"Send Later" option not appearing in Message app iOS 18

I talked to Apple Support regarding this and apparently this is what they said!! (They were constantly asking about the recipient’s software and whether they have toggled on the iMessage, how stupid!! As if I’d ask all this from the recipient before scheduling my message) Super disappointed.

you are a truly awesome person hadn't thought to contact support directly. and you are 100% that we are comprehending that "Any Device" means just that any device that has cell or texting services is what is supposed to be supported just like it is on android. on android you can schedule messages no issues doesn't matter if they're on a nokia phone from the early 2000s or if they're on a iphone just works. after this ordeal because i only have one or two friends with iphone i am switching back to androids.

The send later feature was my fav part of the iOS 18 update. It worked great the first couple days. Then a week later it scheduled but didn't send until I went into the messages and sent it. What good is the feature if I have to go back in and send..? Now the option is gone. I've read thru this feed and STILL no response from Apple? Really?

Im switching to android. I've been peeved over a few IOS short comings, ex: I have my read messages turned off, yet it still shows people when I've read a message. C'mon Apple, get your tech together!!

Tried all options provided in this forum. The fact that it doesn’t work when texting non iPhone users shows the low level of developer intelligence.

This is my first iPhone, BIG MISTAKE. I HATE it. Will not buy another one.

My Samsung S8 had this ability in 2018 regardless of the recipients phone make and model.

Upon upgrading the iOS operating system, the artificial intelligence feature was present. However, upon joining the waitlist and receiving the feature, it disappeared. I am curious to know if Apple needs to release a new update to address this issue or if it is a separate problem.

This is disappointing. I literally spent way too much time attempting something that was promised in a keynote, so I “knew it had to be true”. I am hoping this is fixed because it would have been a convenient feature tonight.

I upgraded to iOS 18 for this "send later" feature that Apple advertised as working for any recipient with "any device." After I "upgraded," I found that I lost lots of photos. And now I can't use "send later" to android users.

[Edited by Moderator]

Apple removed my comments as they don’t like people knowing they failed!

Apple said “hey look you can send delayed text”

we all tried and it didn’t work and what do we hear of get from Apple: CRICKETS!!!!

That's what I'm finding as well and it's a bummer. I send myself messages and leave them unread as a lazy reminder to do something -- often, I find it's more efficient for me than setting up a reminder because I check messages at discrete points in the day when I have the time to attend to whatever task I text myself, or at least formalize it as a reminder.

If you criticize Apple. They just remove your comments.

read this because it is going to disappear!

They will not fix the problem but will brag they that they provided “Delayed messaging “ even when most of us cannot use it!

I have an iPhone 16 Pro And I’m still having the problem even after turning off and on the focus button. Are they ever going to fix that or what. It was one of the features that I wanted. Now I feel like I got screwed.

To be honest I don't think Apple care at all!

If you complain they remove your comment!

They have done NOTHING to resolve this.

But they do brag that the feature is available, so at least it looks good!!!!

I keep telling myself I want to come back to apple, as I'm the only one in the household who now uses a device non apple (s23ultra), but I still use apple accounts from my phone for storing my media and the music app. But I really really really am having a hard time even considering giving up features like delayed messaging. And even customization of my screens and apps, grid, and widgets.

I came to Samsung for the camera. I'm staying for literally so much more.

I feel duped by Apple. The fact that my scheduled message recipient had to be another Apple user was never made clear. I left 20 years with Samsung Android hoping to get a better experience. I hope Apple can get past their exclusivity delusion and realize that business owners and managers have a lot of employees that don’t use Apple.

If Apple wants to have more LOYAL customers, don’t make the new ones- who left the very product Apple users despise- feel like you’re DUPING them.

I honestly do NOT know why we even think Apple care.

They bragg that there is a new item, we ALL rush excited that it's there. ONLY for Apple to let us all down yet again. What makes it worse is that they really do NOT care at all!