WhatsApp Business away message examples

An away message is the automatic reply WhatsApp Business sends when you're not available. You can schedule it to always send, on a custom schedule, or outside your business hours. A good away message says when you'll reply and what the customer can do in the meantime.

What makes a good away message

It says you're away and when you'll be back (day and time).
It asks for the full question, so you can answer fast when you're back.
It offers an alternative if there is one (website, menu, catalog, emergency number).

20 away messages to copy

Replace whatever is in [brackets] with your business details.

After hours

1. Hi! Thanks for your message. We're closed right now and will reply tomorrow from [time].
2. Hi! Our hours are [days], [time] to [time]. Leave your question and we'll answer when we open.
3. Hi! We're done for today. Meanwhile, browse products and prices at [link].

Weekends and holidays

4. Hi! We don't answer WhatsApp on weekends. We'll reply on the next business day.
5. Hi! We're closed for the holiday today. We'll answer every message tomorrow from [time].

Vacation

6. Hi! We're on vacation until [date]. Leave your message and we'll reply when we're back.
7. Hi! [Business] is closed from [date] to [date]. Orders received will be prepared from [date].

High volume

8. Hi! We're getting lots of messages and replying in order. We'll be with you soon.

Restaurants

9. The kitchen opens at [time]. See the menu at [link] and leave your order.
10. To book, leave the day, time and number of guests and we'll confirm when we open.

Online stores

11. We're closed, but you can shop at [link] anytime.
12. Today's orders ship on [day].

Clinics

13. The clinic is closed. For emergencies, call [phone].
14. We answer appointment requests [days], [time] to [time].

Real estate

15. We can't answer right now. Leave the property you're interested in and we'll reply first thing.
16. We're out on viewings and will reply when we're back at the office.

Salons and beauty

17. We're with clients and can't reply now. Leave the service and day and we'll confirm.

Repair shops

18. The shop is closed for today. Tell us the problem and we'll quote tomorrow.

Hotels

19. Our WhatsApp front desk is open [time] to [time]. If you're staying with us, call reception.

Professional services

20. Our office hours are [days], [time] to [time]. We'll reply on the next business day.

How to schedule an away message (Android)

1 Open WhatsApp Business and, from the Tools tab, tap Away message.
2 Turn on Send away message.
3 Under Away message, tap the message to edit it, paste yours and tap OK.
4 Tap Schedule and choose Always send, Custom schedule or Outside of business hours. The last one only shows up if you've set business hours in your business profile.
5 Tap Recipients and choose: Everyone, Everyone except…, Only send to… or Everyone not in address book.
6 Tap Save.

On iPhone, two things change: in step 3, under Message, you tap the message to edit it and then tap Save, and there is no final Save step.

Steps from the official WhatsApp Help Center ↗

Why isn't my away message sending?

Check the schedule: with Outside of business hours, it only goes out outside the hours in your business profile; with Custom schedule, only during the period you picked.
Check the recipients: with Everyone not in address book, saved contacts don't get it.
Check it's turned on under Tools → Away message.

Frequently asked questions

What should a vacation away message say?

Your return date, what happens to orders that come in and an alternative if there is one (see examples 6 and 7).

Can I schedule it by time?

Yes. Under Schedule, pick Custom schedule or Outside of business hours, which uses the business hours in your business profile.

What about messages that come in at night?

The away message lets customers know, but their question waits until you're back. An AI assistant can answer it right away with your business information.

Someone messaging at night doesn't want "we'll reply tomorrow": they want the price. AnswerForMe answers any time with your business info, with OpenAI's GPT-6.

You start free with 500 credits and then pay only for what you use: one-time packs from US$10 that never expire, no monthly fee.

Try it free