How to schedule sending SMS messages on Android

Typically, SMS text messaging is used for "instant" communication. You send a message to someone when you have something important to do, or you immediately reply to a message sent to you.

However, have you ever forgotten to send an SMS message and got into trouble because of it? You may think that sending an important message at this time is not appropriate and leave it for later, but your “goldfish brain” forgets. At times like that, scheduling and sending messages is a reasonable solution. Here is how to schedule sending text messages on Android.

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Schedule SMS messages using Google messaging app

Google's Messages app is one of the best text messaging options for Android smartphones. In a major update in late 2020, Google Messages added the ability to schedule SMS messages, making it the perfect SMS messaging app for Android users.

To use this feature, you first need to download the Google Messages app from the Play Store and set it as your default SMS app. When you open the app for the first time, you will see a button to “ Set Default SMS App ”.

On the next screen or pop-up, select “ Messages ” and tap “ Set as Default ”.

All of your previous conversations will appear in the Messages app immediately. Tap a conversation you want to schedule a message for.

Next, type the message you want to schedule and tap and hold the send icon.

This will open up the options for setting up a message schedule. The time zone is displayed at the top to ensure there is no confusion about when the message will be sent. You can choose from a pre-existing timeframe or set your own by clicking " Pick Date and Time ".

If you choose to set a custom time, you will be asked to select a date from your calendar and a specific time to send the message. Click “ Next ” when finished.

The date and time you selected will be displayed again. Click “ Save ” to confirm your selection.

Now you'll see a send timer appear above your message. Tap the send icon to start the timer.

You'll see the scheduled message in the conversation. Tap the clock icon to change the message content or scheduled time, send it immediately, or delete the message entirely.

Schedule SMS messages using third-party messaging apps

Additionally, you can also use third-party messaging apps to send and schedule SMS messages if you don't want to use Google's tool.

1. Do It Later

• Download Do It Later for Android

If you're looking for a simple app to schedule SMS messages on Android, you should try Do It Later. This app lets you schedule SMS messages, emails, and even Twitter.

When you start a new reminder, you have a few options to configure. Enter the sender's name, the message (using voice input or a template if you prefer), then choose when to send the message.

For ease of use, you can choose a time range like 30 minutes or Tomorrow . Select the Custom option to specify an exact time or a time range to send the message. With the range option, you can ask the app to send the message at any time between 1 and 2 PM, for example.

If you want more advanced options, you can set up a repeat prompt or require manual confirmation before sending. Dual SIM users can choose to send messages from SIM 1 or SIM 2.

Tap the Menu button in the top right and select Settings to adjust how the app works. Here you can set the app's usage times for common times like Morning and Afternoon , change notification preferences, request message delivery reports, and more.

Do It Later is free but has ads. You can pay 70,000 VND to remove ads and unlock more features if you want. For scheduling messages on Android without any hassle, this is the best option for most users.

2. Pulse SMS

• Download Pulse SMS for Android

If you want a completely new SMS app with the ability to schedule messages on Android, you should try Pulse. It is one of the best SMS apps for Android with a lot of features and is easy to use.

To schedule a message on Pulse, slide the menu to the left and tap Scheduled messages . From there, tap the Plus floating bubble at the bottom of the screen. Enter one or more phone numbers to send the message to, then select the day and time you want to send the message.

If you prefer, you can tap the Menu button in an existing conversation and select Schedule a message .

Then type your message as usual. If you want to set up a resend message, look for the option in the last panel. You can also add an image here if needed. Click Save to save your scheduled message. Pulse displays all your pending scheduled messages on the Scheduled Messages page , so you can make sure everything is set up correctly.

This solution isn’t quite as robust as Do It Later. However, Pulse offers a clean interface, the ability to lock private conversations, customizations for each conversation, and more. If you sign up, you can send messages from your computer and other devices.

3. IFTTT

• Download IFTTT for Android

IFTTT allows users to connect any two services and create applets based on triggers. It also does a pretty good job of scheduling messages, you can use IFTTT applet to schedule messages to be sent.

First, you need to install the IFTTT Android app on your phone if you don't have it already. Then use the IFTTT applet from the link below to schedule SMS messages using IFTTT. This feature depends on Google Calendar events . When you create a new Calendar event with a specific time it will send a text message to the number you choose.

https://ifttt.com/applets/251413p-schedule-sms

First, select the calendar you want to track. In the Keyword or phrase box , select something to trigger the applet. Ideally, this should be something you wouldn't normally type in a calendar event, like a # sign or #SMS.

Next, select the time before the event to send the message. At the bottom, you need to enter the sender's phone number and the message. To avoid manually entering the number in the applet every time you schedule, click Add ingredient and you can add variables from your Google Calendar entries.

Create a Google Calendar item

The applet uses the event title, location, and description. So a good way to set it up is:

• Enter the recipient's phone number into the Location field in Google Calendar. Add the corresponding Where element to the Phone number field in IFTTT.
• In the Description field , write the message you want to send. Add the Description element to the Message in IFTTT.
• Finally, use the Title field in Google Calendar to add the keyword #SMS (or whatever you choose) to trigger the event. If you want, you can add additional words to the title to help identify it; IFTTT will ignore these.

This isn't the easiest solution, so you're better off using Do It Later or Pulse. However, it's a nice workaround if neither of the above apps fit your workflow.

Android battery optimization may affect scheduled messages

When using Android apps to schedule text messages, you need to be aware of the operating system's battery optimization features.

Newer versions of Android automatically put apps to sleep if they haven't been used for a while. This can prevent the app from working properly in the background. As a result, scheduled messages may not be sent.

So, you should exclude text message scheduling apps from Android's battery optimization mode. This may result in slightly worse battery life.

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To adjust battery optimization for messaging apps, go to Settings > Apps & notifications > See all X apps , tap the app you want to adjust. Expand the Advanced section of the app settings page, then tap Battery .

Next, tap on Battery optimization and you'll see a new list. Finally, tap on Not optimized at the top of the screen and change it to All apps .

Find the app you want to change and tap it. Select Don't optimize in the window that appears and tap Done to save your changes.

These are the ways to schedule messages on Android. Do It Later is great for those who need this feature, and Pulse is a good choice if you’re not happy with your current messaging app. IFTTT is also a great option if neither of the above apps fit your workflow.

Good luck!