WhatsApp is working on two new features that could make chatting more convenient. The messaging platform is testing a shortcut for sharing Instagram Reels directly in conversations, along with an option to schedule messages for a later time.
The new tools are currently available to a limited number of beta testers. While the Reels shortcut aims to simplify sharing Instagram content, scheduled messages could help users plan their conversations in advance.
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WhatsApp has not announced when either feature will become available to all users.
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WhatsApp Adds an Instagram Reels Shortcut to Chats
WhatsApp is testing a dedicated Reels button in the chat attachment menu. According to WABetaInfo, the feature appeared in WhatsApp Android beta version 2.26.42.9, with a report published on October 23, 2026.
Currently, users may need to go through additional steps to find and share Instagram content from WhatsApp. The new shortcut is designed to make this process easier by opening a separate screen where users can browse eligible Instagram posts and Reels.
This could save time for people who frequently share short videos with friends, family members, or group chats.
How the New Reels Shortcut Works
The feature provides three sections for finding Instagram content:
- Recents: Browse Reels you have watched recently on Instagram.
- Saved: Find posts and Reels you have saved for later.
- Liked: Access content you have liked on Instagram.
After finding the content you want to share, you can select it and send it directly to a WhatsApp conversation.
However, the shortcut comes with a requirement. Your WhatsApp account must be linked to Meta’s Accounts Center for the option to appear. Linking accounts remains optional, so users who keep their accounts separate may not see this feature.
Since the tool is still being tested, its design and availability could change before a wider release.
WhatsApp Is Also Testing Scheduled Messages
The second feature could be particularly useful for people who want to send messages at a specific time without having to remember to send them manually.
According to WABetaInfo, scheduled messages began appearing for some Android beta testers in version 2.26.40.7, as reported on October 12, 2026. A similar feature is also being tested in an iOS beta version distributed through Apple’s TestFlight platform.
The feature is intended to let users prepare a message in advance and select when it should be delivered. It supports individual and group conversations, although access depends on whether the feature has been enabled for the account.
For example, users could prepare a birthday greeting the night before or arrange a reminder to be sent at a more suitable time.
How to Schedule a WhatsApp Message
If the scheduling option is available in your beta version, you can try it by following these steps:
- Open WhatsApp and enter an individual or group chat.
- Type the message you want to send.
- Touch and hold the Send button.
- Choose the date and time for delivery.
- Review your selection and confirm the scheduled message.
To schedule a photo or video, select the media from the gallery picker and then touch and hold the Send button. The current beta reportedly supports one photo or one video per scheduled message.
These steps apply to the version being tested. The final interface may look different if WhatsApp changes the feature before its public release.
Scheduled Message Limits and Supported Options
The current beta testing details indicate the following limits and capabilities:
| Feature | Current beta details |
|---|---|
| Earliest delivery | 10 minutes after scheduling |
| Maximum advance period | Up to two weeks |
| Supported content | Text, links, one photo or one video |
| Individual chats | Supported |
| Group chats | Supported |
| Phone offline | Messages are designed to send at the scheduled time |
| Message management | Available through the chat information screen |
Scheduled messages are reported to remain protected by WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption. This means the feature is intended to retain the privacy protections used for regular personal conversations.
There are also some important details about group chats. According to the reported beta behavior, only members who belong to a group when the message is scheduled will receive it. Recipients are not notified in advance that a message has been scheduled.
Users can also manage or delete scheduled messages before delivery through the relevant chat information screen. If a message is removed before it is sent, recipients reportedly do not receive a separate notification about its deletion.
These details describe the current testing version and may be adjusted before the feature reaches the stable app.
When Will WhatsApp Release These Features?
Neither the Instagram Reels shortcut nor scheduled messages has a confirmed public release date.
WhatsApp generally tests new tools with selected beta users before deciding whether to expand their availability. During this period, the company can collect feedback, identify technical issues, and make changes to the interface.
Even if you install the latest beta version, you may not immediately receive either feature. Availability can depend on the account and the stage of the rollout.
WhatsApp has also been experimenting with other additions to its messaging and Status features. However, beta testing alone does not guarantee that a feature will reach every user or that it will launch in its current form.
Users who do not have these options yet will need to wait for further updates.
What These WhatsApp Features Mean for Users
The two additions focus on different everyday needs.
The Reels shortcut could make sharing Instagram videos faster by reducing the number of steps required to find content. It may be especially useful for people who regularly exchange short videos through WhatsApp.
Scheduled messages, meanwhile, could help users manage greetings, reminders, and other routine communications without relying on their memory at the exact moment a message needs to be sent.
Both features could improve convenience, but they remain under development. Until WhatsApp announces a wider release, users should treat the reported functions and limitations as part of ongoing beta testing rather than features available to everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How can I schedule a message on WhatsApp?
If the feature is enabled for your account, open a chat, type your message, and touch and hold the Send button. Select your preferred delivery date and time, then confirm the schedule. The feature is currently being tested with selected beta users.
2. How far in advance can I schedule a WhatsApp message?
According to the current beta reports, messages can be scheduled from 10 minutes to two weeks in advance. These limits could change before the feature is released publicly.
3. Why is the Instagram Reels button missing from my WhatsApp?
The shortcut is still being rolled out to selected Android beta testers. Your WhatsApp account also needs to be linked to Meta’s Accounts Center, according to the reported requirements. Updating the app alone does not guarantee access.
4. Can I schedule messages in WhatsApp groups?
Yes, group scheduling is supported in the version being tested. However, the reported behavior limits delivery to people who were members of the group when the message was scheduled.
5. Can I schedule photos and videos on WhatsApp?
The current beta reportedly supports scheduling a single photo or video in addition to text and links. The available options may change in a future version.
6. Will a scheduled WhatsApp message send if my phone is offline?
The reported beta behavior indicates that a scheduled message is designed to send at the selected time even when the phone is offline. However, the exact behavior may depend on the final implementation, so users should verify how the feature works in their version.
7. When will scheduled messages become available to everyone?
WhatsApp has not confirmed a stable release date. The feature is still in testing, and broader availability will depend on the company’s rollout plans.
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Conclusion
WhatsApp is exploring new ways to make messaging easier with an Instagram Reels sharing shortcut and scheduled messages. One could simplify sharing social media content, while the other could help users prepare messages ahead of time.
For now, both features remain limited to selected beta testers. Users will have to wait for an official wider rollout to know when they can use them in the regular WhatsApp app.
Jatin Rajput (Tech Golu) — Tech blogger & YouTuber with 6+ years of experience in WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and mobile guides. Founder of TechGolu.in.
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