Anyone running an online business knows that automated replies are essential. Customers dislike waiting and hate receiving cold, generic responses.
Configuring auto-replies is easy for WhatsApp Business and Facebook Messenger. However, how can you set them up for standard WhatsApp users? This guide will teach you!
How to Set Up Automatic Replies in WhatsApp?
Regular WhatsApp doesn’t have an auto-reply feature; it’s only available on WhatsApp Business. Because of this, we need to look for other options.
Method 1: FM WhatsApp APP
Standard WhatsApp doesn’t have auto-replies, but FM WhatsApp does. You can use FM WhatsApp 6.90 APK download to automatically reply to messages.
- Open FM WhatsApp, tap the three dots in the top right to open WhatsApp settings.
- Go to “Auto-reply” and click the “+” button to create a new rule.
- Pick the auto-reply option that works best for you.
- Reply to all messages
- Answer if specific words appear.
- Responses must include specific words.
- Type your response.
- Select who can get your reply: contacts, groups, or both.
You can choose which people or groups receive auto-replies, adjust the response delay, and schedule when the feature starts and ends.
Method 2: WhatsApp Auto-Reply Tool
Certain tools can automatically answer WhatsApp messages, just like the WhatsApp Business feature. For example, Picky Assist.
support:
- Advanced keyword-based triggers
- AI-driven response systems
- Message performance tracking
- Syncing team inboxes with customer data
- Automated work order creation
Given concerns about business chats and privacy, third-party automated reply tools may not be safe.
WhatsApp Business Auto-Reply
Using auto-replies in WhatsApp Business is the easiest method.
The WhatsApp Business app provides three distinct types of automated responses:
- Greeting Messages: Sent when a customer contacts you for the first time or after a prolonged period of inactivity.
- Away Messages: Define response time expectations outside regular business hours.
- Quick Replies: Pre-written responses to frequently asked questions.
Here’s how to configure them:
For Android and iOS Users:
- Open your WhatsApp Business application
- Tap the three-dot icon in the upper right, then select “Settings” followed by “Business settings“
- Choose the auto-response option that fits your needs: “Greeting Message,” “Away Message,” or “Quick Replies“
- Create your personalized message, keeping it brief and informative
- Set up message timing: “Always send” for extended absences, “Custom schedule” for specific days/times, or “Outside business hours” based on your defined schedule
Advanced Configuration Options:
- Recipient Selection: Choose who receives auto-replies: everyone, only unknown contacts, or specific contacts
- Personalization: Add customer names, links to booking forms or websites, and emojis to make messages feel more human
- Scheduling: Configure messages to send always, on a custom schedule, or only outside business hours
Facebook Page Message Auto-Reply
It starts in Meta Business Suite, which is Facebook’s main tool for managing business accounts. Here’s how to configure your automatic responses:
- Access Meta Business Suite: access it from your Facebook Page’s management panel.
- Navigate to Inbox: Click on “Inbox” in the left-hand navigation menu, where all messages and comments from your connected platforms are collected.
- Access Automations: Look for the automations button (typically represented by a spark or robot icon) at the top of your Inbox screen.
- Create Instant Reply: Select “Instant reply” from the available automation options. This is an automated first reply that lets customers know you received their message.
- Craft Your Message: Write a friendly, helpful message that reflects your brand voice. Use the “+ Add Personalization” feature to include customer names or your page name in your responses.
- Configure Away Messages: If your business has set hours, use automatic away messages for when you’re closed.
FM WhatsApp Business Chats Not Sending: Troubleshooting Guide
FM WhatsApp isn’t the only app that might fail to send automatic messages. If you’re having this issue with other similar apps, here are some possible reasons why.
- Poor or Unstable Internet Connection: Messages often fail to send because of poor internet or network problems.
- Outdated App Version: Using old FM WhatsApp versions can cause compatibility issues with servers, as updates often fix bugs and improve connections.
- Account or Server Issues: Sometimes the problem originates from server-side issues or temporary restrictions on your account.
Before attempting complex fixes, try these quick actions that often resolve the issue immediately:
- Turn airplane mode ON and OFF
- Restart FM WhatsApp
- Switch between WiFi and mobile data
- Restart your phone
This can solve most problems.
FAQ
Q: How do I ensure my auto-replies don’t feel robotic and impersonal?
A: Personalization is key. Use customer names when available, maintain a conversational tone, and segment messages based on context. If you don’t know how, you can refer to the Facebook page message auto reply samples shared by other users.
Q: Do automatic replies improve customer trust?
A: Yes — as long as the messages sound natural and professional.
Q: Can I use the same auto-reply message across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp?
A: While you can maintain consistent messaging across platforms, each requires separate configuration. Unless you are using a third-party auto-responder tool
Final Thoughts
WhatsApp Business and Facebook Messenger have built-in auto-reply features, so you don’t need extra tools. Standard WhatsApp lacks this function, but you can add it using apps like FM WhatsApp.
