How to schedule messages on Instagram

Instagram is still thought of as a feed of algorithmically-suggested photos first and foremost, but the app is also pretty popular for messaging, too. If you want to take some of the stress out of remembering to send a birthday message to a friend, as part of a recent update, you can now schedule Instagram messages in advance. Scheduled messages can't contain media like GIFs, photos or videos, but you can schedule them up to 29 days in advance on both the Android and iOS versions of the app.

If you've stuck to using Instagram as a repository for your smartphone photos, you might have missed out on the introduction of Instagram Direct back in 2013, a direct messaging system integrated right in the Instagram app for sharing photos and videos with friends and family. 

Meta has changed the look, location, and features of Instagram DMs over the years, hooking it up with Messenger in 2020, and more recently adding location-sharing abilities in November 2024. Adding scheduled messages brings Instagram more line with messaging tools like iMessage and Gmail.

You can access DMs by tapping on the arrow or chat bubble icon in the top right corner of your feed. To schedule a message, choose an existing chat or create a new message by tapping on the new message icon in the top right corner. Then fill out the text box with whatever you want to say, and tap and hold on the blue arrow icon to the right of the text box.

Instagram will then pull up a series of dials you can use to set the date and time you want your message to be sent. Once you're happy, tap the blue send button at the bottom of the menu and the message will be scheduled.

An Instagram chat, a menu showing the scheduled messages, and the contextual menu that pops up when you long-press on a message.
Ian Carlos Campbell for Engadget

If you change your mind about a scheduled message, you can delete them directly from your chat. From inside a chat, tap on the small text that says "scheduled messages" above the text box. Then tap and hold on the message you want to delete. From the dropdown menu that appears, tap on "Delete" to remove the message.

If you want to edit your message instead of deleting it, things get more complicated. It became possible to edit normal Instagram messages in March 2024, but editing a scheduled message currently isn't possible. There is a way to achieve the same effect if you're willing to do some extra work, though.

First, open the chat were the scheduled message you want to edit is. Then tap on "scheduled messages" near the bottom of the screen above the text box. Find the message you want to edit, then tap and hold on it. Tap on "Copy" from the menu that menu to copy the text to your clipboard, then repeat the process and tap on "Delete."

With your copied message in hand, paste it into the text box of your existing chat or a new message. Edit it however you see fit, then tap and hold on the blue arrow to the right of the text box to schedule it again for your desire date and time. Tap on the send button at the bottom of the menu, and it will be scheduled.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/how-to-schedule-messages-on-instagram-205659294.html?src=rss https://www.engadget.com/social-media/how-to-schedule-messages-on-instagram-205659294.html?src=rss
Creato 3mo | 20 dic 2024, 21:20:05


Accedi per aggiungere un commento

Altri post in questo gruppo

The world’s smallest pacemaker is injectable and powered by light

Engineers at Northwestern University have developed the world’

3 apr 2025, 17:50:09 | Engadget
TikTok reportedly faces a €500 million fine for sending private user data to China

TikTok will reportedly face a fine of over €500 million ($553 million) for transferring Europeans' private data to China. Bloomberg

3 apr 2025, 17:50:08 | Engadget
Switch 2 hands-on: I think Nintendo's new console is worth the $450

The original Switch started a revolution when it combined the portability of handhelds with the ability to play games on your TV at home like a traditional console. But with the Nintendo

3 apr 2025, 17:50:07 | Engadget
Google's Pixel Buds Pro 2 are back on sale for an all-time-low price

Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds are on sale

3 apr 2025, 17:50:06 | Engadget
'Careless People' author Sarah Wynn-Williams will testify at a Senate hearing next week

Sarah Wynn-Williams, the former Facebook policy director behind a best-selling memoir about her time at the company, will testify at a Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing next week. The testimony

3 apr 2025, 17:50:05 | Engadget
Bang & Olufsen's new Beosound Balance speaker model comes with a marble plinth

What do modern speakers need? Good sound quality? As little distortion as possible? Longevity? Well, yes. Plus, according to

3 apr 2025, 15:30:13 | Engadget