WhatsApp Is Finally Testing a Long-Awaited Message Scheduling Feature
- WhatsApp is rolling out a long-awaited feature that lets users schedule text messages, links, photos, and videos to send at a chosen date and time, Jacaranda FM reported.
- The scheduling tool is available in WhatsApp Beta for Android version 2.26.40.7, according to reporting by WABetaInfo cited by Stuff South Africa and The Citizen.
- To queue a message, individuals simply type their text inside a conversation and long-press the send icon to bring up the scheduling menu.
WhatsApp is rolling out a long-awaited feature that lets users schedule text messages, links, photos, and videos to send at a chosen date and time, Jacaranda FM reported. The tool is currently available to selected Android beta testers, with a wider release expected in the coming weeks.
Android Beta Testing and Version Details
The scheduling tool is available in WhatsApp Beta for Android version 2.26.40.7, according to reporting by WABetaInfo cited by Stuff South Africa and The Citizen. Stuff South Africa noted that the feature was first spotted in early testing back in February before returning to the beta programme.
To queue a message, individuals simply type their text inside a conversation and long-press the send icon to bring up the scheduling menu. Stuff South Africa and The Citizen both reported that messages can be scheduled as little as 10 minutes ahead or up to two weeks in advance. The Citizen added that users can schedule photos and videos, although only one media file can be selected at a time.
Chat Settings and Group Limitations
The feature works in both individual and group chats, and scheduled messages remain protected by WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption. According to The Citizen, the application provides a specific area inside the chat settings menu where individuals can inspect, control, or cancel queued messages prior to dispatch. Recipients will not be notified if a scheduled message is deleted.
Group chats carry a specific restriction regarding membership. Only people who are members of the group when the message is scheduled will receive it, while anyone added afterwards will not receive messages scheduled before they joined.
Offline Functionality and Future Rollout Plans
Scheduled messages will be sent automatically at the chosen date and time even if the user’s phone is offline or the app is closed when the message is due. While currently limited to selected Android beta testers, WhatsApp has not announced an official date for its wider public release or confirmed when the feature will arrive on other devices.
