How to Use Send Later to Schedule IPhone Messages in IOS 18
With the release of iOS 18 sometime after the fall, Apple finally eliminated the need for workarounds and moved scheduled texts directly into the Messages app. Previously, you could use shortcuts to schedule iOS messages , but the new Send Later process is much simpler. You can test it out right now by installing the iOS 18 developer beta and following these steps.
How to Schedule Messages in Advance in iOS 18
With iOS 18 installed on your iPhone, open the Messages app and navigate to the conversation you want to schedule a message for. You can also use Send Later with a new message, which you can open by tapping the new message icon in the top right corner of the app.
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In the conversation, type the message you want to schedule, but don’t click Send yet.
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Instead, click the + icon to the left of the text field.
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Tap More , then select Send Later .
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You’ll see a clock icon and the arrival time of your message above the text field.
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To change your scheduled time, simply click the new field and make the necessary changes.
When I was running the current iOS 18 beta, I could only schedule messages up to two weeks after the current date. It’s unclear whether this limitation will continue when the final version comes out later this year, but for now, you’ll have to hold off on writing birthday notes for the entire year in advance.
That’s all! Unlike Apple Intelligence , all iPhones that can currently run iOS 17 will have access to Send Later when iOS 18 officially launches. This includes models from the iPhone X line up, as well as the 2nd generation iPhone SE .