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WhatsApp has started testing its long-awaited scheduled messaging feature with select iPhone beta users. The feature will allow users to write messages and choose when they want them delivered, making it easier to plan personal and group conversations.
The update follows an earlier rollout to Android beta testers. According to WABetaInfo, the feature is now available to a limited number of iOS testers. WhatsApp has not announced a public release date.
Users can schedule messages directly from a WhatsApp chat. After typing a message, they can press and hold the send button to open the scheduling option. They can then choose the date and time for sending the message.
Users can also check their scheduled messages in a separate section on the chat information screen. For group chats, they can find this option on the group information page.
The feature will support text messages, photos, videos and links. However, users cannot schedule multiple photos or videos together at present. They will need to schedule each photo or video separately.
There is also a restriction for group chats. Only people who are members of a group when someone schedules a message will receive it. Anyone who joins the group later will not receive that message, even if they become a member before its scheduled delivery time.
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WhatsApp has not provided a timeline for releasing scheduled messages to all users. The feature is currently limited to selected beta testers, and users cannot activate it manually if their accounts do not have access.
The latest development follows reports earlier this year that WhatsApp was working on scheduled messaging. Code references in a beta version first indicated that the company was developing the feature.
WhatsApp has more than 3 billion monthly active users worldwide, according to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg's statement in April last year. The addition of scheduled messages would bring a long-requested option to the messaging platform as testing continues across iOS and Android.
