WhatsApp is currently testing a highly anticipated message scheduling feature for its Android application. This new functionality, being rolled out to a limited number of beta testers, allows users to compose messages and set a future delivery time up to two weeks in advance.
The feature aims to simplify communication for users, ensuring timely delivery of important messages like birthday wishes, reminders, or work updates, regardless of whether the app is open, closed, or even if the phone is switched off at the scheduled time. This robust delivery mechanism was highlighted by feature tracker WABetaInfo, which closely monitors WhatsApp developments.
How WhatsApp's Scheduled Messages Work
For eligible beta testers running WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.40.7 (or later) from the Google Play Store, scheduling a message is straightforward:
- Type your message in any individual or group chat.
- Press and hold the 'send' button.
- If the feature is active, a new interface will appear, allowing you to select a specific delivery date and time.
Messages can be scheduled anywhere from 10 minutes to two weeks in the future. The feature supports not only text and links but also photos and videos. To schedule media, select it from your gallery, and then press and hold the send button. Users can also utilize the drawing editor to modify photos or add captions before scheduling. However, a current limitation allows only one photo or video per scheduled message.
Key Details and Availability
The scheduled messages maintain WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption, ensuring privacy. Users can manage or delete their pre-planned messages from a dedicated section within the chat information screen before they are sent. Recipients are not notified if a scheduled message is deleted, nor can they discern that a message was pre-scheduled.
In group chats, only members who were part of the group when the message was scheduled will receive it; those who join later will not. WhatsApp is gradually expanding access to this beta feature, with more accounts expected to receive it in the coming weeks. While users without access cannot schedule messages themselves, they can still receive messages scheduled by others who have the feature.
As of now, WhatsApp has not announced a general release date for this functionality to all Android users.