WhatsApp is working on scheduled messages Apfelpatient

Scheduled messages have been among the most requested features in messaging apps for years. Despite this, WhatsApp still doesn't natively support this capability. That could now change. New evidence from a beta version suggests that Meta is apparently working on a corresponding feature. This would bring WhatsApp in line with other services that already offer scheduled message sending.

WhatsApp is one of the world's most widely used messaging apps. However, it has lacked a feature that would often be practical in everyday life: the ability to schedule messages in advance and send them automatically at a specific time.

Especially for birthday greetings, appointment reminders, or workflow updates, it's useful to prepare messages and send them on a schedule. Other messaging apps have long offered this feature. Until now, WhatsApp users had to rely on alternative solutions. Now, there are concrete indications that this is about to change.

Notes from the current beta version

As WABetaInfo reports, new indications of planned messages have been discovered in a recent TestFlight beta version of WhatsApp.

According to the report, the feature is currently under development and is not yet available for beta testing. This means that even TestFlight users cannot try it out at this time.

However, a screenshot of the group info interface has been published. It shows a new menu item labeled "Scheduled Messages." This appears below the existing options:

"Media, links and documents"
"Marked with a star"

The placement within the group info suggests that the feature is intended at least for group chats. Whether it will also be available for individual chats is currently unknown.

WhatsApp lagged behind other messenger apps

Scheduled messages have been standard in other apps for quite some time. Both Telegram and Apple's iMessage offer this feature.

Telegram, in particular, offers an additional "repeat" option. This allows you to schedule messages to be sent automatically at regular intervals. This is useful, for example, for recurring reminders or regular workflows.

Meta had not previously integrated this feature into WhatsApp. Users therefore had to resort to alternatives, such as Apple's Shortcuts app or third-party solutions. A native solution within WhatsApp did not exist until now.

Which features are planned – and what remains unclear

At present, it is not known what specific features WhatsApp will offer with the planned messages. In particular, the following remains unclear:

Will there be a repeat function similar to Telegram's?
Whether messages can be scheduled only once or regularly
Whether the feature will be available exclusively for groups or also for individual chats
Whether media, links, or documents can also be scheduled in addition to text messages.

The report from WABetaInfo makes it clear that the feature is still in an early stage of development.

Meta is preparing the official launch of the feature

Once development is complete, the feature will initially be released to selected beta testers. These testers will be able to gather initial experience, provide feedback, and report any potential bugs.

Only after that can an official release for all users be expected. A specific timeframe has not yet been established.

It's confirmed: Meta is working on the technical foundation for scheduled messages in WhatsApp. Even though the feature can't be tested yet, everything indicates that it's in preparation.

WhatsApp is finally planning to introduce scheduled messages

WhatsApp does not currently support scheduled messages. However, this could soon change. New evidence from the TestFlight beta version suggests that Meta is working on a corresponding feature.

The feature is still under development and not yet available for beta testing. However, a screenshot from the group info interface confirms that the "Scheduled Messages" menu item is already being integrated.

Should WhatsApp fully implement the feature and perhaps even offer a redial option, the app would catch up with other messengers like Telegram and iMessage. However, until the official release, it remains to be seen how comprehensive the new feature will actually be. (Image: Shutterstock / BongkarnGraphic)