WhatsApp Business away message: how to schedule it after hours and examples to copy
The away message replies automatically when you can't: at night, on vacation or at lunch. You turn it on under Tools > Away message and choose when it's sent: always, on a custom schedule or outside the business hours in your profile. Test below at what time your customer gets it.
Updated: October 9, 2026
How do I set an away message in WhatsApp Business?
In Tools tap Away message, turn on Send away message, edit the message, tap Schedule to choose when it's sent, choose Recipients and tap Save.
How do I schedule the away message outside business hours?
Under Schedule pick Outside of business hours. That option only appears if you've set your hours in the business profile; if you don't see it, add your hours first.
Does the away message work with the phone off?
No. Your device needs an internet connection to send away messages. If the phone is off, they aren't sent.
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What it is and what it's for
It tells the customer you got their message: that you're away and when you'll reply. It protects your personal time and reassures customers you're not ignoring them.
Schedule it and test when it's sent
Pick a schedule, then change the time the customer messages you. Watch the detail that confuses most people: "Outside of business hours" is disabled if you haven't set your hours in the profile.
1. Set it up
2. Test it
Illustrative recreation based on the WhatsApp Help Center (checked October 9, 2026). Menus can vary by app version and country.
How to turn it on step by step
- Open Tools and tap Away message.
- Turn on Send away message.
- Under Away message, tap the text to edit it, then tap OK.
- Tap Schedule and pick Always send, Custom schedule or Outside of business hours.
- Tap Recipients, choose who gets it and tap Save.
The 3 schedule options
| Option | When it's sent | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Always send | At all times while it's on | Vacations or multi-day closures (remember to turn it off when you're back) |
| Custom schedule | Only during the period you choose | An event, a move or a specific day |
| Outside of business hours | Outside the hours in your business profile | Everyday use: it kicks in every night and on your days off |
Examples ready to copy
Hi! Thanks for messaging Leather & Co. 🌙 We're closed right now; we're open Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 7 pm, and we'll reply as soon as we open.
Meanwhile, browse the catalog (shop icon at the top).
Hi! We're on vacation from December 22 to 28 🎄 We got your message and will reply on the 29th. Happy holidays!
Hi! We rest on Sundays 😊 We'll reply first thing Monday. If it's an order, leave us the model and your ZIP code.
We're on our lunch break 🍽️ Back at 2 pm and we'll reply right away.
Hi! We have a lot of messages this Black Friday 🙌 We reply in order. To speed things up, tell us the product and your ZIP code.
Mistakes that cost sales
| ❌ Avoid | ✅ Better |
|---|---|
| "We're not available." | Say when you're back and give a next step (catalog, details to quote) |
| Leaving "Always send" on after vacation | Use "Outside of business hours" for everyday use |
| Turning the phone off on weekends | Keep it online: without a connection nothing is sent |
An away message doesn't sell
It tells customers to wait, and on WhatsApp customers often ask several businesses at once. If you want your WhatsApp to really answer at 11 pm (price, stock, shipping) and leave the order ready for tomorrow, that's what an AI assistant does.
Ideas to sell more on WhatsApp, in your inbox
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Sources
WhatsApp Help Center: how to use away messages · business profile · automatic messages and AI agent. Checked October 9, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the greeting and away messages at the same time?
Yes, they're two separate tools in the Tools tab. Both are turned off if you connect Meta's AI agent.
Why don't I see "Outside of business hours"?
Because you haven't set your hours in the business profile. Add them and the option appears.
Can I exclude my family from the away message?
Yes: under Recipients choose "Everyone not in address book" or "Everyone except…".
How many away messages can I have?
The app uses one away message at a time; change it before a vacation or a busy season.
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