WhatsApp Business auto replies: how to set them up, and what they can't do

What auto replies does WhatsApp Business have?

The steps below follow the WhatsApp Help Center for Android; on iPhone the options are the same, with a few names slightly different. All three features are in the free app.

How to set up a greeting message in WhatsApp Business

1. From the Tools tab, tap Greeting message.
2. Turn on Send greeting message.
3. Tap the message, write your text and tap OK.
4. Under Recipients, choose who gets it: everyone, everyone not in your address book, everyone except some contacts, or only some contacts.
5. Tap Save.

It's sent when a customer messages you for the first time, and again when they message you after 14 days of silence in your chat. To be sent, your phone needs an internet connection.

How to set up an away message in WhatsApp Business

1. From the Tools tab, tap Away message and turn on Send away message.
2. Tap the message and write your text.
3. Under Schedule, choose when: Always send, a Custom schedule for a specific period, or Outside of business hours.
4. Under Recipients, choose who: everyone, everyone not in your address book, everyone except some contacts, or only some contacts.
5. Tap Save.

The "Outside of business hours" option only shows up if you've added your hours to your business profile. It's worth doing anyway, because a complete profile answers some questions on its own. And one limit to know: WhatsApp says your device must have an active internet connection to send the away message. With the phone off or out of signal, exactly when you're not around, the message isn't sent.

How to create quick replies in WhatsApp Business

1. From the Tools tab, tap Quick replies, then the +.
2. Tap Message and write it. You can also add photos and videos.
3. Tap Shortcut and choose one, for example "/address": it starts with a forward slash, has no spaces and is at most 25 characters long.
4. Tap Save. In a chat, type "/" and pick the reply.

You can save up to 50. They don't send on their own: they're ready-made texts you send with one tap. On WhatsApp Web and Desktop they work without photos and videos.

WhatsApp Business auto reply examples

A good automatic message does three things: it says who you are, it says when you'll reply, and it asks right away for the information you need, so you don't have to go back and forth. Six examples to adapt:

• Windows and doors, greeting message. "Hi, this is Luca from Infissi Verdi, thanks for your message. To get ready for the site visit, tell us how many windows you want to replace, what material you prefer, which town you're in and by when you'd like them done. We'll get back to you as soon as we're done on the job site."
• Windows and doors, away message after hours. "Hi, the Infissi Verdi showroom is closed right now and reopens tomorrow morning. In the meantime, tell us how many windows you want to replace and which town you're in, or send us a photo of your current windows: we'll start from there tomorrow."
• Kitchens, greeting message. "Hi, thanks for writing to Cucine Neri. If you have a floor plan or the measurements of the room, send them over, and tell us when you'd like to come by the store: that way we can find the right time to go through the project."
• Kitchens, away message after hours. "Hi, the Cucine Neri store is closed right now. Leave us the day and time of day you'd like to visit: tomorrow morning we'll check the calendar and confirm your appointment."
• Venue or catering, away message on weekends. "Hi, thanks for writing to Villa Bianchi. We're busy with an event this weekend and we'll reply on Monday. In the meantime, tell us the date you have in mind, how many guests you'll have and whether you also need catering."
• Venue or catering, greeting message. "Hi, thanks for writing to Villa Bianchi. To get started, tell us the date, how many guests you're planning to invite and what kind of event you're organizing: a wedding, a birthday, a company dinner."

How the AI employee goes beyond a fixed message, trade by trade, is on the pages for windows and doors, kitchens and furniture and weddings and events.

What WhatsApp Business auto replies can't do

• They send everyone the same text. You can choose who gets it, not tailor it to the request.
• They don't ask questions or read the answer. After the automatic message, the conversation waits for you.
• They don't book appointments and they don't follow up with people who stopped replying.
• They depend on your phone. Greeting and away messages only go out if the phone is connected; the account lives on one phone plus up to four linked devices.
• They don't keep track of requests. What the customer writes stays in the chat: it doesn't end up on a customer record or in a to-do list.

If you get a few messages a day, they work great. When messages come in while you're working and the requests to follow up on pile up, the problem is no longer replying: it's not losing anyone along the way.

What about WhatsApp's own AI?

Meta is introducing an AI agent inside the WhatsApp Business app (Meta Business Agent) that replies to customers conversationally and, connected to Google Calendar, can book appointments. According to the WhatsApp Help Center, it's currently "only available in limited countries to select businesses": if you don't see the AI agent option in the Tools tab, it isn't available for your business yet. Two things to know before turning it on: it disables the greeting and away messages, and it disconnects your linked devices. And WhatsApp itself warns that AI-generated messages may not be accurate.

When you need something more

Beyond the app there's the WhatsApp Business Platform, the one used by software connected to WhatsApp. It works by different rules: when a customer messages you, a 24-hour window opens in which you can reply freely; after that, you can only send message templates approved by Meta, and those are paid. Since October 1, 2026, Meta also charges for replies inside the 24 hours, beyond the first 1,000 a month per number. In return, conversations can be handled by software: the same number replies, asks questions and books appointments even while your phone is in your pocket.

That's what Vilmor's AI employee does, with your WhatsApp number connected to the Vilmor CRM: it replies right away to every message, asks the questions you would ask, books the appointment on your calendar, sends the reminder, follows up with people who went quiet, and hands the conversation to you when needed. It always introduces itself as AI, and you see every conversation.

Sources

• WhatsApp Help Center: How to use greeting messages, How to use away messages, How to use quick replies, Can't save or recover quick replies, About linked devices. Accessed October 22, 2026.
• WhatsApp Help Center, Meta Business Agent: availability and effects on the app, accessed October 22, 2026; connecting Google Calendar, accessed October 23, 2026.
• Meta for Developers: 24-hour window and platform pricing. Accessed October 15, 2026.