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Instagram is still considered primarily a source of algorithmically suggested photos, but the app is also quite popular for messaging. If you want to relieve the stress 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 the Android and iOS versions of the app.
What are Instagram direct messages?
If you still use Instagram as a repository for your smartphone photos, you may have missed the introduction of Instagram Direct in 2013, a direct messaging system built directly into the Instagram app for sharing photos and videos with friends and family. .
Meta has changed the look, location, and features of Instagram direct messages over the years, connecting them to Messenger in 2020 and, most recently, adding location sharing capabilities in November 2024. Adding scheduled messages about Instagram to messaging tools like iMessage and Gmail.
How to schedule an Instagram message
You can access direct messages by tapping 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 the new message icon in the top right corner. Then, fill in the text box with whatever you want to say and tap and hold the blue arrow icon to the right of the text box.
Instagram will then open a series of dials that 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.
How to delete a scheduled Instagram message
If you change your mind about a scheduled message, you can delete it right from your chat. From within a chat, tap the small text that says “scheduled messages” above the text box. Then touch and hold the message you want to delete. In the drop-down menu that appears, tap “Delete” to delete the message.
How to edit a scheduled Instagram message
If you want to edit your message instead of deleting it, things get more complicated. It was possible to edit normal Instagram messages in March 2024, but it is currently not possible to edit a scheduled message. However, there is a way to achieve the same effect if you are willing to do a little extra work.
First, open the chat where the scheduled message you want to edit is. Then tap “scheduled messages” near the bottom of the screen, above the text box. Find the message you want to edit, and then press and hold it. Tap “Copy” from that menu’s menu to copy the text to your clipboard, then repeat the process and tap “Delete.”
With the copied message in hand, paste it into the text box of your existing chat or into a new message. Edit it as you see fit, then tap and hold the blue arrow to the right of the text box to schedule it again for the date and time you want. Tap the send button at the bottom of the menu and it will be scheduled.
