---
title: "WhatsApp Auto Reply Examples: 25 Messages + Setup Guide"
description: Set up WhatsApp greeting and away messages in the Business app or a team inbox, then copy 25 auto-reply examples for greetings, after-hours and more.
image: https://haber.chat/hubfs/blog-featured-images/whatsapp-auto-reply-examples.jpeg
---

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 Oct 30, 2026, 10:00:00 AM

# WhatsApp Auto-Replies: How to Set Them Up + 25 Examples

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A WhatsApp auto-reply is a message sent automatically when a customer writes to you: a greeting for first-time contacts, an away message outside business hours, or a note that replies are delayed. The WhatsApp Business app has greeting and away messages built in for free. A team inbox adds more triggers, such as busy times and missed calls. Below is how to set up both, plus 25 examples you can adapt.

## Option 1: Auto-replies in the WhatsApp Business app

The free app has two automatic messages. You'll find them under Business tools (in Settings or the Tools tab, depending on your app version).

### Greeting message

Sent automatically when a customer messages you for the first time, or after 14 days without messages between you ([WhatsApp help center](https://faq.whatsapp.com/501866148528310), checked October 1, 2026).

1. Open Business tools and tap Greeting message.
2. Turn on Send greeting message and tap the message to edit it.
3. Choose recipients: everyone, everyone not in your address book, or everyone except selected contacts.
4. Save.

### Away message

Sent when customers message you while you're unavailable ([WhatsApp help center](https://faq.whatsapp.com/2565868990219715)).

1. Open Business tools and tap Away message.
2. Turn on Send away message and edit the text.
3. Under Schedule, pick Always send, Custom schedule, or Outside of business hours. The last option needs business hours set in your business profile.
4. Under Recipients, choose everyone, everyone not in your address book, everyone except some contacts, or only selected contacts.
5. Save.

### Quick replies

Not automatic, but closely related: you can save up to 50 [quick replies](https://faq.whatsapp.com/1791149784551042) with shortcuts, then type "/" in a chat to insert one and edit it before sending.

## Option 2: Auto-replies in a team inbox

The app's two messages work for one person. When a team shares a number, you usually want more situations covered. In HaberChat, [auto-replies](https://app.haber.chat/help/autoreplies) cover five:

- **First contact:** someone messages your number for the first time.
- **Outside business hours:** set once for the whole team.
- **Busy periods:** tells customers replies will take longer than usual (Business plan and up).
- **Follow-up after inactivity:** a customer returns after a long gap (Business plan and up).
- **Missed call:** replies to an unanswered voice or video call with other ways to reach you (Business plan and up, numbers connected by QR code).

If you connect the WhatsApp Business app to a team inbox, turn off the app's own greeting and away messages so customers don't get two automatic replies.

## A note on cost if you use the API

Auto-replies in the WhatsApp Business app, or on a number connected by QR code, carry no Meta fees. On the official WhatsApp Business API, there's no built-in auto-reply; your provider sends it for you, and since October 1, 2026, [Meta charges for every free-form reply](https://developers.facebook.com/documentation/business-messaging/whatsapp/pricing/non-template-messages), automated or not, at the market's utility rate. Replies within 72 hours of a Click-to-WhatsApp ad stay free of delivery charges. Keep API auto-replies to the ones that genuinely help. More on the trade-offs in [WhatsApp Business app vs API](https://haber.chat/blog/whatsapp-business-app-vs-api).

## What makes a good auto-reply

- **Say it's automatic** and when a person will reply.
- **Keep it short.** Two or three lines read well on a phone.
- **Give one useful next step**, such as a link, an order number to send, or a question to answer.
- **Don't promise what you can't keep.** "Within 2 hours" beats "right away" if 2 hours is realistic.
- **Don't use auto-replies for promotions.** They go to everyone who writes to you, including people with complaints.

## 25 WhatsApp auto-reply examples

Replace the brackets with your details.

### Greeting messages

1. Hi, thanks for messaging \[Business\]. This is an automatic reply. A member of our team will answer within \[time\]. To help us, tell us what you need in a sentence or two.
2. Welcome to \[Business\]. Are you looking for a quote, help with an order, or something else? Reply with a few words and we'll route you to the right person.
3. Thanks for reaching out. Our opening hours are \[hours\]. Prices and FAQs are at \[link\], and a person will reply here shortly.
4. Hi, you've reached \[Name\] at \[Business\]. I'm with a client right now and will reply as soon as I'm free.
5. Thanks for contacting \[Business\] support. If this is about an order, please send your order number so we can help faster.

### Away and out-of-hours messages

1. Thanks for your message. We're closed right now and open again at \[time\]. We'll reply first thing then.
2. Hi, our team is offline for the weekend. We'll answer on \[day\] morning. For urgent matters, call \[number\].
3. We're closed for \[holiday\] until \[date\]. Your message is saved, and we'll reply in order when we're back.
4. Thanks for writing. Our support hours are \[hours\], \[time zone\]. Leave your question here and we'll pick it up then.
5. We're away on a team day today. Replies may be slower than usual, and we'll catch up by \[time\] tomorrow.

### Busy-period messages

1. Thanks for your patience. We're getting more messages than usual, so replies may take up to \[time\]. You're in the queue.
2. It's a busy day here. While you wait, the answers to common questions are at \[link\].
3. We've received your message. Because of high demand during \[sale or event\], responses are taking a little longer. We'll be with you soon.

### Follow-up messages for returning customers

1. Welcome back to \[Business\]. Is this about a previous order, or something new?
2. Good to hear from you again. If you're writing about your last booking, send the date and we'll pull up the details.
3. Hi again. We've updated our services since we last spoke; see what's new at \[link\]. A person will reply shortly.
4. Thanks for getting back in touch. Let us know how we can help, and someone from the team will reply soon.

### Missed-call messages

1. Sorry we missed your call. Can you tell us here what it's about? We'll reply in writing or call you back.
2. We can't take calls on WhatsApp right now. Please send a message, or call our office on \[number\] during \[hours\].
3. Missed you just now. Reply with a good time to call back and we'll ring you then.

### By industry

1. **Real estate:** Thanks for your interest. Which property are you asking about? Send the link or address and an agent will reply with details and viewing times.
2. **Clinic:** Thanks for contacting \[Clinic\]. To book or change an appointment, send your name and preferred day. For medical emergencies, call \[emergency number\].
3. **E-commerce:** Hi, thanks for shopping with \[Store\]. Track your order at \[link\], or send your order number and we'll check it for you.
4. **Restaurant:** Thanks for messaging \[Restaurant\]. For reservations, send the date, time and number of guests. Our menu is at \[link\].
5. **Agency or freelancer:** Thanks for reaching out about a project. Share a few lines about what you need and your timeline, and we'll reply within one business day.

Our help center has more ideas grouped by situation: [auto-reply examples](https://app.haber.chat/help/autoreplies-examples).

## Auto-replies are a start, not the whole answer

An auto-reply buys you time; it doesn't answer the customer. What matters next is that someone picks the chat up. In a shared inbox, assign each conversation to one person so nothing waits too long. See [how to share one WhatsApp Business number with your team](https://haber.chat/blog/share-whatsapp-business-number-with-team). And keep automatic messages to people who wrote to you first; unsolicited automated messages are a common reason numbers get [limited from starting new chats](https://haber.chat/blog/whatsapp-limited-new-chats).

## Frequently asked questions

### How do I set up an auto-reply on WhatsApp?

In the WhatsApp Business app, open Business tools and turn on Greeting message or Away message, edit the text, and choose a schedule and recipients. The regular WhatsApp app doesn't have auto-replies.

### When is a WhatsApp greeting message sent?

When a customer messages you for the first time, or after 14 days without messages between you. It isn't sent on every message.

### Can I send an auto-reply only outside business hours?

Yes. Set your business hours in your business profile, then choose Outside of business hours in the away message schedule. A team inbox can also do this for every teammate at once.

### Do WhatsApp auto-replies cost money?

Not in the WhatsApp Business app or on a QR connection. On the official API, Meta has charged for every free-form reply since October 1, 2026, including automated ones.

## Try HaberChat free for 7 days

No credit card needed. Connect your number with a QR code, invite your team and see if it fits. [**Start your free trial**](https://haber.chat/signup-gateway) or [compare plans](https://haber.chat/pricing).

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