Can my iPhone automatically text people back when I miss a call?

iPhone's built-in Respond with Text sends a reply when you decline an incoming call. For calls you simply miss, the free option is a saved text shortcut you send from Recents. Fully automatic missed-call texts generally need a business phone system, job software that supports it, or a paid text-back service.

How do I change the decline-with-text messages on Android?

In the Google Phone app, open Settings, then Quick responses, and edit one of the replies. Samsung's Phone app has a similar quick-decline messages setting in its own settings.

Do I need a paid missed-call text-back app?

Not to start. A clear voicemail greeting, a saved missed-call text and your phone's decline replies cost nothing. A paid service makes sense when you miss enough calls that sending texts by hand isn't keeping up. Check whether your existing job software or phone plan already includes it first.

Does a missed-call text need an opt-out line?

The ACMA says messages that offer, advertise or promote goods or services are commercial and need consent, sender identification and a working unsubscribe option, and that even mostly factual messages can count. Keep a missed-call text to your business name and when you'll call back. If you add offers, follow the Spam Act rules. This is general information, not legal advice.

What should a pest control voicemail greeting say?

Your business name, that you're on a job, what to leave (name, suburb and the pest), and a specific time you'll call back. Keep it to about 20 seconds.

Missed-call text back for pest control, without a subscription

LocalePulse / Pest control / Missed-call text back

Guide for Australian pest control businesses

Dedicated missed-call text-back services usually charge a monthly fee. Before you pay for one, set up the free options already on your phone.

Direct answer

A pest control business can reply to missed calls quickly without a subscription: record a voicemail greeting that says when you'll ring back, save a "sorry I missed your call" text as a keyboard shortcut so you can send it from your recent calls in a few taps, and edit your phone's built-in decline-with-text replies for calls you can't take. Fully automatic missed-call texts generally need a business phone system, job software that supports it, or a paid text-back service, so check what you already pay for first.

Updated 10 October 2026 · Sources listed at the end of this page

Your options, from free to paid

Option	Cost	Automatic?	Best for
Voicemail greeting with a callback time	Free	Plays to every caller	Every business. Callers who won't leave a message still hear when you'll ring back.
Saved text shortcut (iPhone Text Replacement, Android Gboard personal dictionary)	Free	No, you send it	Texting back from your recent calls between jobs.
Decline with a text (iPhone Respond with Text, Google Phone Quick responses)	Free	No, one tap when you decline	Calls you see come in but can't take.
Missed-call SMS in your job software or business phone system	Included in some existing plans	Yes	If you already pay for one. Check its settings or ask the provider.
Dedicated missed-call text-back service	Monthly fee, varies by provider	Yes	High call volumes, where the fee is worth it compared with the jobs you would otherwise lose.

Set up the free version in about 15 minutes

Re-record your voicemail greeting. Say your business name, that you're on a job, what to leave (name, suburb, pest) and when you'll call back. Use the script below.
Save your missed-call text as a shortcut. iPhone: Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement, tap +, paste the text as the Phrase and add a short Shortcut such as "mcx". Android (Gboard): Gboard settings > Dictionary > Personal dictionary, tap +, paste the text and add the shortcut. Then, after a missed call, open Recents, tap message, and type the shortcut.
Edit the decline-with-text replies. iPhone: Settings > Apps > Phone > Respond with Text (on older iOS versions, Settings > Phone), then replace one of the three replies. Google Phone app on Android: Phone settings > Quick responses. Samsung's Phone app has a similar quick-decline messages setting.
Check what you already pay for. Some job management software and business phone plans can send an automatic SMS after a missed call. Look in the SMS or phone settings, or ask your provider, before signing up for anything new.
Promise a callback time you can keep. "By 3pm" or "tonight after 6" beats "ASAP". Then call back when you said you would.

Only touch your phone when it's safe and legal to do so. Don't set this up or send replies while driving.

Free templates you can paste

Voicemail greeting (about 20 seconds)

Hi, you've reached [Name] at [Business]. I'm on a job and can't take your call right now. Leave your name, your suburb and the pest you're dealing with, and I'll ring you back by [time / end of day]. If it's easier, text the details to this number. Thanks.

Missed-call text (save as a shortcut)

Hi, it's [Name] from [Business]. Sorry I missed your call, I'm on a job. I'll ring you back by [time]. If it's urgent, reply with your suburb and the pest and I'll prioritise you.

Decline-with-text reply (fits the iPhone and Android reply slots)

[Business]: on a job, can't talk. I'll call you back shortly. Text me your suburb and the pest.

After-hours version

Hi, it's [Name] from [Business]. Sorry I missed your call, we're closed for the day. I'll ring you back from [time] tomorrow. Reply with your suburb and the pest and I'll have a plan ready.

Keep these as direct replies to the person who called you: your business name and when you'll call back. If you add offers or promotions, the message becomes marketing and the Spam Act's consent, sender-identification and unsubscribe rules apply (see the FAQ).

FAQ

Can my iPhone automatically text people back when I miss a call?: iPhone's built-in Respond with Text sends a reply when you decline an incoming call. For calls you simply miss, the free option is a saved text shortcut you send from Recents. Fully automatic missed-call texts generally need a business phone system, job software that supports it, or a paid text-back service.
How do I change the decline-with-text messages on Android?: In the Google Phone app, open Settings, then Quick responses, and edit one of the replies. Samsung's Phone app has a similar quick-decline messages setting in its own settings.
Do I need a paid missed-call text-back app?: Not to start. A clear voicemail greeting, a saved missed-call text and your phone's decline replies cost nothing. A paid service makes sense when you miss enough calls that sending texts by hand isn't keeping up. Check whether your existing job software or phone plan already includes it first.
Does a missed-call text need an opt-out line?: The ACMA says messages that offer, advertise or promote goods or services are commercial and need consent, sender identification and a working unsubscribe option, and that even mostly factual messages can count. Keep a missed-call text to your business name and when you'll call back. If you add offers, follow the Spam Act rules. This is general information, not legal advice.
What should a pest control voicemail greeting say?: Your business name, that you're on a job, what to leave (name, suburb and the pest), and a specific time you'll call back. Keep it to about 20 seconds.

Sources

Apple Support: Answer or decline incoming calls on iPhone (Respond with Text)
Apple Support: Use text replacements on iPhone
Google Phone app Help: Change call settings (Quick responses)
Gboard Help: Get word suggestions & fix mistakes (personal dictionary)
ACMA: Avoid sending spam and common issues and mistakes