How to schedule a text message on iPhone using the Shortcuts app

by James · January 21, 2023

While the iPhone is known for its iMessage feature, which allows you to send and receive text messages. While iMessaging has its limitations with only Apple users having access to it, there is still the text messaging option that allows text messaging between users and non-users. However, these may require a mobile operator fee or a subscription.

When you send text messages, you can easily forget a text message or send a text message at a convenient time. You can avoid this situation in the future if you start planning your text messages. How to schedule a text message on your iPhone.

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How to schedule a text message using the Shortcuts app

Currently, the Messages app on iPhone does not have a feature to schedule messages. However, if you have the latest iOS update on your iPhone, you can create an automated feature on the Shortcuts app to help with this. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: On the iPhone home screen, tap the Shortcuts app to launch it.

Step 2: Tap the Automation tab at the bottom of the Shortcuts app.

Step 3: If you’ve never used the Automation tab before, you’ll see the “Create Personal Automation” button. But if you’ve used the Automation tab before, you’ll see a ‘+’ sign at the top right. Press the “Create Personal Automation” button or the “+” sign.

Step 4: On the New Automation page, tap the “Time of Day” option.

Step 5: Select the desired time on the When page by pressing the time icon.

Step 6: If it’s a recurring message, choose from the Daily, Weekly, and Monthly options for the frequency.

Step 7: If you select weekly or monthly as the recurrence frequency, you will get more options to select the start date or day.

Step 8: After selecting the time and frequency, press Next at the top right of the page.

Step 9: On the Actions page, click Add action to see the actions and apps that are available.

Step 10: Press the search field and search for Send message.

Step 11: Tap Send Message from the results that appear, which will take you back to the action page.

Step 12: On the Actions page, tap the message text highlighted in blue and enter the text.

Step 13: After printing the text, tap on the recipient text highlighted in blue. This will launch a popup.

Step 14: In the To field of the pop-up window, type or search for your preferred message recipients.

Step 15: Tap Done after selecting the recipient to return to the Actions page.

Step 16: On the Actions page, tap Next.

Step 17: Go through the timer settings and actions again on the Edit Automation page. If you want the Shortcuts app to notify you when the message is sent, make sure you enable the “Ask before driving” switch.

Step 18: Confirm your new automation settings by pressing Done.

At the scheduled time of the day, you should receive a notification from the Shortcuts app. This notification will confirm whether you wish to send the message. Press Run to start the automation.

How to delete a scheduled text message from the shortcut app

If you no longer need the scheduled text message, you can delete the automation from the Shortcuts app. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: On the iPhone home screen, tap the Shortcuts app to launch it.

Step 2: Tap the Automation tab at the bottom of the Shortcuts app.

Step 3: On the automation page, you should see a list of all your shortcuts. Swipe left on the Send Message automation.

Step 4: Tap the Delete button that appears.

After pressing the delete button, the automation should no longer be available.

Limitations on Using the Shortcuts App

To some extent, the Shortcuts app helps bridge the gap in scheduling a text message. However, the automation created on the app has its limitations. The Shortcuts app does not allow you to send a one-time message. The time intervals made available on the Shortcuts app assume that users wish to send the same scheduled message, daily, weekly or monthly. Third-party apps can offer more variety and flexibility in scheduling text messages.