How to Set Up an "Away" Text Message on Android: A Step-by-Step Guide

Setting up an "away" text message on your Android phone is a helpful way to let people know you are unavailable or busy. Whether you're on vacation, in a meeting, or simply want to take a break from constant messages, an "away" text message is an ideal way to communicate that you're temporarily unable to respond.

In this guide, we will cover several ways to set up an "away" text message, including through your Android phone's built-in settings, third-party apps, and automated responses.

1. Using Google Messages: Set Up a Custom Auto-Reply Message

Google Messages is a popular messaging app for Android users, and it has a built-in feature for sending automatic replies. Here's how you can set up an away message using Google Messages:

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Open Google Messages: Open the Google Messages app on your Android phone. If you don’t have the app, you can download it from the Google Play Store.

  2. Go to Settings: Tap the three dots in the top-right corner to open the menu and select Settings.

  3. Tap on "Vacation Mode" or "Chat Settings": Depending on your version of the app, you may see options like "Vacation Mode" or "Chat Settings."

  4. Enable Auto-Reply: If available, toggle the "Auto-reply" option on. Here, you can customize your automatic response by typing a message such as "I'm currently away and will get back to you as soon as possible."

  5. Set the Duration: Some versions of Google Messages allow you to set the duration of the auto-reply. You can choose whether it should be active indefinitely or for a set period (e.g., until a specific date).

  6. Save Your Settings: Once you’ve customized your message, save the settings and exit the menu. Google Messages will now send the "away" message automatically when you receive text messages.

2. Using Do Not Disturb Mode for Quick Away Responses

If you simply want to stop receiving notifications or calls while away, you can use the Do Not Disturb (DND) mode on Android. While this doesn’t provide an automatic text response, it will silence calls and texts so you aren’t disturbed while you’re away.

Steps to Enable Do Not Disturb Mode:

  1. Go to Settings: Open the Settings app on your Android phone.

  2. Select "Sound": Scroll down and tap Sound or Notifications (depending on your phone).

  3. Tap "Do Not Disturb": Select the Do Not Disturb option.

  4. Customize Do Not Disturb: You can choose whether you want to block calls, texts, and other notifications entirely or only allow calls from specific contacts (like family members).

  5. Schedule Do Not Disturb: You can also schedule "Do Not Disturb" to automatically turn on and off at specific times, such as during work hours or while you’re on vacation.

While DND won’t send an automatic away message, it is useful for avoiding interruptions and managing notifications.

3. Using Third-Party Apps for Automated Away Messages

If you want more advanced control over your away message, several third-party apps are designed specifically for auto-replies and text message management. Here are a few apps you can use to send away messages automatically:

AutoResponder for WA (WhatsApp)

If you're using WhatsApp, AutoResponder for WA is a popular app for setting up automatic replies.

  • How it works: AutoResponder for WA lets you create custom automated replies for WhatsApp, including when you’re away. You can set up custom rules such as responding to specific contacts or keywords.

  • How to use it:

    1. Download and install AutoResponder for WA from the Google Play Store.
    2. Open the app and link it to your WhatsApp account.
    3. Create a new auto-reply message with a custom response like "I am currently away, I’ll get back to you soon."
    4. Set up the conditions (e.g., reply only to messages during certain hours, or reply to all messages).
    5. Save the settings, and your automated away message will be active.

Away Texts (SMS Auto Reply)

Another app you can use for SMS away messages is Away Texts. This app allows you to send automated text responses to all incoming messages, perfect for when you're away or busy.

  • How to use it:
    1. Download Away Texts from the Google Play Store.
    2. Launch the app and configure your automated message, such as "I'm out of the office and will reply when I return."
    3. Set the timeframe for your message (specific dates and times or indefinite).
    4. The app will send automatic replies for you, letting your contacts know you're away.

4. Using Google Assistant’s “Out of Office” Feature

Another simple way to inform people you’re away is to use the Google Assistant. While this feature doesn’t directly send text message replies, it can integrate with your calendar and send reminders or event alerts, making it clear that you're unavailable.

Set up an Out-of-Office Auto-Response:

  1. Open Google Assistant: Long press the Home button or say "Hey Google" to open Google Assistant.

  2. Set a Reminder: You can create a reminder by saying something like, “Set a reminder to let people know I’m away for the day.” You can also add specifics like the location or time of absence.

  3. Calendar Integration: You can integrate your Google Calendar with Assistant and mark yourself as unavailable during a specific event. This helps manage appointments, but you would still need a text-based auto-reply for messages.

5. Setting Away Messages for Specific Apps (e.g., SMS, WhatsApp, or Email)

You can also configure away messages or auto-replies for specific messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Email. While most of these platforms don’t have a built-in "away" message feature like SMS, you can use the following workarounds:

  • WhatsApp: Set a custom status message like "I'm away and will respond as soon as I can."
  • Telegram: Use BotFather to set up a Telegram bot that responds with an automatic message when you’re away.
  • Email (Gmail): Use the Vacation Responder in Gmail to automatically respond to emails when you're away.

Tips for Crafting the Perfect "Away" Message

When setting up your "away" message, consider the following tips to make your auto-reply more effective:

  • Keep it concise: Let the person know that you are unavailable but also mention when they can expect a response.
  • Provide an alternative contact: If needed, include an alternative contact for urgent matters.
  • Be polite: Always thank the person for reaching out and assure them you will respond when available.
  • Set clear expectations: Let people know if you are on vacation, in a meeting, or taking a break, so they understand your availability.

Example message: "Hi, I’m currently away and will be unable to respond until [date]. Thank you for your patience, and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. If it's urgent, please contact [alternate contact]."

Conclusion

Setting up an "away" text message on your Android phone is a great way to let others know you’re unavailable and avoid missing important messages. Whether you're using built-in features like Google Messages or third-party apps like AutoResponder, you can customize your auto-reply message to suit your needs.

By using these methods, you ensure that your contacts are aware of your absence and help manage expectations while you’re away. So, the next time you need a break or are out of the office, you’ll have the tools to stay connected while maintaining peace of mind.