Missed call auto-reply automatically texts people when you miss their call, so they know you'll follow up. It works whether or not your Receptionist answers the call. Texts are sent from your Beside number, and replies land on that same line.
Turn on auto-reply
On the web
Go to Settings → Phone Numbers and open the line you want to use
Open the Automations tab
Under Missed calls auto-reply, turn on Auto reply to missed calls
The toggle saves automatically. If you don't have a saved message yet, Beside seeds a default one when you turn it on.
On iPhone
Open Settings. If you have more than one line, tap the line you want to use.
Tap Missed Call Auto-Reply. Depending on your version of the app, it is in the Text Messages or the Phone section.
Turn on Auto reply to missed calls
On Android
Open Settings. If you have more than one line, tap the line you want to use.
Tap Missed call auto-reply. Depending on your version of the app, it is in the Messages or the Phone section.
Turn on Auto reply to missed calls
On both apps the row shows On or Off, and the toggle saves automatically. If you don't have a saved message yet, Beside seeds the default one when you turn it on.
Customize the message
When auto-reply is on, you can edit the message that gets sent.
Default message:
"Sorry we missed your call. Feel free to text us here, or we'll follow up shortly."
Tips:
Keep it short and clear
Add your business name if you want it included
The message can't be empty
It can be up to 480 characters. A counter under the message shows how many you have used.
Saving on the web
Edit the message in Automations → Missed calls auto-reply
Save and Discard appear at the top of the Automations tab as soon as you change something. Tap Save when you're done.
Tap Discard to revert to the last saved message
If you try to leave the page, switch tabs, or go back with unsaved edits, Beside asks whether to Keep editing or Discard your changes. An empty message can't be saved.
Saving on iPhone or Android
Edit the message, then tap Save at the top of the screen. If you leave with unsaved changes:
On iPhone, choose Discard to drop them or Cancel to stay on the screen.
On Android, choose Save, Discard or Cancel.
If the message is empty, you can only discard your changes or go back and finish it.
About the signature
Every auto-reply includes your text signature at the end - the same signature used for Receptionist text messages.
Example: "– Sent by Acme's Receptionist (Beside on App Store)"
You can edit it from either place - it's one shared setting per line, so a change applies to both:
On the auto-reply screen itself. On the web, type it in the Signature box under the message; when the box is empty, its grey hint shows the signature that will be used. On iPhone or Android, tap Signature, which shows Add a signature if your line hasn't set one yet.
Or go to Receptionist → Text and edit Signature.
If your line has never set a signature, Beside falls back to a default one rather than sending the text unsigned.
The auto-reply screen also notes which number sends auto-replies and that the signature is shared with your Receptionist. To open this article from there, select Missed-call auto-reply guide on the web, Learn more on Android, or the ? next to the screen title on iPhone.
When a text is sent
Beside sends the auto-reply when:
Someone calls your Beside number, and
The call isn't answered by you or your team
This includes:
Calls you miss while the Receptionist is off
Calls the Receptionist answers (the text sends after that call ends)
Calls that don't ring your phones because of your Ringing Schedule or Do Not Disturb
The text goes out a few minutes after the call, once Beside knows how the call ended. It is sent at any hour, including at night.
When a text isn't sent
Auto-reply is skipped if:
You or a teammate already answered the call
The Receptionist transferred the caller and someone picked up
You (or a teammate) already texted that caller after the missed call
That caller already received an auto-reply from this line in the last 24 hours
The caller has opted out of automated texts
The call was blocked: a number you blocked, a call flagged as likely spam, or an unknown caller your settings block
The caller booked an appointment with your Receptionist during the call. They get the booking confirmation instead.
Your Receptionist already texted the caller a follow-up from that call
The caller's number was hidden
Your line's number can't send texts
Good to know
💡 No Text Receptionist needed: Auto-reply does not require Text Receptionist to be on. The text still sends.
If the caller texts back and Text Receptionist is off, their reply still lands on your line as a normal message. The Receptionist just won't auto-continue the conversation.
The same caller won't get another auto-reply from that line for 24 hours.
FAQ
Do I need Text Receptionist turned on for auto-reply to work?
Do I need Text Receptionist turned on for auto-reply to work?
No. Missed call auto-reply works independently of Text Receptionist. The text still sends even if Text Receptionist is off.
Does auto-reply send even if my Receptionist answers the call?
Does auto-reply send even if my Receptionist answers the call?
Yes. Auto-reply works whether or not your Receptionist answers. If the Receptionist handles the call, the text sends after that call ends. It is skipped if the caller booked an appointment during the call, or if the Receptionist already texted them a follow-up.
How often can the same caller get an auto-reply?
How often can the same caller get an auto-reply?
Once every 24 hours per line. If that caller already received an auto-reply from this line in the last 24 hours, they won't get another one on a repeat missed call.
Will a caller get the text in the middle of the night?
Will a caller get the text in the middle of the night?
Yes. The auto-reply goes out a few minutes after the call, whatever the time, because it answers a call the person just made.
Can I change the signature on the auto-reply?
Can I change the signature on the auto-reply?
Yes. Edit it straight from the auto-reply screen (the Signature box on the web, the Signature row on iPhone or Android), or from Receptionist → Text → Signature. It's one shared setting per line, so either way the change applies everywhere your Receptionist sends texts, auto-reply included.
What if I already texted the caller myself?
What if I already texted the caller myself?
Auto-reply is skipped. If you or a teammate already texted that caller after the missed call, Beside won't send a duplicate auto-reply.
Can I turn off the message and just send a blank text?
Can I turn off the message and just send a blank text?
No. The message can't be empty. If you want to stop auto-replies entirely, turn off Auto reply to missed calls instead.
Where do I find this setting on the web?
Where do I find this setting on the web?
Settings → Phone Numbers → [your line] → Automations → Missed calls auto-reply.
Where do I find this setting on my phone?
Where do I find this setting on my phone?
In Settings, on the line's own settings if you have more than one line. On iPhone it is called Missed Call Auto-Reply (in Text Messages or Phone); on Android, Missed call auto-reply (in Messages or Phone).