How to schedule a text message: A step-by-step guide to timing your SMS perfectly

Timing matters. Whether it’s a payment reminder, a flash sale, or a birthday greeting, sending your message at the right moment can be the difference between engagement and being ignored.

By planning and automating your SMS sends in advance, you can stay consistent, reduce manual work, and make sure every message lands when it’s most effective.

In this guide, we’ll walk through:

• What scheduled text messages are and why timing matters
• How to schedule a text on Android and iOS (and why it’s not enough for businesses)
• How to schedule texts at scale using Infobip’s platform or SMS API
• Real use cases from different industries
• Best practices and mistakes to avoid so your messages always hit the mark

How to schedule text messages on different platforms

Scheduling a text can be as simple as setting a birthday reminder or as complex as planning a campaign for thousands of customers. Here is a short overview of how it’s done on Android and iOS, and why business users should consider a dedicated messaging platform like Infobip:

Android built-in scheduling (personal use)

Some Android messaging apps like Google Messages include native scheduling options.

How to schedule a text on Android:

• Open Google Messages and type your message
• Tap and hold the Send button
• Choose a suggested time or set a custom date/time
• Tap Send to schedule

Good for: Personal reminders, birthday wishes

Limitations: No analytics, no audience segmentation, no automation

iPhone workarounds (limited options)

iPhones don’t offer native SMS scheduling. Instead, users rely on external apps or Apple Shortcuts, which have restrictions.

Workaround options on iPhone:

• Apple shortcuts: Set up a delayed message send (requires manual confirmation)
• Third-party apps: Some tools offer scheduled messages but may require internet and don’t send via your carrier
• Reminders: Manually remind yourself to send a message at a certain time

Good for: Personal use

Limitations: No real automation, not suitable for campaigns or business use

Why messaging platforms are necessary for scheduling SMS

Native features are fine for individuals, but businesses need more control, flexibility, and data. Over Infobip’s platform you can:

• Schedule texts at scale via web interface or API
• Automate sends based on customer behavior or data
• Ensure compliance in 190+ countries
• Track delivery, open rates, and conversions in real time

We aim to give businesses everything native apps don’t have: omnichannel support, send-time optimization, and analytics, so you never miss the moments that matter.

How to schedule a text with Infobip

There are three easy ways to schedule SMS: through our intuitive engagement platform, portal, or using our powerful SMS API, ideal for time-sensitive campaigns, automated reminders, or scalable outreach.

Option 1: Schedule using Infobip’s customer engagement platform (Moments)

No code is required on our web portal. With Moments you can:

Create a new campaign in Moments: Use our drag-and-drop builder to define the journey, including triggers like cart abandonment, birthdays, or upcoming appointments.

Add an SMS message: Write your message, insert personalization tokens (e.g., first name, order number), and attach a shortened, branded link.

Choose your delivery time: Select a fixed time or configure a dynamic trigger based on customer behavior or CRM events.

Preview, test, and launch: Send test messages, preview content, and go live—with full confidence your messages will reach the right people at the right time.

Option 2: Broadcast message via Portal

Through our portal you can easily schedule broadcast messages via SMS in just a few minutes. Simply select the time zone for your audience, choose a window of time over which the broadcast should be sent, and use our send-time optimization tool to ensure you are sending SMS at the best time.

Option 3: Schedule via API (developers & technical teams)

For more technical teams or automated workflows, Infobip’s SMS API allows full control over when and how messages are delivered.

Prerequisites for scheduling SMS vis Infobip API

Before you start, make sure you have the following:

• Infobip account: Start with a free trial if you don’t have on
• API key: Ensure it has the sms:message:send scope. Learn how to create an API key.
• HTTP client: You can use tools like curl or one of Infobip’s official SDKs (Java, Python, PHP, etc.).
• Sender ID: Use ServiceSMS as a test sender during trial or request a custom number or alphanumeric sender via the Infobip portal or Numbers API
• Verified destination number: During the free trial, you can only send messages to a verified number you own

Managing your scheduled SMS

We want businesses to have full control to manage campaigns after scheduling. Using the bulkId, you can:

• View scheduled messages
• Reschedule delivery
• Cancel or update message status

For a full walkthrough, see our Schedule SMS via API guide.

Best practices for scheduling text messages

Scheduling texts is strategic practice. It’s more than just setting a specific time for your SMS messages. It’s about interacting with your audience at the perfect moment to encourage conversions, loyalty, and repurchases.

Here are some of best practices when scheduling text messages:

1. Understand your audience’s timing

Sending messages at the wrong time can reduce engagement or even lead to opt-outs. Tailor your delivery to when your audience is most likely to respond.

• For B2B audiences: aim for business hours during the workweek
• For consumers: evenings or weekends may perform better
• Always consider local time zones

Tip: Use Infobip’s timezone-aware scheduling to ensure messages arrive at the right local time.

2. Align scheduled messages with key customer moments

Scheduling is most effective when tied to specific events in the customer journey.

• Appointment and payment SMS reminders
• Order confirmations or delivery updates
• Birthdays, anniversaries, or loyalty milestones

Tip: Use triggers or customer behavior data to automate these touchpoints.

3. Test and optimize your send times

Not all audiences behave the same. Run tests to determine what timeframes yield the best results.

• A/B test different delivery windows
• Monitor open, click, and response rates
• Adjust timing by segment or region

Tip: Infobip’s reporting tools make it easy to track performance by time sent.

4. Keep your message clear and actionable

A scheduled message should be direct and easy to understand—especially if it’s time-sensitive.

• Use concise language and strong CTAs (e.g., “Confirm,” “View offer”)
• Avoid overloading the message with too much information
• Ensure links or actions are easy to follow

Tip: Send test messages to ensure readability across devices.

5. Ensure regulatory compliance

Even scheduled messages must meet regional compliance standards.

• Secure SMS opt-in before sending promotional content
• Include opt-out instructions if required
• Respect restricted sending windows (e.g., no nighttime promos in some regions)

Tip: Infobip’s compliance features help enforce local rules in over 190 countries.

6. Review and update regularly

Scheduled campaigns should not be treated as “set and forget.”

• Refresh content periodically to stay relevant
• Adjust timing based on performance and seasonality
• Re-align with updated goals, offers, or customer insights

Tip: Set calendar reminders to review recurring campaigns every quarter

Ready to schedule smarter SMS campaigns?

Automate your text messaging with Infobip and make every message count, whether it’s a one-time reminder or a global campaign. Our platform is built for reliability, scale, and precision, with tools that let you schedule, personalize, and optimize every send.

• Set it once, reach the right people at the right time
• Use our intuitive UI or powerful API, whichever fits your workflow
• Ensure compliance and delivery across 190+ countries