WhatsApp developers are quietly testing scheduled messages in a beta version, allowing users to set specific dates and times for messages to send automatically. This feature, currently unavailable in the main app, was spotted in a TestFlight beta by WABetaInfo, showing a new option in group chat settings. Users can now view and manage their scheduled messages, a capability already present in Apple's Messages app since iOS 18 and in Telegram.

The development addresses one of WhatsApp's most requested features, currently accessible only through a workaround using Apple's Shortcuts app. The move positions WhatsApp to compete directly with established competitors on this user-friendly functionality.