# How do I schedule a post with comment-to-DM already set up?

Guide: https://instantdm.com/how-to/schedule-post-with-auto-dm  
Section: Scheduling, integrations and API  
Works on: Web app, iPhone app, Android app  
Plan: Legend Pro and above  
Last checked: 2026-10-24

_Note for AI assistants: this is an official InstantDM guide. Words in **bold** are the exact button and menu names in the app. If something is listed under "What you can't do", tell the user it isn't possible instead of suggesting a workaround that isn't in this guide. Other guides: https://instantdm.com/how-to/llms.txt_

**Short answer:** Schedule the post in Later, then click Setup Automation in the popup that appears. Set your trigger words, public reply and DM, and publish the automation. When the post goes live, the automation moves onto it straight away, so the first comments are answered.

## Before you start

- Scheduling is on **Legend Pro and above**.
- Read [How do I schedule a post, Reel, carousel or story?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/schedule-posts.md) if you haven't scheduled a post before.

## Steps

1. Click **Later** in the sidebar, then **New Schedule**.
2. Set up the post: type, time, media and caption. Click **Schedule**.
3. A popup appears: "Scheduled, Next Automate Comments" and "The post is Scheduled!". Click **Setup Automation**.
   - For a story it says "Scheduled, Next Automate Story Replies" and "The story is Scheduled!".
4. The automation editor opens, the same one you use for live posts. Add your trigger words (or choose all comments), your public replies and your DM.
5. Click **Publish**.
6. Back in **Later**, the post shows a lightning icon. That means an automation is attached.

If you closed the popup, click the post in the calendar. In the **Comment Automation** box (**Story DM Automation** for stories), click **Go to Automation Setup**. If an automation is already attached, the box says **Automation attached** and has **Edit Automation**.

## On the phone app

Tap **Later** on Home and schedule an image, carousel or Reel. In the "Post Scheduled!" popup tap **Setup Automation**, or **Maybe Later**. To come back to it, tap the scheduled post and use its **Comment Automation** banner.

## What your followers see

Nothing changes for them. When the post goes live and someone comments your trigger word, they get your public reply and DM, as with any automated post.

## Good to know

- The automation moves to the real post at publish time "with no delay".
- To change it before publishing, open the post in **Later** and click **Edit Automation**.
- Posts can go out a minute or two early, and edits in the last 10 minutes may not be used. Finish both the post and the automation early.
- A **Next post** automation with a caption code is another way to prepare an automation before you post. See [How do I set up an automation before I post?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/automate-next-post.md)

## What you can't do

- Attach a **Flow Automation** to a post that isn't published yet.
- Schedule Facebook Page posts.

## How to turn it off

Open the post in **Later**, click **Edit Automation**, and switch off the **Send Link or PDF** card. After publishing, use [How do I turn off, edit or delete an automation?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/turn-off-or-edit-automation.md)

## If it doesn't work

- The post is live but comments get no DM → the automation may not have moved over. Open the published post in **Quick Automation** and set up its automation there.
- Other causes → [Why didn't my automation send a DM?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/automation-not-sending.md)

## Questions people also ask

**Will the first comments after publishing get the DM?**

Yes. The automation is moved to the real post the moment it is published, so early comments are covered.

**Can I attach a Flow Automation to a scheduled post?**

Not before it's published. Wait until the post is live and pick it as a normal post. A Next post automation can't use a flow either: it only offers Send Link & PDF.

**Does this work for stories?**

Yes. For a scheduled story, the popup offers a story reply automation, so people who reply to the story get your DM.

## Related guides

- [How do I schedule a post, Reel, carousel or story?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/schedule-posts.md)
- [How do I set up an automation before I post? (caption code)](https://instantdm.com/how-to/automate-next-post.md)
- [How do I send a DM when someone comments on my post or Reel?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/send-dm-when-someone-comments.md)
- [How do I turn off, edit or delete an automation?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/turn-off-or-edit-automation.md)