If you’ve navigated to this page, chances are you’re curious about the possibility of scheduling a text message on an iPhone. To answer your query in brief: Yes, it is indeed possible!
To accomplish this task, you can use the Shortcuts app, which comes pre-installed on most of the newer Apple devices. If you have an older version of the iPhone, fret not, you can download it from the App Store. This guide will navigate you through the process, so continue reading to expand your knowledge.
Is Scheduling iMessage a Possibility?
As of the iOS 16 update, the built-in messaging app on the iPhone doesn’t allow you to send a scheduled text. You do have the option to mark a text as unread, but the feature to schedule an iMessage for a future date and time is absent.
However, there are alternatives for scheduling an iMessage. For instance, you can download the “Shortcuts” app from the Apple Store, which is a free solution to scheduling text on your iPhone.
In addition, there are third-party apps specifically designed to schedule iMessages at a specified time and date. You might also contemplate installing iMessage on your Windows device to assist with scheduling, though that might be a bit more complex.
Let’s delve into how to automate text messages on an iPhone in the simplest ways possible.
Instructions on Scheduling a Text on an iPhone
The “Shortcuts” app is a free tool on your iPhone which enables you to send scheduled text messages to any contact. It comes preinstalled on iPhones operating on iOS 13 or above. However, if your iPhone operates on an older iOS version, you can manually download the Shortcuts app from the Apple App Store.
Here’s the step-by-step guide on scheduling a text on your iPhone:
1. Launch the “Shortcuts” app on your iPhone.
2. Opt for the “Automation” feature located at the bottom of the screen.
3. To create automation, select the “Create Personal Automation” function.
4. Specify the “Time of Day” you wish to send a text message.
5. Tap and set the date and time for sending the delayed text.
6. Proceed by clicking the “Next” button.
7. On the subsequent page, select the “Add Action” feature.
8. Choose the desired contact in the “Send Message” section, then click “Next.”
9. In the “Message” section, compose your text and click “Next.”
10. Review the message, date, and time to ensure accuracy. Here, you have the option to enable or disable the “Ask Before Running” feature.
11. Finish by clicking “Done.”
This process establishes automation for scheduling a monthly text message on your iPhone to the same recipient at a specified time and date. To delete this automation, swipe from right to left on the automation and tap the “Delete” button.
Please note: If the automation doesn’t align with your intention, you can delete it after completion.
Scheduling a Text Message on an iPhone Using a Scheduling Application
There are many third-party apps that enable you to schedule texts, one of them being Scheduled. This app allows you to schedule text messages to be sent out at your preferred future time. It supports various online platforms including iMessage, Messenger, Slack, Telegram, WhatsApp, and more.
This app provides both free and paid subscriptions that enable you to send a delayed text from an iPhone. It necessitates granting access to your contact list and defining the send date and time.
For users utilizing the free plan, the app sends a reminder, after which you need to manually press the send button to dispatch the scheduled text. However, the Premium plan, costing $4.99 per month, automates the text sending process at the defined date and time.
In addition to Scheduled, the App Store hosts numerous text scheduling apps including Reminderbase, Kyew, AutoSender, and Carrier Messaging. All of these apps share a common downside: they impose charges for automatic text sending, despite offering similar scheduling options.
Another issue with many of these apps is that they use an anonymous cloud phone number, not the user’s number, so the recipient might not recognize the sender. Although the user interfaces of these apps may simplify text scheduling on an iPhone, they have several clear drawbacks compared to the Shortcuts app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Text Scheduling on iPhone Possible? / Can I Schedule a Text?
Yes, text scheduling on an iPhone is feasible using the Shortcuts app, providing an easy method to send a text at a specified date and time.
The Scheduled application is another alternative. While it is free, it also offers a premium plan costing $4.99 per month. In the free plan, you have to manually send the scheduled text when reminded by the app. On the other hand, the Premium plan takes care of sending the text without needing your confirmation.
How Can You Send a Delayed Text on iPhone?
To send a delayed text on an iPhone using the Shortcuts app, follow these steps:
1. Launch Shortcuts and choose the “Automation” feature.
2. Select the “Create Personal Automation” function.
3. Pick the “Time of Day” and the “Month.”
4. Proceed by clicking the “Next” button.
5. Select the “Add Action” feature and pick the contact on the “Send Message” function.
6. Compose the message you wish to send and click “Next.”
7. Conclude by clicking “Done.”
8. You also have the option to enable or disable the “Ask Before Running” function.
What Does the Crescent Moon Icon in My iPhone’s Text Messages Signify?
Certain text chats on your iPhone are more active than others, especially in group chats with multiple participants. The crescent moon symbol indicates that the “Do Not Disturb” mode has been activated for that particular chat, muting all notifications from that chat.
The “Do Not Disturb” function has now been replaced with “Focus,” providing more customization options for calls and notifications.
The half-moon icon represents the Focus feature that mutes notifications on your iPhone. You can toggle the “Do Not Disturb” feature on and off via the “Control Center” or “Settings” app.
Can You Schedule a Text Message on Android?
Android devices running Android 7 or newer offer the option to schedule texts to be sent later. Here’s how to schedule a text message on Android:
1. Select the contact you want to message and hold the “Send” button until the “Schedule the text” option appears.
2. Set the date and time for your message, and then click “OK.”
3. If your device isn’t connected to WiFi or data at the scheduled time, it will send your message once it reconnects.
In Conclusion: How to Send Scheduled Texts
The most effective and affordable method to schedule a text message on an iPhone is by using the Shortcut app. While scheduling apps are also an option, they often require a monthly subscription fee. The Shortcut app offers many other powerful features for your iPhone, so make sure to explore them as well.