How To Delay Sending SMS or Text Messages With Your iPhone

How To Delay Sending SMS or Text Messages With Your iPhone

At EasyIT, we know that effective communication is key—whether you’re coordinating with coworkers, checking in with family, or keeping clients in the loop. But sometimes, you don’t want a text message to go out immediately. Maybe you’d like to schedule a reminder for tomorrow morning, send a birthday greeting at midnight, or ensure a business message arrives at the start of the workday.

The good news? Apple now allows you to delay or schedule text messages directly from your iPhone. In this post, we’ll walk you through how to use this feature, plus some helpful alternatives if you’re running an older version of iOS.

Why Schedule Text Messages?

Scheduling or delaying text messages can be helpful in many scenarios:

• Work communication – Send reminders or updates at the start of business hours.
• Personal planning – Schedule birthday or holiday texts so you never forget.
• Time zone differences – Avoid sending messages at the right time to wake someone up.
• Organization – Manage your day better without remembering to send messages manually.

1. Using the Built-In “Send Later” Feature (iOS 18 and Newer)

With iOS 18, Apple introduced a native scheduling option in the Messages app. Here’s how it works:

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Start a new conversation or open an existing one.
3. Tap the “+” button next to the text field.
4. Select Send Later.
5. Choose the date and time you want.
6. Type your message and tap Send.

The scheduled message will appear in your conversation with a dashed outline and a small timestamp, letting you know when it’s set to go out.

👉 Note: Messages can only be scheduled up to 14 days in advance, and your iPhone must be powered on and connected to a network at the scheduled time.

2. How to Schedule Texts on Older iPhones (iOS 17 and Earlier)

If you haven’t updated to iOS 18 yet, you can still schedule messages using Apple’s Shortcuts app:

1. Open the Shortcuts app (pre-installed on most iPhones).
2. Go to Automation > Create Personal Automation.
3. Select Time of Day and set when the text should be sent.
4. Tap Add Action > Send Message.
5. Enter your text and choose the recipient.
6. Save the automation.

This method is less flexible, and depending on your settings, you may need to confirm the message before it sends.

3. Third-Party Apps for More Control

If you need advanced scheduling features (like recurring messages or sending across multiple platforms), third-party apps can help. Some popular options include:

• Scheduled App
• AutoSender
• Reminderbase

These apps often require additional permissions or subscriptions, but can provide more customization than Apple’s built-in tools.

4. Best Practices for Scheduled Messaging

• Double-check time zones if you’re messaging someone abroad.
• Review your message carefully before scheduling—it will send automatically.
• Use reminders for significant business or personal texts to ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Final Thoughts

Apple’s addition of the Send Later feature in iOS 18 makes it easier to manage your communications and stay organized. Delayed texting can be a powerful tool, whether you’re sending personal reminders, coordinating with colleagues, or ensuring you never miss a special moment.

At EasyIT, we’re always looking for ways to help you use technology smarter. If you’d like more productivity tips, or if your business needs IT support to keep communication running smoothly, get in touch with our team today.