How to Schedule a Text Message on iPhone (Never Miss Important Messages Again)

Introduction

Ever wished you could send birthday texts at midnight? Or remind someone about appointments without setting alarms? iPhones don’t have built-in text scheduling like Android phones. But there are reliable ways to schedule messages with precision.

This guide shows three proven methods to schedule text messages on your iPhone. We’ll cover simple shortcuts and third-party apps. Most methods take just 2-3 minutes to set up. Once configured, they work reliably for years.

Prerequisites

You need these basics to schedule text messages:

• iPhone running iOS 12 or later (iOS 15+ works best)
• Active cellular service or Wi-Fi connection
• Basic familiarity with the Shortcuts app (we’ll guide you through setup)

For third-party options, you’ll need to download additional apps.

Step 1: Set Up Automated Text Scheduling Using Shortcuts App

Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone. It’s pre-installed on iOS 13+. On iOS 12, download it from the App Store.

Tap the “+” icon in the top-right corner. This creates a new shortcut. You’ll see a blank automation editor. Look for “Add Action” at the bottom of the screen.

Step 2: Configure the Send Message Action

Tap “Add Action” at the bottom. Search for “Send Message” in the search bar. Select “Send Message” from the results. This action will send your text when you schedule it to.

You’ll see two fields appear: “Recipients” and “Message.” These are where you’ll add your contact and message text.

Step 3: Customize Your Message Content and Recipients

Tap the “Recipients” field first. Add the contact you want to text. Type their name or phone number.

Next, tap the “Message” field. Type your message text here. Want flexibility? Tap “Ask Each Time” next to either field. This lets you customize the message or recipient when the shortcut runs.

Your shortcut now contains a complete message ready to send. You can use fixed recipients and text or change them each time.

Step 4: Convert Your Shortcut to a Time-Based Automation

Tap the settings gear icon in the top-right corner. Then tap “Convert to Automation.”

Select “Time of Day” from the automation triggers list. Set your desired send time using the time picker. Choose which days you want this to repeat. Options include daily, weekly, or specific days. Make sure “Run Immediately” is enabled.

Step 5: Test and Save Your Scheduled Message

Tap “Done” to save your automation. Then tap “Done” again to exit the editor.

To test right now, go back to the Shortcuts app main screen. Find your new shortcut and tap it. The message should send within 2-3 seconds if set up correctly.

You’ll see a brief “Running automation” notification. Then the message will appear in your Messages app as sent.

Step 6: Alternative Method - Use Delayed Delivery Apps

Download “Scheduled” or “Later” from the App Store. Both are free with premium options.

Open your chosen app and tap “Schedule New Message.” Enter the recipient, message content, and desired send time.

The app will send a notification at your chosen time. You’ll need one tap to actually send the message.

Step 7: Set Up Emergency Backup Method Using Reminders

Open the Reminders app and create a new reminder. Add your message text to the reminder.

Set the reminder for your desired send time. Enable location alerts if needed.

When the reminder fires, copy the text. Then paste it into Messages manually. This method requires manual work but works 100% reliably as backup.

Troubleshooting

Shortcut doesn’t send automatically: Check that “Allow Running When Locked” is enabled. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Always Allowed. Make sure Shortcuts is listed there.

Message sends to wrong contact: iPhone may have old contact info cached. Go to Contacts app and find the recipient. Check their phone number is current and marked as “iPhone” or “Mobile.”

Automation runs but no message appears: Your iPhone might be in Do Not Disturb mode. This blocks the automation. Check Control Center and turn off Do Not Disturb. Or add Shortcuts to your Do Not Disturb exceptions.

Third-party app notifications not working: Check notification permissions for your app. Go to Settings > Notifications. Many apps also need background app refresh enabled.

Message sends right away instead of later: Check your time zone settings. Go to Settings > General > Date & Time. Wrong time zones cause apps to calculate send times incorrectly.

Advanced Options

Recurring Birthday Messages: Create separate automations for family birthdays that repeat yearly. Add personal touches like mentioning their age or shared memories.

Location-Based Scheduling: Use “Arrive at Location” trigger in Shortcuts. This sends “I’m here” messages when you reach work or appointments.

Smart Message Variables: Add dynamic content to your messages. Use Shortcuts’ text formatting to include current date or weather conditions.

Backup Systems: Set up multiple reminder methods for critical messages. Use Calendar alerts plus Shortcuts plus third-party apps. This ensures important messages never get missed.

Conclusion

Learning how to schedule a text message on iPhone takes more setup than Android devices. But these methods provide reliable, automated messaging. They save you from forgotten birthdays and missed appointments. They also prevent awkward timing mistakes.

The Shortcuts method works offline once you set it up. It works seamlessly with your Messages app. Start with simple one-time messages to build confidence. Then expand to recurring automations for maximum convenience.

Remember to test your scheduled messages regularly. This ensures they work as expected. Pay special attention after iOS updates that might affect automation permissions. With proper setup, you’ll never miss sending an important message again.