WhatsApp Business Away Message: Examples and Setup [2026]
The WhatsApp Business away message is the feature that allows your business to respond automatically when you are not available. It seems like a minor detail, but in 2026 a customer who does not receive a response in the first few minutes will go to the competition without thinking twice. Properly configuring this message makes the difference between retaining a commercial opportunity and losing it forever.
In this guide we explain how to activate and customize your WhatsApp Business away message, with practical examples by industry and templates you can copy directly.
What Is the Away Message in WhatsApp Business
The WhatsApp Business away message is an automatic response sent to customers when they contact you outside your business hours or when you cannot attend conversations. It is a native feature of the WhatsApp Business app that Meta makes available to any business account for free.
Its purpose is simple but critical: inform the customer that you received their message and that you will respond as soon as possible. Without this message, the customer is left in the dark, not knowing if their inquiry arrived or if you are simply ignoring it.
Unlike WhatsApp Business automatic replies, which also include the welcome message, the away message is activated exclusively when you are not available. And unlike quick replies, which are manual shortcuts, this message triggers without human intervention.
In the context of automating WhatsApp Business, the away message is the first step. It is the most basic automation, but also the most important: it sets expectations and demonstrates professionalism even when nobody is on the other end.
How to Set Up the Away Message in WhatsApp Business Step by Step
Setting up the away message in WhatsApp Business is a quick process that does not require technical knowledge. It works on both Android and iOS. Follow these steps:
Prerequisites
Before starting, make sure of the following:
- Have the WhatsApp Business app installed (not the personal version). It can be downloaded for free from Google Play or App Store.
- Have the app updated to the latest available version.
- Have configured the business profile with your business hours. This data is essential because the away message can be linked directly to the schedule you define.
Step 1: Access settings
- Open WhatsApp Business on your device.
- Tap the three vertical dots in the upper corner (Android) or go to Settings (iOS).
- Select Business Tools.
- Tap Away message.
Step 2: Activate and customize the message
- Toggle on Send away message.
- Tap the pencil icon to edit the text. Write a clear, brief message that includes information about when you will respond.
- Configure the schedule. You have three options: Always send: the message is sent at any time, regardless of your schedule. Useful when you are on vacation or temporarily closed. Custom schedule: define a specific time range (for example, from 8:00 PM to 9:00 AM). Outside business hours: automatically uses the schedule you configured in your business profile. This is the most recommended option.
- Select the recipients: all contacts, only those not in your address book, all except specific contacts, or only specific contacts.
- Tap Save.
The entire process will take no more than three minutes. From that moment on, any customer who writes to you outside business hours will receive your message automatically.
Best Practices for WhatsApp Business Away Messages
Activating the away message is just the first step. Writing it well is what really matters. Here are the best practices:
What to include in a WhatsApp Business away message
- Be specific about response times. Do not say "we will respond soon". Say "we respond Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM". The customer needs to know WHEN.
- Include alternative contact methods. If you have an email, emergency phone number, or FAQ page, include it. The customer should not be left without options.
- Customize based on the situation. A message for regular after-hours is not the same as a vacation away message on WhatsApp. Adapt the text to the context.
- Maintain your brand tone. If you are a casual shop, use a friendly tone. If you are a law firm, keep it formal.
- Avoid overly long messages. Three or four lines are enough. Nobody reads a twenty-line paragraph in a chat window.
How to set a temporary message in WhatsApp Business
If you need a temporary away message (for vacations, holidays, or a one-time incident), use the Custom schedule option and define the exact dates. Remember to change the message back when you are operational again. A common mistake is leaving the vacation away message active weeks after returning.
Another option is to use Always send during the period you are away and manually deactivate it upon return. It is more direct but requires you to remember to turn it off.
WhatsApp Business Away Message Examples by Industry
Here are templates ready to copy and adapt to your business. Each example is designed for a different type of company:
Online store / ecommerce
Thank you for writing to us. We are currently outside business hours. Our team is available Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. If your inquiry is about an order, you can check it at [tracking link]. We will respond as soon as we are back.
Clinic or medical center
Thank you for contacting our clinic. We are currently outside business hours. For medical emergencies, call 112. If you would like to request an appointment, you can do so through our web form. We will respond on the next business day.
Marketing agency or consultancy
We have received your message. Our business hours are Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. If it is urgent, write to contact@your-agency.com. We will respond as soon as possible.
Restaurant or hospitality business
Thank you for writing to us. We are currently unavailable. Our business hours are Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM. For reservations, you can use our website. See you soon.
Real estate agency
Thank you for your interest. Our offices are currently closed. We are available Monday to Friday from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM and from 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Leave us your name and the reference of the property you are interested in and we will contact you as soon as possible.
Vacation away message (generic)
We are on vacation until [date]. During this period we will not be able to respond to messages. If it is urgent, write to [alternative email]. When we return, we will respond in order of receipt. Thank you for your patience.
These examples cover the most common scenarios. The key is to adapt the tone and content to your reality, not to copy without thinking. If you manage a high volume of conversations and need to go beyond a simple static message, consider automating WhatsApp Business with tools that offer intelligent responses and conditional flows.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to include in a WhatsApp Business away message
Include your business hours, a brief apology for not being available, an estimate of when you will respond, and if possible, an alternative contact method like email or phone. Be specific and brief.
How to set a temporary message in WhatsApp Business
Go to Business Tools > Away message. Toggle it on, write the temporary message, and select the "Custom schedule" or "Always send" scheduling. When the absence period ends, toggle it off or change the text.
How can I change the away message in WhatsApp Business
Go to Settings > Business Tools > Away message. Tap on the current message text to edit it. Modify the content, adjust the schedule if needed, and save the changes. Changes are applied immediately.
How to remove the away message from WhatsApp Business
Go to Settings > Business Tools > Away message and toggle off the switch. The message will stop sending immediately. You can also change the schedule to a time that does not overlap with your activity instead of deactivating it entirely.
Why is my WhatsApp Business away message not working
The most common causes are: not having the app updated, not having configured business hours in the business profile (if you use the "Outside business hours" option), having the schedule incorrectly defined, or the recipient not being in the selected contact list. Check each of these points.
How GuruSup Improves Your WhatsApp Business Away Message
The native WhatsApp Business away message serves a basic function: it tells the customer you are not there. But it does not resolve their query. The customer keeps waiting, and if your competition responds first, you lose them.
GuruSup goes a step further. Instead of sending a static message, a GuruSup AI agent can handle the conversation in real time, resolve frequently asked questions, manage orders, and escalate to the human team only when truly necessary. It is the difference between saying "we are not here" and solving the customer's problem even if it is three in the morning.
Key GuruSup features
- 24/7 AI agent connected to your WhatsApp Business API that handles conversations without rest.
- Contextual responses based on your knowledge base, not generic messages.
- Intelligent escalation: the agent detects when a query requires a human and transfers it automatically.
- Multilingual: supports Spanish, English, and other languages without additional configuration.
How to get started with GuruSup
Try GuruSup for free and transform your away message into a support channel that never closes. Connect your WhatsApp Business account in minutes and let AI handle the rest.
Try GuruSup for free: automate your customer support with AI agents on WhatsApp
