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How to Add Custom Replies for Messages on Your Apple Watch

May 1, 2015 05:06 PM

Dec 20, 2018 04:19 PM

Text conversation on a smartphone screen.

The display on the Apple Watch is way too small to even attempt typing on it, which is why the Messages app only allows for responses using default replies or by speaking a message. But you won't always be able to speak a message, and often the default replies will be too generic to want to use.

The Handoff feature may be the best option for creating long, detailed text messages, but for shorter ones, just create your own personalized canned responses and have them readily available when replying to messages. It sure beats using Apple's own "Can I call you later?" generic response.

Enter the Apple Watch app on your iPhone and select Messages -> Default Replies. You can have up to six custom replies; just tap a line and begin composing your message.

Settings screen for Messages app with highlighted option for "Default Replies."

After setting up your replies in the Watch app, the next time you receive a text, you'll be able to use your new custom messages. It's as simple as that.

Text message conversation displaying a message that says "On my way!"

Text conversation with affectionate phrases.

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The next big software update for iPhone is coming sometime in April and will include a Food section in Apple News+, an easy-to-miss new Ambient Music app, Priority Notifications thanks to Apple Intelligence, and updates to apps like Mail, Photos, Podcasts, and Safari. See what else is coming to your iPhone with the iOS 18.4 update.