The text to send when you miss a call

A missed call is someone who wanted to hire you. Text them back fast, before they call the next business. Three texts to copy, then the free phone tricks that send them in seconds.

The 3 texts

Only promise a callback time you will actually hit. If the caller's number is a landline, your text may never arrive, so call back instead.

Send it in seconds on iPhone

Make a shortcut (Text Replacement)

1. Copy one of the texts above.
2. Open Settings › General › Keyboard › Text Replacement.
3. Tap +.
4. Paste the text into Phrase.
5. In Shortcut, type a short code like mcx1. Pick something that isn't a real word.
6. Tap Save.

Now type mcx1 in any text and the whole message fills in. Make one code for each text: mcx1, mcx2, mcx3.

Text back while it's still ringing

When a call comes in that you can't take, tap Message and pick a reply. To write your own replies, go to Settings › Apps › Phone › Respond with Text and type over the ones there. (On older iPhones it's Settings › Phone › Respond with Text.)

Send it in seconds on Android

Menus change a little by phone brand. If a step doesn't match, search your phone's Settings for the bold word.

Make a shortcut with Gboard (Google's keyboard)

1. Open any text box so the keyboard shows. Tap the gear for Settings.
2. Tap Dictionary › Personal dictionary, then pick your language.
3. Tap +. Paste the full text on the top line and your short code, like mcx1, on the line below.
4. Now when you type mcx1, the full message shows up as a suggestion. Tap it.

Make a shortcut with Samsung Keyboard

1. Open Settings › General management › Samsung Keyboard settings › Text shortcuts. On some phones it's under More typing options.
2. Tap +, enter your shortcut and the full text, then tap Add.
3. Type the shortcut, then tap the full text when it shows up above the keyboard.

Text back while it's still ringing

• Google Phone app: tap More › Settings › Quick responses and edit the replies. When a call comes in, tap Message to decline it and send one.
• Samsung Phone app: tap the three dots, then Settings › Quick decline messages, and add your own. When a call comes in, swipe up and tap the message.

Pixel phones: Take a Message

On a Pixel 6 or newer in the US, Take a Message answers calls you miss or decline, plays your greeting, and gives you a written transcript of what they said. Google says it's free. Turn it on in the Phone app › Menu › Settings › Take a Message. It doesn't text the caller, but you'll know what they need before you text back.

Google Voice (iPhone or Android)

Google Voice gives you a second number for calls, texts and voicemail. Google says almost all calls to the US and Canada are free. Voicemails come with a written transcript, though Google warns transcripts can be wrong or missing. It won't text people back on its own, but the keyboard shortcuts above work in the Voice app too.