WhatsApp has reportedly begun testing a scheduled messaging feature with a limited number of Android beta users. According to feature tracker WABetaInfo, the option is available to some users running WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.40.7. It allows them to prepare messages in advance and choose when they should be delivered.
The feature is designed to support text messages, links, photos and videos. However, it is not yet available to all Android users, and WhatsApp has not announced an official date for its wider release in India or other markets. As the feature remains under testing, its functions may change before the public rollout.
How WhatsApp Scheduled Messages Work
Users who have access to the feature can write a message and press and hold the send button to select a delivery time. According to WABetaInfo, messages can currently be scheduled from 10 minutes to two weeks in advance.
WhatsApp is also reportedly adding a dedicated section within chat information where users can view and delete messages waiting to be sent. This would allow senders to manage their scheduled messages before the selected delivery time.
The feature reportedly supports individual and group conversations. Users can also schedule a single photo or video selected from their gallery or edited before sending. However, the current beta implementation does not support scheduling multiple media files together in one message.
Scheduled Messages May Work Even When the Phone Is Offline
According to the reported implementation, scheduled messages are designed to reach recipients at the selected time even if WhatsApp is closed or the sender’s phone is offline.
WABetaInfo also reports that scheduled messages retain WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption, helping protect message content during communication.
For group conversations, the current implementation reportedly sends a scheduled message only to people who were members of the group when the message was created.
These details relate to the feature’s reported beta behaviour and may change as WhatsApp continues its testing.
When Will WhatsApp Release the Feature for Everyone?
WhatsApp is distributing the scheduled messaging option gradually, so installing beta version 2.26.40.7 does not guarantee that a user will receive access. The company has yet to confirm when the feature will reach all users through a stable update.
The reported implementation also allows recipients to receive scheduled messages even if they do not have access to the scheduling option themselves.
Until WhatsApp introduces the feature more widely, users should be cautious about third-party applications that offer message scheduling. Apps requesting extensive accessibility access or broad account permissions may create unnecessary privacy and security risks.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information reported by WABetaInfo about a feature under development. The final functionality, availability and release timeline may differ from the current beta version. WhatsApp has not confirmed a general rollout date, and users should refer to official WhatsApp announcements for the latest updates.