Guide
How to auto-reply on WhatsApp, honestly explained.
WhatsApp Business has an away message. A personal account doesn't. Here are all your options, step by step, and the catch with each one.
The short answer
On WhatsApp Business, turn on Away message (Settings, Business tools, Away message). A personal WhatsApp account has no built-in auto-reply. Your options are switching to WhatsApp Business, saving ready-made replies to paste, or an assistant like Cyrano that writes real replies in your voice.
Option 1: the WhatsApp Business away message
- Install WhatsApp Business (free) and move your number to it.
- Go to Settings, then Business tools, then Away message.
- Turn on "Send away message", write your message and choose when: always, a custom schedule, or outside business hours.
Good for: shops and freelancers who want everyone to know when they're closed. The catch: it's the same words for everyone, it doesn't answer the question, and your number becomes a business account.
Option 2: quick replies and saved messages
WhatsApp Business also has Quick replies: type "/" and pick a saved answer. On a personal account you can keep a note of replies you send often and paste them. It saves typing, not time: you still have to open every chat. Need a good one? Try our free away message writer.
Option 3: an assistant that replies for you
If you want people to get an actual answer, not "I'm busy", you need something that reads the message and writes a reply. Cyrano, the WhatsApp assistant, links to your WhatsApp like WhatsApp Web, learns how you write to each person, and replies to the chats you choose in your voice. It asks you whenever a message needs something only you know, and you can approve every reply first.
| Business away message | Cyrano | |
|---|---|---|
| Personal account | No, Business only | Yes |
| Answers the actual question | No | Yes, or asks you |
| Sounds like you, per person | No | Yes |
| Approve before sending | Not needed | Yes, with Ask me first |
Questions people ask
Can I set an away message on a personal WhatsApp account?
Not with a built-in feature. Away messages are part of WhatsApp Business. On a personal account you can update your About line, save replies to paste, or use an assistant like Cyrano that replies in your voice.
How do I turn on the away message in WhatsApp Business?
Open WhatsApp Business, go to Settings, Business tools, Away message, turn on Send away message, write your message and pick a schedule.
Get your evenings back.
Cyrano covers the chats you choose, in your words, and only asks you when it really matters.