Ever write an email at 2 A.M. but don’t necessarily want the person receiving it to know you’re awake making questionable life choices? 😂
Good news.
Gmail has a feature for that.
Schedule Send lets you write an email whenever it’s convenient for you and tell Gmail when you actually want it delivered.
Because just because you’re working at 2 A.M. doesn’t mean everybody else needs to know about it. 😏
📺 Watch the video below to see how to use Gmail’s Schedule Send feature.
What Is Schedule Send?
Normally, when you finish writing an email and click Send, off it goes.
Schedule Send adds one little step.
Instead of sending the message immediately, you choose a future date and time for Gmail to send it.
You can write the email now, schedule it, and move on with your day—or night.
Gmail takes care of sending it later.
How to Schedule an Email in Gmail
Start by composing your email just like you normally would.
When you’re ready to send it, look for the option next to the Send button that allows you to choose Schedule send.
Gmail will offer some suggested times, or you can choose your own date and time.
Select when you want the message delivered, and you’re done.
No setting an alarm.
No leaving the email sitting in Drafts and hoping you remember it tomorrow.
No waking up the next morning thinking:
“Wasn’t there something I was supposed to send?”
Gmail remembers for you.
It’s Not Just for 2 A.M. Emails
As entertaining as my questionable 2 A.M. life choices may be, 😂 there are plenty of practical reasons to schedule an email.
You might use Schedule Send when:
- You’re working ahead and want an email delivered later.
- You’re emailing someone in a different time zone.
- You want a message to arrive at the beginning of the workday.
- You’re preparing information in advance of an event or deadline.
- You know exactly when you want someone to receive a reminder.
The important part is that when you write something and when someone receives it don’t have to be the same time.
What If You Change Your Mind?
Scheduled doesn’t mean you’re trapped.
Gmail keeps scheduled messages in a Scheduled area where you can see emails waiting to be sent.
If you realize you made a mistake, need to add something, or simply don’t want to send the message anymore, you can cancel the scheduled send before the delivery time.
Just remember that canceling a scheduled email returns it to a draft rather than sending it.
Make your changes and schedule it again when you’re ready.
Work When It Works for You
This is what I really like about Schedule Send.
Not everyone works on the same schedule.
Maybe you’re an early bird.
Maybe you’re a night owl.
Maybe inspiration strikes while everyone else is sleeping.
Or maybe you’re simply trying to get ahead while you have a few quiet minutes.
Technology should give us the flexibility to work when it makes sense for our lives without necessarily expecting everyone else to operate on that same schedule.
So go ahead.
Write the email when you’re ready.
Let Gmail worry about when to send it.
Write it now. Send it later.
And if you happen to write it at 2 A.M.?
Your secret is safe with me. 😂💙