The most popular messaging app in Spain and much of Europe is preparing to finally incorporate a feature many considered almost impossible: WhatsApp will allow users to schedule messages natively , without tricks, shortcuts, or external tools. This new feature has been spotted in the beta version for iPhone and is expected to be released to the general public in the coming months.
For years, sending a text at a specific time on WhatsApp required improvising with alarms, reminders, or third-party apps, while rivals like Telegram have long boasted this feature. Now, according to multiple leaks, WhatsApp beta 26.7.10.72 for iOS includes a new scheduled messaging option that will transform how many conversations, both personal and professional, are organized.
How message scheduling works on WhatsApp
References found in the iOS beta show a system designed to be simple and straightforward. The idea is that the user writes a message in any chat, chooses a specific date and time, and queues it . When the selected time arrives, the message will be sent automatically, without needing to open the app or press any additional buttons.
WhatsApp won't hide these messages in an opaque background. A dedicated "scheduled messages" section will appear in each conversation's information , allowing users to see how many messages are pending, review their content, and manage their delivery. This dedicated view will make the feature controllable, rather than simply a timer whose location is unclear to the user.
From this section, you can edit the text, change the date or time, or completely delete any scheduled message . If it's deleted before the scheduled time, the recipient won't receive any notification, and there will be no trace of the message ever having been delivered, as it will never be sent. This way, the sender maintains complete control until the very last moment.
The feature is designed for both individual and group chats , allowing users to send private greetings to friends or share important announcements in work or family groups. While leaks don't yet mention compatibility with channels, it's possible that support for that format will be added later.
From a trick for businesses to a free tool for everyone
The idea of ​​scheduling messages isn't entirely new within the Meta ecosystem. Until now, WhatsApp already allowed businesses to schedule messages through Business Broadcasts , geared towards marketing campaigns, promotions, or commercial announcements. However, this was a service tied to professional use, with costs and limitations, far removed from the average user.
The new feature detected in the iOS beta takes this a step further: bringing scheduling capabilities to the standard app at no extra cost . It appears that anyone will be able to schedule messages in their regular conversations without needing to subscribe to a business plan, use specific marketing tools, or resort to selling through WhatsApp Web.
This move aligns with WhatsApp's recent strategy of becoming more professional and organizationally oriented while maintaining its image as a simple app. Features like communities, channels, and improvements to groups have broadened its range of uses, and message scheduling fits well into this approach, both for small businesses and individual users who want to better organize their daily lives.
The transition from a business-only model to a free, native feature for all users also narrows the gap with other platforms. Telegram has offered this capability for years, even in large channels and groups, and in the Apple ecosystem, the Messages app in iOS 18 has also incorporated delayed sending options. WhatsApp, which has lagged behind in this area until now, is thus seeking to avoid falling further behind its direct competitors.
Goodbye to shortcuts, external apps, and unintuitive solutions
In the Apple ecosystem, those who needed to schedule messages on WhatsApp have had to rely for years on the iOS Shortcuts app . Through automation, it was possible to schedule a message to be sent at a specific time, but the process was convoluted and didn't always work as reliably as a built-in option.
In addition to Shortcuts, third-party apps promising to schedule messages on WhatsApp have proliferated . Many of these required invasive permissions, kept the session open permanently, or could even violate the service's terms of service. From a privacy and security standpoint, they were not a particularly advisable solution for the average user.
With the new native feature, all that patchwork becomes obsolete. The experience will be direct and centralized within the app itself : compose, choose a time, and confirm. No additional installations or complex configurations required. For those already accustomed to scheduling emails or social media posts, the process will be very familiar.
For Android users, there are still no visible signs of the feature, but WhatsApp's usual development pattern indicates that major new features typically arrive on one platform first and then roll out to the other . Given that it's a cross-platform feature, it's likely that once it's been refined on iOS, it will eventually reach the Android version and all other linked devices.
What practical uses will it have for users in Spain and Europe?
In practice, the applications of this future tool are quite broad. On a personal level, it will make it easier to send birthday, anniversary, or other special occasion greetings without relying on memory . You can write the message the day before and forget about it, trusting that WhatsApp will send it when the time comes, even if you're working, sleeping, or simply disconnected from your phone.
It will also be useful for managing time differences within Europe or with family members who live abroad. Scheduling a message avoids writing at inconvenient hours and allows you to better respect rest periods. The same applies to contacts who work shifts or those who don't want to receive notifications in the middle of the night.
In the workplace, this feature aligns with the growing concern about avoiding disruptions outside of work hours and separating personal and professional time . It will be possible to draft a team notification, a meeting reminder, or project information outside of office hours, but schedule its delivery for the following morning when everyone is available.
In Spain and other European countries where WhatsApp is practically the standard, this tool can also be used to organize neighborhood groups, associations, sports clubs, or parent-teacher associations . Meeting notices, schedule changes, or payment reminders can be prepared in advance, reducing forgetfulness and last-minute messages.
Technical details, privacy, and end-to-end encryption
One of the most uncertain aspects is how message scheduling will be integrated into WhatsApp's default end-to-end encryption model . The company has boasted for years that only the sender and recipient can read the message content, and any new feature must fit within that framework.
Although WhatsApp has not yet offered a public explanation, it is widely assumed within the industry that the solution will involve storing scheduled messages locally on the device , rather than permanently on the company's servers until they are sent. This way, the phone would send them when its internal clock matches the scheduled time, provided there is an available connection.
This approach, in addition to respecting the encryption model, reduces the exposure of sensitive data and limits the risk of unauthorized access. In any case, it remains to be seen how WhatsApp will handle scenarios such as scheduling from multiple linked devices (for example, mobile and web version) or what happens if the phone is turned off or has no signal when the scheduled time arrives.
It also remains to be seen whether limits will be placed on the number of scheduled messages or their frequency to prevent potential abuse or spam. In other recent features, the app has introduced restrictions to protect users from unwanted bulk mailings, and it wouldn't be surprising if it applied a similar approach in this case.
Current state of development and planned deployment
The information that has surfaced comes primarily from WhatsApp beta 26.7.10.72 for iOS, distributed through TestFlight , Apple's testing program. This build contains interface elements, menus, and text that directly reference scheduled messages, although the feature is not yet fully active for most testers.
Currently, access to WhatsApp's TestFlight is closed to new users, so the opportunity to try the tool firsthand is very limited . However, the presence of a specific "Scheduled Messages" section within the chat information indicates that development is already in a relatively advanced stage.
Meta has not announced official release dates or publicly confirmed this feature, which is common when internal details are still being finalized. The timeline could range from a few weeks to several months , depending on test results and whether technical or usability issues arise.
It's expected that, once approved, the feature will be rolled out gradually to iOS users and later extended to other platforms. As with previous updates, some countries or user groups will likely receive it before others, with no single worldwide release date.
Based on everything we've seen so far, the general feeling is that WhatsApp is preparing to finally address one of its long-standing shortcomings . Message scheduling, a feature requested for years, will become part of the app's standard repertoire, alongside established functions like audio messages, video calls, and channels. For users in Spain and Europe accustomed to relying on WhatsApp daily, this new feature promises to make managing reminders, schedules, and important communications a little easier.
