In today’s fast-paced digital world, instant communication is the norm. However, there are times when sending a text message immediately might not be ideal. Perhaps you want to wish a friend a happy birthday at the stroke of midnight, or send a message to someone in a different time zone. Whatever the reason, being able to delay sending a text message can be incredibly useful.
Why Can’t You Send A Delayed Text On IPhone (Natively)?
While the Messages app on iPhone is packed with features, the ability to schedule or delay text messages isn’t one of them – at least, not natively. Apple has chosen not to include this functionality in their messaging app, and there are some good reasons for that. For example, delayed messages could potentially cause confusion or misunderstandings, especially if the recipient doesn’t realize the message was sent automatically.
That being said, many other messaging apps and third-party services on the App Store do offer the ability to schedule text messages in advance. So if you’re looking to send a delayed text on your iPhone, there are still plenty of options available to you.
Third-Party Apps For Sending Delayed Texts
There are several third-party apps available for iPhone that allow you to schedule text messages in advance. Here are a few options:
Schedule SMS
As the name suggests, Schedule SMS is an app that allows you to schedule text messages to be sent at a later time. The app is free to download and offers a range of features, including:
- Scheduling messages in advance
- Sending messages to multiple recipients at once
- Creating custom message templates
- Viewing sent messages and message history
To use Schedule SMS, simply launch the app and create a new scheduled message. Choose the recipient(s), enter the message text, and select the date and time you want the message to be sent.
Text Timer
Text Timer is another app that allows you to schedule text messages in advance. The app is available for free on the App Store and offers features such as:
- Scheduling messages to be sent at a specific date and time
- Repeating scheduled messages (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly)
- Sending messages to multiple recipients at once
- Creating custom message templates
To use Text Timer, simply launch the app and create a new scheduled message. Choose the recipient(s), enter the message text, and select the date and time you want the message to be sent.
AutoSender
AutoSender is a versatile app that allows you to schedule not only text messages, but also emails and social media posts. The app is free to download and offers features such as:
- Scheduling messages to be sent at a specific date and time
- Repeating scheduled messages (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly)
- Sending messages to multiple recipients at once
- Creating custom message templates
- Integrating with other apps and services (e.g., Facebook, Twitter)
To use AutoSender, simply launch the app and create a new scheduled message. Choose the recipient(s), enter the message text, and select the date and time you want the message to be sent.
Other Options For Sending Delayed Texts
In addition to third-party apps, there are other ways to send delayed text messages on your iPhone. For example, you can use the built-in Reminders app to remind you to send a message at a specific time.
Using The Reminders App
To use the Reminders app to send a delayed text message, follow these steps:
- Open the Reminders app on your iPhone.
- Tap the “+” icon to create a new reminder.
- Enter the message text in the reminder title field.
- Set the reminder time to the date and time you want to send the message.
- Tap “Add Reminder” to save the reminder.
When the reminder goes off, you’ll receive a notification on your iPhone. You can then open the Messages app and send the message to the recipient.
Using Siri
You can also use Siri to send a delayed text message. To do this, follow these steps:
- Activate Siri on your iPhone by saying “Hey Siri” or by pressing and holding the Home button.
- Say “Send a message to [name] at [time].”
- Dictate the message text.
- Siri will ask you to confirm the message. Say “Yes” to send the message at the scheduled time.
Benefits Of Sending Delayed Texts
There are many benefits to sending delayed text messages on your iPhone. Here are a few:
- Convenience: Sending delayed texts can be incredibly convenient, especially if you want to send a message to someone in a different time zone or during a busy period.
- Reducing distractions: By scheduling messages in advance, you can reduce distractions and free up more time for other tasks.
- Increasing productivity: Sending delayed texts can help you stay organized and focused, which can lead to increased productivity.
Potential Drawbacks Of Sending Delayed Texts
While there are many benefits to sending delayed text messages, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider. Here are a few:
- Confusion or misunderstandings: As mentioned earlier, delayed messages can sometimes cause confusion or misunderstandings, especially if the recipient doesn’t realize the message was sent automatically.
- Dependency on technology: Relying on automated messages can make it difficult to communicate effectively if technology fails or is unavailable.
- Loss of spontaneity: Scheduling messages in advance can take away from the spontaneity and immediacy of communication, which can be an important aspect of relationships.
Conclusion
While the Messages app on iPhone doesn’t natively support scheduled or delayed text messages, there are many third-party apps and services that can help you achieve this. By using one of these options, you can enjoy the benefits of sending delayed texts, including convenience, reduced distractions, and increased productivity. Just be aware of the potential drawbacks, such as confusion or misunderstandings, and use these features wisely.
Is There A Native Feature To Send Delayed Texts On IPhone?
The native iPhone ‘Messages’ app does not provide a built-in feature to send delayed texts. To send delayed texts on an iPhone, you will need to use a third-party app from the App Store. Some popular options include Scheduled, AutoSender, and Delayed Messaging.
You can also use your iPhone’s ‘Shortcuts’ app to create custom shortcuts that allow you to send delayed texts. To do this, you need to create a new shortcut, add the ‘Send Message’ action, and then add the ‘Wait’ action to delay the text. However, you need to set up the shortcut each time you want to send a delayed text, which can be time-consuming.
What Third-party Apps Can I Use To Send Delayed Texts On IPhone?
There are several third-party apps available on the App Store that allow you to send delayed texts on iPhone. Some popular options include Scheduled, AutoSender, and Delayed Messaging. These apps allow you to schedule texts in advance and also provide features like reminders and repeating messages.
When choosing a third-party app, consider the features that are important to you, such as the ability to schedule multiple messages at once and customize the delay time. Some apps also offer a free trial or basic version, so you can test the app before committing to a paid subscription.
Can I Send Delayed Texts To Non-iPhone Users?
Yes, you can send delayed texts to non-iPhone users. Most third-party apps that allow you to send delayed texts on iPhone also support sending messages to Android users or other non-iPhone devices. However, keep in mind that the recipient’s carrier and phone settings may affect the delivery of the message.
When sending delayed texts to non-iPhone users, make sure to check the app’s compatibility and the recipient’s phone settings before scheduling the message. You should also be aware of any potential issues that may affect the delivery of the message, such as the recipient’s data or messaging plan.
Can I Cancel A Scheduled Text On IPhone?
Yes, you can cancel a scheduled text on iPhone. Most third-party apps that allow you to send delayed texts on iPhone also provide an option to cancel or edit scheduled messages. However, the process may vary depending on the app you are using.
To cancel a scheduled text, open the app, go to the scheduled messages section, and look for the message you want to cancel. The app should provide an option to cancel or delete the scheduled message. If you are using a shortcut in the ‘Shortcuts’ app, you can cancel the shortcut by going to the ‘My Shortcuts’ tab and disabling the shortcut.
Is Sending Delayed Texts On IPhone Secure?
Sending delayed texts on iPhone using third-party apps can raise security concerns. When choosing an app, make sure to read the app’s terms of service and review its data collection policies. Look for apps that use end-to-end encryption and have a good reputation among users.
When sending delayed texts, also be aware of potential security risks such as interception of the message or unauthorized access to your phone. To minimize these risks, use a secure network when sending messages and set up a strong password or biometric authentication on your iPhone.
Will Sending Delayed Texts On IPhone Affect My Messaging Plan?
Sending delayed texts on iPhone using third-party apps may affect your messaging plan. Some apps may use your iPhone’s SMS or MMS messaging plan to send the scheduled messages. However, other apps may use their own messaging service, which may incur additional charges.
When choosing an app, consider the potential impact on your messaging plan and check the app’s pricing model. Some apps may offer a free trial or basic version, so you can test the app before committing to a paid subscription.
Can I Use Siri To Send Delayed Texts On IPhone?
You can use Siri to send delayed texts on iPhone, but only if you have set up a shortcut in the ‘Shortcuts’ app. To do this, create a new shortcut, add the ‘Send Message’ action, and then add the ‘Wait’ action to delay the text. Then, go to the ‘Settings’ app, tap on ‘Siri & Search,’ and enable the ‘Allow ‘Hey Siri” option.
Once you have set up the shortcut, you can use Siri to send the delayed text by saying ‘Hey Siri, run [shortcut name]’ or by asking Siri to send the message. However, you need to set up the shortcut each time you want to send a delayed text, which can be time-consuming.