Auto Reply Text iPhone: Set Up Automatic Responses (2026)

January 31, 2026 8 min read BubblyPhone Team

Learn how to set up auto reply texts on iPhone using Driving Focus mode. Step-by-step guide with customization options, troubleshooting, and workarounds.

Can iPhone Auto Reply to Text Messages?

Yes, iPhone can automatically reply to text messages—but with a significant limitation.

The catch: As of iOS 18, Driving Focus is the only Focus mode that supports auto-reply texts. Apple hasn't extended this feature to other Focus modes like Do Not Disturb, Work, Sleep, or Personal.

This means if you want automatic text responses, you'll need to either:

  • Use the Driving Focus mode (even if you're not driving)
  • Create a workaround using the Shortcuts app
  • Use a third-party app with more features

    • This guide covers all three methods so you can set up auto-replies that work for your situation.

    Method 1: Set Up Auto-Reply with Driving Focus (Built-In)

    The Driving Focus mode is the easiest way to enable auto-reply texts on iPhone. Here's how to set it up:

    Step 1: Access Focus Settings

  • Open the Settings app on your iPhone
  • Tap Focus
  • Look for Driving in the list

    • Don't see Driving Focus? Tap the + button in the top-right corner, then select Driving from the available Focus options.

    Step 2: Configure Auto-Reply Recipients

  • Tap Driving to open its settings
  • Scroll down and tap Auto-Reply
  • Choose who receives your automatic response:

    • Recommendation: Start with Favorites or Recents to avoid sending auto-replies to spam texts or unknown numbers.

    Step 3: Customize Your Auto-Reply Message

  • Below the recipient options, you'll see Auto-Reply Message
  • Tap to edit the default message
  • Write your custom response

    • Default message: "I'm driving with Focus on. I'll see your message when I get where I'm going."

    Custom examples:

  • "Hey! I'm currently unavailable but will respond as soon as possible."
  • "In a meeting right now. I'll text you back shortly!"
  • "Driving at the moment—will reply when I'm safely stopped."
  • "Taking some personal time. I'll get back to you within a few hours."

    • Step 4: Set Activation Options

    You can control when Driving Focus turns on:

  • Go to Settings → Focus → Driving
  • Scroll to Turn On Automatically
  • Choose your activation trigger:

    • Automatically: iPhone detects driving motion and activates Focus

    When Connected to Car Bluetooth: Activates when your iPhone connects to your car's Bluetooth

    Manually: Only turns on when you activate it in Control Center

    With CarPlay: Activates when connected to CarPlay

    Pro tip: If you're using Driving Focus for non-driving situations (like meetings), select Manually so it only activates when you want it to.

    Step 5: Activate Driving Focus

    To manually turn on Driving Focus:

  • Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center
  • Tap and hold the Focus button
  • Select Driving

    • When active, anyone who texts you will receive your auto-reply message.

    How the "Urgent" Override Works

    Even with auto-reply enabled, people can still reach you in emergencies.

    When someone receives your auto-reply, they have the option to send the word "urgent" as a follow-up message. If they do:

  • Their message breaks through your Focus mode
  • You'll receive a notification
  • They'll know you got their urgent message

    • This ensures you don't miss truly critical communications while still filtering routine messages.

    Method 2: Create Auto-Reply with Shortcuts (Workaround)

    Since only Driving Focus supports auto-reply, you can create a semi-automatic solution using the Shortcuts app. However, this method isn't fully automatic—it requires you to tap a notification.

    How It Works

    You create an automation that:

  • Detects when a message arrives
  • Shows a notification with your pre-written response
  • Sends the response when you tap the notification

    • Step-by-Step Setup

    Step 1: Open the Shortcuts app and tap Automation

    Step 2: Tap New Automation (or the + button)

    Step 3: Select Message as the trigger

    Step 4: Choose conditions:

  • Sender: Specific contacts or Anyone
  • Contains: Any text (leave blank for all messages)

    • Step 5: Tap Next

    Step 6: Add the Send Message action

    Step 7: Type your auto-reply message

    Step 8: Set recipient to the sender of the original message

    Step 9: Toggle Ask Before Running based on your preference:

  • ON: You'll get a notification and must tap to send
  • OFF: Attempts to send automatically (may require confirmation)

    • Step 10: Tap Done

    Limitations

  • Not truly automatic—requires interaction
  • Drains battery if constantly monitoring messages
  • Can't differentiate between important and unimportant messages well
  • More complex to set up than Driving Focus

    • If you want more control over when messages are sent, check out our guide on how to schedule texts on iPhone.

    Method 3: Third-Party Apps

    For more advanced auto-reply features, third-party apps offer additional functionality:

    Popular Options

    Auto Reply for SMS & Calls

  • Set custom replies for different contacts
  • Schedule when auto-replies are active
  • Works with calls and texts

    • VoiceMail & Text Auto Reply

  • Customizable messages
  • Time-based activation
  • Contact-specific responses

    • Do It Later

  • Schedule messages
  • Auto-reply functionality
  • Reminder features

    • Limitations of Third-Party Apps

    Due to Apple's privacy restrictions, third-party apps have limitations:

  • May require the app to be running in background
  • Some features require premium subscriptions
  • Battery impact from constant monitoring
  • May not work with all messaging apps

    • Troubleshooting Auto-Reply Issues

    Auto-Reply Messages Not Sending

    Problem: You've set up Driving Focus with auto-reply, but recipients aren't getting responses.

    Solutions:

  • Check Focus Access: Go to Settings → Messages → Focus and ensure the toggle is ON (green)
  • Verify Recipient Settings: Make sure you haven't selected "No One" in Auto-Reply settings
  • Confirm Focus is Active: Check that Driving Focus is actually turned on (you'll see a car icon in the status bar)
  • iMessage vs SMS: Auto-reply works best with iMessage. SMS texts may have inconsistent results

    • Auto-Reply Sending to Everyone

    Problem: Spam numbers and unknown contacts are receiving your auto-reply.

    Solution: Change your recipient setting from "All Contacts" to "Favorites" or "Recents" to limit who gets responses.

    Driving Focus Keeps Turning On Automatically

    Problem: Driving Focus activates when you're a passenger or on public transit.

    Solution:

  • Go to Settings → Focus → Driving
  • Under "Turn On Automatically," select Manually instead of "Automatically"

    • Auto-Reply Sends Multiple Times

    Problem: The same person receives your auto-reply repeatedly.

    Note: iOS typically sends auto-reply once per conversation while Focus is active. If someone keeps texting, they shouldn't receive multiple auto-replies. If this is happening, try toggling Driving Focus off and on again.

    Tips for Effective Auto-Reply Messages

    Keep It Brief

    People expect quick texts. Keep your auto-reply short and informative:

    ✅ Good: "In a meeting—will reply soon!"

    ❌ Too long: "Hello there! I'm currently attending a very important business meeting and won't be able to respond to messages until approximately 3:00 PM Pacific Standard Time. Please feel free to leave a detailed message and I will get back to you at my earliest convenience."

    Set Expectations

    Let people know when you'll respond:

  • "Back in 30 minutes!"
  • "Will reply after 5 PM"
  • "Available again tomorrow morning"

    • Include Alternatives for Urgency

    If there's another way to reach you urgently:

  • "For urgent matters, call my office at 555-1234"
  • "Text 'urgent' and I'll see it right away"
  • "Reach my assistant at [email]"

    • Avoid Revealing Too Much

    Be cautious about what you share:

    ❌ Risky: "On vacation in Hawaii until the 15th—house is empty!"

    ✅ Safer: "Away from phone. Will respond when I'm back."

    Why Apple Limits Auto-Reply to Driving Focus

    Many users wonder why Apple hasn't expanded auto-reply to other Focus modes. While Apple hasn't officially explained, likely reasons include:

  • Safety priority: Driving is a life-safety situation where distraction prevention is critical
  • Spam concerns: Automatic replies to all messages could be exploited by spammers
  • Battery considerations: Constant message monitoring and response impacts battery life
  • User experience: Apple tends to add features gradually based on user feedback

    • There's hope Apple will expand this feature in future iOS versions based on user demand.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can iPhone automatically reply to texts?

    Yes, but only through the Driving Focus mode. Go to Settings → Focus → Driving → Auto-Reply to set up automatic text responses. Other Focus modes like Do Not Disturb don't have this feature.

    How do I set up auto-reply on iPhone when busy?

    Use the Driving Focus mode even if you're not driving. Go to Settings → Focus → Driving → Auto-Reply, customize your message, and manually activate it when busy. Set activation to "Manually" so it doesn't turn on while you're driving.

    Why doesn't Do Not Disturb have auto-reply?

    Apple currently only includes auto-reply in Driving Focus, likely due to the safety-critical nature of driving. Other Focus modes simply silence notifications without sending responses. Many users have requested this feature for future iOS updates.

    Can I have different auto-replies for different contacts?

    Not with the built-in iPhone feature—everyone receives the same auto-reply message. For contact-specific responses, you'd need a third-party app or create separate Shortcuts automations for different contacts.

    Does auto-reply work with SMS and iMessage?

    Auto-reply works best with iMessage (blue bubbles). SMS texts (green bubbles) may have inconsistent results depending on carrier and network conditions.

    Will people know I'm using auto-reply?

    Yes, recipients see a message indicating you have notifications silenced. They can also choose to send "urgent" to break through your Focus if they need to reach you immediately.

    Can I auto-reply to calls on iPhone?

    The auto-reply feature only works for text messages, not phone calls. For calls, you can use the "Reply with Message" feature when declining a call, or set up call forwarding to voicemail.

    How do I turn off auto-reply on iPhone?

    Go to Settings → Focus → Driving → Auto-Reply and select "No One" as the recipient. Or simply turn off Driving Focus in Control Center.

    Does auto-reply use cellular data?

    Yes, sending auto-reply messages uses a small amount of cellular data or Wi-Fi, just like regular text messages.

    Can I schedule when auto-reply is active?

    Yes, you can set a schedule for Driving Focus. Go to Settings → Focus → Driving → scroll to "Set a Schedule" and add specific times when the Focus (and auto-reply) should activate.

    Related iPhone Features

    Managing your iPhone's communication features? Check out these related guides:

  • How to Schedule Texts on iPhone — Send messages at the perfect time with iOS 18's Send Later
  • Call Forwarding Codes — Redirect calls when you're unavailable
  • How to Record Phone Calls on iPhone — Document important conversations with iOS 18
  • 3 Way Call iPhone — Set up conference calls easily

    • Wrapping Up

    Setting up auto reply text on iPhone is currently limited to the Driving Focus mode, but it's still a powerful feature when you need automatic responses. Whether you're actually driving, in a meeting, or just need some focused time, the auto-reply feature keeps people informed while you stay distraction-free.

    Key takeaways:

  • Driving Focus is the only built-in Focus mode with auto-reply
  • Customize your message and choose recipients (Favorites, Recents, or All Contacts)
  • People can text "urgent" to break through in emergencies
  • For more advanced features, consider third-party apps or Shortcuts workarounds
  • Set activation to "Manually" if using for non-driving situations

    • Hopefully Apple will expand auto-reply to other Focus modes in future iOS updates. Until then, the Driving Focus workaround gets the job done.

    Last updated: January 2026

    Ready to Start Calling?

    Make international calls from your browser with BubblyPhone. No app needed, instant setup.

    Get Started Free