Whatsapp Marketing

WhatsApp Scheduler: How To Schedule WhatsApp Messages?

Shubhangi Srivastava
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last edited on
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September 10, 2024
3-5 mins

Table of contents

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WhatsApp Scheduler - How to Schedule WhatsApp Messages

Scheduling WhatsApp Messages on Android

To schedule a WhatsApp message on Android, you can use third-party apps since WhatsApp does not have a built-in feature for scheduling messages. One popular app for this purpose is SKEDit. Here's how you can use it to schedule a WhatsApp message:

SKEDit WhatsApp Message Scheduler

Using SKEDit

  1. Download and set up SKEDit:
    • Open the Google Play Store and search for “SKEDit Scheduling App”
    • Once installed, open the app and create or log in into it
    • Grant the necessary permissions for SKEDit to function
  2. Schedule a WhatsApp Message:
    • On the SKEDit home screen, tap on "WhatsApp".
    • Fill in the details for the scheduled message:some text
      1. Select the contact or group you want to send the message to.
      2. Type in your message.
      3. Set the date and time for when you want to schedule the message.
    • You can also enable the option to ask you before sending if you want to review the message beforehand.
  3. Enable Accessibility:
    • SKEDit requires Accessibility permission to send WhatsApp messages automatically.
    • The app will guide you to the Accessibility settings where you can enable SKEDit.
  4. Confirm and Schedule:
    • Once you have filled in all the details and enabled the necessary permissions, tap on the "Schedule" button.

Scheduling WhatsApp Messages on iPhone

Scheduling a WhatsApp message on an iPhone requires the use of third-party apps or workarounds, as WhatsApp itself does not have a built-in scheduling feature. Here are two popular methods to schedule WhatsApp messages on an iPhone:

Shortcuts Message Scheduler for WhatsApp on iOS

Using the Shortcuts App

  1. Open the Shortcuts App:
    • The Shortcuts app is pre-installed on iPhones running iOS 13 or later. If you do not have it, you can download and install it from the App Store.
  2. Create a New Automation:
    • Open the Shortcuts app.
    • Tap on the "Automation" tab at the bottom.
    • Tap on the "+" button in the top right corner.
    • Select "Create Personal Automation".
  3. Set the Time Trigger:
    • Choose "Time of Day" and set the time you want the message to be sent.
    • Tap "Next".
  4. Add WhatsApp Action:
    • Tap "Add Action".
    • In the search bar, type "Text" and select "Text".
    • Enter the message you want to send.
    • Tap on the "+" button again, search for "Send Message via WhatsApp", and select it.
    • Choose the recipient.
  5. Finalize the Automation:
    • Tap "Next".
    • Review your automation settings.
    • Make sure the option "Ask Before Running" is disabled so the message is sent automatically.
    • Tap "Done".

Using Third-Party Apps

Scheduled WhatsApp Scheduling App

Some third-party apps offer scheduling features, but they may not be as seamless as native WhatsApp scheduling. One such app is Scheduled. Here's how to use it:

  1. Download and Install Scheduled:
    • Go to the App Store and download the "Scheduled" app.
  2. Set Up Scheduled:
    • Open the Scheduled app and follow the on-screen instructions to set it up.
    • Grant the necessary permissions for the app to function on the iPhone.
  3. Schedule a WhatsApp Message:
    • Tap on the "+" button to create a new message.
    • Select "WhatsApp" as the messaging platform.
    • Choose the contact or group you want to send the message to.
    • Type in your message and set the date and time for the message to be sent.
    • Tap "Schedule Message".
  4. Send the Message:
    • At the scheduled time, the app will notify you to send the message.
    • Tap on the notification to open WhatsApp and manually send the message.

Scheduling WhatsApp Messages via WhatsApp Web

To schedule WhatsApp messages via WhatsApp Web, you can use browser extensions. One such extension for Google Chrome is "Blueticks". Here's how you can use it to schedule WhatsApp messages:

Blueticks whatsapp messages scheduler extension

Using Blueticks Extension

  1. Install the Blueticks Extension:
    • Open the Chrome Web Store on Google Chrome.
    • Search "Blueticks" and add it to your browser by clicking "Add to Chrome" and then "Add extension".
  2. Set Up Blueticks:
    • Once installed, click on the Blueticks icon in the top right corner of your browser.
    • Follow the instructions on your screen to set up the extension.
  3. Schedule a WhatsApp Message:
    • Open WhatsApp Web by going to web.whatsapp.com.
    • Scan the QR code using your phone to log in.
    • Open a chat with the person or group you want to send the scheduled message to.
    • Click on the Blueticks icon again and select "Schedule Message".
  4. Fill in the Details:
    • Enter the message you want to send.
    • Set the date and time you want your message to be scheduled for.
    • Click "Schedule".

Scheduling WhatsApp Messages on the Business App

WhatsApp Business provides a feature to send automated messages, but it does not have a built-in feature to schedule specific messages at specific times. This is when third - party apps like SKEDit come handy. Here’s how to use it for WhatsApp Business App:

Using SKEDit to Schedule Messages on WhatsApp Business

  1. Download and set up SKEDit:
    • Open the Google Play Store and search for “SKEDit Scheduling App”
    • Once installed, open the app and create or log in into it
    • Grant the necessary permissions for SKEDit to function
  2. Schedule a WhatsApp Business Message:
    • On the app’s home screen, click on "WhatsApp Business".
    • Fill in the details for the scheduled message:some text
      • Select the contact or group you want to send the message to.
      • Type in your message.
      • Set the date and time when you want the message to be sent.
    • You can also enable the option to ask you before sending if you want to review the message beforehand.
  3. Enable Accessibility:
    • SKEDit requires Accessibility permission to send WhatsApp messages automatically.
    • The app will guide you to the Accessibility settings where you can enable SKEDit.
  4. Confirm and Schedule:
    • Once you have filled in all the details and enabled the necessary permissions, tap on the "Schedule" button.

Using WhatsApp Business Automated Messages

While you can't schedule specific messages, you can set up automated responses for certain triggers:

  1. Open WhatsApp Business:
    • Go to the settings by tapping the three dots in the upper-right corner and selecting "Business tools".
  2. Set Up Away Messages:
    • Tap on "Away message".
    • Toggle on "Send away message".
    • Tap "Schedule" to set the time range when the away message should be sent.
    • Type your away message and tap "Save".
  3. Set Up Greeting Messages:
    • Tap on "Greeting message".
    • Toggle on "Send greeting message".
    • Type your greeting message and tap "Save".
  4. Quick Replies:
    • Tap on "Quick replies".
    • Tap on the "+" button to add a new quick reply.
    • Type in the message and the shortcut, then tap "Save".

Tips & Best Practices for Scheduling WhatsApp Messages

1. Plan Your Content Calendar:

Create a detailed plan for your messaging schedule, similar to how you might plan content for social media or email marketing. 

Tips:

  • Consistency: Ensure your messages align with your overall communication strategy and are sent consistently.
  • Balance: Mix different types of messages (informational, promotional, engagement) to keep your audience interested.
  • Key Dates: Mark important dates, events, or campaigns in your calendar to ensure timely and relevant messaging.

2. Respect the Clock (and Time Zones):

Be mindful of the timing when scheduling messages, especially if your audience is spread across different time zones. 

Tips:

  • Local Times: Schedule messages to be sent at appropriate times for each recipient’s local time.
  • Business Hours: Avoid sending messages too early in the morning or too late at night.
  • Holidays and Weekends: Be aware of public holidays and weekends, which might not be the best times to send messages.

3. Craft Clear, Concise Messages:

Ensure your messages are straightforward and to the point. 

Tips:

  • Simplicity: Use simple and direct language.
  • Key Information First: Put the most important information at the beginning of the message.
  • Call to Action: Include a clear call to action if needed (e.g., "Click here to learn more", "Reply YES to confirm").

4. Personalization is Key:

Personalize messages to make them more relevant and engaging for the recipient. 

Tips:

  • Use Names: Address recipients by their names.
  • Segment Audience: Segment your audience to send more tailored messages based on their interests and behaviors.
  • Relevant Content: Include content that is relevant to the recipient’s preferences and past interactions.

5. Double-Check Your Links and Information:

Verify that all the information and links in your messages are correct before scheduling them. 

Tips:

  • Test Links: Click on all links to ensure they work and lead to the correct destination.
  • Accurate Information: Double-check dates, times, and other details for accuracy.
  • Proofread: Review the message for any spelling or grammatical errors.

6. Use a Reliable Third-Party App:

Choose a reputable app to schedule your messages, ensuring it is reliable and secure. 

Tips:

  • Reviews and Ratings: Check user reviews and ratings before choosing an app.
  • Permissions: Ensure the app does not require unnecessary permissions and respects your privacy.
  • Updates: Regularly update the app to benefit from the latest features and security improvements.

7. Regular Reviews and Updates:

Periodically review your scheduled messages and strategy to ensure they remain relevant and effective. 

Tips:

  • Content Review: Regularly check your scheduled messages to ensure they are still relevant and timely.
  • Performance Metrics: Track metrics such as open rates, response rates, and engagement to assess the effectiveness of your messages.
  • Adjust Strategy: Be ready to adjust your strategy based on feedback and performance data.

8. Welcome Feedback:

Encourage recipients to provide feedback on your messages and use it to improve your communication. 

Tips:

  • Easy Feedback Channels: Provide easy ways for recipients to give feedback (e.g., quick reply options, feedback forms).
  • Act on Feedback: Take the feedback seriously and make improvements where necessary.
  • Acknowledge Feedback: Acknowledge and thank recipients for their feedback to show you value their input.

9. Avoid Spamming:

Be careful not to overwhelm your audience with too many messages. 

Tips:

  • Frequency: Set a reasonable frequency for your messages to avoid annoying your audience.
  • Value-Driven: Ensure every message provides value to the recipient.
  • Opt-Out Option: Provide an easy way for recipients to opt-out of receiving messages if they choose.

Conclusion

Scheduling WhatsApp messages can be very useful especially for business. Although there is no direct way of scheduling WhatsApp messages from the app, there are still some easy ways to schedule WhatsApp messages. You can use the above given methods to make it happen. Make sure to ethically use the WhatsApp schedulers as it may lead to WhatsApp ban if you use it to spam.

Shubhangi Srivastava

Shubhangi is the Content Lead at Engati. With more than 4 years of experience working across various marketing teams, she specialises in user engagement, lead generation and conversions. When not working, she likes learning about various cultures across the world.

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