How to schedule WhatsApp messages

Can WhatsApp schedule messages?

Not yet, for most people. There is no “send later” button in the version of WhatsApp in the app stores. WhatsApp is testing one: according to WABetaInfo, it is rolling out to a limited number of Android beta testers, and it was still in development for iPhone.

Here is how it works in the beta, as reported. It may change before everyone gets it:

• Tap and hold Send after typing your message, then pick a date and time.
• From 10 minutes to two weeks ahead.
• One-to-one chats and groups. In a group, only people who were members when you scheduled it receive it.
• Text, links, photos and videos, one photo or video per message.
• Cancel before it sends, without the other person being told.

We will update this guide when scheduling reaches the regular app. Until then, the options below are what works.

What the WhatsApp Business app can do

Schedule a business broadcast

In some countries, the WhatsApp Business app lets you send a promotion or announcement to a list of your customers and schedule it for later. WhatsApp calls this a business broadcast. It is paid, Meta reviews each one before it goes out, and it may not be available to you yet.

1. Open the WhatsApp Business app and go to Tools > Business broadcasts.
2. Choose your audience from your contacts.
3. Write the message. You can add a photo and an optional button (catalog, custom reply, phone call or website).
4. Tap Next to preview it.
5. Review the price and the recipients, then send it now or schedule it. You are charged when you send or schedule.

A business broadcast is for promotions and updates to customers. It is not a way to schedule a reply in an ongoing chat.

Set an away message (an automatic reply, not a schedule)

If what you need is a reply when you are busy or closed, the away message does that. It answers people who message you, during the times you choose.

1. From the Tools tab, tap Away message.
2. Turn on Send away message.
3. Under Away message, tap the message to edit it, then tap OK.
4. Tap Schedule and choose Always send, Custom schedule, or Outside of business hours (this one needs business hours set in your business profile).
5. Tap Recipients and choose Everyone, Everyone not in address book, Everyone except… or Only send to…
6. Tap Save.

Your phone needs an internet connection for away messages to go out.

Workarounds on your phone

Write it now, send it with a reminder

The simplest option works on any phone and needs no extra app: type the message in the chat and leave it as a draft, then set a reminder in your phone’s clock or reminders app for the time you want to send it. When the reminder goes off, open the chat and tap Send.

Scheduling apps for Android

Some Android apps can send a WhatsApp message for you at a set time. To do that, they ask for permission to control your screen, which also lets them see everything on it, including your chats. They can also fail to send if your phone is locked or a battery saver closes them.

If your phone holds client or customer conversations, check with whoever is responsible for them before installing an app that can read your screen.

Scheduling replies as a team

When several people answer customers on WhatsApp, the problem with scheduling is not just the button. Someone promises “I’ll send the report on Monday morning”, and nobody else knows a message is due, or who is sending it.