Tengrinews.kz – Popular messenger WhatsApp is about to make users’ lives easier: a long-awaited message scheduling feature has appeared in the test build. You will now be able to set a sending time for a text in advance, right inside the chat.
How it will work
WABetaInfo discovered the new feature in the latest beta version of WhatsApp for Android (2.26.8.11). Judging by the screenshots, everything is very intuitive: you type your message in the regular input field, but instead of sending it immediately, you choose a specific date and time (down to the minute).
After that, the app places the message in a queue, and it is sent to the recipient automatically. An important detail: the recipient will not see that the message was scheduled. For them, it will look as if you typed and sent it in real time.
Why this is useful
The “delayed send” feature is a lifesaver for those who are afraid of forgetting something important or don’t want to bother people at inconvenient hours. It solves several everyday tasks at once:
- sending birthday wishes exactly at 00:00 without setting a night alarm;
- a work message timed to the start of a meeting;
- chatting while accounting for another time zone;
- reminders to yourself or colleagues.
Image: WabeTaInfo
When scheduled messages will appear in WhatsApp
According to WABetaInfo, the tool is currently being tested: on iOS via the TestFlight program, and on Android in the beta build. First, access will be granted to testers. After collecting feedback, the feature will start rolling out gradually, initially to a limited number of users.
Meta has not yet given a specific date for the global release, but judging by previous updates, the path from “beta” to public availability usually takes from a couple of weeks to two months.
Incidentally, it was recently reported that WhatsApp is also testing a new Liquid Glass interface in the style of Apple, with semi-transparent panels, a sense of depth, and “live” reflections.