By Vlad, 12 October 2026. WhatsApp has begun testing a scheduled messages feature that the company allegedly spent months developing. The feature is now available to a limited number of users enrolled in the WhatsApp beta program on the Google Play Store for Android and lets senders choose a specific date and time for delivery.
How scheduling works and what it supports
The scheduling tool works in one-on-one chats and in group chats. Messages set for a future time will be delivered at the scheduled moment even if the sender's device is offline at that time. It supports text, links, photos and videos, with the current limitation that a scheduled message can include only one image or one video.
Scheduled messages are end-to-end encrypted, meaning only the sender and the intended recipients can read them. WhatsApp describes the feature as keeping scheduled content under the same encryption that protects ordinary messages.
To schedule a message, beta users tap and hold the send button in a chat. That action opens an interface where the sender selects when the message should be delivered. The earliest delivery time is 10 minutes from scheduling and messages can be scheduled up to two weeks ahead.
Once scheduled, messages appear in a dedicated section on the chat info screen. Senders can view, manage and delete scheduled messages at any time before they are sent. The intended recipient is not notified that a message was scheduled, nor if it was deleted before sending.
In group chats, WhatsApp will deliver a scheduled message only to people who were members of the group at the moment the sender scheduled it. If someone joins the group after scheduling and before delivery, they will not receive that scheduled message.
“I love exploring gadgets, apps, and trends that redefine how we connect, work, and play in a digital world.”
Discussion
Leave a Comment
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first.