How to schedule iMessages in iOS 18

Summary

Scheduled messages in iOS 18 allow for punctual greetings at midnight.
Use the scheduling feature in Messages by tapping ‘Send Later.’
Reschedule, edit, or delete messages freely before the delivery time.

I’m on a winning streak with being the first person to wish my family and friends a happy birthday since iOS 18 came out. How do I always remember to send a message at midnight on the dot, you ask? I don’t. Most of the time, I’ve been peacefully passed out for a couple of hours already when that cheery message goes through. I don’t lose sleep, and my loved ones think I’m just that considerate and punctual.

Unfortunately, I’m really not that punctual. I’m also terrible at remembering birthdays, let alone remembering to text people for anything in the first place. Luckily, iOS 18 makes me look like a hero with what I consider its hallmark feature — which sure isn’t the god-awful new Photos app layout. It’s the ability to schedule messages for later.

Here’s how to do it yourself.

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How to schedule a message on your iPhone

You can use any Apple device with iOS 18 or later

The first three steps of scheduling an iMessage.

Last two steps of scheduling an iMessage.

Unfortunately, you can’t schedule messages for more than two weeks out, so make sure any special events are written down in your notes or calendar. But within that 14-day threshold, you can schedule messages to your heart’s content.

Here’s exactly how:

Open the Messages app on your iPhone.
Tap the ‘+‘ icon on the left side of your text box.
Select Send Later.
Tap on the time that populates in the text box and choose what time you want your message to send. Note that the text box has become a dashed line. That means it will only be sent at the time you’ve chosen.
Enter your message, and then tap the up arrow to schedule it.

Your message will maintain the dashed outline until it is sent at the designated time.

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Change the time, edit the message, or delete the message

Sometimes you change your mind

Sending, editing, and deleting a scheduled iMessage.

If you have a change of heart, you have until the delivery time to change the time, edit the message, or even delete it.

To reschedule a message:

Open the Messages app and find the conversation with the message you need to reschedule. If you don’t see it right away, scroll all the way to the bottom. It might be hiding there.
Tap the little ‘Edit‘ beside the date — and above your scheduled message — and either reschedule it by tapping ‘Edit Time‘ or send it immediately by choosing ‘Send Message.’

Does the new iOS 18 photos app make you want to scream?

I typically only use my phone as a tool — it makes phone calls, checks emails, and it’s a place where I can reply to Slacks and keep in touch with friends and family over text. Occasionally, I break out the social media apps for some doom-scrolling, but I don’t have games. All that said, I’m pretty cognizant of my screen-time. The one thing I do enjoy using my iPhone for is taking pictures and looking back on them. After I updated to iOS 18, this is no longer an enjoyable experience for me. Why is the app so overly complicated now? It feels overwhelming and clunky, but maybe I’m sounding a bit like a boomer complaining about a silly app? Does anyone else feel this way or have I turned into my grandmother?

To edit a message you scheduled:

Open the Messages app and find the conversation with the message you need to reschedule.
Tap and hold the message bubble, and tap ‘Edit.’
Now make any changes and tap the blue checkmark to confirm your edits, or hit the grey ‘x’ to revert to the original message.

To delete your scheduled message:

Open the Messages app and find the conversation with the message you need to reschedule.
Tap and hold the message you want to cancel, and then tap ‘Delete.’

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When would you want to use this?

From convenience to planning

South_agency from Getty Images Signature

It’s not just for birthdays, obviously. The schedule feature is fantastic for work if you don’t want to bother someone with a message after hours, but don’t want to forget to send it in the morning. I also use it to schedule follow-up messages with my social media clients to check in on how they like a particular set of posts I made for them the week before.

It does wonders for a scatterbrained mind — like mine — that can only lock in on text messages for a few minutes a day. If you haven’t started taking advantage of this feature yet, now’s your sign.