How to set up auto reply on Telegram
Telegram has no single auto reply switch. What you use depends on whether you have Premium and what the reply needs to do. Here are the three ways.
Updated 5 November 2026
The short answer
With Telegram Premium, set an away or greeting message in Settings > Telegram Business. Without Premium, connect a bot in Settings > Chat Automation. If the messages come from ads you post in groups, teleFWD! answers new leads and saves them in one inbox.
The three ways, compared
| Way | Good for | What you need | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Away or greeting message | Saying you’re away, or welcoming new contacts | Telegram Premium | Included with Premium |
| Connect a bot | Custom replies in the chats you choose | A bot built for this | Free to connect, then depends on the bot |
| teleFWD! auto-reply | Answering leads from ads you post in groups | A teleFWD! plan, with your bot running | From $5 a week |
1. Set an away or greeting message
- Open Settings > Telegram Business.
- Choose Away Messages or Greeting Messages.
- Write your message and turn it on.
An away message goes out when you’re closed or on holiday. A greeting goes to people who contact you for the first time, and you choose how long before it can go out again.
The catch: Telegram Business features come with Telegram Premium.
2. Connect a bot to your account
Every Telegram user can now connect a bot to their profile. Go to Settings > Chat Automation, pick the bot, and choose which chats it can reach. You can leave out your contacts, for example, or let it answer new chats only.
The catch: you need a bot built for this, and it works with the chats you give it, so only connect one you trust.
3. Reply to ad leads with teleFWD!
If you post ads in Telegram groups, people reply when you’re busy or asleep. teleFWD! sends your saved reply to new contacts, or to everyone, with a cooldown so nobody gets it on repeat. It also answers people who reply to your ad in a group, saves each lead in one inbox, and alerts you on Telegram.
The catch: it’s a paid tool, and it replies while your teleFWD! bot is running. It runs on our servers, so your laptop can be off. Posting ads in lots of groups can get your account restricted, so read this first.
Questions
Can I set an auto reply on Telegram for free?
Yes, by connecting a bot in Settings > Chat Automation, which every Telegram user can do. Away and greeting messages come with Telegram Premium.
Where is the away message setting on Telegram?
In Settings > Telegram Business, under Away Messages. It comes with Telegram Premium.
Does Telegram auto reply work in groups?
Away and greeting messages are for people who message you directly. teleFWD! also answers people who reply to your ad in a group.
Will people get the same auto reply again and again?
Not with teleFWD!. You choose new contacts only or everyone, and a cooldown stops the same person getting it on repeat.
Posting ads in Telegram groups?
teleFWD! posts your ad to your groups on a schedule, from your own account, and shows you which groups won’t take it. New accounts can try it once for 3 days for $3, then it continues as Monthly ($15) unless you cancel.
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