{
  "id": 16134399,
  "title": "WhatsApp starts testing long-awaited scheduled messages on iPhone",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/whatsapp-starts-testing-long-awaited-scheduled-messages-on-iphone",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-23T01:22:37.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "9to5Mac",
    "slug": "9to5mac",
    "url": "https://9to5mac.com/2026/10/22/whatsapp-starts-testing-long-awaited-scheduled-messages-on-iphone/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "After years of anticipation, WhatsApp has begun testing a long-awaited feature called scheduled messages on iPhone devices. While Meta, the company behind WhatsApp, rarely shares platform-specific active user data, CEO Mark Zuckerberg had previously stated in April that the messaging app boasted over 3 billion monthly active users globally. Despite its vast user base constituting more than a third of the world population, WhatsApp has lagged behind in offering certain features that competing platforms have had for years. One such feature is the ability to schedule messages. Earlier this year, WABetaInfo, a source well-versed in beta software, reported that WhatsApp's beta code suggested the company was developing a message scheduling feature, although it was not yet accessible for testing. Now, the feature is reportedly rolling out to select iPhone beta testers, just two weeks after its debut on Android beta. To use this feature, users can schedule a message from the chat interface by tapping and holding the send button after typing the message in the chat composer. WhatsApp then opens a schedule message screen with a date and time picker, allowing users to select their desired delivery time. The green button at the bottom of the screen confirms the scheduled message, displaying the exact delivery time before users hit \"schedule.\" Scheduled messages can be set as early as 10 minutes in advance or as far as two weeks ahead, and they appear in a separate section within the chat or group info screen. It's important to note that scheduled messages in group chats will only be delivered to users who were members when the message was scheduled; new members who join afterward won't receive it. Users can also schedule messages containing photos, videos, and links, although they cannot schedule multiple media items at once. At present, this feature is only available to select testers, with no public launch date in sight. However, with beta testing ongoing on both iOS and Android, a broader rollout may be forthcoming soon. For a comprehensive report on this feature, readers can refer to WABetaInfo's full article.",
  "summary": "After years of waiting, WhatsApp is finally making one of its most-requested messaging features available to select iPhone beta testers. Here are the details. more…",
  "key_points": [
    "WhatsApp testing scheduled messages on iPhone devices.",
    "Feature allows users to set delivery time up to two weeks ahead.",
    "Currently available to select iPhone beta testers only."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Expanding scheduling capabilities to iPhone users helps WhatsApp close a functional gap with competitors and brings the platform closer to standardizing essential messaging tools across its global user base.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}