No more missed birthday or anniversary wishes: WhatsApp to unveil scheduled messages for iPhone users

WhatsApp is officially working on a long-requested feature that brings it closer to the functionality of Google Messages: the ability to schedule messages. According to recent reports from WABetaInfo, this new tool will allow users to compose a text and pre-set a specific date and time for it to be sent automatically. The development was first spotted in the latest iOS beta update (version 26.7.10.72) released through the TestFlight program. This addition is aimed at enhancing user control over communication, ensuring important updates or personal greetings are delivered at the perfect moment without requiring manual intervention.

WhatsApp Scheduling System

The mechanics of the upcoming feature are designed to be intuitive and highly manageable. Users will simply type their message and then interact with a new interface to select the exact delivery parameters. To ensure transparency for the sender, WhatsApp is expected to include a dedicated section within the chat info screen where scheduled messages can be viewed and managed. Crucially, the feature provides a safety net, allowing users to delete any pre-set message before it is actually sent. This deletion happens without triggering any notification to the recipient, maintaining total privacy for the sender.

Practical Applications

The utility of scheduled messaging extends across both individual and group conversations. It serves as a powerful tool for professional environments where work-related updates need to be sent during specific hours, as well as for personal use, such as setting reminders or birthday greetings. By integrating this into the platform, WhatsApp removes the mental burden of remembering to send time-sensitive information. This level of automation is expected to streamline communication workflows, making the app more versatile for its global user base.

WhatsApp Group Message History

This development follows the recent rollout of another significant update known as Group Message History. This feature allows group admins and members to share recent chat history with new participants, providing them with immediate context. New members can see between 25 and 100 of the most recent messages, eliminating the need for awkward catch-up summaries or screenshots. Like all core WhatsApp features, this history sharing is protected by end-to-end encryption, ensuring that providing context to new members does not compromise the broader privacy standards of the conversation.

(With TOI inputs)