WhatsApp may soon introduce a feature that many users have wanted for years. The popular messaging platform is currently testing the ability to schedule messages, which would allow people to decide exactly when a message should be sent. This option has appeared in a recent beta version of the iOS app, according to reports from the technology site WABetaInfo. If it becomes available in the final release, it could significantly change how people manage conversations and reminders. For millions of users who rely on the app daily, the new tool could add a useful layer of planning and convenience.
The feature is called scheduled messages and it is designed to let users write a message and then select a specific date and time for delivery. Instead of sending the message immediately, the app would hold it until the scheduled moment arrives. Once the chosen time comes, the message would be sent automatically without requiring any further action from the user. This could be helpful for sending reminders, birthday wishes, or important notifications at the perfect time. According to early information, users will also have the option to edit or delete a scheduled message before it is sent.
At the moment the feature is still hidden inside the testing version of the app and is not active even for beta testers. Screenshots shared by WABetaInfo show where it might appear in the interface once it becomes available. The option is reportedly placed within the chat information screen alongside sections for media, links, documents, and starred messages. In one preview image, two messages can be seen waiting in the queue to be sent at their scheduled time. This preview suggests that the system may allow multiple messages to be scheduled in advance.
The potential usefulness of scheduled messaging is easy to imagine in everyday life. Someone planning an event could schedule reminders to be sent to friends or colleagues later in the day. A person who works late at night might prepare a message in advance but schedule it to be delivered in the morning instead of waking someone up. Businesses could also benefit from the feature by preparing customer messages ahead of time. In many situations the ability to plan communication in advance can help people stay organized and avoid forgetting important information.
For now, people who want this functionality usually rely on workarounds or third party tools. Some smartphone automation systems can schedule messages for certain apps, but the process is often complicated and not available to everyone. There is also a paid option in the form of business broadcast tools that allow scheduled communication for companies. However, a built in feature directly inside the app would make the process much easier for ordinary users. If the test is successful, it could remove the need for external solutions altogether.
Despite the excitement, it is important to remember that not every experimental feature ends up in the final version of the app. Beta versions of software often contain ideas that are tested internally and sometimes removed before the public release. Developers analyze feedback, technical performance, and user demand before deciding whether to move forward with a new function. That means scheduled messages may still change significantly or even disappear before reaching global users. For now, the feature remains in an early experimental stage.
WhatsApp frequently experiments with new features as it tries to keep its messaging service competitive. Over the years the platform has introduced many changes designed to improve communication and give users more control. One example was the ability to edit messages shortly after sending them, which the company described by saying, “For moments when you make a mistake or simply change your mind, you can now edit your sent messages.” The addition allowed people to correct typos or clarify a message without needing to send another one.
📝 WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.7.10.72: what's new?
— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) February 21, 2026
WhatsApp is working on a feature that allows users to schedule messages in their chats, and it will be available in a future update!https://t.co/JbzNXUEAlt pic.twitter.com/NFDUmCpd4y
The app has evolved far beyond its original purpose as a simple texting tool. Today it supports voice and video calls, group chats, communities, and business communication features used by companies worldwide. Billions of users depend on it for both personal and professional conversations. Because of that scale, even a small change to how messages are sent can have a large impact on everyday digital communication. New features are often designed to make conversations easier to manage in an increasingly busy online world.
Messaging apps in general have become one of the most important ways people communicate in modern life. They allow instant conversations, sharing of photos and videos, and coordination between friends, families, and workplaces across the globe. Tools like message scheduling are part of a broader effort to make digital communication more flexible and organized. As people rely more on these platforms, features that help manage time and information become increasingly valuable.
Whether scheduled messaging becomes a permanent addition to WhatsApp remains to be seen, but the early signs suggest it could be a practical improvement for millions of users.
What do you think about the possibility of scheduling messages directly inside WhatsApp and would you use this feature in your daily communication share your thoughts in the comments.
