While Instagram is still thought of first and foremost as a feed of algorithmically suggested photos, the app is also hugely popular for messaging. If you want to save yourself the stress of forgetting to send a birthday message to a friend, you can now schedule Instagram messages in advance as part of a recent update. Scheduled messages cannot include media such as GIFs, photos, or videos, but you can schedule messages up to 29 days in advance in both the Android and iOS versions of the app.
What is Instagram DM?
If you’re adamant about using Instagram as a repository for photos on your smartphone, you may have missed the introduction of Instagram Direct in 2013. It’s a direct messaging system integrated directly into the Instagram app for sharing photos and videos with friends and family. .
Over the years, Meta has changed the look, location, and functionality of Instagram DMs, integrating with Messenger in 2020 and most recently adding location sharing functionality in November 2024. Adding scheduled messages will make Instagram more integrated with messaging tools like iMessage and iMessage. G-mail.
How to schedule Instagram messages
You can access your DMs by tapping the arrow or chat bubble icon in the top right corner of your feed. To schedule a message, select an existing chat or tap the new message icon in the top right corner to create a new message. Then, type what you want to say in the text box and press and hold the blue arrow icon to the right of the text box.
Instagram displays a series of dials that you can use to set the date and time you want to send your message. If you’re happy, tap the blue Send button at the bottom of the menu to schedule your message.
Ian Carlos Campbell of Engadget
How to delete scheduled Instagram messages
If you change your mind about a scheduled message, you can delete it directly from the chat. From within the chat, tap the small text that says “Scheduled Message” above the text box. Then, press and hold the message you want to delete. Tap Delete from the drop-down menu that appears to delete the message.
How to edit scheduled Instagram messages
Things get even more complicated if you want to edit the message rather than delete it. While you can now edit regular Instagram messages in March 2024, editing scheduled messages is currently not possible. However, if you’re willing to put in the extra work, there are ways to achieve the same effect.
First, open the chat that contains the scheduled message you want to edit. Then tap on “Scheduled Message” above the text box at the bottom of the screen. Find the message you want to edit and tap and hold on it. Tap Copy from the menu to copy the text to the clipboard, then repeat the process and tap Delete.
Keep the copied message handy and paste it into the text box of an existing chat or a new message. Edit as desired, then press and hold the blue arrow to the right of the text box to reschedule at your desired date and time. Tap the Send button at the bottom of the menu to set the schedule.
