How to set up the away message in WhatsApp Business
In the WhatsApp Business app, open Tools, go into “Away message”, turn on “Send away message”, write the text, choose when it is sent and to whom, and save.
- Open the WhatsApp Business app and go to the Tools tab (depending on the version and the phone, it also appears as “Business tools” in the options menu or in Settings).
- Tap Away message and turn on Send away message.
- Write or edit the message (there are examples further down).
- In the schedule, choose when it is sent: always, on a custom schedule (a specific period, such as your holidays) or outside of business hours (for this one you must first have set your hours in your business profile).
- Under recipients, choose who gets it: everyone, everyone not in your address book, everyone except some, or only certain contacts.
- Tap Save.
Steps from WhatsApp’s official help, “How to use away messages”, checked on 15 October 2026. The option names may vary slightly depending on the app version and language.
What a good away message should say
A good away message says who you are, that you can’t reply right now, when you will and what the customer can do in the meantime.
- Greeting and business name, so it’s clear who it’s from.
- Why you aren’t replying: out of hours, on holiday, serving another customer.
- When you will reply, with a specific time or day. “Shortly” says nothing.
- What they can do in the meantime: call if it’s urgent, book through your link, leave their details.
- A friendly sign-off.
Keep it to three or four lines and don’t include sensitive data: an automatic message is read by anyone who writes to you.
Away message examples to copy
These examples cover out of hours, weekends, holidays and businesses that can’t reply while they work; change what is in square brackets.
Hello, thanks for writing to [business]. We’re currently closed (we’re open [days] from [time] to [time]). We’ll reply first thing on [day]. Thank you for your patience!
Hello! Thanks for writing to [business]. We don’t answer messages at weekends, but we’ll reply on Monday from [time]. If you’d like to book an appointment, you can do it here: [link].
Hello, thanks for writing to [business]. We’re on holiday from [date] to [date] and won’t be able to reply until [date]. If it’s urgent, you can call [phone]. We’ll be back soon!
Hello, this is [name] from [business]. I’m with a customer right now and can’t reply. I’ll get back to you before [time]. If you’d like to book, tell me the service and the day that suits you best and I’ll check as soon as I can.
Hello, thanks for writing to [clinic]. We’re currently closed; we’ll reply on [day] from [time]. This channel is not for emergencies: if it is one, call 112. To book an appointment, call [phone].
Hello, thanks for writing to [clinic]. We’re seeing patients right now and can’t reply. If your animal is unwell, call us on [phone]. To book an appointment, tell us its name and what it needs and we’ll reply before [time].
Hello! Thanks for writing to [business]. We’re with customers right now and can’t reply. If you’d like an appointment, tell us the service, with whom and which day suits you best, and we’ll confirm it before [time].
Greeting message: how it differs from the away message
The greeting message says hello when someone writes to you for the first time or after 14 days without contact, and the away message lets them know you can’t reply; you can have both turned on.
It is set up in the same tab, under Tools → Greeting message: you turn it on, write the text and choose who it is sent to.
From WhatsApp’s official help, “How to use greeting messages”, checked on 15 October 2026.
| Message | When it is sent | What it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Greeting | The first time someone writes to you, or after 14 days without contact | Introducing yourself and saying what you can do for that person |
| Away | When people write out of hours or during the period you choose | Letting them know you can’t reply and when you will |
| Quick replies | When you choose them | Answering the usual questions faster |
Hello! Thanks for writing to [business]. So we can help you sooner, tell us what you need: an appointment, a price or a question? We’re open [hours].
Hello, welcome to [business]. If you’d like to book, tell us the service, the day and the time of day that suits you best and we’ll suggest a time. You can also book here: [link].
Hello, thanks for contacting [clinic]. Tell us whether you’d like to book an appointment, ask a question or change an appointment. Please don’t send us medical information through this chat. If it’s an emergency, call 112.
Hello, welcome to [salon]. To give you an appointment, tell us which treatment you’d like and which day suits you best. If you have a question about a treatment, ask us. We reply during our opening hours, [hours].
When the away message falls short
The away message gives notice, but it doesn’t hold a conversation: whoever writes at ten at night still has no appointment until you reply the next day.
- It is a fixed text: it doesn’t understand what the customer asks or sort it out.
- It doesn’t book appointments or look at your calendar.
- It depends on your phone: it needs an internet connection to be sent.
- When you come back, an inbox of messages to answer by hand is waiting for you.
If you get a lot of messages from customers who want an appointment, a price or opening hours, it may be worth having something (or someone) really answer on the spot.
FAQ
Where do you set up the away message in WhatsApp Business?
In the WhatsApp Business app, in the Tools tab (it also appears as “Business tools”), under “Away message”. There you turn it on, write the text and choose when it is sent and to whom.
Does the away message work in regular WhatsApp?
No. It is a tool of the WhatsApp Business app, the app for businesses.
What is the difference between the away message and the greeting message?
The greeting message says hello when someone writes to you for the first time or after 14 days without contact. The away message lets them know you can’t reply, during the hours or period you choose.
What should I put in an away message?
Who you are, why you aren’t replying, when you will reply and what the customer can do in the meantime (call if it’s urgent, book through a link). In three or four lines.
Can an automatic WhatsApp message book an appointment?
The away message can’t: it sends a fixed text. To hold a conversation and book, you need an AI receptionist such as Kairox’s AI WhatsApp receptionist, which puts the appointment in your calendar (included in the Advanced plan, €99/month, excluding VAT).
Is the away message sent if the phone has no internet?
No. According to WhatsApp’s help, the phone needs an active internet connection to send away messages.