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

agreed, I don’t understand the point of trying to catch up with features offered at the most basic level of Android - But then make the feature completely divisive....does not make the feature worth it at all. Half *** attempt with an very loud and obvious angle

I heard that it was included yesterday, so I was going to try it. I looked around ⊕, I saw nothing. I finished up a message to a friend at 2am, and took another shot looking. It was there, out of nowhere. I say that because I only have maybe 12 things to choose from. I used it. Went to send another delayed message, and again, it was not there.

I just typed into search about this, and came here.

[Edited by Moderator]

I have an iPhone 16 Pro with IOS 18.2. I’ve just tried using the Send Later option but it only worked when sending to another iPhone but not to a Samsung which is very disappointing as it would be a really useful feature for me.

When I turned FOCUS to "Do Not Disturb"as someone mentioned in a previous post I saw the "Send Later" option on iMessages. When I tried the same thing for another iMessage, the "Send Later" option is no longer visible. Please fix this bug.

Hopefully, Apple's bot comes across this thread finding that we all want it fixed to text our android users as well.

SO tired of Apple being territorial, I really like this feature is it allows me to get some stuff done when I wake up early as well not waking my friends or others at 4 AM. also nice for people I text in other times zones. SMH, don't understand why Apple is limiting it, Android has had this tech for a while.

Came here because I noticed "send later" was no longer available on my iPhone (iOS 18.3.1). Several comments said it was no longer available on any device, but I *do* see "send later" in messages on my MacBook Air (15.3.1).

I like the honesty within your posting. You are right, who is going to ask someone about their Mobile or Desktop system before sending them a text.

It makes me think that Apple's response is basically, "It could be them and their system".

It is never that maybe Apple should focus on why Apple's software does not play well with others. Period.

I have used Apple since their PowerMac series in 1994. I am a loyal customer, but I do find annoyance in some of their reasoning.

Lately, AppleCare+ is requesting a system reset more and more with their troubleshooting. I don't get that either.

FYI to anyone wondering, you can have this feature on non-Apple phones by default, to any other brand phone, with or without RCS. In case your business or family lives in other time zones or has schedules conflicting with yours.

I can “send later” to most of my contacts who have an iPhone, but all Apple features are unavailable for one iPhone contact. It worked before then suddenly stopped. I can’t reply directly to this contact.

How did you resolve it. Are you able to send later to all contacts that use an iPhone. All Apple features don’t work for one contact specifically, but it did before. The other contacts I have no problem.

Kw47 wrote:

I can “send later” to most of my contacts who have an iPhone, but all Apple features are unavailable for one iPhone contact. It worked before then suddenly stopped. I can’t reply directly to this contact.

It isn't that "Send Later" only works with people who have iPhones. "Send Later" only works with people who are using iMessages. It's possible that person is, for some reason, not currently using iMessages.

TriggDavid wrote:

I can do it to one iPhone user and not another! Anybody got any clues?

Without knowing what phones, what versions of iOS and to whom you're trying to send the messages, no, no one is going to have any clue.

Very frustrating and honestly not acceptable. This should be available functionality. My husband starts his workday very early. I am often awake after he falls asleep and very often think of things I need to coordinate with him, but I can’t send him a text because it will wake him up and I can’t schedule it to send in the morning. This is something I need to do on an almost daily basis and can’t do on my iPhone 15 Pro Max. I ended up using a Google Keep note because he can’t view my Apple notes either. Feels like punishment to Apple users because Apple doesn’t want to play well with others. I find it hard to believe this can’t be done. Very frustrating to have to go to another platform to do simple collaboration tasks. Disappointing, Apple - can you do better with this, and soon? I’m seeing conversations on this issue from pretty unhappy Apple users in threads that are pretty dated. Long-standing issue with a known bug not being addressed = zero evidence of a customer centric approach. Not a good look on your organization.

DaisyGirl1221 wrote:

Very frustrating and honestly not acceptable. This should be available functionality.

Tell Apple:

Product Feedback - Apple

My husband starts his workday very early. I am often awake after he falls asleep and very often think of things I need to coordinate with him, but I can’t send him a text because it will wake him up and I can’t schedule it to send in the morning.

Suggest that he learn how to use the Android equivalant of Focus/Do Not Disturb.

https://support.google.com/android/answer/9069335?hl=en

Problem solved.

Not a good look on your organization.

My "organization" happens to be a small R2 university. It is nothing to do with this.

This is a user-to-user forum. Apple doesn't read here for feedback or suggestions.

I’ve successfully delay-texted to the same person (iPhone user) several times! Loved that feature. But now for some unknown reason the option no longer appears when trying to text to that same user. 🤷‍♂️ Definate bug that needs to be fixed.