iOS 18 Features Part 8: Schedule iMessage

Okay, seriously, who else has wished they could schedule iMessages forever? I know I have! There's nothing worse than remembering a friend's birthday at 2 AM and having to wait until morning to send a text, or worse, forgetting entirely by then. So, when I heard iOS 18 was finally bringing native iMessage scheduling, I was SO excited. And let me tell you, it does not disappoint! You might be wondering, 'does iOS 18 allow scheduling iMessages natively?' The answer is a resounding YES! This isn't some workaround or third-party app; it's built right into the Messages app, making it super seamless to use. I've already used it a few times, and it's a total game-changer for my organization. Here’s a quick rundown on how I've been scheduling my iMessages. It’s incredibly intuitive: First, open an iMessage conversation just like you normally would. Type out your message, whether it's a quick 'Meet at your place in 30' or a heartfelt 'Happy birthday! Told you I wouldn't forget.' Don't hit send yet! Now, here's the magic. Instead of tapping the send arrow immediately, you'll want to long-press (or tap and hold) on the send button. A new menu pops up, and one of the options you’ll see is 'Schedule Send.' Tapping this brings up a calendar and time picker. You can choose from preset times like 'Tomorrow at 10:00 AM' or pick a custom date and time. I love that you can specify exact times like 'Today 2:17PM' or even far in advance, like 'Tue, Aug 20 at 2:17 PM.' Once you’ve set your desired time, just confirm, and your message will be queued up. You’ll even see a little clock icon next to it, indicating it’s scheduled. What I find super practical about this feature is how versatile it is. Beyond birthdays, I use it for work reminders ("Don't forget the report!"), sending messages across different time zones without waking anyone up, or even just scheduling a 'quick walk before dinner' reminder to myself or a friend. It’s all about sending the right message at the perfect moment. And if you change your mind? No worries! You can easily view your scheduled messages and either edit them or cancel the send altogether before the scheduled time arrives. This level of control is what makes this native integration stand out. It’s truly designed with the user in mind, making sure you never miss an important message or send one at an awkward time again. This feature alone makes updating to iOS 18 worth it for me!