Instagram is still seen primarily as a feed for photos suggested by algorithms, but the app is also quite popular for messaging. If you want to save yourself the stress of remembering to send a friend a birthday message as part of the recent update, you can now schedule Instagram posts in advance. Scheduled messages can't contain media files 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 is DM on Instagram?
If you're used to using Instagram as your smartphone photo storage, you may have missed the introduction Instagram Direct Back in 2013, Instagram integrated direct messaging 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's private messages by connecting them to Messenger in 2020and just recently added location sharing capabilities in November 2024. Adding scheduled messages extends Instagram's capabilities with messaging tools like iMessage and Gmail.
How to Schedule a Post on Instagram
You can access your private messages by clicking the arrow or chat icon in the top right corner of your feed. To schedule a message, select an existing chat or create a new message by clicking the new message icon in the top right corner. Next, fill out the text box with what you want to say and then tap and hold the blue arrow icon to the right of the text box.
Instagram will then display a series of watch faces that you can use to set the date and time for your message to be sent. Once you're happy, click the blue send button at the bottom of the menu and the message will be scheduled.
How to Delete a Scheduled Message on Instagram
If you change your mind about a scheduled message, you can delete it directly from the chat. In chat, click on the small text that says “scheduled messages” above the text field. Then tap and hold the message you want to delete. From the drop-down menu that appears, click “Delete” to delete the message.
How to Edit a Scheduled Post on Instagram
If you want to edit your post rather than delete it, things get more complicated. Made possible edit regular Instagram posts in March 2024, but editing a scheduled post is not currently possible. However, there is a way to achieve the same effect if you are willing to put in the extra work.
First, open the chat that contains the scheduled message you want to edit. Then tap “Scheduled Messages” at the bottom of the screen above the text field. Find the message you want to edit, then press and hold it. Click “Copy” in this menu's menu to copy the text to the clipboard, then repeat the process and click “Delete.”
With the copied message in hand, paste it into the text field of an existing chat or into a new message. Edit it as you wish, then tap and hold the blue arrow to the right of the text field to reschedule it for your desired date and time. Click the submit button at the bottom of the menu and it will be scheduled.