How to Respond to Incoming Calls with a Message on an iPhone

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: June 24, 2022 Tested

To respond to an incoming call on your iPhone with a text message, tap the Message button when receiving a call, then tap the message you want to send. You can tap Custom to write your own message, and you can use the Settings app to set what messages appear.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Responding with a Text Message

1
Receive a call on your iPhone. You'll see the option to respond with a text message when you get an incoming call.
2
Tap the Message button on the incoming call screen. This looks like a message bubble, and can be found on the right side of the screen, above the Slide to Answer or Accept button.

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3
Tap one of the preconfigured messages. There are three premade messages you can choose from. Tap one to decline the call and send the message.
- You can change these messages to whatever you'd like. See Changing the Default Message for details.
4
Tap Custom to write your own message. This will open the Messages app and allow you to write a custom text message to send the caller.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Changing the Default Messages

1
Tap the Settings app. You can find this on one of your Home screens, sometimes in a folder labeled "Utilities."
2
Tap Phone.
3
Tap Respond with Text.
4
Tap one of the message fields.
5
Type the message you want to use.
6
Tap the X to delete a custom message.
7
Tap your new messages when responding to a call. Your new custom messages will replace the original options that appear when you choose to respond with a text. Tapping one will send it immediately.^{[1]
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Community Q&A

Question

How can I save a custom text message to an incoming call?

Community Answer

iPhones have an option when somebody is calling to apply a custom message. The next time someone is calling and you want to do that, just press that button! It usually appears after you press Respond to Messages.
Question

How can I leave an answering message for incoming government calls?

Community Answer

Just add a 'qualifier,' like, "if this is a government agency, ___," in the body of your regular message.
Question

How do I change the message for in the coming calls on my iPhone?

Community Answer

"In the Coming Calls" usually has a message "Hello, I am an incoming call. I take on the form of one.". Double click a message and press "Change Message" to change the message. It will change to "Hello, I am not an incoming call. I don't take on the form of one.".