How to Schedule WhatsApp Messages for Business
Three ways to send WhatsApp messages later: one reply from the chat, a scheduled broadcast, or a message that repeats — even on each customer's birthday.
The normal WhatsApp app cannot schedule a message. Businesses still need to: a reminder the morning of an appointment, an offer at 10 am on launch day, a renewal notice a week before it is due.
With the WhatsApp Business API and MotherBot there are three ways to do it.
1. Send one message later, from the chat
In Live Chat, write your message as usual, then choose Send later instead of Send, and pick a date and time.
- Works for plain text, templates, buttons and quick replies.
- Your scheduled messages are listed in the chat. Change the time, edit the text or cancel it until it goes out.
- Times follow your business's time zone, not the device you are using.
Watch the 24-hour rule. WhatsApp only allows your own wording within 24 hours of the customer's last message. MotherBot checks this when the message is due to go out, not when you schedule it. If the window has closed by then, the message is not sent and the list tells you why. To be safe for anything more than a few hours away, schedule an approved template instead.
2. Schedule a broadcast
When you create a broadcast, choose a date and time instead of sending now. Everything else — the template, the contacts or segment, the personal details filled in for each person — works the same.
Good for:
- sale and launch announcements at a set hour,
- event reminders the day before,
- a message to a new segment first thing in the morning.
3. Repeat a message automatically
A recurring broadcast sends the same template again and again, without you doing anything. It can repeat:
- every day at a set time,
- every week on a set day,
- every month on a set date,
- or around a date saved on each contact — on the day, or a number of days before or after it.
The last option covers birthday wishes, policy renewals, subscription reminders, service due dates and anniversary offers. Each contact gets the message on their own date.
Which one to use
| You want to... | Use |
|---|---|
| Reply to one customer at a better time | Send later in Live Chat |
| Announce something to many people at a set time | Scheduled broadcast |
| Send the same reminder again and again | Recurring broadcast |
| Follow up after something happens, with waits in between | A workflow with a wait step |
Things to know
- Templates for anything far ahead. Outside the 24-hour window, only approved templates can be sent.
- Ask permission first. Bulk messages to people who never agreed to hear from you get your number reported, which lowers how many messages you can send. See quality rating and messaging limits.
- Marketing costs more. Meta charges per template message delivered — marketing about ₹0.86 and utility about ₹0.12 in India. Reminders and renewals are usually utility. Meta bills you directly; see WhatsApp rates.
Frequently asked questions
Can I schedule a WhatsApp message on the WhatsApp Business app?
No. The WhatsApp Business app has no option to schedule a message. Scheduling needs the WhatsApp Business API, through a platform such as MotherBot.
Can I schedule a WhatsApp message to one person?
Yes. In Live Chat, choose Send later instead of Send and pick a time. You can change or cancel it until it goes out.
Why did my scheduled WhatsApp message fail?
Usually because it was plain text and the customer's 24-hour window had closed by the time it was due. Schedule an approved template for anything more than a few hours ahead.
Can I send automatic birthday wishes on WhatsApp?
Yes. Save each contact's birthday in a contact field, then create a recurring broadcast that runs on that date. Each contact gets the message on their own birthday.
Can I schedule a WhatsApp broadcast?
Yes. When creating a broadcast, pick a date and time instead of sending now. It goes out at that time in your business's time zone.
Next steps
Read how to run a WhatsApp broadcast that converts, or start free.
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