How to delay sending a text message

The saying “There’s no time like the present” doesn’t apply to every situation, such as when you hear, read or see something you want to share via text with friends, family or colleagues.  

Sometimes because of differing time zones, weekends or holidays, you need to ask yourself: Can my text arrive tomorrow instead of now? Unless the message is so important that it can’t wait,

sometimes delaying is better. But you can send it now while you’re thinking about it and get the task off your mental to-do list.   Scheduling a text message delivery on a smartphone is just

as easy as delaying an email delivery or a message on collaboration platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Slack. All it takes is a message, an app and your phone’s connection to a cellular

network or Wi-Fi.   But Apple devices come with a caveat. You can’t use your iPhone to schedule or delay a text message delivery in iMessage, the built-in iPhone messaging app. Unlike

Android or Samsung Galaxy models that allow you to press the Send icon and choose an option, an iPhone requires a workaround or two using its built-in Shortcut app or a third-party app.

You’ll find that later. First, the easier task on Androids. GOOGLE MESSAGES FOR MOST ANDROID PHONES If you’re using an Android 7 operating system or newer, you can schedule texts whenever

you choose in Google Messages, the default texting app on many Android phones. Newer Samsung phones have Google and Samsung message apps installed when you buy the phone.   1. Open the

Messages app, which looks like a blue speech bubble. Start a new conversation or open an existing one.   2. Type your message, adding an emoji, GIF or photo if you choose.   3. Touch and

hold the SEND icon, which looks like a paper airplane. When not scheduling a message, you would tap Send and wait for a response.   4. Some options will appear in this case, such as LATER

TODAY, 5:00 PM or TOMORROW 8:00 AM. You can select one of these or tap the bottom option, PICK DATE AND TIME.   5. If you choose PICK DATE AND TIME, a calendar will open. Select your

preferences for both, tap NEXT and then SEND.   If you want to open a previously scheduled message, a SCHEDULED MESSAGE notification identifies the thread.