How to text back callers you missed automatically

Go to Settings › Phone System › Voice › Voicemail & Missed Call Text Back, check Enable Missed Call Text Back, write your message under Customize and save. To control repeats or do more than send a text, build a workflow with the Call Details trigger (incoming, no-answer or busy).

Updated on October 14, 2026

Before you start

You need a phone number in your account that can send SMS. For US numbers, A2P registration must be approved (see the related article).
You need access to Settings and, for the workflow version, to Automation.
Write the message first: short, with your business name and a question ("Sorry we missed your call. How can we help?").

Where to find it

Settings › Phone System › Voice › Voicemail & Missed Call Text Back › Missed Call Text Back

Step by step

Turn on the automatic text

Open Settings and click Phone System.
In the top bar, click Voice and open Voicemail & Missed Call Text Back.
In the side panel, click Missed Call Text Back.
Check Enable Missed Call Text Back.
Click Customize and write the message. You can insert the contact's name using the custom values icon (it only works if the number already exists as a contact).
Below the editor, pick a number and send yourself a test message.
Click Save.
In the same section, adjust the Incoming call timeout: that's what decides when a call counts as missed. 10 to 20 seconds is recommended.

Workflow version (to avoid repeats or do more)

Open Automation › Workflows and click Create Workflow › Start from Scratch.
Click Add New Trigger and, under Events, choose Call Details.
Add the Call Direction filter = Incoming.
Add the Call Status filter and select no-answer, busy and voicemail.
To apply it to one number only, add In Phone Number and pick it.
Save the trigger and add the actions: Send SMS with your message and, optionally, Create Task for a callback or an internal notification to the owner.
To avoid texting again when the customer calls several times in a row, add a Wait action (for example 20 minutes) before the SMS, or use a "text-sent" tag as a condition.
Test with a real unanswered call, then click Publish.

Tips

The text is sent, whenever possible, from the number the customer called. If that number can't send SMS (for example, a tracking number), the system automatically uses another eligible number in your account.
Turn on Call Connect in the number configuration: that way a call that landed in a staff member's cell phone voicemail doesn't count as answered and the text still goes out.
In Conversations, the missed-call text shows up in the contact's conversation; if it fails, you'll see the reason there.

Common problems

The text never goes out → The feature is off, or no number in the account can send SMS (in the US, A2P registration is missing). Check the Enable Missed Call Text Back box and your registration status.
The customer got three texts because they called three times → The built-in feature sends one text per missed call. Use the workflow version with a Wait action or a tag to filter repeats.
The text came from a different number than the one the customer called → That's intentional: the called number couldn't send SMS, so the system picked an eligible one rather than let the message fail.
The call was answered but the text still went out → It was answered by the carrier voicemail on the recipient's cell phone. Turn on Call Connect on the number so a call only counts as answered when a person presses a key.
The text takes too long to arrive → The Incoming call timeout is too high. Lower it to 10–20 seconds.

Frequently asked questions

Is the text sent even if the caller leaves a voicemail?

Yes. The call wasn't answered by a person, so it counts as missed and the text goes out.

Does it work for contacts with "Do Not Disturb" on?

No. The contact's communication preferences and DND settings are always respected.

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