Overview
- WhatsApp has begun deploying a scheduled‑messages feature to a limited group of Android beta users running version 2.26.40.7 through the Google Play beta channel.
- Users can schedule messages by tapping and holding the send button in a chat or the gallery picker, then choosing a delivery time between 10 minutes and two weeks.
- Scheduled items send automatically at the chosen time even if the sender’s phone is offline or the app is closed, and they remain end‑to‑end encrypted like regular messages.
- The feature currently allows only one photo or video per scheduled message, sends group messages only to members present when the message was scheduled, and lets senders view or delete pending messages from a dedicated chat info section without notifying recipients.
- The roll‑out is limited to beta testers for now with a staged expansion expected in the coming weeks, and the tool mirrors scheduling options already available in other messaging apps for planning greetings, invites, and timed reminders.