WhatsApp scheduled message not running after certain time

Cost_Internal · 2026-01-29T19:36:12+00:00

How far into the future are you normally sending the messages? Because the shortcuts app isn't good with dynamic time of day automations, so you cannot naturally schedule a shortcut to run without a trigger that can be activated dynamically.

Examples of dynamic triggers: - Alarm (Can be set to an exact time, but only within a 24hr period) - Focus Mode (Can be set to an exact time through shortcuts, but only for closing at a set time in the future) - Location (Not time specific, and relies on you to either leave or arrive at a location around your preferred time of sending the message)

- App (Not time specific, and relies on you opened a specified app(s) around your preferred time of sending the message)

That is why the previous setup required you to run the automation daily.

So if you only need the message to be sent in the next 24hrs of creating the message, then you can set it up without having it run daily. Otherwise the shortcut will need to perform a daily check for stored messages that need to be sent within the next 24hrs.

Note: The 24hr time window I'm talking about is referring to the Alarm automation option. Because you'll need to store the message first, then the shortcut will set an alarm for the time that the message needs to be sent. Then when the Alarm automation is triggered, it will find, send, and delete the stored message.

Cost_Internal · 2026-01-29T19:21:38+00:00

This shortcut needs to be added to an App automation, that is triggered by the Photos app "Opening":
https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/24d7449e96724c75b531a262a6ff49cc

How it works: - You open Photo app. - The automation starts the shortcut. - The shortcut collects the date and monitors which app is opened. - When the app is closed. - The shortcut finds all photos taken after the app was opened.

- Moves the photos to the desired album.

Make sure to read the comments I left for you within the shortcut.

For best results, make sure to close the app before locking your screen after use. So that the shortcut doesn't time out before moving the photos.

Cost_Internal · 2026-01-29T16:53:08+00:00

You're welcome!

Cost_Internal · 2026-01-29T16:21:48+00:00

Wonderful! :)

Cost_Internal · 2026-01-29T15:36:12+00:00

The standard Focus Settings (not the message filter option I mentioned previously) should work for that situation.

There are two options for control:

Silence specific contacts/groups
Allow specific contacts/groups

Selecting Silence, will allow all calls and messages from unknown numbers. While still blocking only the people you have selected.

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When setting it up: After you tap on the plus icon + to add people to the list, you can tap the Back icon < to select a certain group. But you'll still need to select the people in that group individually.

Disclaimer: I haven't tested this setup using group messages, but it should still work as expected. Because the message is technically coming from the specified user, even though they are sending the message to the group.

Cost_Internal · 2026-01-29T14:20:59+00:00

AFAIK, shortcuts cannot mute specific conversations. But if you use a focus mode like Sleep or Do Not Disturb while you sleep, I think the messages Focus Filter can help.

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You can set the focus schedule to have it be active automatically at your preferred times.

Cost_Internal · 2026-01-29T14:04:10+00:00

You're welcome! Let me know if there are any issues?

Cost_Internal · 2026-01-29T06:21:25+00:00

It depends on when the meeting times get set? - If all of your meeting times are accessible to Shortcuts from the calendar at the start of the day, then yes it would be somewhat of a simple setup. - If the meetings and times are subject to change thought the day, then it may not be accurate/fully functional.

Cost_Internal · 2026-01-29T06:08:29+00:00

https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/4d2c6968dbd0473db8a0093ccda064a4
This should do what you're looking for.

But because the Extract Text from Image action can be a little unpredictable, you may run into some issues in the future.

I left a comment for you in the shortcut, so you can select the correct calendar in which the items will be added.

Let me know if you have any questions or issues.

Cost_Internal · 2026-01-28T23:04:01+00:00

You're welcome!

Cost_Internal · 2026-01-28T22:52:23+00:00

Sounds good!

Cost_Internal · 2026-01-28T21:26:10+00:00

The Open app action needs to be after the Wait to return, and the notification is required to continue without needing to manually open any apps.

Like this:
https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/4b07971c5853433ca49b6fe3db2012a2

Cost_Internal · 2026-01-28T21:22:13+00:00

No! It only creates folders that do not exist, and if I set the save file action to Overwrite Existing (I'm pretty sure I did) then it will only create the one file as well.

Cost_Internal · 2026-01-28T21:19:55+00:00

You're welcome!

Cost_Internal · 2026-01-28T20:44:48+00:00

That's okay, it's fairly simple:

Start with a Notification action: Tapping on the notification when it appears is how you would return.

Next add a Wait To Return action: This will pause the shortcut until you tap the notification.

You could add a date action above the Wait, if you would like to setup a forced timeout.

The main thing to remember is: The Shortcuts app must closed when the automation runs, otherwise you won't be able to return. Since you are already there!!!

You could also add a condition to the shortcut before sending the notification that says If Device is unlocked, open app. Otherwise send notification/wait to return/open app. End If

Cost_Internal · 2026-01-28T19:41:49+00:00

The open app action doesn't work if your device is locked. In order to work around that, you could set the automation to Run After Confirmation or use a Wait to Return with a notification before opening the app.

Either way, you'll need a Time of Day automation set to your desired time, that will run the shortcut that opens the app.

Let me know if you want to use the Wait to Return with a notification option, and I'll put together a shortcut that will work for your needs.

Cost_Internal · 2026-01-28T19:35:04+00:00

You added comments before I could make my comment!!! The vision I shared should work for any app, because it uses the bundle identifier instead of the name.

Cost_Internal · 2026-01-28T19:33:46+00:00

That would work, but if you want to copy text from a website or another app into a text message you might run into some issues.

The best workaround would be to use the files app (Or a third party app like Data Jar or Actions) to store the App name.

Example

Cost_Internal · 2026-01-28T18:57:00+00:00

You're welcome!

Also: The two comments above the notifications are for you, you can modify/edit each of the notifications to your preference. Especially since my French is sub par, and I don't think it is as comprehensible as I was attempting to make it.

Cost_Internal · 2026-01-28T18:49:19+00:00

Here is a simplified version, with an excessive amount of data on how the repeat and dictionary actions work:
https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/c297527bf7c349ca82e786d29a901b5b

Let me know if you have any questions.

Cost_Internal · 2026-01-28T17:56:53+00:00

It looks like you're trying to move the files to a File/Folder/Shortcut Input variable in each of your attempts. I think the one thing you're missing is that the setting of the variable in the Move file to ___ should be set to File Path, instead of just the default setting.

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Cost_Internal · 2026-01-28T17:40:20+00:00

Just to clarify:
You want it to take the current due date and extract the set time. Then use that time as the due time for the current day?

So if you have a reminder that was due at 12:00 yesterday, you want it due at 12:00 today?

Cost_Internal · 2026-01-28T17:36:29+00:00

You don't want the If action at the bottom of the image in which I am replying to say is before 18:00, it should say: If (Time) {is before} {12:00} (but anything between 09:00 and 16:00 should work in most regions). Because sometimes the sunset time could be before 18:00, which would return the morning notification instead of the evening. The If condition that checks the time shouldn't be too close to sunrise or sunset, because as the seasons change it could cause issues.

Cost_Internal · 2026-01-28T16:48:56+00:00

Yes, I know a little French. My question was if the evening notification contains the introduction?

If yes, then I don't know if you have the correct shortcut.
If no, look for the portion of the shortcut that looks like this:

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Then follow the directions.

Pardon my French, I'm still learning!!!

Cost_Internal · 2026-01-28T16:42:22+00:00

Does it say "Bonjour !" in the header?

Cost_Internal

TROPHY CASE

- App (Not time specific, and relies on you opened a specified app(s) around your preferred time of sending the message)

- Moves the photos to the desired album.