How to Schedule a Message in Teams (2026)
Scheduling a message lets you write a Teams chat now but deliver it later — handy for respecting colleagues’ off-hours, different time zones, or simply lining up a reminder. Here’s how to schedule, edit, and cancel one.
Schedule a Message on Desktop
- Open the one-on-one or group chat and type your message in the compose box. Don’t send it.
- Right-click the Send button (or open the … options near the compose box) and choose Schedule send.
- Pick a date and time, or use a quick option.
- Confirm. The message sits in the chat marked Scheduled and sends automatically at that time.
Scheduling works in chats. Channel posts don’t have the same schedule-send option in most builds.
Edit, Reschedule, or Cancel
Before it sends, you’re in full control:
- Reschedule: find the scheduled message in the chat, click the … > Reschedule, and pick a new time.
- Send now: click … > Send now to deliver immediately.
- Edit the text: open … > Edit, change the wording, and save.
- Delete: click … > Delete to cancel it entirely.
Schedule on Mobile (iOS/Android)
- Type your message in a chat.
- Press and hold the Send button.
- Choose Schedule send, set the date and time, and confirm.
The queued message appears in the chat the same way it does on desktop.
Troubleshooting
There’s no “Schedule send” option
Right-click (or long-press) the Send arrow itself, not the compose box — that’s where the option lives. If it’s still missing, update Teams; older builds and some admin-restricted tenants don’t offer it.
My scheduled message didn’t send
The message only sends if you stay signed in to the account (the schedule runs server-side in current Teams, but very old clients required the app to be running). Check the chat — if it still shows Scheduled, the time hasn’t passed yet; if it vanished, it sent.
I can’t schedule a channel post
Schedule send is a chat feature. For channels, post normally or use a connected tool/flow to time the message.
The time zone looks wrong
Scheduled times use your Teams/Windows time zone. If a message lands an hour off, check your system clock and time-zone setting.
I need to change it after scheduling
Open the scheduled message’s … menu to Reschedule, Send now, Edit, or Delete — all before it goes out.
Quick Reference
| Goal | What to do |
|---|---|
| Schedule a message | Type it > right-click Send > Schedule send |
| Reschedule | Scheduled message … > Reschedule |
| Send it now | Scheduled message … > Send now |
| Cancel it | Scheduled message … > Delete |
| Schedule on mobile | Long-press Send > Schedule send |
Related Teams guides: How to change your status in Teams · How to set out of office in Teams · How to mute notifications in Teams · How to create a channel in Teams · How to pin someone in Teams
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