How to Schedule Posts on Facebook (Free + Advanced Tools)

If you’re looking for how to schedule posts on Facebook, you’ve come to the right place!

In short, you can easily schedule your posts on Facebook on both desktop and mobile just with your Meta Business Suite. Or you can also have advanced options by using third-party tools like Buffer, Hootsuite, Later, etc.

By scheduling Facebook posts, you can save tons of time, keep your content consistent, and make sure your posts go live exactly when your audience is most active, even when you’re offline or busy with other tasks. It’s a total game changer for anyone managing a business page or running marketing campaigns.

Now, in this blog, we’ll guide you step-by-step:

• What you should know before scheduling posts on Facebook
• How to schedule Facebook posts with Meta Business Suite on desktop and mobile
• How to edit scheduled Facebook posts
• How to delete a scheduled Facebook post
• How to schedule Facebook reels & stories
• How to schedule a post on Facebook using third-party tools
• Best practices for Facebook scheduling
• Why you can’t schedule Facebook posts? How to fix it?

Let’s get started!

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What You Should Know Before Scheduling Posts on Facebook

Before you jump into how to schedule posts on Facebook, here are a few key things you should know to make the process smooth and effective:

• You’ll need a Facebook Page: You can’t schedule posts from a personal profile, only Pages are supported.
• You must have the right page role: Make sure you’re an Admin, Editor, or have publishing permissions to schedule content.
• Scheduled posts won’t post automatically if unpublished: Your Page must be published for scheduled posts to go live.
• There’s a limit to how far ahead you can schedule: Generally, you can schedule posts up to 6 months in advance using Meta Business Suite.

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How to Schedule Posts on Facebook with Meta Business Suite

Meta Business Suite is Facebook’s free tool that helps you manage all your business activity in one place. It’s the easiest and most reliable way to schedule Facebook posts ahead of time, whether you’re on a desktop or using your phone. 

Now, let’s jump right into the process of how to schedule posts on Facebook using Meta Business Suite.

Schedule a post on Facebook on desktop

Step 1. Log in to your Facebook Business Page

Make sure you’re signed in with an account that has editor or admin access.

Step 2. Open Meta Business Suite

From the left-hand sidebar of your Facebook Page, click on Meta Business Suite to access the dashboard.

Step 3. Go to the Planner tab

In the main dashboard, click on Planner to view your content calendar.

Step 4. Pick a date to schedule

Hover over the date you want to post. Click the Schedule dropdown and select Schedule post.

Or, you can click Create post at the top, this will take you directly to the post editor (you can skip to Step 5 if you go this route).

Step 5. Choose your post time

In the pop-up window, pick the date and time you want your post to go live. If Facebook has enough data, it’ll even suggest Active times when your audience is most engaged. Click Save once done.

Step 6. Create your post content

Write your caption, add images or videos, and choose which Page or account you want to post to. You’ll see a live preview of your post on the right side.

Step 7. Confirm scheduling details

Scroll down to the Scheduling options to double-check or update your post’s timing.

Set your privacy settings.

Once done, click Schedule to finish.

Schedule a post on Facebook on mobile 

If you’re looking for how to schedule posts on Facebook while you’re on the move, you can do it right from the Facebook mobile app, no extra tools needed! Just follow these easy steps:

Step 1: Log in to your Facebook Page

Open the Facebook app, log in to your account, and go to your profile. Tap the dropdown menu and select the Facebook Page you want to post to.

Step 2: Create your post

From your Page, tap to create a post. Add your caption, photo, video, or any other content you’d like. Once ready, tap Next.

Step 3: Choose scheduling options

Go to Scheduling options.

Then select Schedule for later to set up your post for a future time.

Step 4. Pick the date and time

Use the calendar to choose the exact day and time you want your post to go live. Tap Save.

Step 5. Confirm and schedule

Once everything looks good, tap Post. Facebook will schedule it to publish at the time you selected.

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How to Edit Scheduled Facebook Posts 

If you need to make a quick change to a post you’ve already scheduled, you can edit it using Meta Business Suite.

To edit a scheduled Facebook post: 

Step 1: Go to the Planner and find the post you want to edit

From your Meta Business Suite dashboard, click on Planner to view your upcoming content.

Then, find and click on the post you want to edit. 

Step 2: Click on the three dots icon > Edit post 

Step 3: Make your changes

You can update the text, replace media, adjust the scheduled date and time, or even switch up the post’s destination (if supported).

Step 4: Save or reschedule

Once you’re done editing, just click Save to keep the post scheduled, or Reschedule if you’ve changed the publishing time.

How to Delete a Scheduled Facebook Post

To delete a scheduled Facebook post: 

Step 1: Open the Planner and locate the post you’d like to remove.

Step 2: Click on the post to view it in full.

Step 3: Click the three dots (…) and select Delete post from the menu.

Step 4: Confirm your choice by clicking Delete again.

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How to Schedule Facebook Reels & Stories

Scheduling Facebook Reels and Stories works a little differently from learning how to schedule posts on Facebook regularly. But it’s still simple once you know where to go. You’ll need to head over to Meta Business Suite and use the Planner feature. Here’s a step-by-step guide: 

Schedule Facebook reels 

To schedule Facebook reels: 

Step 1: Go to Meta Business Suite > Planner > Click Create Reel

Step 2: Add your video for the Reel, enter a caption, and choose a thumbnail image.

Also, add audio, crop the video, add text or enhance.

Step 3: Select Schedule option

Choose the specific day and time you want your Reel to go live.

Once done, click Schedule. 

Schedule Facebook stories

To schedule Facebook stories: 

Step 1: Go to Meta Business Suite > Planner > Click Schedule story

Step 2: Choose the date and time you want to publish your story 

Step 3: Create your story

Once done, click Schedule. 

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How to Schedule a Post on Facebook Using Third-Party Tools

While Meta Business Suite works well for basic scheduling, advanced third-party tools can offer even more flexibility and features, especially if you’re managing multiple platforms or teams.

These tools come with advanced options such as:

• Managing multiple social media accounts from one dashboard
• Access to analytics and performance tracking
• Bulk scheduling and content planning
• Team collaboration and approval workflows

If you want a more streamlined workflow or need more insights into how your content performs, third-party platforms can be a game changer.

Here’s a quick comparison of Buffer, Hootsuite, and Later – three top scheduling tools, to help you choose the one that best suits your needs.

Now, let’s walk through how to schedule Facebook posts with each of these tools:

Buffer

Buffer is known for its clean interface and simplicity, perfect for creators, freelancers, or small business owners who want an easy way to stay consistent on social.

How to schedule a post on Facebook with Buffer:

• Sign up or log in to your Buffer account at buffer.com.
• Connect your Facebook Page by going to “Channels” and selecting Facebook.
• Click “Create post” and choose the Facebook Page you want to post to.
• Write your post, add an image or video, and include any links.
• Click “Schedule post” and pick the date and time you want it to go live.
• Hit “Schedule.”

For a more detailed guide on scheduling posts on Facebook and other social media platforms, you can watch this video from Buffer:

Hootsuite

If you’re managing a high-volume content calendar, Hootsuite’s bulk scheduling tool is a lifesaver. It lets you schedule up to 350 posts at once, saving you tons of time and effort.

Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare your content in a CSV file

First, create a CSV file with your post details. Each row should include:

• The date and time you want the post to go live (in 24-hour format).
• The caption or text for your Facebook post.
• An optional URL (if you want to include a link in your post).

Step 2: Upload your CSV to Bulk Composer

Go to Hootsuite’s dashboard and open the Bulk Composer tool. Upload your CSV file and select the Facebook Page you want to schedule posts for.

Step 3: Review and edit your posts

Hootsuite will generate a preview of all your posts. You can:

• Edit text or posting times
• Add media like images or videos
• Remove or reschedule posts if needed

Step 4: Click “Schedule”

Once everything looks good, click Schedule to lock in all your posts at once. Done!

This bulk scheduling method is perfect for social media managers who like to plan a week (or month!) of Facebook content in one sitting.

Later

Later makes it easy to schedule your content in bulk using a drag-and-drop calendar and a visual workflow that’s great for teams or visual planners.

Here’s how to schedule a Facebook post with Later: 

Step 1: Log in to Later.com, then head to the Calendar view.

Step 2: Select your Facebook Page

Use the dropdown at the top of the calendar to choose the Facebook Page you want to schedule posts for.

Step 3: Start scheduling in bulk

• Option 1: Drag and drop multiple media items (photos or videos) onto the calendar.
• Option 2: For text-only posts, drag the “Create text post” box to the desired date and time slot.

Step 4: Add post details for each scheduled slot

• Write your caption.
• Set the publish date and time for each post.

Once done, click “Schedule post.”

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Best Practices for Scheduling Facebook Posts

You’ve gone through how to schedule posts on Facebook, here are some best practices to help you boost engagement, stay organized, and make the most of your content strategy:

• Know when your audience is most active: Timing matters more than you might think. Scheduling your posts when your audience is most likely to be online increases the chances they’ll actually see and engage with your content. Use tools like Facebook Insights or Meta Business Suite to discover your audience’s peak activity times.
• Plan content ahead with a calendar: One of the biggest benefits of scheduling posts is staying organized, and that starts with a content calendar. A good calendar helps you map out content themes, product launches, holidays, and campaigns in advance. This not only saves you time but ensures a consistent brand voice and message. Whether you’re posting three times a week or daily, having a clear plan reduces stress and keeps your content flowing smoothly.
• Always preview before scheduling: Before you schedule any post, take a few extra seconds to review it. Make sure your caption is clear, your media is properly formatted, and your links actually work. If your post includes tags, hashtags, or mentions, verify that they’re correct. Small mistakes like typos or broken links can hurt your credibility and engagement, especially when posts go live while you’re not online to fix them.

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Why You Can’t Schedule Facebook Posts? How to Fix It?

If the “Schedule” option isn’t showing up on your Facebook page, don’t worry. There are several common reasons why scheduling might not be available, and most of them are easy to fix.

1. You’re using the regular Facebook app

The native Facebook app doesn’t support scheduling posts directly. To schedule posts, you need to use:

• Meta Business Suite (on desktop or mobile)
• Or a third-party tool like Buffer, Hootsuite, or Later

2. You don’t have the right page role

If you’re not an admin or editor of the Page, you may not have permission to schedule posts.

So, ask the Page owner to update your role to Admin or Editor in the Page settings.

3. You’re trying to post to a personal profile

Facebook only allows scheduling for Pages, not personal profiles or groups (unless you’re using third-party tools for groups).

Hence, make sure you’re working from a Facebook Page, not a personal profile or community group.

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How to Schedule Posts on Facebook – FAQs

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Conclusion 

Learning how to schedule posts on Facebook is one of the easiest ways to stay consistent, save time, and keep your audience engaged, without needing to be online 24/7.

At LitCommerce, we understand how important time-saving tools are for online sellers. That’s why we offer a powerful product feed management tool that supports you in automating and updating your product data across multiple advertising platforms, including Facebook. 

And if you want more social media tips and eCommerce insights, check out the LitCommerce blog, where we regularly share step-by-step guides and strategies to help your online business grow.