WhatsApp introduces scheduled messaging for iPhone users

WhatsApp has begun testing a scheduled messaging feature for iPhone users via the TestFlight beta program for iOS. This functionality allows users to set a specific date and time for messages, links, photos, or videos to be sent automatically.

To use the feature, users can type a message and long-press the send button to select a delivery time ranging from ten minutes to two weeks in the future. Once scheduled, messages will be sent at the designated time even if the sender's device is offline. The feature supports group chats, though new members joining after a message is scheduled will not receive it. This follows similar beta testing conducted for Android users earlier in October 2026.

Separately, a fraudulent WhatsApp application was recently discovered on the Google Play Store, having been downloaded over 500,000 times. The fake app used the official logo and a convincing description to mimic the legitimate service, though it was listed under a different developer name. Google has since removed the imitation app from the store.