In the WhatsApp Business app, open Tools → Greeting message or Away message, turn sending on, write your text, pick recipients and tap Save. These are fixed, free replies. For a reply that answers the customer's actual question, you need an AI agent.
Three free tools in the app
| Tool | When it's sent | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Greeting message | First contact, or after 14 days without a chat | A welcome and the basics |
| Away message | Every message during the schedule you set | Telling customers you'll reply |
| Quick replies | Never on its own: type “/” in a chat to insert one | Text you repeat a lot |
Steps: greeting message
- WhatsApp Business
- Tools
- Greeting message
- Open WhatsApp Business → Tools → Greeting message.
- Turn on Send greeting message.
- Tap the message to edit it.
- Tap Recipients: everyone, not in address book, everyone except…, or only send to….
- Tap Save.
Hi! Your message reached [business name]. We're open 9 am to 10 pm; tell us what you need and we'll reply as soon as we can.
Steps: away message
- Tools
- Away message
- Tools → Away message.
- Turn it on and tap the message to edit it.
- Tap Schedule: always send, custom schedule, or outside of business hours (needs business hours in your profile).
- Pick Recipients.
- Tap Save.
Thanks for your message! We're closed right now and back tomorrow at 9 am. Send your request in detail so we can help faster.
Steps: quick replies
- Tools
- Quick replies
- Tools → Quick replies → +.
- Write the message and give it a shortcut (like
/prices). - Tap Save.
- In any chat, type “/” and pick a reply.
You can save up to 50. The app also offers ready replies from your business profile (address, hours).
Good to know before you rely on them
- Your phone must be online for greeting and away messages to send.
- Greetings don't repeat within 14 days.
- Connecting Meta Business Agent turns greeting messages off.
- The text is fixed: the same message for everyone, whatever they ask.
Auto-reply vs an AI agent
| — | App auto-reply | AI agent like AQIL |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Monthly plan + Meta message fees |
| “How much is a colour?” | “We'll reply as soon as we can” | “From 350. Is your hair long or medium?” |
| Wording | One text you write | Understands the customer and replies in their dialect |
| Collects the request | No | Collects the details and hands them to you |
| Your number and app | Same number | Same number, and the app stays with you |
Auto-reply is a fine start when messages are few. When after-hours messages start costing you customers, an agent that replies like a person makes the difference. Examples: clinics, real estate.
Try an agent that answers, not a fixed message
AQIL is an AI agent that answers your customers on WhatsApp like a person: from your business's information, recommending the right option, collecting the request, and handing the chat to you when needed.
FAQ
Where is auto-reply in WhatsApp Business?
Is it free?
Why didn't a customer get the greeting?
Can I auto-reply in regular WhatsApp?
Is there AI auto-reply for WhatsApp?
How do customers start with a ready message?
Menu names follow WhatsApp's Help Center and may differ slightly in your app version.