WhatsApp Auto Reply: How to Set It Up (with Ready Messages)

Can normal WhatsApp send auto replies?

No. The regular WhatsApp app has no auto reply, away message or out-of-office setting. If you want automatic replies, switch to the WhatsApp Business app. It is free, made by WhatsApp, and you can move your existing number to it from the Play Store or App Store; your chats can be carried over during setup (back them up first to be safe).

Third-party "auto reply for WhatsApp" apps on Android work by reading your notifications and replying through them. They need notification access, which lets them read every message you receive, and they are not supported by WhatsApp. Using them for personal replies is your call; for a business, the WhatsApp Business app is the safer route.

Set up an away message in WhatsApp Business

1. 1

   Open Business tools

   Open WhatsApp Business. On Android tap the three dots, then Business tools. On iPhone tap Settings, then Business tools.

2. 2

   Turn on Away message

   Tap Away message and switch on Send away message.

3. 3

   Write the message

   Tap the message to edit it. Say you are away, when you will reply, and what to do if it is urgent. Use one of the templates below.

4. 4

   Choose the schedule

   Always send (every time while it is on), Custom schedule (a start and end date and time, perfect for a holiday) or Outside of business hours (uses the hours in your business profile, so set those first).

5. 5

   Choose recipients and save

   Everyone, Everyone not in address book, Everyone except (selected contacts), or Only send to (selected contacts). Tap Save.

Set up a greeting message

A greeting message is sent automatically when a customer messages you for the first time, or after about 14 days with no messages between you. It is the place to welcome people and tell them how to get what they want fast.

1. 6

   Open Greeting message

   Go to Business tools, Greeting message and switch on Send greeting message.

2. 7

   Write the welcome

   Keep it short: thank them, say what you can help with, and your hours or a link to your catalogue.

3. 8

   Pick recipients and save

   Choose who gets it (Everyone, not in address book, everyone except, or only send to) and tap Save.

Quick replies: saved answers you send with "/"

Quick replies are not automatic, but they save the most time. You save answers to common questions (price list, address, timings, payment details) with a short keyword, then in any chat type / and pick the reply, or type /keyword. You can save up to 50 quick replies, and they can include a photo or video.

To add one: Business tools, Quick replies, then the plus (+) button. Type the message, set a shortcut such as /address or /upi, and save.

Things to know about WhatsApp Business auto replies

• Your phone needs an internet connection for away and greeting messages to go out. If the phone is off or offline, they are not sent.

• You get one away message and one greeting message at a time, not different ones per customer or per question.

• There is no keyword-based reply ("type 1 for price") in the free app. That needs the WhatsApp Business Platform (API) through a provider, with a chatbot.

• Set business hours in your business profile first if you use Outside of business hours.

• Remember to switch off a holiday away message when you are back, or use Custom schedule so it ends by itself.

After-hours auto reply messages

For Outside of business hours. Tell people when you open and set the expectation for a reply.

1. 1.

   Short

   Thank you for your message! We are closed right now. We will reply when we open at 10 am.

   CopySend to your list
2. 2.

   With hours

   Hi! Thanks for reaching out. Our hours are Mon–Sat, 10 am to 8 pm. We will get back to you first thing tomorrow morning.

   CopySend to your list
3. 3.

   Friendly

   Namaste 🙏 We have closed for the day, but your message is safe with us. We will reply by 11 am tomorrow.

   CopySend to your list
4. 4.

   Urgent option

   We are closed now and will reply in the morning. If it is urgent, please call us on 98XXXXXXXX between 9 am and 9 pm.

   CopySend to your list
5. 5.

   Order

   Thanks for your message! Orders received after 8 pm are processed the next morning. Share your order details and we will confirm by 11 am.

   CopySend to your list
6. 6.

   Hinglish

   Namaste! Abhi shop band hai. Kal subah 10 baje se hum aapko reply karenge. Dhanyavaad 🙏

   CopySend to your list

Busy / away during working hours

For Always send when you are with customers, travelling or in a meeting.

1. 1.

   Short

   Thanks for your message! We are a little busy right now and will reply within an hour.

   CopySend to your list
2. 2.

   Shop

   Hi! We are serving customers at the counter right now. We will reply in a few minutes. Thank you for your patience 😊

   CopySend to your list
3. 3.

   Travelling

   Hello! I am travelling today with limited network. I will reply by evening. For urgent work, call 98XXXXXXXX.

   CopySend to your list
4. 4.

   Meeting

   I am in a meeting right now and will get back to you shortly. Thank you!

   CopySend to your list
5. 5.

   Self-help

   Thanks for writing! While you wait, you can see our full catalogue and prices here: (link). We will reply soon.

   CopySend to your list

Holiday and festival closed messages

Use Custom schedule with start and end dates so it turns off by itself.

1. 1.

   Holiday

   Thank you for your message! Our shop is closed for a holiday until Monday. We will reply as soon as we are back.

   CopySend to your list
2. 2.

   Diwali

   Happy Diwali! 🪔 We are closed from 8 to 10 November for the festival and will reply from 11 November. Wishing you and your family joy and prosperity.

   CopySend to your list
3. 3.

   Sunday

   We are closed on Sundays. Your message is noted and we will reply on Monday morning. Have a lovely weekend!

   CopySend to your list
4. 4.

   Vacation

   Hi! I am on leave until the 20th with limited access to messages. I will reply when I am back. For urgent help, please contact 98XXXXXXXX.

   CopySend to your list
5. 5.

   Hindi

   नमस्ते 🙏 त्योहार की वजह से हमारी दुकान 3 दिन बंद रहेगी। हम सोमवार से आपके मैसेज का जवाब देंगे। धन्यवाद!

   CopySend to your list

Greeting messages for shops and businesses

The first thing a new customer sees. Thank them and point them to what they probably want.

1. 1.

   Shop

   Welcome to Sharma Garments! 🙏 How can we help you today? Reply with what you are looking for, and we will share photos and prices.

   CopySend to your list
2. 2.

   Catalogue

   Hi, thanks for messaging us! Browse our catalogue here: (link). Send us the item name to order or ask a question.

   CopySend to your list
3. 3.

   Restaurant

   Hello and welcome! 🍽️ Send us your order with your address and we will confirm the total and delivery time. Menu: (link)

   CopySend to your list
4. 4.

   Service

   Thanks for contacting us! Please share your name, area and the service you need, and we will reply with a quote.

   CopySend to your list
5. 5.

   Hindi

   नमस्ते! हमसे संपर्क करने के लिए धन्यवाद। बताइए, हम आपकी क्या मदद कर सकते हैं?

   CopySend to your list
6. 6.

   Gujarati

   નમસ્તે! અમારો સંપર્ક કરવા બદલ આભાર. કહો, અમે આપની શું મદદ કરી શકીએ?

   CopySend to your list

Auto reply messages for clinics and doctors

Always point patients to a phone number or the hospital for emergencies. Never let an auto reply be the only response to a medical question.

1. 1.

   Greeting

   Welcome to Dr. Mehta's Clinic. To book an appointment, please send the patient's name, age and preferred date. Clinic hours: 10 am–1 pm and 5–8 pm.

   CopySend to your list
2. 2.

   After hours

   The clinic is closed right now. We will reply to appointment requests in the morning. For emergencies, please call 108 or go to the nearest hospital.

   CopySend to your list
3. 3.

   Busy

   Thank you for your message. The doctor is seeing patients right now. Our staff will reply within 30 minutes.

   CopySend to your list
4. 4.

   Doctor away

   Dr. Mehta is unavailable until 15 November. The clinic is open with Dr. Rao during regular hours. For emergencies, call 108.

   CopySend to your list
5. 5.

   Reports

   Thanks for writing. Lab reports are shared on WhatsApp within 24 hours of the test. Please send the patient's name and test date to check status.

   CopySend to your list

Quick reply texts worth saving

Save these with a shortcut and send them in two taps. Edit the details for your business.

1. 1.

   /address

   Our address: Shop 12, Main Market, near City Bank. Google Maps: (link). Open Mon–Sat, 10 am to 8 pm.

   CopySend to your list
2. 2.

   /payment

   You can pay by UPI to yourname@upi or scan the QR code attached. Please share a screenshot after payment. Thank you!

   CopySend to your list
3. 3.

   /thanks

   Thank you for your order! 🙏 We will share the delivery details shortly.

   CopySend to your list
4. 4.

   /delivery

   Delivery within city: 1–2 days. Outside city: 3–5 days. Free delivery on orders above Rs 999.

   CopySend to your list
5. 5.

   /followup

   Hi! Just checking in on the item you asked about. Would you like us to keep it aside for you?

   CopySend to your list
6. 6.

   /review

   We hope you liked your purchase! If you have a minute, a Google review would mean a lot to us: (link)

   CopySend to your list
7. 7.

   /returns

   Exchange is available within 7 days with the bill and tags intact. Please visit the shop or reply here with your order details.

   CopySend to your list

Want to message your whole list instead?

Auto replies answer people who write to you. When you want to reach your customers first, for example to announce holiday timings, a new branch or a festival offer, you need to send messages out. Rapid Sender has no auto-reply or chatbot; it is a free browser tool for WhatsApp that sends one message privately to each person on your list from your own WhatsApp.

1. 9

   Upload your contacts

   Upload an Excel or CSV (up to 5,000 rows) or paste numbers. They do not need to be saved in your phone.

2. 10

   Link WhatsApp

   On your phone open WhatsApp (or WhatsApp Business), Linked devices, Link a device, and scan the QR code or use the pairing code.

3. 11

   Write with {{name}}

   For example: "Hi {{name}}, our shop will be closed for Diwali from 8 to 10 November and open again on the 11th." Attach a photo or PDF if needed.

4. 12

   Test, then send

   Send a test to yourself, then send to all. A random pause between messages lowers the risk of being flagged, and the live report shows who received it. Message only customers who know you.

Frequently asked questions