How to Send a Text Later on iPhone Using iOS 18 Send Later

If you want to send a text later on iPhone, the quickest way is through the built-in Send Later feature in the Messages app — available on iOS 18 and above. Type your message, tap the + button or long-press the send arrow, pick a time, and you're done.

How to Send a Text Later on iPhone: Step-by-Step

No setup needed. No third-party app. If your iPhone is running iOS 18 or later, Send Later is already built into iMessage.

Method 1 — Tap the + Button and Select Send Later

1. Open the Messages app and go to the conversation (or start a new one).
2. Tap the + icon to the left of the text field.
3. Select Send Later from the menu. (Scroll down if you don't see it immediately.)
4. Tap the time field to open the scheduler. Choose your date and time — up to 14 days ahead.
5. Type your message in the text field.
6. Tap the send arrow to confirm the schedule.

Once scheduled, the message sits in the conversation with a dashed border around it. That border disappears the moment the message actually sends.

Method 2 — Type First, Then Long-Press the Send Arrow

Some users find this faster:

1. Open the conversation and type your message first.
2. Instead of tapping the blue send arrow, press and hold it.
3. A menu appears with Send Now and Send Later.
4. Tap Send Later, pick your time, and confirm.

Both methods do the same thing. The + button route works better if you want to set the time before composing. The long-press method suits people who write first and decide later.

What the Dashed Border on Your Message Means

After scheduling, the message bubble shows a dashed outline instead of a solid one. This is simply a visual indicator that the message is queued but hasn't sent yet. Once delivered, the border becomes solid — same as any other iMessage.

What You Need Before You Start

A few things need to be in place for Send Later to work. Skipping this check is the most common reason people can't find the option.

iOS 18 or Later Is Required

Send Later was introduced with iOS 18. As reported by The Wall Street Journal, scheduled text messages were among the headline additions Apple announced for iOS 18 ahead of its September 2024 release. If your iPhone is running iOS 17 or earlier, the option won't appear — not under the + menu, not via long-press. To check your version, go to Settings > General > About.

iMessage Only — Why Green Bubble Contacts Won't Work

This is the part that trips people up most. Send Later works only with iMessage — the blue bubble conversations.

According to Wikipedia's iOS 18 overview, the scheduled messaging feature is exclusive to iMessage conversations, and is not available for SMS or RCS messages to non-Apple users. If your contact shows up as a green bubble (meaning they're on Android, or iMessage is off), the Send Later option will either be missing or greyed out entirely.

Both you and your recipient need to be reachable via iMessage. Your recipient doesn't need to do anything differently — they just need to be on an Apple device with iMessage active.

Internet Connection: When You Need It and When You Don't

The message itself will send even if your iPhone is offline at the scheduled time — Apple stores it encrypted on their servers until delivery. However, if you need to edit, reschedule, or delete a scheduled message after setting it, your device needs to be online to make those changes.

Key Limitations to Know Before You Use Send Later

Worth reading before you set anything up. A few of these catch people off guard.

One Recipient Per Scheduled Message

You cannot send a single scheduled message to multiple people. Each recipient needs a separate scheduled message. If you need to reach a group at a scheduled time, that's not something Send Later handles — it's a one-to-one feature.

14-Day Maximum Scheduling Window

The furthest ahead you can schedule is 14 days. Apple doesn't offer an option to push beyond that window within the native Messages app.

No Recurring Scheduled Messages

Send Later is a one-time scheduling tool. There's no option to repeat a message weekly or daily. For recurring sends, the Shortcuts app is the only native workaround — though it's more limited than it sounds (covered below).

The Recipient Won't Know

The person receiving your message has no way of knowing it was scheduled. It arrives looking like any other iMessage.

How to Edit, Reschedule, or Cancel a Scheduled Message

Plans change. Here's how to manage a message after you've set it.

How to Change the Send Time

1. Go to the conversation containing the scheduled message.
2. If you don't see it immediately, scroll to the bottom — scheduled messages appear below sent ones.
3. Tap Edit beside the date shown above the message bubble.
4. Tap Edit Time, choose a new time, then tap away to confirm.

You can also tap Send Message from this menu if you want to send it immediately instead.

How to Edit the Message Content

1. Find the scheduled message in the conversation.
2. Touch and hold the message bubble.
3. Tap Edit.
4. Make your changes, then tap the send arrow to resend with edits — or tap revert to undo.

How to Delete a Scheduled Message

Deleting cancels the send entirely. The recipient will not receive anything.

1. Find the scheduled message in the conversation.
2. Touch and hold the message bubble.
3. Tap Delete.

The message is removed and will not be delivered.

Can't See Send Later? Common Reasons and Fixes

This comes up often. If Send Later isn't showing up, one of these is almost always the reason.

You're in a Green Bubble Conversation

Check the message bubbles. Green means SMS — Send Later won't appear. If the contact has an iPhone but you're seeing green bubbles, check that both you and the recipient have iMessage turned on under Settings > Messages.

Your iOS Version Is Below iOS 18

Update to iOS 18 via Settings > General > Software Update. There's no workaround that adds Send Later to earlier versions — the Shortcuts method (below) is the closest alternative.

You're Looking in the Wrong Place

The + button and the long-press send arrow are the only two entry points. Send Later is not accessible through Settings, and it doesn't appear elsewhere in the Messages interface.

The Option Appears But Is Greyed Out

This usually means the conversation is SMS-based rather than iMessage. It can also happen if iMessage is toggled off in Settings. Double-check Settings > Messages > iMessage is enabled.

Workarounds When Send Later Doesn't Work for You

If you're on an older iOS version, need recurring sends, or want to reach Android users, these alternatives cover the gap.

Option 1 — Use the Shortcuts App (Best for Recurring or Older iOS)

The Shortcuts app comes pre-installed on iOS 13 and later. It can automate a timed message, but the setup takes more steps than Send Later.

1. Open Shortcuts and tap the Automation tab.
2. Tap + then New Automation.
3. Select Time of Day and set when you want the message sent.
4. Tap Add Action and choose Send Message.
5. Enter your message text and recipient.
6. Disable Ask Before Running if you want it to send without confirmation.
7. Tap Done.

One practical thing to know: if you set this up as a one-time send, the automation will repeat on the same schedule unless you manually delete it. Set a reminder to remove it after it fires.

Also worth noting — Shortcuts technically supports recurring sends, but only with a fixed, static message. You can't dynamically change the content per send from within the automation.

Option 2 — Use the Reminders App (Manual Prompt Method)

This isn't automated scheduling. The Reminders app will notify you at a set time to send a message you've pre-written. You still tap send yourself.

Useful if you're worried about forgetting, or if the message needs a last-minute review before it goes out. Not useful if you genuinely need something to send without your involvement.

Option 3 — Use a Third-Party App

Apps like Scheduled are available on the App Store and offer more flexibility — including scheduling to Android contacts. Some send automatically; others ping you with a notification to send manually. Check the app's description carefully before assuming it auto-sends.

Scheduling Texts on iPad and Mac

Can You Use Send Later on iPad?

Yes. If the iPad is running iPadOS 18 or later and has iMessage active, Send Later works the same way as on iPhone — same steps, same limitations.

Can You Schedule iMessages from a Mac?

Yes, through the Messages app on macOS Sequoia (which aligns with the iOS 18 update cycle). The feature follows the same iMessage-only rule and requires the Mac to be signed into the same Apple ID with iMessage enabled.

Conclusion

Send Later in iOS 18 is the simplest way to schedule a text on iPhone — tap +, select Send Later, pick a time, done. It works only with iMessage, supports one recipient at a time, and has a 14-day limit. For anything outside those boundaries, the Shortcuts app or a third-party tool is the practical next step.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you schedule a text to someone on Android from an iPhone?

No. Send Later works only with iMessage, which requires both parties to be on Apple devices. For Android recipients, the Shortcuts app or a third-party app is the only option from an iPhone.

Will the message send if my iPhone is turned off?

Yes. Apple stores scheduled messages encrypted on its servers and delivers them at the set time even if your devices are offline or powered off.

Can the recipient tell the message was scheduled?

No. The message arrives like any standard iMessage. There is no label, timestamp indicator, or any other signal visible to the recipient.

Where do I find all my scheduled messages in one place?

Scheduled messages appear at the bottom of the individual conversation thread they were created in. There is no central inbox or folder that groups all scheduled messages together.

Is there a way to schedule a text more than 14 days ahead on iPhone?

Not through the native Send Later feature. The 14-day limit is fixed. For longer lead times, a third-party scheduling app is currently the only option.