Forward SMS

How to auto reply to SMS or Calls

By Forward SMS Team ·
10 min read
remotly reply to another phone number

The Auto Reply feature allows users to send automatic responses to incoming SMS messages or calls without manual intervention. With this feature, you can configure a predefined text message that is sent instantly whenever a message or call is received.


This feature ensures timely communication, maintains professionalism, and enhances user convenience in managing incoming messages or calls.


Follow these steps to configure your Auto Reply Rule:

  1. Open the Forward SMS app and tap the New Rule button and choose the Auto Reply Rule option to start creating an auto-reply rule.
  2. (Optional) Customize the rule name for easier identification, especially if you have multiple rules
  3. Choose the message sources you want this rule to apply to. By default, it auto replies to SMS received.
  4. Type the message you wish to send as a reply. This message is highly customizable, e.g. you can configure it to reply with sender name to make it more personalized.
  5. Specify the conditions for triggering the rule. If multiple conditions are set, the rule will activate only when all conditions are satisfied.
  6. Define how auto reply should be sent in case multiple messages are sent or calls are made by sender.
  7. Set a delay before the auto-reply is sent, if needed.
  8. Specify the schedule when rule should work. You can specify week days and time.
    9. Use condition "Do not work when" to setup schedule when rule should NOT work.
  9. Create filters to restrict the rule to specific senders or messages containing certain keywords.
  10. For dual sim phones, you can select SIM on which the rule should work or SIM which should send auto reply.
  11. Review your configurations and save the rule to activate it.

    12. Your auto-reply rule is now set up and will respond automatically to messages and calls based on your specified settings.



Available Properties for auto reply messages

In auto reply message you can configure properties that will be dynamically updated.

{msg}: Message Received. (Blank in case of call as source)
{sender_full_name}: Sender full name. Blank in case contact is not saved.
{sender_first_name}:Sender first name. Blank in case contact is not saved.
{sender_last_name}: Sender last name. Blank in case contact is not saved.
{time_12}: Time in 12 hour format.
{time_24}: Time in 24 hour format.
{date}: Date
{day_of_week}: Day of the week. E.g Monday, Tuesday.
{month}: Month
{year}: Year

1. Auto Reply Message configured: Hi, {sender_full_name}, I'll call you by {time_12 + 1}

2. Sender name was John Soto and a message was received at 4:15 PM.

3. Message Replied: Hi John, I'll call you by 5:15 PM.


In essence, remote reply capability enhances accessibility and flexibility in managing SMS communications by enabling replies from designated secondary phones and providing options to choose the recipient phone number or contact. It ensures that you can stay connected and responsive even when your primary phone is not readily accessible.

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