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

Based on what everyone is saying Apple Support is in denial when it comes to customer feedback with the Send Later function. Apple Support, the issue is real and has not been fixed. Find a fix!

My specific situation: Send Later does not appear as an option unless I am texting another iPhone user. I tried to find a work around. The closest I got was when I created a new message (no recipients). I was able to use the function, but as soon as I put the contact in (an Android user) the message went from looking like a scheduled message back to a normal message. The blue box showing when it was scheduled went away and Send Later was no longer an option when pressing the + button. But it worked fine when I tried the same for an iPhone user.

Jbr_252 wrote:

Exactly what I did too! I send myself notes and reminders all the time. Tested it there and it was missing

I agree with Mac Jim ID on this. Use Siri to send yourself a reminder. You can set it to remind you at any time you want. The phone doesn't even have to be in your hands.

Punkin0001 wrote:

The Send Later feature of my iPhone is missing

Assuming you are using iOS 18, do you have the + button next to where you would type the message. That is where you would find the Send Later option that can only be used to send later to other users with iMessage. That means it is not possible to send later to an Android phone.

BlueButterfly888 wrote:

There is a glitch. I’ve tried everything and everyone on your message list has to be using an IPhone for this to work.

Yes, everyone needs to be using iMessage. It's not a "glitch." It's working as designed. Whether or not you agree with this decision is another matter. You can let Apple know your thoughts using the feedback link previously provided in this thread.

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.

iLmd_2009 wrote:

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.

Are other messages sent to that user blue? What matters isn't the recipient, it's whether or not you and the recipient are using iMessage. And that can change.

remodelor wrote:

Same deal 2 days and it’s gone. Bizarre for sure

• You cannot send messages to yourself.
• Send Later is only available when sending to other users who have iMessage turned on.

Samson_1 wrote:

Based on what everyone is saying Apple Support is in denial when it comes to customer feedback with the Send Later function. Apple Support, the issue is real and has not been fixed. Find a fix!

There is no fix because it's not broken.

My specific situation: Send Later does not appear as an option unless I am texting another iPhone user.

Yes, that's the way it's supposed to work. The feature only works with iMessage users.

Note: You must be using iMessage with iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, watchOS 11, visionOS 2, or later. 

Schedule a message on iPhone to send later - Apple Support

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.

This absolutely worked. I thought ov everything else. Checked keyboards. Tried to send to other iPhone users. It’s the “focus” setting👏🏽 Thank you!!!

I’m trying to set up a delayed text to another iPhone user but I don’t see the option. Do you know how to enable?

It only works on other iPhones and it’s not even sending until you go back and send the message manually. What a joke

It only works iPhone to iPhone

No it doesn't. I have tried to no avail Apple got to fix this bug.

“So what’s the answer?”

Wait and see if the EU sues Apple… ?

Stop texting android users… ?

Live with it as Apple intended.