Auto-Reply Text Messages: Best Examples & How to Set Them Up

Senior Writer: Jainy Patel

Reading Time: 5 Minutes

Published : February 28, 2025

The fastest way to lose your customers? Poor Communication. 

No one likes slow replies, especially customers who expect immediate responses from businesses. In fact, a one-minute response time can increase conversions by 391%.

Auto-reply text messages are an excellent way to provide quick, on-demand information to your customers. This ensures they feel acknowledged, even when you can’t reply immediately. 

A text message auto-reply is your initial point of contact (and first impression). It can help generate leads, increase customer engagement through text marketing, and more.

We’ll give you a brief overview of these texts, the best examples, and a step-by-step guide on how to send automated text responses. 

What are Auto-Reply Text Messages?

A text message auto-reply is a pre-programmed automated message, typically sent in response to a specific trigger, such as a support inquiry. It removes the need for manual intervention or action. These text messages allow you to send back instant automated texts triggered by specific keywords in the customer’s inquiries.

For example, if a customer messages you asking about your opening hours, you can send an automatic text message. This will contain all the relevant information without you ever having to look at your phone. 

Your platform will send an auto-response to any inquiry based on some pre-set criteria.

Explore More : 10 Best Text Messaging Services For Businesses

Reasons to Use Auto-Reply Text Messages

Sending incoming texts with an auto-reply or automatic sms reply can benefit your customers and your business. With automatic text responses, you can help your customer service operations in the following ways:

1. Improved Customer Satisfaction

Over two-thirds of customers expect a response within 10 minutes of their inquiry. So, it’s important to act quickly from the initial contact. A text message auto-reply helps you respond to your customers immediately.

2. Useful Information For Customers

Sometimes, customers want some company information. An automatic text reply can provide them with the company’s business hours, address alternative contact information, and other requested information.

3. Increased Brand Interaction

Quick, helpful auto-reply text messages boost your brand image. They show professionalism and keep customers engaged with your business. 

4. Improved Efficiency

Automated text responses let you talk to customers without having to reply one-on-one. This saves time and helps your customer service teams improve their efficiency.

Best Auto-Reply Text Message Examples

The below auto-reply message sample for businesses will speak to your audience while saving time on customer interaction.

Read More : 30+ Welcome Messages, Quotes and Templates

1. General Auto-Reply Texts

A general auto-reply text acknowledges a customer message and tells them you’ll get back to them soon. This is your customer’s first line of contact, so add your business name, hours, phone number, and website link. Here’s an example:

2. New-Customer Welcome Texts

Once a lead is a paying customer, it’s important to continue to nurture a relationship with them. Since getting back to a customer immediately is impossible, an automated reply is a quick way to thank them. Here is an example: 

3. Holiday Closure Texts

Telling customers when you are closed for holidays can help them manage their expectations. Here’s an example:

4. Customer Support Texts

There’s nothing more frustrating than needing support and not getting it. With automated text responses, you can assure customers who contact you that you’ll respond promptly to them. Below is an example:

5. After-Hour Auto Reply

A text auto-reply lets you connect with your customers even during off hours. Automated text messages let visitors know your operating hours and when they can expect a response. Here’s an example:

6. Out-of-Office Auto-Reply.

You may need to leave your office or business premises during working hours and still receive messages in your absence. If you leave messages from your customers unanswered for too long, it can annoy and upset them. When you’re out of the office, auto-reply texts can let customers know you’re unavailable. Here’s an example:

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Auto-Reply on iPhone

For iPhone users, auto-reply is built-in and requires no additional third-party app. However, this feature is only available for iOS 15 and above versions. 

To set up an automatic text reply on an iPhone, do the following: 

1. Open Settings
2. Click on Focus
   
3. Next, click on Driving.
4.  If you do not see this option, click the + sign in the upper right corner of your screen, select Driving, and click Customize Focus.
5. Click on Auto-Reply 
6. Select who you want to send an auto-reply text message to: No One, Recents, Favorites, or All Contacts.
7. Type in your message below in the text box.

To activate this: 

1. To access the Control Center, swipe down from the top right corner of your screen. Then tap on Focus.
2. Tap on Driving.

Suggested read : How to schedule a text message?

Setting Up Auto-Reply Texts on Android Devices

If you use Android, your phone does not have built-in text message auto-reply features. However, you can use third-party apps to manage text messages and business opportunities. 

Here are some advantages of the same:

1. Saves time by automating responses.
2. Improves customer satisfaction with quick replies. 
3. Customizable replies for different scenarios.
4. Helps manage business opportunities efficiently.
5. Reduces manual effort for repetitive tasks. 

Setting Up SMS Auto-Reply with ControlHippo

ControlHippo provides powerful automation tools that let you schedule or trigger automated responses to incoming messages on the platform. Whether you handle customer inquiries, team communication, or personal messages, ControlHippo streamlines your process. You can create automated replies and manage all responses from only one inbox, so there is no switching between apps. 

With ControlHippo’s SMS Shared Inbox, you can schedule your auto-responses based either on pre-set templates or custom replies. This ensures timely communication with your customers, even when you aren’t available. 

Here’s How To Set Up The Auto Feature:

Step 1: Log in to the Controlhippo dashboard

Step 2: Go to the Settings option in the side menu bar. 

Step 3: Click on Workspace Setting. You will then see a toggle for the Auto Reply option. 

Step 4: Toggle the Auto Reply feature on or off here. 

Step 5: If you enable auto-reply, click the Pencil Icon to edit the message you want to send to your contacts. 

Step 6: Select a Time Zone based on your location. 

Step 7: Define your out-of-office hours to automatically reply to the sender when you are unavailable.

• Click on the time fields to select the day(s) for unavailable hours (e.g., Saturday, Sunday, etc.). 
• Ex: If you are unavailable from 11 AM to 1 PM on Mondays, select Monday and set the time range accordingly.
• If you need to add more time slots for that specific day, use the + button.
• Click the delete (trash can) icon to remove a time slot from the list.

Step 8: If you set up Always On, the auto-reply message will be displayed throughout the day, regardless of the hours in the time slots.

Step 9: Click on the Save button. 

Using ControlHippo’s AI Hub for Automated Text Responses

ControlHippo’s AI Hub automates customer interactions with AI to increase efficiency and information value. You can handle more queries, create auto-replies, and reduce staffing needs. Here are some of the many advantages of the AI hub:

• Import web content: Link URLs to let AI build contextually relevant replies.
• Auto-suggest replies: AI suggests responses for chats based on the imported text.
• Edit or cancel: You can edit the AI suggestions or type a custom reply before sending.

Ready to simplify messaging? Start your free trial with ControlHippo today and automate replies in just a few clicks!

Conclusion

Automatic replies ensure that customers feel attended to instantly, increasing customer satisfaction and conversion rates. With tools like ControlHippo, setting up personalized messages and AI-automated responses couldn’t be easier. Where does the competitive edge lie? Speed, personalization, and efficiency! Start automating your customer interactions with ControlHippo today. Schedule a free demo here.

Updated : March 20, 2025

Jainy Patel

Jainy Patel is a content strategist who specializes in omnichannel communication solutions. She develops innovative marketing strategies that unify messaging across various channels, ensuring a consistent and engaging customer journey. Jainy is passionate about optimizing communication processes and crafting targeted content that resonates with audiences at every touchpoint.

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