Yes, you can schedule a text message on an iPhone.
For iPhones with iOS 18 and later
- Open the Messages app.
- Tap the compose button or open an existing conversation.
- Type your message.
- Instead of tapping the send button, tap the "+" icon, then tap "Send Later."
- Choose the date and time to send your message (up to 14 days in the future).
- Tap Send to schedule the message.
- The scheduled message will appear with dashed lines until it is sent.
- You can also reschedule, edit, or delete a scheduled message before it is sent.
For iPhones with iOS 13 to iOS 17
- You can't natively schedule messages, but you can use the Shortcuts app to automate sending a message at a specified time.
- In the Shortcuts app, go to Automation > New Automation > Time of Day.
- Set the date and time, then add the action Send Message with your message and recipient.
- Save the automation, and the message will be sent automatically or after confirmation.
- You can schedule repeating messages or one-time messages by deleting the automation after sending.
In summary, iOS 18 introduced a native "Send Later" feature in Messages that makes scheduling texts very easy. For older versions, the Shortcuts app provides a workaround. This feature works with iMessage and requires an internet connection to reschedule or edit messages before they send. The recipient will not know the message was scheduled.
