How to Schedule WhatsApp Messages - Ultimate Guide

With more than 2+ billion users worldwide WhatsApp has become an indispensable and one of the most popular instant messaging platforms. Apart from sending text messages to multimedia files the app also allows users to send locations and make payments. 

Today it has become one of the prime platforms to engage with customers and drive business as the majority of the audiences are active here. With a great open rate, this instant messaging platform has become a go-to space for businesses to market their product and services. However, connecting with the right customer at the right time is essential to drive strong customer engagement as every customer has a different timeline. Businesses offering their product and services at a global level face huge challenges in managing audiences from different time zones. 

Sometimes you want to leverage WhatsApp to wish your customers on their special events and offer them a gift voucher or want to send an abandoned cart or running out-of-stock notification, but it's impossible for your team to manage all of these efforts manually. 

But fret not! 

In this article, we'll walk you through how to schedule messages on WhatsApp via any Android or iOS device be it on WhatsApp Web, WhatsApp Business App or WhatsApp Business API. 

Without further ado, let's get started...

Need to Schedule WhatsApp Messages for Business

The need to schedule WhatsApp messages varies from app user types to businesses. For say, if you're a WhatsApp App user you may want to schedule WhatsApp messages to wish someone a birthday, anniversary, Xmas, or new year. 

On the other hand, if you're a business user then you may want to schedule WhatsApp messages to remind your customers about the due payment, service renewal notices, cart reminders, or product running out-of-stock notifications. You'd also want to automate the welcome message when someone buys or subscribe to your products and services. 

By scheduling WhatsApp messages you can drive better customer engagement and sales.

Benefits of Scheduling WhatsApp Messages

There are various benefits associated with scheduling WhatsApp messages, however, of all, the three top benefits are listed below:

1. Great way to send important reminders to people. 
2. Never miss out on important life events such as birthdays and anniversary greetings
3. Never forget to send time-sensitised messages

So we've discussed the needs and benefits of scheduling messages on WhatsApp now let's jump right into the process to schedule WhatsApp messages on Android, iOS, and other web and app platforms. 

How To Schedule WhatsApp messages on Android?

There are various third-party apps to schedule WhatsApp messages on Android devices. SKEDit is one of the most recommended ones as it lets you schedule SMS, Emails and Call reminders.

A quick highlight of the SKEDit app:

• Price: Free / In-app purchases
• Space required: 17 MB
• Compatibility: Android 5.0+
• Message schedule limit: Unlimited

Note: SKEDit is a third-party external tool to schedule WhatsApp messages. You are signing up and using its services at your own risk.

Steps to Schedule Messages on Android Devices:

Step 1:  From the playstore download SKEDit Scheduling App.

Step 2: Signup using your details and grant permission setting now. Follow the steps to grant access- Enable Accessibility > SKEDit > Toggle on Service > Grant Allow. 

Step 3: Tap the "+" icon and select WhatsApp.

Step 4: Now add the recipient name, enter message details and set a date and time. You can also repeat the frequency of the message to daily, weekly and monthly.

Step 5: Now draft your message and tap on the "Create" button. 

Please note, you can type up to 500 characters.

Congratulations, you’ve successfully scheduled a WhatsApp message!

Note:

• You can't schedule multiple WhatsApp messages for the same time.
• Through the “Ask me before sending” option you can review your message (via a notification) before sending it to the defined recipients. 
• You'll have to disable the phone screen lock in case you've disabled the “Ask me before sending” option. You may also be asked to turn off the phone battery optimisation feature.
• You can upload a CSV file having the bulk contact list to schedule messages for a large list of users. You need to have a premium account (paid) to avail this feature. 

How To Schedule WhatsApp messages on iPhone?

It's quite tricky to schedule WhatsApp messages on iPhones due to the overwhelming emphasis on security and user privacy that Apple puts on its devices. However, you can still schedule messages with the help of Siri "Shortcuts", an automation app from Apple. 

Simply follow the steps listed below to get started. But first, let’s get a quick overview of the Shortcuts app:

A quick highlight of the Shortcuts app:

• Price: Free
• Space required: 142 MB
• Compatibility: iOS 12.0 +
• Message schedule limit: Up to 1 week

Steps to Schedule Messages on iPhone:​

Step 1: Open the Shortcuts app and tap on "Automation" situated at the bottom.

Step 2: Tap on the "+" icon and tap “Create Personal Automation”.

Step 3: Now select a date and time and tap on "Next".

Step 4: Now tap on "Add Action" and search "Text" in the search bar. Now choose "Text" from the list of results.

Step 5: Fill out the desired WhatsApp message in the text field.

Step 6: After typing the message now Tap the "+" icon and in the pop-search-up box, type "WhatsApp".

Step 7: Finally from the dropdown select "Send Message Through WhatsApp". Choose the contact you want to schedule the WhatsApp message for, and then click Next > Done.

Pre-requisites To Schedule WhatsApp Messages on Android and iOS

To schedule messages on WhatsApp, you'll need to fulfil a few prerequisites in your phone without which you'll not be able to schedule messages. You need to have the following to schedule WhatsApp messages:

1. Download the message scheduling application from the Play Store (Android) and App Store only (iOS). It shouldn't be downloaded using an emulator.
2. Grant "access to make changes" permissions from the phone setting 

You can now follow the steps as suggested above for your device type. 

How To Schedule WhatsApp Messages on WhatsApp Web?

Just like Android devices here also you'll have to take the help of a third-party Goggle extension tool named "Blueticks" to schedule messages on WhatsApp. Follow the below step-by-step procedure to schedule WhatsApp messages on WhatsApp Web.

Step 1: From the Chrome Web Store, install Blueticks.

Step 2: Now open WhatsApp Web on the Google Chrome browser.

Step 3: Select and open the WhatsApp chat, contact, or group you wish to schedule a WhatsApp message for.

Step 4: Click the icon next to the message box. This will open the WhatsApp Message Scheduler window

Step 5: Draft the WhatsApp message that you wish to send to that recipient.

Step 6: Now select the date and time to send the message and click on "Schedule Send".

Now let's explore how WhatsApp Business App users can schedule WhatsApp messages.

How To Schedule WhatsApp Messages On The WhatsApp Business App?

There are a few limitations in scheduling the messages on WhatsApp Business App such as:

1. You can't schedule messages to any specific date or time.
2. You can only automate responses whenever you receive a message from an existing or new user. 
3. You can only automate three kinds of responses such as away messages, greeting messages and quick replies.

To overcome these business challenges WhatsApp has introduced an advanced version of WhatsApp Business i.e WhatsApp Business API through which you can schedule or send unlimited WhatsApp messages and can do a lot more. 

Keep reading as post this section we'll unfold how you can schedule or send unlimited WhatsApp messages without any third-party tool and how DoubleTick could help scale your business by 7X.

Follow the below steps to automate your WhatsApp responses:

Step 1:  Open the WhatsApp Business app on your Android or iPhone.

Step 2: From the menu tap on "Settings" and select "Business Tools".

Step 3:  Tap on "Greeting message", or "Away message" or "Quick replies" depending on the type of message you wish to schedule.

Step 4: Draft the message in the text field 

Step 5: Select the recipient and tap on "Schedule"

You can set a custom schedule basis the operating hours of your company.

How To Schedule WhatsApp Messages Using WhatsApp Business API?

Till now we've discussed all the general or say limited ways of WhatsApp message scheduling. However, there is an official WhatsApp platform that offers more sophisticated solutions. 

With the WhatsApp Business API, you can schedule WhatsApp messages or broadcasts of any kind to any specific date or time. The WhatsApp Business API, however, doesn't have its own interface so you'd need a solution provider to integrate and get the WhatsApp ecosystem ready for you. 

DoubleTick is one of the best WhatsApp Business API solution providers that can help you with the ready platform which comes with a lot of WhatsApp marketing features. With DoubeTick you can schedule or send unlimited broadcast messages directly from your CRM or database.

Now let's understand how to schedule WhatsApp messages via DoubleTick WhatsApp Business API.

How To Schedule WhatsApp Messages Broadcast Using DoubleTick WhatsApp Business API

You can schedule or send unlimited (based on your tier) WhatsApp messages in a single broadcast campaign via DoubleTick. Follow the below simple steps to send or schedule broadcast messages on DoubleTick.

Step 1: Open the app and from the "Hamburger menu" tap on "Broadcast Channel"

Step 2: Select the channel for which you want to schedule a message

Step 3: From the group window now tap on "Send message" 

Step 4: From the list of message templates select an approved template that you want to schedule for and further tap on "Send Later"

Step 5: Now select a date and time from the option window

Step 6: Finally tap on "Schedule message"

Congratulations, your broadcast message has now been successfully scheduled!

Note:

1. You can bulk-upload your contacts directly from your CRM, Excel sheet or upload a CSV file to shoot broadcasts to a larger group of audiences. 
2. Be it Zapier, Pabbly, Shopify or Woo-Commerce, you can integrate apps, Google Sheets or any CRM with DoubleTick to schedule or send messages via DoubleTick WhatsApp CRM. 

Benefits of Getting WhatsApp Business API via DoubleTick

1. Mobile WhatsApp CRM
2. Unlimited WhatsApp Broadcast
3. Third-party CRM, tools and app integration
4. Green Tick Verified WhatsApp profile
5. WhatsApp automation and commerce BOT
6. Shared team inbox with multi-agent access
7. 24*7 Customer support via call, WhatsApp, or email
   
8. Zero setup cost

WhatsApp message scheduler is a great way to touch base with your customers and send them nudges on cart reminders, order updates, upcoming payment and bill notifications, birthday or anniversary wishes, or send offers. Prompt business communications over WhatsApp could help move your sales funnel faster and would help you always stay in touch with your customers. You can connect your Zapier, Shopify, WooCommerce or any CRM with DoubleTick and automate customer buying journey or communication touchpoints as per the customer's funnel movement and staging. 

Hope you're now able to schedule messages on WhatsApp. If you still have questions or want to explore our product offering and prices then feel free to book a free demo with our team. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: How to schedule WhatsApp messages on MacBook?

Answer: There's no specific system feature or functionality on MacBook that let you schedule messages on WhatsApp. You'll have to install the Google Chrome browser and add the "Blueticks" Google Chrome extension to schedule WhatsApp messages on your MacBook. 

Follow the below step-by-step procedure to schedule WhatsApp Messages on MacBook via Blueticks Google Chrome extension.

Step 1: From the Chrome Web Store, install Blueticks.

Step 2: Now open WhatsApp Web on the Google Chrome browser.

Step 3: Select and open the WhatsApp chat, contact, or group you wish to schedule a WhatsApp message for.

Step 4: Click the icon next to the message box. This will open the WhatsApp Message Scheduler window

Step 5: Draft the WhatsApp message that you wish to send to that recipient.

Step 6: Now select the date and time to send the message and click on "Schedule Send".

Question: How to schedule WhatsApp messages without third-party apps?

Answer: There is no legitimate way to schedule WhatsApp messages without any third-party app. However, with DoubleTick WhatsApp Business API you can schedule messages or shoot broadcast messages to unlimited WhatsApp users.

Question: Can you automate WhatsApp messages?

Answer: Yes, on the WhatsApp Business App you can automate "Greeting messages", set "Away messages" and "Quick replies". However, it has limitations as it's not responsive to the personalised queries of your audiences. 

Try DoubleTick WhatsApp Business API on mobile to experience the best of WhatsApp automation. With DoubleTick mobile WhatsApp CRM, you can preset responses and automate messages. So the next time when a customer tries to reach out to you, and you are away, our AI-powered chatbot will completely take care of the conversation and supply the details they're looking for.  

Question: Is WhatsApp Business API free?

Answer: No, the WhatsApp Business API is not free. However, you can try our demo account to experience the feature and technology. Download the DoubleTick App to test with a demo account.

Question: Is the WhatsApp scheduler safe?

Answer: Any third-party WhatsApp message scheduler is not safe. Your WhatsApp account can be permanently banned if it comes under the radar of WhatsApp. It is recommended to use only the official WhatsApp Business API to schedule messages or broadcasts on WhatsApp. With WhatsApp Business API you can schedule or send unlimited WhatsApp messages. 

Question: Which is the best WhatsApp scheduler chrome extension?

Answer: At current "Blueticks" is one of the best WhatsApp scheduler chrome extensions.

Question: How to schedule WhatsApp group messages?

Answer: You can schedule WhatsApp group messages via DoubleTick WhatsApp Business API. Download the DoubleTick CRM for WhatsApp app and follow the steps mentioned above in the section "How To Schedule WhatsApp Messages Broadcast Using DoubleTick WhatsApp Business API" to schedule WhatsApp group messages.

Question: How to auto-send WhatsApp messages?

Answer: You can only auto-send WhatsApp messages on WhatsApp Business App or via WhatsApp Business API. Follow the steps mentioned above in the section "How To Schedule WhatsApp Messages On The WhatsApp Business App?" to auto-send WhatsApp messages

Question: How can I send 1000 messages on WhatsApp without adding contacts?

Answer: Yes! you can send unlimited messages on WhatsApp without adding contacts via DoubleTick WhatsApp Business API.

Question: Can I schedule multimedia WhatsApp Messages?

Answer: Yes! You can schedule UNLIMITED text or multimedia WhatsApp Messages on DoubleTick WhatsApp Business API. 

Question: What is DoubleTick?

Answer: DoubleTick is a mobile-friendly WhatsApp marketing and sales tool designed to empower your sales team to sell more in less time with top-notch features such as a cloud-based team inbox, unlimited broadcast and bulk messaging, real-time broadcast analytics, dynamic cataloguing, chatbot, commerce Bot and many more.

Question: Does DoubleTick offer a free trial?

Answer: Yes, we do offer a demo account that you can play with. Download the DoubleTick App to test with a demo account.

Question: How many team members can I add to my DoubleTick account?

Answer: You can add unlimited team members to DoubleTick.

Question: In how many days will the DoubleTick setup be ready for my WhatsApp Business account?

Answer: If your Meta Business Manager is verified, you can get started with DoubleTick within 5 minutes. If however, you need help with Meta Business Manager verification, we can help you with that, and the process will take around 3 days to a week depending on how ready you are with your documents as well as the response time from Meta.

Question: Can I use my existing number for DoubleTick?

Answer: Yes, you can use your existing number with DoubleTick. However, we would recommend that you use a new number instead of using an existing one to ensure smooth operations for your business.

Question: Can I use my WhatsApp business app number and DoubleTick number at the same time?

Answer: No, at a time you can use only one account. Data from your WhatsApp business account will be erased once you switch to DoubleTick. 

Question: To how many customers can I shoot the broadcast messages?

Answer: There is no restriction. You can create unlimited broadcast groups and shoot messages to unlimited contacts. However, Meta might restrict you if a lot of customers mark your message as spam. The best practice is to enable the STOP bot on DoubleTick and send your templates with a STOP quick reply message so that people who are not interested in your communication can easily press STOP to get opted out instead of reporting your number as SPAM to WhatsApp.

Question: Can I automate and schedule broadcast messages?

Answer: You can automate WhatsApp messages and schedule broadcasts with DoubleTick.

 Question: Does DoubleTick come with a bulk contact upload feature?

Answer: Yes, you can simply upload an excel file having contact details to the dashboard and shoot messages in bulk to unlimited customers. 

Question: How many devices does DoubleTick support?

Answer: An unlimited number of devices can be used with DoubleTick. However, access to the number of accounts will be based on your subscription.