Can You Schedule a Text on iPhone? Yes, Even to an Android!

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By Amy Spitzfaden Both
September 02, 2025

What to Know

  • You can schedule texts with the Send Later feature, but this only works with iMessage.
  • If you need to schedule an SMS message, use the Apple Shortcuts app.
  • Avoid using third-party apps that make you pay to schedule texts.

Have you ever wanted to schedule text messages on your iPhone? Your iPhone lets you schedule iMessages simply by holding down the send icon, but if you want to schedule an RCS/SMS, such as if you're sending a message to an Android user, you'll need to use Shortcuts. Let's learn how to schedule a text message on an iPhone.

Can You Schedule a Text on iPhone?

iphone messages app displaying a text that has been scheduled to sent later

Is there a way to schedule a text on iPhone? If your iPhone is running iOS 18 or later, you can schedule an iMessage to send later by tapping the plus icon to the right of the text field and selecting Send Later. Then, just set the date and time you want the text to be sent.

However, this only works if your device is on iOS 18 or newer, and it only works when sending iMessages. It does not work with RCS/SMS text messages. If your iPhone is still running iOS 17 or if you need to text an Android user, refer to the Shortcuts method below for how to schedule a text message on an iPhone.

How to Schedule an RCS/SMS Message on iPhone

So, how do you schedule a text on an iPhone if you are running iOS 17 or if you need to schedule an RCS/SMS message? You can easily schedule texts on your iPhone using the Shortcuts app. Just select the date and time to send your text, then set your message to send to an individual or group. You can even choose whether you want your text to automatically send or to ask for confirmation before sending. To learn more about iPhone shortcuts, check out our Tip of the Day newsletter. Now, here's how to schedule texts on your iPhone:

  1. To schedule an iMessage, start by opening the Shortcuts app. a screenshot of the iphone spotlight search results with a red box around the shortcuts app
  2. At the bottom of the screen, tap the Automation icon. a screenshot of the iphone shortcuts app with a red box around the automation tab
  3. Tap the Add icon. If you don't have any existing automations, tap New Automation in the center of the screen. a screenshot of the automations tab in the iphone shortcuts app with a red box around the plus icon
  4. In the Personal Automation menu, choose your text message's prompt. In this example, I will use Time of Day to schedule my text. a screenshot of the new automation screen in the iphone shortcuts app with a red box around time of day
  5. If using Time of Day, choose from Sunrise, Sunset, or Time of Day to set a specific time to send the text. a screenshot of the new automation screen in the iphone shortcuts app with a red box around the "when" options
  6. If you select Time of Day, tap the time and scroll to select when you want to send the text. a screenshot of the new automation screen in the iphone shortcuts app with a red box around the time selection wheel
  7. Under Repeat, select Daily, Weekly, or Monthly. a screenshot of the new automation screen in the iphone shortcuts app with a red box around the repeat options
  8. If Weekly or Monthly, select the day(s) of the week or month. For Weekly, all the days of the week will be automatically selected, so tap any day to deselect. a screenshot of the new automation screen in the iphone shortcuts app with a red box around the days of the week selector
  9. Select Run After Confirmation if you want your iPhone to ask for confirmation before sending the text. Tap Run Immediately if you want the text to send automatically. a screenshot of the new automation screen in the iphone shortcuts app with a red box around the run after confirmation or run immediately options
  10. Tap Next. a screenshot of the new automation screen in the iphone shortcuts app with a red box around the next button
  11. Tap Send Message. a screenshot of the new automation screen in the iphone shortcuts app with a red box around the send message option
  12. In the box that says Send "Message" to Recipients, tap "Message" to compose the automated text. a screenshot of the send message automation screen in the iphone shortcuts app with a red box around the message field
  13. Tap Recipients to choose your recipients. Note that you cannot schedule an automated text to a group chat. You'll had to add each member of the chat individually. a screenshot of the send message automation screen in the iphone shortcuts app with a red box around the recipient field
  14. Select your recipients. a screenshot of the send message recipient selection screen in the iphone shortcuts app with a red box around a contact
  15. Tap the checkmark icon to save your scheduled text. You can now find this in your Automations tab. a screenshot of the send message automation screen in the iphone shortcuts app with a red box around the checkmark icon
  16. To delete the automation, swipe left and tap Delete. a screenshot of the automations tab in the iphone shortcuts app with a red arrow pointing left on an automation, indicating to swipe left

That's how to schedule a text message on your iPhone when you're sending the message to an Android user. Now your text messages should send right on schedule (unless you delete the automation)! If you love learning device shortcuts, you might also check out how to turn your iPhone flashlight on and off or even how to retrieve deleted texts on your iPhone.

FAQ

  • Can I use a third-party app to schedule a text message on iPhone? Yes. Apps such as AutoSender, SMS Scheduler, and Scheduled all allow you to schedule and send delayed texts on your iPhone. These are all great options if you want to schedule texts on multiple messaging services, but you may need to pay for the service.
  • How do I send a text at a specific time on my iPhone? To send a text as a certain time from your iPhone, use the Shortcuts app and select the Time of Day option. Then, tap the time displayed to set exactly when you want your text message to send.
  • Can I unsend a text message on iPhone? If your iPhone is running iOS 16 or later, you can unsend iMessages on iPhone, but not SMS.
  • Can I edit a text message after it’s sent on iPhone? You can edit iMessages, but not SMS, up to 15 minutes after sending.
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written by

Amy Spitzfaden Both

Amy Spitzfaden-Both is the Managing Editor for iPhone Life magazine and an award-winning novelist, with over 10 years of experience in the publishing industry. She specializes in Apple news and rumors, health and fitness tech, and parenting in the digital age. She graduated from MIU with a BA in Literature and Writing.
Amy lives in New Hampshire with her husband and daughter. When she’s not writing or glued to her iPhone, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and creating her own tea blends.

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