To send a text message later on an iPhone, you have two main methods depending on your iOS version and whether you want to schedule an iMessage or an SMS:
1. Using the Built-in "Send Later" Feature (iOS 18 or later, iMessage
only)
- Open the Messages app and select the conversation.
- Tap the plus (+) icon next to the text input field.
- Choose Send Later from the menu.
- Select the date and time you want the message to be sent (up to 14 days in the future).
- Type your message and tap the send arrow.
- The message will appear with a dashed outline and a scheduled time above it.
- You can edit, reschedule, or delete the scheduled message before it sends.
- This feature only works for iMessages (blue bubbles) and requires iOS 18 or later on your device. The recipient can use any device, and they won’t know the message was scheduled
2. Using the Shortcuts App (For iOS 17 or SMS Messages)
- Open the Shortcuts app.
- Go to the Automation tab.
- Tap Create Personal Automation.
- Select Time of Day and set when you want the message sent.
- Tap Next , then Add Action.
- Search for and select Send Message.
- Enter your message and select the recipient.
- Tap Next and disable Ask Before Running if you want it to send automatically.
- Tap Done to save.
- This automation will send your message at the scheduled time. You can delete the automation to stop future sends
Important Notes
- The native "Send Later" only works with iMessages, not SMS or Android phones.
- Scheduled messages are encrypted and stored temporarily on Apple servers until sent.
- You can schedule messages up to two weeks in advance.
- For SMS or older iOS versions, the Shortcuts app method is the alternative.
This gives you a reliable way to schedule texts on your iPhone either natively with iOS 18 or via automation with Shortcuts for other cases
