Schedule A Text Message On iPhone And Stay Ahead of Time (Beginner’s Guide)

Are you an iPhone user who finds it hard to keep track of timing while sending a text message? 

If so, why don’t you schedule text message on iPhone and let your phone do its thing? Scheduling texts is surely one of the most handy iPhone tips that will keep you ahead of time. So, if you are a new iPhone user, this article will help you understand how scheduling text on iPhone works.  

Can You Schedule A Text On iPhone?

Yes, you can schedule a text on iPhone, but the procedure is a little bit tricky. iMessage doesn’t provide a direct option to schedule a text, so, for that, you’ll need to seek help from the Shortcuts app. This app is not pre-installed in iOS versions older than 13, so if you have older iOS software, most likely you’ll need to install the Shortcuts app. 

Note:- Shortcuts app only works for iOS devices, not Android. 

Also Read, How to View Blocked Messages on iPhone?

How to Schedule A Text On iPhone Using Shortcuts App?

Shortcuts app is a built-in function on the latest iOS devices. It is a program to automate certain things on your phone that you need to do regularly. If you also struggle with keeping track of time while sending important texts, the Shortcuts app is surely going to be your savior. 

Attention!

This app is used to create automation for tasks that need to be performed regularly. The text you schedule will become a recurring message and be sent to the same person on the same day, every day, week, or month. If you want to schedule a text only once, you’ll need to delete it the next day.

Here’s how you can easily schedule a text on iPhone for the future!

1. Firstly, open the Shortcuts app on your device, or you can install it from the Apple App Store.

2. Launch the app and tap on the Automation option presented below. 

3. Click on New Automation. If you can’t find the New Automation option, search for a ‘+’ icon in the top right corner. Tap on it and then select New Automation.

   

4. Now, in the When section, select the Time of Day option to enter a date and time.

5. There’s no option to set this as a one-time task. So, in the Repeat section, choose one option from daily, weekly, or monthly.

   

6. Select one from Run after confirmation or Run immediately, click Next, and tap on the “New blank Automation” option from the next window.

   

7. Now tap on the Send message option, and enter your custom message inside the quotation marks (“ ”). 

8. Click on the Recipients link and enter the receiver’s name in the To section.

   

9. Confirm your automation to be run immediately or on confirmation. If you just want to be notified when it runs, you can toggle on the “Notify when run” option. 

10. Tap “Done,” and you’ve successfully scheduled a text message.

    

In some cases, you might require scheduled messages to be repeated. For instance, remind your child to eat lunch properly or ask your partner when they’ll be home. 

But, mostly, there’s no such need for the text to be sent again. In that case, you’ll have to delete the automation before it repeats for the second time. 

Also read, How to See if Someone Checked Your Location on iPhone?

Delete Scheduled Text Messages On Shortcuts App

Considering there’s no option to set automation on a one-time basis, deleting it is inevitable. So, before you end up wishing “Happy Birthday” to a friend “twice” in the same year, follow the steps below after the message is sent: –

• Launch the Shortcuts app, and you will see all the working automation on the home page. 
• Scroll to the particular automation that you want to turn off. Swipe left on it and tap “Delete.”

These automations also take up a lot of space. The more shortcuts you’ve created, the more memory will be consumed. Thus, remember to clear cookies on your iPhone to ensure efficient use.

In case the message doesn’t send or get scheduled, check your internet connection or try other methods to fix the message send failure on your iPhone. Furthermore, if you want your message to be scheduled for only one time, you can refer to the third-party apps available for iPhone. 

To give you some options to choose from, we have enlisted some amazing text and email scheduling apps for iPhone that work identically to the Shortcuts app in the upcoming sections. 

Third-Party Apps to Schedule A Text Message On iPhone

As obvious as it is, the only trouble with using the shortcuts app is having to delete the task later. But every problem has a solution. This is where the third-party apps come as a knight in shining armor.

These applications are what you need, in particular, to schedule text messages on your iPhone. Unlike Shortcuts, these apps won’t set your text to repeat and spam the recipient every week or month. Instead, you will have wider options available, allowing you to be precise with your needs. 

Moxy Messenger

With Moxy Messenger, you can schedule not only SMS but also emails and other social media texts. It is a free-to-download app that can be installed from the app store. With a lifetime subscription of $14.99, you can take advantage of its premium features forever. 

Carrier Messaging

Don’t worry about forgetting something important that you had to say. With Carrier Messaging, you can instantly type in and schedule a text on any platform without waiting for the sun to rise. For the basic plan, the application is free of charge, but to use premium benefits, you can also buy a subscription for $9.99 per month.

ReminderBase – SMS Scheduler

ReminderBase is particularly designed to cater to your business needs and lets you schedule text, email, and even newsletters for your customers. With this, you can also send shipping details and appointments without taking extra time from your schedule. It is a free-to-use app but also has premium pricing options starting at $2.99/month.

These apps work similarly to the Shortcuts application and allow you to compose and schedule an email. What’s better is that you can sync these messages from your iPhone to your Mac.

If you want to explore some more options, there are many other third-party apps. However, it’s better to do some research on the developer before downloading to make sure the program is safe against the cyber threats of the modern world.

Important Tips For Scheduling a Text on iPhone

One of the main advantages of scheduled text messages is that you can send them anytime you like. Scheduling your message you won’t limited by your work hours, time zone, or sleep routine. To help you ace the skill of scheduling a text, we have listed some tips and tricks that will make you a pro.

1. Ensure that your timings coincide with your recipient’s, i.e., they’re available during those hours of the day.
2. Limit texts to sending only within reasonable hours to keep them professional.
3. While setting up the automation, always run a trial to ensure it completes the task.
4. Always cancel the automation if it’s not needed anymore.
5. Prevent yourself from sending too many texts to your recipients and spamming them with irrelevant content.
6. Try to personalize the texts as much as possible to create more engagement.
7. Keep your texts short, crisp, and concise to make it easier for the recipient to understand the matter correctly.

Everything has its ups and downs, and so does scheduling text on your iPhone. If you are new to this feature, the next section will familiarize you with the restrictions of scheduling a text. 

Downsides of Scheduling Text on your iPhone

Despite the technological advancements, there’s only little you can do while mass texting from your phone. Thus, one day or another, you’ll have to find a better solution to this, such as moving to a desktop.

Here are some of the limitations of scheduling a text on an iPhone to help you make informed decisions. 

• Lacks Scope to Personalize Content –  This feature of the iPhone can be used for personal use only because sending the same text to the target audience or investors is indeed a boring idea. 

• Not Fit For Business Use – For a business that works on a large scale, there’s often a need to group several people. While setting automation in any app, you’ll always have to select individual contacts, preventing you from effectively utilizing your time.

Your iPhone scheduling text demands may not have a one-size-fits-all solution, but with the help of the Shortcuts app and several third-party apps, you will be able to find something that saves you time and meets your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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