How to Set Up WhatsApp Business Auto Reply in the UAE

To set up WhatsApp Business auto reply in the UAE, open your WhatsApp Business app, go to Settings > Business Tools > Away Message or Greeting Message, enable the auto reply, compose your message, and schedule it if needed. This article covers the detailed steps, common mistakes to avoid, a worked example, and how HelloGrowthCRM can help streamline WhatsApp communication.

Why this comes up / what goes wrong

Many small business owners in the UAE rely on WhatsApp Business to communicate with customers. However, when they cannot respond immediately, they risk losing leads or leaving customers frustrated. Setting up an auto reply ensures customers receive instant acknowledgment, improving engagement. The problem arises when business owners are unsure how to configure this feature correctly or forget to update messages, leading to confusion or missed opportunities.

Step-by-step

1. Open WhatsApp Business app on your smartphone.

1. Go to Settings by tapping the three dots in the top right corner (Android) or the gear icon (iPhone).

1. Select Business Tools from the menu.

1. Tap on Away Message to set an automatic response when you are unavailable, or Greeting Message to send an automatic first message to new chats.

1. Toggle the switch to Turn on the Away or Greeting Message.

1. Tap the message box to compose your auto reply. Write a clear, polite message such as: "Thank you for contacting [Your Business Name]. We will get back to you shortly."

1. Under Schedule, choose when the message should be sent:

• Always send (all the time),
• Custom schedule (set specific hours or days), or
• Outside of business hours (if you have set business hours).

1. Under Recipients, choose who receives the auto reply:

• Everyone,
• Everyone not in address book,
• Everyone except,
• Only send to.

1. Save your settings by tapping the checkmark or Save button.

1. Test your auto reply by sending a message from a different number to confirm it works as expected.

Remember to update your auto reply as your business hours or contact policies change.

For more detailed help, see the help center.

Example (fictional figures)

A real-estate brokerage in Dubai Marina wants to set an away message for enquiries received outside office hours (09/05/2024).

• Business hours: 9:00 to 18:00 daily.
• Auto reply message: "Thank you for contacting Dubai Marina Realty. Our office hours are 9 AM to 6 PM. We will respond to your message during business hours."

Steps:

1. Open WhatsApp Business app.
2. Go to Settings > Business Tools > Away Message.
3. Enable Away Message.
4. Enter the message: "Thank you for contacting Dubai Marina Realty. Our office hours are 9 AM to 6 PM. We will respond to your message during business hours."
5. Set Schedule to "Outside of business hours".
6. Set Recipients to "Everyone".
7. Save settings.

Test:

• Message sent at 20:00 from client.
• Auto reply received immediately.

This ensures clients get timely communication even after hours.

Common mistakes

1. Not enabling the auto reply switch: Make sure the Away or Greeting Message toggle is turned on, or the message will not send.

1. Forgetting to set the schedule: Without scheduling, messages may send at unwanted times. Choose the correct schedule to avoid confusing customers.

1. Writing unclear or too long messages: Keep auto replies short and clear to avoid misunderstandings.

1. Not testing the auto reply: Always test from another phone to verify the message works.

1. Ignoring updates: Update auto replies if your business hours or contact details change.

1. Sending to wrong recipients: Check the recipient settings to avoid sending auto replies to contacts who do not require them.

For tips on managing WhatsApp conversations efficiently, see WhatsApp and SMS CRM.

Doing this in HelloGrowthCRM

HelloGrowthCRM supports WhatsApp conversations by logging chats on the lead record, making follow-ups easier. It allows sending follow-ups as WhatsApp messages automatically through sequences and campaigns—a five-step follow-up over two weeks runs on its own and stops the moment the prospect replies. Additionally, AI agents can draft follow-up messages after calls for quick review and sending. Learn more about how HelloGrowthCRM helps UAE businesses manage WhatsApp communication at HelloGrowthCRM for the United Arab Emirates.

Frequently asked questions

Can I set different auto replies for different times of the day? Yes, WhatsApp Business lets you schedule Away Messages with a custom schedule. You can specify the days and hours during which the auto reply is active.

Will auto replies work if I use WhatsApp on multiple devices? Auto replies are controlled from the WhatsApp Business app on your primary device. If you use WhatsApp Web or linked devices, the auto reply settings will still apply but must be configured on the main phone.

Can I personalise auto replies with customer names? WhatsApp Business auto replies do not support dynamic personalisation like inserting customer names automatically. For advanced personalisation, consider using CRM tools that integrate with WhatsApp.

Does auto reply affect my chat history? No, auto replies simply send messages automatically but do not alter your chat history or delete messages.

Can I disable auto reply temporarily? Yes, you can toggle off the Away or Greeting Message anytime without deleting the message content, allowing quick reactivation.

Key takeaways

• Enable auto reply in WhatsApp Business via Settings > Business Tools.
• Compose clear, concise messages and schedule them appropriately.
• Test auto replies from another phone to ensure functionality.
• Update auto replies regularly to reflect current business hours or policies.
• Use HelloGrowthCRM for logged WhatsApp conversations, automated sequences, and AI drafting to improve follow-up efficiency.

Start improving your customer response today. Start on the Free Forever plan (200 leads, no credit card).