"Send Later" option not appearing in Message app iOS 18

This feature worked after I upgraded to iOS 18...today (2 days later), it's gone. I've tried testing it on multiple recipients (iPhone and Android users) and myself. Additionally, I've restarted the phone to no success. The ability to schedule texts was one of the key features that kept me on Android for years...please fix this ASAP

I am experiencing the same thing! Is there a setting or some other step I need to take to allow the "send later" in iMessages app functionality?

I see it on messages with other iPhone users but not on messages with android users. This function was supposed to work regardless of the recipient’s device. Shame.

Yes I've played around with it and it definitely only works to other iphone users. Very silly they need to fix that.

Same for me. After some trial and error, I think the option only appears if you’re sending to other iPhones. So if the recipient is an Android user (or a group with at least one SMS user), you won’t see the option.

[Edited by Moderator]

No option to send later if sending a test message to yourself! How I normally check things out in Messages. First thing that didn’t work. Weird. Used another iPhone recipient, and option was there. For green bubble receivers won’t be there either.

It appears when sending to other iPhones but you have to hunt for it in the list of apps. However even though it is advertised that it is not dependent on the recipient phone it is not showing up for non-iPhone users.

sounds like a bug that needs to be fixed. Or documentation needs to be updated.

I talked to Apple Support regarding this and apparently this is what they said!! (They were constantly asking about the recipient’s software and whether they have toggled on the iMessage, how stupid!! As if I’d ask all this from the recipient before scheduling my message) Super disappointed.

Even their own support site says this should work regardless I can only use send later with one contact out of 200+ contacts which also means roughly 1 out of 200 people I know actually uses iphone and Imessages who's not me. I'm not buying a apple device for all these people apple needs to fix their own problem I already bought my mom a iphone to reduce compatibility issues between her and I. Please fix the send later feature to match your own support page.

I did do the same but no luck cant see the send later icon

iMessage send later not an option on my iPhone ?

I had the same problem where I could see the "send later" on my MacBook but not on iPhone 16 ProMax. I then went to the iMessage's settings on my iPhone and noticed that "Focus" was turned off. I turned "Focus" on and the functionality returned to my iPhone. I hope this helps.

This absolutely worked 👏🏽 Thank you so much!!!!!!

me too. Apple please fix.