{"id":857,"date":"2005-12-31T18:04:00","date_gmt":"2005-12-31T12:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2005\/12\/31\/send-email-messages-in-future\/"},"modified":"2026-10-07T07:42:55","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T02:12:55","slug":"send-email-messages-in-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2005\/12\/send-email-messages-in-future\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Send Email Messages in the Future (Schedule Send Guide 2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Want to schedule an email? You can write it now and have it delivered later: a birthday wish at midnight, a reminder next week, or a letter to your future self years from now. You can send email messages in the future with the built-in <strong>Schedule send<\/strong> feature in Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail and Yahoo Mail. When we first wrote about this in 2005, you needed special websites. Today it takes two clicks. Here&#8217;s how to schedule an email to send in the future in 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-63401\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/schedule-email-send-later.webp\" alt=\"schedule an email to send in the future\" width=\"1200\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/schedule-email-send-later.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/schedule-email-send-later-300x158.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/schedule-email-send-later-1024x538.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/schedule-email-send-later-150x79.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/schedule-email-send-later-768x403.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Quick answer:<\/strong> In Gmail, write your email, click the <strong>arrow next to Send<\/strong>, choose <strong>Schedule send<\/strong> and pick a date and time. In Outlook, click the arrow next to Send and choose <strong>Schedule send<\/strong>. For letters to your future self years ahead, use <strong>FutureMe<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ad432490094d\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ad432490094d\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2005\/12\/send-email-messages-in-future\/#Schedule_an_email_in_Gmail\" >Schedule an email in Gmail<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2005\/12\/send-email-messages-in-future\/#Schedule_an_email_in_Outlook\" >Schedule an email in Outlook<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2005\/12\/send-email-messages-in-future\/#Schedule_an_email_in_Apple_Mail_and_Yahoo_Mail\" >Schedule an email in Apple Mail and Yahoo Mail<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2005\/12\/send-email-messages-in-future\/#Send_an_email_to_your_future_self\" >Send an email to your future self<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2005\/12\/send-email-messages-in-future\/#Why_schedule_emails\" >Why schedule emails?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2005\/12\/send-email-messages-in-future\/#Frequently_asked_questions\" >Frequently asked questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2005\/12\/send-email-messages-in-future\/#Does_my_computer_need_to_be_on_for_a_scheduled_email_to_send\" >Does my computer need to be on for a scheduled email to send?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2005\/12\/send-email-messages-in-future\/#How_do_I_cancel_a_scheduled_email_in_Gmail\" >How do I cancel a scheduled email in Gmail?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2005\/12\/send-email-messages-in-future\/#Can_the_recipient_tell_an_email_was_scheduled\" >Can the recipient tell an email was scheduled?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Schedule_an_email_in_Gmail\"><\/span>Schedule an email in Gmail<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Open <a href=\"https:\/\/mail.google.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gmail<\/a> and click <strong>Compose<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Write your email and add recipients.<\/li>\n<li>Click the <strong>down arrow<\/strong> next to <strong>Send<\/strong> and choose <strong>Schedule send<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Pick a suggested time or click <strong>Pick date &amp; time<\/strong>, then <strong>Schedule send<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>On the Gmail app, tap the <strong>three dots<\/strong> at the top right of the draft and choose <strong>Schedule send<\/strong>. Scheduled emails wait in the <strong>Scheduled<\/strong> folder, where you can edit or cancel them. Gmail lets you schedule up to 100 emails, as far as 49 years ahead, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/support.google.com\/mail\/answer\/9214606\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gmail Help<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Schedule_an_email_in_Outlook\"><\/span>Schedule an email in Outlook<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Outlook.com and the new Outlook for Windows:<\/strong> write your message, click the arrow next to <strong>Send<\/strong>, choose <strong>Schedule send<\/strong>, and pick a time. Outlook sends it even if your computer is off.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Classic Outlook desktop:<\/strong> go to <strong>Options \u2192 Delay Delivery<\/strong> and set <strong>Do not deliver before<\/strong>. Classic Outlook may need to be open at that time for some account types.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Outlook mobile app:<\/strong> tap the three dots or the clock icon and choose a send time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Schedule_an_email_in_Apple_Mail_and_Yahoo_Mail\"><\/span>Schedule an email in Apple Mail and Yahoo Mail<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Apple Mail (iPhone, iPad, Mac):<\/strong> on iPhone, long-press the blue send arrow and choose <strong>Send Later<\/strong>. On Mac, click the arrow next to the Send button. Requires iOS 16 or macOS Ventura and later.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Yahoo Mail:<\/strong> on the web, click the arrow next to <strong>Send<\/strong> and choose <strong>Schedule send<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Thunderbird:<\/strong> install the free <a href=\"https:\/\/addons.thunderbird.net\/en-US\/thunderbird\/addon\/send-later-3\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Send Later<\/a> add-on. It also works with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/11\/personalize-your-mass-mail-with-thunderbird\/\">Thunderbird mail merge<\/a> for scheduled bulk emails.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Send_an_email_to_your_future_self\"><\/span>Send an email to your future self<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>For messages years ahead, try <a href=\"https:\/\/www.futureme.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">FutureMe<\/a>, which has been delivering &#8220;letters to your future self&#8221; since 2002. Write a letter, choose a delivery date, and decide whether to keep it private or share it anonymously. Other ideas from our original list, like the Forbes Email Time Capsule, have long since closed.<\/p>\n<p>Before you schedule an email far into the future, consider: will your email address still work? Use an address you plan to keep for life, and keep a copy of important messages yourself.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_schedule_emails\"><\/span>Why schedule emails?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Time zones:<\/strong> send at 9 am in your client&#8217;s time zone, not yours.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Birthdays and anniversaries:<\/strong> write the message now and deliver it right on the day.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Work-life balance:<\/strong> write late at night but send during office hours.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Reminders:<\/strong> send yourself a reminder for a deadline or renewal date.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_asked_questions\"><\/span>Frequently asked questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_my_computer_need_to_be_on_for_a_scheduled_email_to_send\"><\/span>Does my computer need to be on for a scheduled email to send?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No, for Gmail, Outlook.com, new Outlook, Apple Mail with iCloud, and Yahoo Mail, which send from their servers. Classic Outlook and Thunderbird add-ons may need the app running.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_I_cancel_a_scheduled_email_in_Gmail\"><\/span>How do I cancel a scheduled email in Gmail?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Open the <strong>Scheduled<\/strong> folder, open the email and click <strong>Cancel send<\/strong>. It becomes a draft you can edit.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_the_recipient_tell_an_email_was_scheduled\"><\/span>Can the recipient tell an email was scheduled?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No. It arrives like a normal email, with the scheduled time as the sent time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Want to schedule an email? You can write it now and have it delivered later: a birthday wish at midnight,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":63401,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"default","_kad_post_title":"default","_kad_post_layout":"default","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"default","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"default","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-857","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tips"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/857","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=857"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/857\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":63403,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/857\/revisions\/63403"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/63401"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=857"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=857"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=857"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}