Originally written by Raja, updated by Dibyajyoti Kabi. First published August 15, 2017. Updated October 24, 2026.
To send automatic replies on WhatsApp, use the WhatsApp Business app. Open Tools > Away message, turn on Send away message, write your reply and pick a schedule. Regular WhatsApp has no built-in auto reply, so there you need a third-party app like AutoResponder for WA that replies through your notifications.
When this post first went up, the only way to do this was an early test app from a developer. WhatsApp has since added away messages to its free Business app, so I’ve rewritten the guide to cover that first and kept the app method for people who want to stay on regular WhatsApp.
Key points
- Regular WhatsApp doesn’t have an auto reply feature.
- The free WhatsApp Business app has away messages built in.
- You can send the away message always, on a custom schedule or outside business hours.
- You choose who gets it: everyone, people not in your contacts, or everyone except some contacts.
- Third-party auto reply apps work by reading your notifications, so only use ones you trust.
Does WhatsApp have an auto reply feature?
Not in the regular app. Automatic replies are a WhatsApp Business feature called away messages. WhatsApp Business is a separate free app from Meta, made for small businesses, but anyone can use it with their own number. You can get WhatsApp Business from the Play Store.
If you move your number to WhatsApp Business, your chats can come with you. Back up your chats in regular WhatsApp first, under Settings > Chats > Chat backup, just to be safe.
How do I set up an away message in WhatsApp Business?
WhatsApp lists these steps on its help page for away messages.
- Open WhatsApp Business.
- Tap the Tools tab, then tap Away message.
- Turn on Send away message.
- Tap the message to edit it, then tap OK.
- Tap Schedule and pick when it should go out.
- Tap Recipients and pick who should get it.
- Tap Save.
Your phone needs an internet connection for the away message to send. If the phone is off or offline, people won’t get the reply until it reconnects.
Which schedule should I pick?
Pick Always send if you’re away for a while, like on vacation. Pick Outside of business hours if you only want replies at night or on weekends. That option shows up after you add business hours to your business profile.
| Schedule | When the reply goes out |
|---|---|
| Always send | Every time someone messages you while it’s on |
| Custom schedule | Only between the dates and times you set |
| Outside of business hours | Whenever you’re outside the hours on your profile |
How do I auto reply on regular WhatsApp?
Use an auto reply app like AutoResponder for WA from the Play Store. These apps read your WhatsApp notifications and reply through the notification’s reply button, so they only work while notifications for WhatsApp are on.
- Install the auto reply app and open it.
- Give it notification access when it asks.
- Create a new rule.
- Type the message it should react to, or set it to reply to every message.
- Type the reply you want to send.
- Pick if it should reply to contacts, groups or both, then save.
Keep in mind that a notification reader can see the text of your messages. Stick to well-known apps, and turn off notification access in Settings > Apps > Special app access > Notification access when you stop using it.
Why isn’t my WhatsApp auto reply working?
Most of the time it’s a notification or battery issue. Android may stop the app in the background to save power, or WhatsApp notifications may be off. My WhatsApp notification fix guide walks through the settings to check.
Frequently asked questions
Can I send auto replies in WhatsApp groups?
Away messages in WhatsApp Business are for one-to-one chats. Some third-party auto reply apps can reply in groups, but think twice before turning that on, because it can get spammy fast.
Does the other person know it’s an automatic reply?
WhatsApp doesn’t label it, so it looks like a normal message. If that matters, say it in the text, like “This is an automatic reply, I’ll get back to you soon.”
Can I use WhatsApp Business and regular WhatsApp on one phone?
Yes, with two different phone numbers. Many dual SIM phones run both apps side by side.
Related guides
- How to fix WhatsApp notification issues
- How to add links and colors to your WhatsApp status
- WhatsApp adds UPI payments
That’s it. A short away message saves you from typing the same reply over and over.
If the auto reply doesn’t fire on your phone, leave a comment with your phone model, Android version and which app you’re using, and I’ll help you figure it out.
I used their previous version (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tkstudio.wachatbotlite&hl=en)
It was riddled with full-screen ads. Let’s hope the new one isn’t as obtrusive.
Great find. I personally use Tasker but I guess the learning curve is a difficult one for most people. Would love it if you guys include a tasker setup sometime later!