WhatsApp is testing a scheduled messages feature that allows users to automatically send pre-written messages at a chosen date and time.
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| WhatsApp’s upcoming scheduled messages option, currently in iOS beta testing, could help users automate important communications and compete more strongly in the messaging market. Image: CH |
Tech Desk — February 24, 2026:
WhatsApp is preparing to introduce a scheduled messages feature that will allow users to automatically send pre-written messages at a specific date and time — a move that could significantly reshape how people manage digital communication.
The feature, spotted in a beta update for iOS, would let users draft messages in advance and set them to be delivered automatically. According to WABetaInfo, the tool appeared in WhatsApp beta for iOS version 26.7.10.72 and is expected to roll out experimentally to select iPhone users before expanding more broadly in phases.
For many users, messaging apps serve as the primary channel for birthday greetings, holiday wishes, and important reminders. Yet busy schedules and time zone differences often result in missed moments or delayed responses.
By enabling scheduled messaging, WhatsApp addresses a long-standing user demand: the ability to automate thoughtful communication without relying on third-party tools. The feature would allow users to edit or delete scheduled messages at any time before they are sent, maintaining flexibility and control.
It is expected to function in both individual and group chats, increasing its utility for personal and professional interactions alike.
Messaging platforms increasingly compete not only on privacy and security but also on productivity features. Scheduled messaging has long been available in email clients and some competing chat services, making its absence on WhatsApp noticeable.
As part of Meta Platforms’s broader ecosystem, WhatsApp has been steadily adding features that blend convenience with engagement. Automated messaging could enhance user retention by embedding the app more deeply into daily planning and event management.
The phased rollout strategy suggests Meta is testing both technical stability and user response before committing to a full-scale release.
WhatsApp already offers a scheduled call feature, allowing users to set a date, time, and subject for a call. Participants receive advance notification and can join the app at the specified time.
The addition of message scheduling expands this logic from real-time conversations to asynchronous communication. It also reflects a broader shift in messaging behavior, where users expect apps to function as personal organizers as much as chat platforms.
While the ability to schedule a message may appear minor compared to larger platform updates, it addresses a practical pain point shared by millions of users worldwide.
If widely adopted, the feature could subtly change communication habits — encouraging more proactive planning and reducing missed milestones. For WhatsApp, the update reinforces its evolution from a simple messaging app into a more comprehensive communication tool.
The question now is not whether users want the feature — but how seamlessly WhatsApp can integrate it into everyday digital life.