How to Enable Auto-Reply in WhatsApp Business (Step by Step)

First: enable the greeting message

The greeting goes out automatically to anyone messaging you for the first time, or after 14 days of no conversation — it's your first impression: a natural greeting, one instantly useful fact (hours, price-list link), and a clear next step.

1. Open the WhatsApp Business app and go to Settings.
2. Choose Business tools.
3. Tap Greeting message and switch it on.
4. Write your message — or paste one of our ready templates — including your business name and reply times.
5. Choose the recipients (everyone, or people not in your contacts) and save.

Second: enable the away message (after hours)

Tie the schedule to your business-profile hours so you never edit the message when your hours change. And update it for seasons and holidays — an away message saying “back tomorrow” on the first day of Eid hurts more than it helps.

1. From the same Business tools screen choose Away message and switch it on.
2. Write a message that says when you're back and answers the basics (hours, location, links).
3. Set the schedule: outside the business hours on your profile, a custom schedule, or always send.
4. Choose the recipients and save — it sends automatically in the times you set.

The built-in auto-reply's limits — know them before relying on it

• One fixed message: the customer asking about prices gets the same text as the one asking for directions — nobody's question is actually answered.
• It can't book or act: no appointment booking, no order lookups, no service recommendations — just static text.
• One-time greeting: repeat customers within 14 days get no greeting, so their questions sit with no auto-reply at all while you're busy.
• No per-customer language: it can't detect the customer's language — you write one language or cram both into one text.

The next step: from a fixed message to replies that actually answer

If your message volume is small, the two built-in messages are a fine start. But once price and appointment questions repeat daily, you need an auto-reply that reads the question and answers it from your business information — in Saudi dialect or English per customer — books appointments inside the chat, and hands over to staff when needed. That's what MelonsBot does on your own official number, set up in minutes with no code.

FAQ