---
title: Auto-Reply on WhatsApp Business: How to Set Up (2026)
description: How to set up automatic replies on WhatsApp Business — greeting, away message, quick replies. Step by step in the app and via API with code.
date: 2026-05-17
author: Victor Villalobos
locale: en
source: https://www.zavu.dev/en/blog/mensagem-automatica-whatsapp-business
tags: WhatsApp, Automation, Tutorial
---

# Auto-Reply on WhatsApp Business: How to Set Up (2026)

Setting up auto-replies on WhatsApp Business is one of the first things every company should do. Done well, it prevents losing customers after hours and gives a professional first impression. This guide shows how to enable automatic messages both in the **free app** and via **official API**, with ready-to-copy examples.

## Types of auto-replies on WhatsApp Business

Three main types:

1. **Greeting** — sent when someone messages for the first time or after 14 days of silence
2. **Away message** — sent outside business hours
3. **Quick replies** — manual shortcuts that speed up support

## How to set up auto-reply in the WhatsApp Business app

Works on Android and iOS with small menu differences.

### Greeting message

1. Open **WhatsApp Business**
2. Tap the **three dots** in the top right
3. Go to **Business tools**
4. Tap **Greeting message**
5. Toggle on
6. Write the message (e.g., "Hi! 👋 Thanks for reaching out. We'll respond within 30 minutes.")
7. In **Recipients**, choose who gets it (everyone, new, not in contacts)
8. Save

### Away message

1. Same path: **Business tools** → **Away message**
2. Toggle on
3. Write the message (e.g., "We're closed right now. Back tomorrow at 9am. 🌙")
4. In **Schedule**, choose:
   - Send always
   - Custom schedule (set days and hours)
   - Outside business hours
5. Save

### Quick replies

1. **Business tools** → **Quick replies**
2. Tap **+** to create
3. Write full message and **shortcut** (e.g., `/pricing` → pricing list)
4. While chatting, type `/` and the shortcut appears

## Ready-to-copy auto-reply examples

### Greetings

> "Hi! 👋 We received your message. An agent will respond within 15 minutes. For urgent matters, call (555) 123-4567."

> "Thanks for contacting [Company]! To help you better, tell us: do you want (1) To buy, (2) Customer support, (3) Post-sales?"

### Away messages

> "We're outside business hours right now. We're open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm. Your message is logged, we'll respond next business day. 🤝"

> "Good evening! 🌙 Our team is done for the day. Come back tomorrow or leave your question and we'll answer in the morning."

### Useful quick replies

- `/pricing` — Full pricing table
- `/hours` — Business hours and address
- `/returns` — Returns and refund policy
- `/tracking` — How to track delivery
- `/payment` — Accepted payment methods

## Free app limitations

The app is great to start but has limits:

- Only **one active greeting** at a time
- Only **one active away message** at a time
- Can't **segment** by customer category
- Can't **personalize with name** or other variables
- Works on **one phone**

When volume grows, these limits hurt.

## Auto-reply via WhatsApp Business API

The API changes the game. You program automatic flows with logic, segmentation and personalization. Here's how it works with [Zavu](https://www.zavu.dev/en):

### Example: auto-reply when customer messages you

```typescript
import Zavu from "@zavudev/sdk"
const zavu = new Zavu({ apiKey: process.env.ZAVU_API_KEY })

// Webhook receives customer message
export async function POST(req: Request) {
  const event = await req.json()

  if (event.type === "message.inbound") {
    const text = event.message.text?.toLowerCase() || ""

    // Auto-reply by keyword
    if (text.includes("price") || text.includes("cost")) {
      await zavu.messages.send({
        to: event.message.from,
        channel: "whatsapp",
        text: "Our plans start at $25/mo. See all at zavu.dev/en/pricing"
      })
    } else {
      // Default greeting
      await zavu.messages.send({
        to: event.message.from,
        channel: "whatsapp",
        text: `Hi! 👋 We got your message. An agent will respond shortly.`
      })
    }
  }

  return new Response("ok")
}
```

### Example: away message with time logic

```typescript
const hour = new Date().getHours()
const dayOfWeek = new Date().getDay() // 0 = Sunday, 6 = Saturday
const isBusinessHours = dayOfWeek >= 1 && dayOfWeek <= 5 && hour >= 9 && hour < 18

if (!isBusinessHours) {
  await zavu.messages.send({
    to: event.message.from,
    channel: "whatsapp",
    text: "We're outside business hours. Back tomorrow at 9am. 🌙"
  })
}
```

### Example: using templates to initiate conversations

To message **before** the customer (cart reminder, order confirmation), you need a **template approved** by Meta:

```typescript
await zavu.messages.send({
  to: "+14155551234",
  channel: "whatsapp",
  messageType: "template",
  content: {
    templateId: "tpl_payment_reminder",
    templateVariables: {
      "1": "John",
      "2": "$89.90",
      "3": "tomorrow"
    }
  }
})
```

## When to use free app vs API

| Scenario | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Less than 50 conversations/day | Free app |
| Need to personalize with customer name | API |
| Multiple agents | API |
| Want to integrate CRM (HubSpot, Salesforce) | API |
| Support 24/7 with AI | API + [AI Agent](/en/ai-agents) |
| Send automatic order confirmation | API |
| Send OTP / verification code | API |

## Common mistakes

**1. Message too generic.** "Hi, we'll respond shortly" says nothing. Add time expectation, menu options or at least an alt phone.

**2. Not testing before activating.** Send from another number and see how it arrives.

**3. Forgetting to disable when the team is on duty.** Customer gets "we're away" during business hours and is confused.

**4. In the app, activating greeting for everyone.** Each time a recurring customer messages, they get the same greeting. Configure for **new** or **non-contacts** only.

**5. Marketing content in auto-replies.** Greeting isn't the time to push promotions. Keep clean, focus on support.

## Related resources

- [How WhatsApp Business works](/en/blog/whatsapp-business-como-funciona)
- [WhatsApp Business broadcast list: guide](/en/blog/lista-transmissao-whatsapp-business)
- [WhatsApp Cloud API: step-by-step tutorial](/en/blog/whatsapp-cloud-api-tutorial)
- [Zavu Docs — Webhooks](https://docs.zavu.dev/guides/receiving-messages/webhooks)

## Conclusion

WhatsApp Business auto-reply is **essential**, not optional. In the free app you activate in 2 minutes via the **Business tools** menu. If you have volume or need personalization, [the API](/en/whatsapp-business-api) gives you total control: responses by keyword, time logic, customer segmentation, approved templates and even [AI agents](/en/ai-agents) answering 24h. Start simple, evolve when volume demands.