iOS 18’s “Send Later” Feature Only Works with iMessage, Leaving Android Users Out

When Apple introduced the “Send Later” feature in iOS 18, many iPhone users were thrilled. The ability to schedule messages for later delivery felt like one of those small but life‑changing conveniences, perfect for sending birthday wishes at midnight, business messages in the morning, or quick reminders without relying on memory. But there’s one major catch that’s frustrating new adopters: the feature simply doesn’t work with Android users or any other “green bubble” contact.

The Excitement Around Send Later

For years, Android users have enjoyed built‑in message scheduling. Samsung’s One UI Messages and Google Messages both let you draft a text, set a date and time, and forget about it. iPhone users, in contrast, relied on clunky Shortcuts automations or third‑party apps that often required the phone to stay unlocked.

When iOS 18 rolled out with “Send Later,” the promise was straightforward. Tap the “+” in Messages, compose your text, choose Send Later, pick your time, and Apple handles the rest. On the surface, it seemed like iPhones had finally caught up with this long‑requested feature.

The Green Bubble Problem

The reality became clear as soon as users tried to send a scheduled message to a non‑iPhone.

• If the recipient is an iMessage user (blue bubble), the “Send Later” button appears and works perfectly.
• If the recipient is a non‑iPhone (green bubble SMS/MMS), the option either disappears immediately or never shows up at all.

In other words, “Send Later” is an iMessage‑only perk. SMS messages to Android phones, flip phones, or anyone outside Apple’s ecosystem cannot be scheduled natively.

Why Apple Restricts Send Later

While some see this as Apple’s classic “walled garden” approach, there’s also a technical reason:

• iMessage messages are server‑based. Apple controls delivery entirely, so they can queue and send a message from their servers at the right time.
• SMS and MMS run through your carrier. Apple has no backend control, meaning it can’t truly “hold” an SMS and guarantee delivery at a scheduled time without complex workarounds.

Still, this technical explanation doesn’t soften the frustration for users who rely on scheduling as part of their daily workflow. Many new iPhone owners switching from Android expected parity, only to discover the limitation after upgrading.

Real‑World Impact on Users

The reaction online has been sharp. Professionals who text clients late at night, small‑business owners who send appointment reminders, and everyday users trying to automate social greetings all ran into the same wall: if your contact doesn’t have an iPhone, you can’t schedule the message.

One user summed up the frustration:

“I finally left Android for iPhone 16, and the one thing I rely on daily, scheduled texting, doesn’t work to Android phones. I can’t message patients late at night anymore without losing sleep. This is a big disappointment.”

Others note that even Apple’s own documentation is confusing, with phrasing that suggests recipients can use “any device,” which many interpreted as including Android. In reality, Apple meant “any Apple device that can receive iMessage.”

Workarounds for Scheduling SMS

If your contacts include non‑iPhone users and scheduling is essential, there are a few imperfect alternatives:

• Shortcuts Automation:
  • Open the Shortcuts app → Automation → Personal Automation → Time of Day → Send Message.
  • Drawback: your phone must be on and unlocked at send time for SMS to go through.
• Third‑Party Apps:
  • Apps like Google Messages (if installed) or WhatsApp support scheduled sends to any phone.
  • Downside: recipients need to be on the same platform or app.
• Carrier or Business Messaging Services:
  • Some carriers or services like Twilio or SimpleTexting allow SMS scheduling, but these are often designed for bulk or business use.

The Bigger Picture

Apple’s focus has always been on creating a seamless, polished experience within its ecosystem. Features like Send Later highlight the convenience of staying “all‑Apple,” but they also reinforce the isolation from the broader, standards‑based mobile world.

Will Apple ever expand scheduled messaging to SMS or Android users? It’s unclear. History suggests that unless regulatory or competitive pressure mounts, like what pushed Apple toward adopting RCS, green bubble features will remain second‑class citizens.

For now, iPhone owners should enjoy Send Later for iMessage and plan on using workarounds for everyone else. It’s another reminder that when it comes to messaging, Apple is playing a game of “blue bubbles first.”