WhatsApp Scheduled Messages: What the Beta Feature Offers
WhatsApp scheduled messages surfaced in an Android beta, with offline sending and a window of up to two weeks. Here’s what is known so far.
WhatsApp is testing scheduled messages that could let users send texts and media at a chosen time, even when their phones are offline. The feature, found in an Android beta, could also give businesses a way to prepare communications outside working hours without sending them immediately.
ANTARA reported the development, citing Engadget. WaBetaInfo spotted the option in WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.8.11. Meta has not announced a public release date, so the feature is not yet confirmed for the app’s wider user base.
How scheduled messages would work
Users would tap and hold the send button, then choose a date and time in a dialog box. A dedicated section would show messages waiting to be sent and let users manage them.
The reported scheduling window runs from 10 minutes to two weeks in advance. Users could schedule text, links, photos and videos. Scheduled messages are reported to retain WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption, which is designed to keep message content private between sender and recipient.
That could make the feature useful for reminders that need to arrive at a particular time, without requiring someone to stay by their phone. Businesses could also prepare messages in advance and have them sent outside regular working hours.
Time-zone settings are another potential use mentioned in the report, particularly when sender and recipient are in different time zones. But the available information does not explain how that function would work.
Still in beta testing
The feature’s appearance in a beta build points to testing or development, not general availability. Its design and capabilities could change before any wider release.
The reported mechanism resembles a feature already available in Telegram. The report does not say whether WhatsApp will let users edit or cancel a message after scheduling it, or how the app will notify users once a message has been sent.
Not seeing the option in the regular app does not necessarily indicate a problem: a feature spotted in an Android beta is not automatically available to everyone. WaBetaInfo’s findings cover the scheduling controls, supported content, timing range and offline sending. WhatsApp has not provided a public launch date.
Source: teknologi.bisnis.com
