Scheduled SMS Delivery
A short text. Years later. Right in their pocket.
Sometimes the message that matters most is only one line long. WordsLater can send a real SMS text message to any mobile number on a future date - a "good luck today," a "happy birthday," or a quiet "I'm still proud of you" delivered exactly when it's needed.
- Real SMS - lands in the native Messages app
- No app install required for the recipient
- Up to 1,600 characters per message (auto-segmented)
- Schedule by date, age, event, or posthumous trigger
Text Messages That Actually Arrive
Built on carrier-grade SMS infrastructure - not a chat app.
Real SMS, Not an App
Messages arrive in the recipient's normal Messages app - iMessage, Android Messages, whatever they already use. They don't need to download or log in to anything.
Global Delivery
Send to mobile numbers in 180+ countries through tier-1 carrier routes. International texts are billed transparently based on destination.
Up to 1,600 Characters
Write a short note or a longer one. Long messages are automatically segmented and reassembled on the recipient's device so they read as one.
Time-Zone Aware
Schedule "8 AM their time" and we'll deliver to their local time zone - not yours. Perfect for birthday wishes that arrive in the morning, not the middle of the night.
Multiple Recipients
Send the same text to a group - siblings, grandchildren, a whole team - or personalize each one. Each recipient receives a private one-on-one message.
Delivery Receipts
We track carrier-level delivery confirmations and surface them to your account (or to your trusted contacts, if the message was posthumous).
Encrypted at Rest
Your text is stored encrypted with AES-256 until the moment it's released to the carrier for delivery. See how we protect your data.
Automatic Retries
If the recipient's phone is off or out of service, we retry for up to 72 hours - then notify you (or your trusted contacts) if a number is permanently unreachable.
Reply & Opt-Out Handling
Recipients can reply STOP at any time. Replies to your scheduled messages are forwarded to a private inbox you (or your trusted contacts) can access.
Try a scheduled text idea.
Each one pre-fills the recipient, delivery timing, and SMS channel - change anything before sending.
Write a text your future self can't.
Free to start. No credit card required.
Start Free See Scheduling OptionsWhat You Can Send
- Birthday and anniversary messages
- "Good luck" notes for exams, interviews, surgeries
- Daily affirmations or reminders to a future self
- Posthumous check-ins on a child's milestones
- Group texts to family on a shared anniversary
- A quiet "I'm thinking of you" on a hard date
A Few Things To Know
- Phone numbers can change - keep recipients updated
- Carriers may filter messages flagged as marketing
- For photos and video, pair an email message to the same person
- Per-message rates apply for international destinations
- Recipients can reply STOP to opt out at any time
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the recipient need a WordsLater account?
No. They just need a working mobile number that can receive SMS. The message arrives in their normal Messages app.
What phone number will it come from?
Each account is assigned a dedicated long-code or short-code sender ID. You can also reserve a personal number (paid plans) so future texts always come from the same number.
Can I send to landlines?
No - SMS only works to mobile numbers. If you try to schedule a landline we'll flag it during setup and suggest an email message instead.
How much does an SMS cost?
Domestic US/Canada texts are available as an add-on on every plan (Legacy includes 25 texts, Lifetime includes 100). International texts use a pre-paid credit system - rates are shown before you confirm the schedule. See pricing.
What happens if the number is no longer in service?
We retry for 72 hours, then notify you (or your trusted contacts, for posthumous messages) that the number is unreachable so you can update or redirect.
Can I include a link in a text?
Yes. Links are sent as-is, no shortening or tracking. Some carriers may filter unknown short-links as spam, so prefer full URLs to well-known domains.
Can I schedule an SMS 30+ years in the future?
Yes - up to 75 years. Just be aware phone numbers may change over that horizon. We recommend pairing long-horizon SMS with an email backup to the same person.
Is the message encrypted?
Yes - stored encrypted with AES-256 and per-message keys until the moment of delivery. SMS itself isn't end-to-end encrypted by the carrier (that's a phone network limitation), but the text never sits on our servers in plaintext.
