message text.
- Tap “Done.”
- Open up messages and go to the conversation with your scheduled message.
- Scroll down to the bottom and find the message where the blue line is dashed.
- Tap the “Edit” button.
- To change time: Tap on “Edit Time” and choose your new date/time.
- To make changes to the content: type your new text and tap on the checkmark.
- Go to the messages and find your conversation.
- Find the scheduled message/dashed blue border.
- Press and hold the message and tap on “Delete.”
- Confirm deletion – message won’t be delivered.
- Go to settings.
- Access Scree time.
- Click on the child’s linked account.
- Tap communication limits.
- Adjust restrictions; Everyone, Contacts Only, or Approved Contacts Only.
- Download and install FlashGet Kids on your phone and your child’s device.
- Link both devices by following the in-app instructions.
- Set up the necessary restrictions through the parental control dashboard on your phone.
Your scheduled message is displayed with a dashed blue border, and sends itself at the scheduled time.
Send a text at a specific time iPhone using Reminder app
The Reminders app takes a simpler approach but a manual one – it reminds you to send the message instead of sending the message automatically. This will be a last opportunity to check and then you can send the text.
Here’s a Step-by-step guide on how to schedule a text on iPhone:
When the reminder pops up, take a copy of the message text and open up the Message app and paste the message to your recipient.
Schedule message on iPhone with third-party apps- 3 best iOS text schedulers
For cases where the inbuilt options aren’t up to scratch, then three good apps for you to get more advanced scheduling, group messaging and flexibility:
App 1: Scheduled (Available Free with options of Premium Features)
Supports SMS, iMessage, WhatsApp, Telegram, Email, and Line. Create messages within the app, choose recipients, date/time send, auto-send or manual reminder. The free one requires manual confirmation, premium allows for automatic sending.
App 2: DelayText (Free version available)
Offers lightweight SMS and iMessage scheduler featuring a clean interface. Launch DelayText > Select A Contact > Set Message Date/Time > Confirm Message Date/time scheduling. Simple and fast but less features compared to the competitors.
App 3: Kyew (free, with the recurrence of scheduling)
Specializes in personal and business texting with excellent recurring messages support for birthdays, anniversaries and reminders. Supports attachments and individual (not group) messaging. The free version requires sending the confirmation manually.
How to schedule a text message on iPhone for iOS 13 to 17?
If your iPhone is using iOS 13-17, then use the method with the Shortcuts app – it works the same on every version and is completely functional. The Shortcuts approach actually enables scheduling beyond the 14-day limit for iOS 18.
Follow the Shortcuts step by step guide given above. The process in the various iOS versions is the same and core functionality is the same. For people who prefer not to use the built-in ones, there are third-party apps that work on all versions of iOS as well.
Additional guides: manage your scheduled iPhone texts
Once you’ve scheduled your messages, you’ll want to know how to modify them if your plans change. iOS 18’s Send Later feature makes this seamless, while older methods have their own approaches. Understanding how to edit, reschedule, and delete messages gives you complete control over your communications.
How to edit a scheduled message?
On iOS 18:
For third party apps, go to the app, locate your message that is scheduled, and edit in place on the queue.
How to delete a scheduled message?
For Shortcuts automations go to Shortcuts app > Automations >swipe left on automation tap on Delete.
For third-party apps, go to the app and click on delete from scheduled message menu.
Troubleshoot common issues with scheduled texts on iPhone
For the most part, things will run smoothly with scheduled texts on iPhone. However, from time to time, some people do face technical bugs. Here are some common issues and how you can troubleshoot them.
Scheduled message indicates “Not Delivered”
Check to make sure the recipient’s number is correct, check your signal strength, try tapping the red exclamation mark to retry, and also enable “Send as SMS” which is a fall back option. Contact your carrier if you are experiencing problems.
Message sends early or late
Turn off Low Power Mode, make sure date/time set to automatic in Settings, keep contact information up to date and make sure iMessage is on. Restart your iPhone if necessary.
Send Later option is not showing up
Confirm You’re on iOS 18+ Messaging An iMessage User (Not Android). Toggle Messages In Settings and Verify Your Apple ID Is Signed In.
Shortcuts automation not working
Enable Siri, Check automation time is correct AND make sure recipient is in Contact. Also, make sure Shortcuts app has permission to send messages. You’ll also need to double-check your network connection.
Bonus for parents: how to safeguard minors from dangerous text?
Keeping teens safe in today’s digital age is increasingly complex. With constant access to messaging apps, social media, and online communities, young users are exposed to a wide range of content. Most of this content may be inappropriate or harmful. While open communication and digital education are essential, parents also need practical tools that help guide and protect their children’s online interactions without being overly intrusive.
Apple’s built-in parental control features offer a helpful starting point. These tools are designed to support safer communication habits, limit unwanted contact, and reduce exposure to sensitive material. One of the most widely used options is Screen Time, which allows parents to set boundaries around who their child can communicate with and when.
Using screen time on iOS:
You should also enable “Communication Safety” to blur out sensitive images and alert about explicit content. Also, Screen Time cannot read the message content or monitor third-party apps such as WhatsApp.
Advanced protection with third-party parental controls
For increased level of oversight, FlashGet Kids includes notifications tracking, app blocking, content filtering, keyword detection, and live location tracking. You can set it up by following these steps:
Wrap up
For iOS 18 users, it is best to use the native feature of iOS 18 Send Later. On the other hand, iOS 13-17 users should use Shortcuts for unlimited scheduling. Third-party apps, such as Scheduled, DelayText and Kyew are ideal for users who require advanced features or group messaging. All these methods work flawlessly to keep your messages scheduled properly.
For families trying to strike a balance between independence and guidance, combining built-in controls with dedicated monitoring tools can make a meaningful difference. Using Apple’s Screen Time alongside FlashGet Kids allows parents to set healthy boundaries, stay informed, and address potential risks early. Moreover, all this is done without constant supervision. Together, these tools support safer digital habits while encouraging teens to communicate responsibly and confidently.
FAQs
iPhone 14 and 15 with iOS 18 have the native Send Later feature in Messages. On iOS 17, use the automation method of Shortcuts.
Open Messages, type your message, tap the +, tap “Send Later” and tap date/time (up to 14 days ahead), tap send.
Send Later is only available to iMessage users (iOS 18+). Restart Messages and Check iOS version and make sure your recipient has iMessage enabled.
Use Shortcuts and Create a personal automation with “Time of Day.” From there, choose “Send Message” > Type in your message and Android contact and save.
