We’ve all been there.

You want to send a message at the perfect time but might forget.

Whether you’re scheduling messages for a birthday, a reminder, or a business follow-up, WhatsApp can make your life much easier.

But here’s the thing:

Only some people know how to schedule messages on WhatsApp. And if you’re running a business, you want to save time and engage with your customers better.

Let’s walk through how to do that.

Manual vs Automated Scheduling

Before diving into the tools, let's clarify the two ways you can schedule WhatsApp messages:

1. Manual Scheduling (using third-party apps or reminders).
2. Automated Scheduling (tools that handle it all for you).

Manual Scheduling

The easiest way to schedule messages manually is with apps like SKEDit or Wasavi.

These apps allow you to schedule WhatsApp messages, but there’s a catch—you may still need to grant permissions or send the message yourself when it’s time.

Here’s how you can schedule WhatsApp messages manually using SKEDit:

1. Download and Install SKEDit from the Google Play Store.
2. Create an Account on the app.
3. Tap ‘WhatsApp’ under the available services.
4. Give Necessary Permissions for the app to send messages on your behalf.
5. Compose Your Message: Add the recipient and type out your message.
6. Schedule the Message: Set the date and time when you want it to be sent.
7. Manual or Auto-send: You can send it manually with a reminder or allow SKEDit to send it automatically.

It's pretty straightforward. However, you can’t automate follow-ups or integrate it into your business workflows.

Automated Scheduling

Automated tools are the best bet for scheduling messages more reliably and efficiently, especially for business communications.

Let’s explore some tools that can help you schedule messages on WhatsApp automatically.

Best Tools to Schedule WhatsApp Messages

WhatsApp Business App

If you’re a small business owner, the WhatsApp Business App offers a way to automate replies when you’re unavailable. While it’s not a full-fledged scheduling tool, it allows you to set “away messages” that can be sent automatically during specific hours.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the WhatsApp Business App on your iPhone or Android.
2. Tap and select "Settings", then choose "Business Tools."
3. Touch and select "Away Message."
4. Turn on "Send Away Message" using the toggle switch.
5. Fill in the message text that you want to send automatically.
6. Under "Recipients", choose "Only Send to" to select specific contacts who will receive the away message.
7. Next, select "Schedule."
8. Choose a schedule based on your business hours or any specific time frame you want the message to be sent.

This setup is great for businesses that need to send automated replies when they’re out of the office or unavailable. However, it doesn’t offer true scheduling for messages that need to go out at specific times—just replies based on when you’re away.

While this helps in automating responses, it’s still not a complete scheduling tool. You can’t send time-sensitive messages unless you do it manually.

WhatsApp Web + Extensions

Another way to schedule messages is using WhatsApp Web with browser extensions like Blueticks or Wasavi.

Here's how to use Wasavi for scheduling:

1. Install Wasavi: Add the Wasavi Chrome extension from the Chrome Web Store.
2. Open WhatsApp Web and connect your account.
3. Click on a Chat: Choose the person or group you want to message.
4. Type Your Message: Wasavi’s interface will pop up. Write your message.
5. Click on the Clock Icon: This lets you schedule when the message should be sent.
6. Set the Time and Date: Wasavi will automatically send the message at your chosen time.

It’s a handy tool for personal use, but again, it's not great for businesses that need something more advanced.

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Advanced Scheduling with WhatsApp Business API

If you’re looking for more control and advanced features, the WhatsApp Business API is the answer.

Unlike the basic WhatsApp Business App, the API is designed for medium to large businesses. You can integrate it with your existing systems, automate messaging workflows, and schedule messages without lifting a finger.

Here’s how you can schedule WhatsApp messages using the WhatsApp Business API:

1. Set Up a WhatsApp Business API Account: You’ll need to sign up with a WhatsApp Business Solution Provider or Meta partners like QuickReply.ai.
2. Integrate the API with Your CRM or other tools that manage your customer data.
3. Create Message Templates: This is important because WhatsApp requires using pre-approved templates for certain messages.
4. Schedule Messages: Use your CRM or another platform to trigger messages at specific times or based on customer actions.

For example, you can automatically send appointment reminders when the customer books a service or follow-up messages when a purchase isn’t completed.

How to Schedule WhatsApp Messages with QuickReply.ai

Let’s get into a more comprehensive solution—QuickReply.ai.

This tool is perfect for businesses looking to scale their WhatsApp communication.

With QuickReply.ai, you can schedule messages, automate follow-ups, track responses, and analyze performance.

Here’s how to do it step by step:

1. Login to the QuickReply.ai Dashboard.
2. Go to ‘Campaigns’ and click “Create New Broadcast.”
3. Name Your Broadcast and select a category (e.g., promotions, follow-ups).
4. Choose a Template: You can either create a new template or use an existing one.
5. Upload Your Recipients: Use an Excel sheet to upload the contacts list.
6. Add Variables: Customize the message with variables like the customer’s name or product details.
7. Schedule a Time and Date: Choose when you want the message sent.
8. Add Optional Features: To measure campaign success, you can add retries, engage bots for replies, or track UTM parameters.
9. Test Your Message: Send a test message to ensure everything looks good.
10. Click ‘Schedule’: Once done, your message is set to go out at the scheduled time.

This tool is ideal if you want more than just basic scheduling. With features like CRM syncing and detailed analytics, QuickReply.ai gives you everything you need to run efficient WhatsApp campaigns.

3 Key Benefits of Scheduling Messages for Business

So, why should you care about scheduling messages on WhatsApp?

Here’s why:

Time-saving

Scheduling messages means you don’t have to remember to send them manually. Set it and forget it.

Increased Engagement

Sending messages at the right time increases the chances of a response. Automated scheduling ensures your messages are sent when your customers are most likely to engage.

Better Tracking

Tools like QuickReply.ai also let you track open rates, clicks, and conversions. This allows you to see which messages are working and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Get Started with WhatsApp Message Scheduling

Now that you know how to schedule WhatsApp messages with different tools, it’s time to take action.

Whether using a manual method like SKEDit or an advanced platform like QuickReply.ai, scheduling messages can make your life—and your business—a lot easier.

If you want to streamline your messaging, especially for business purposes, QuickReply.ai is your best bet. It allows you to schedule, automate, and analyze your WhatsApp communication all in one place.

Ready to start?

Book a demo with QuickReply.ai and see how it can help your business scale its communication effortlessly.