How to auto reply on Instagram, with or without Manychat
To auto reply on Instagram, start with Meta’s own tools. Add Manychat when the reply must ask, sort or hand off.
ManySetter teamUpdated 7 min read
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Chapter 01Compare
Instagram auto reply options, by job
Saved replies, FAQs and Meta’s templates each hold one fixed message. Manychat can ask, branch and hand off. Pick the tool for the job:
Which tool answers which DM
| Job | Use | Where | Sends itself? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Answer a question you type oftenUse: Saved replyWhere: Instagram appSends itself? No, you send it | Saved reply | Instagram app | No, you send it |
| Suggest questions in a new chatUse: FAQs, up to fourWhere: Instagram appSends itself? Its answer, if you add one | FAQs, up to four | Instagram app | Its answer, if you add one |
| Greet a first DMUse: Instant replyWhere: Meta Business SuiteSends itself? Yes | Instant reply | Meta Business Suite | Yes |
| Say when you’re backUse: Away messageWhere: Meta Business SuiteSends itself? Yes, in the hours you set | Away message | Meta Business Suite | Yes, in the hours you set |
| Share your hours or locationUse: Hours, Location or Contact templateWhere: Meta Business SuiteSends itself? Yes | Hours, Location or Contact template | Meta Business Suite | Yes |
| Reply to a word you chooseUse: Keyword triggerWhere: ManychatSends itself? Yes | Keyword trigger | Manychat | Yes |
| Catch every other DMUse: Default ReplyWhere: ManychatSends itself? Yes, every time or once in 24 hours | Default Reply | Manychat | Yes, every time or once in 24 hours |
On their own, none of these reads your offer or spots a lead ready for a call. For that, look at what runs after Manychat’s Default Reply.
One greeting per DM
Use Meta’s instant reply or a Manychat Default Reply for first DMs, not both. Then test from a second account.
Chapter 02Instagram app
Set up saved replies and FAQs
On Instagram, quick replies are called saved replies. Like FAQs, they need a business or creator account. Use the mobile app.
Save a message you sent
Where to click: Hold the messageMoreSave
Send your answer once. Hold it down, tap More, then Save, and pick a keyboard shortcut.
Insert it in a chat
Type the shortcut, tap the chat icon that appears, check the text, then send it yourself.
Add up to four FAQs
Where to click: MessagesToolsFrequently asked questions
Turn on Show Questions. Add each question with an optional automated response, then tap Save.
FAQ taps land in Requests
When someone picks one of your questions, their message waits in Requests until you accept it. No FAQs of your own? A business account may show four that Instagram suggests (FAQs on Instagram chats (opens in a new tab), saved replies (opens in a new tab), checked October 27, 2026).
ManySetter
Selling through Instagram DMs?
An AI setter in your Manychat Default Reply answers from your offer and books the call.
- Keeps your Manychat flows
- Answers from your offer
- Books a call or hands off
Build and test free · Works with your Manychat account
Chapter 03Meta Business Suite
Turn on an instant reply and an away message
For an automatic reply on Instagram to a first DM, or while you’re away, use Meta Business Suite. It covers Instagram business accounts connected to it.
Open Automations
Where to click: InboxAutomations
On desktop, check the business portfolio first. In the mobile app, tap the icon at the top right.
Create the instant reply
Where to click: Create automationAuto reply
Desktop calls it Auto reply. Switch on Instagram, write the greeting, save. It answers a first message.
Add the away message
Where to click: Create automationAway message
Write it, then set the time zone, days and hours. It runs only during those hours.
Check the status
Each automation has a toggle under Status. A new one can take a few minutes to appear.
What pauses them
Turning on Meta Business Agent pauses existing automations, away messages and instant replies included. Instagram missing from a template? Some aren’t available on every platform (Inbox automations (opens in a new tab), desktop setup (opens in a new tab), mobile setup (opens in a new tab), checked October 27, 2026).
Chapter 04Manychat
When Manychat’s Default Reply takes over
Use Manychat when the reply must ask something, save the answer or route the DM. First, set up your Instagram account for Manychat. Then each DM takes this path:
- 01A DM arrivesOn your account
- 02Keywords checkedA match runs its flow
- 03No matchThe Default Reply runs
- 04Next stepAnswer, ask or hand off
Add your keywords
Where to click: AutomationKeywords+ New Keyword
Pick Instagram and a rule. “Message is” needs the word alone; “Message contains” finds it in a sentence.
Set the Default Reply
Where to click: AutomationBasicDefault Reply
It answers any DM no keyword matches. Pick an automation or build a new one.
Choose how often it fires
Every time, or once every 24 hours per contact. On Instagram, you can leave Story replies out.
Set it live
Turn the toggle on, then click Set Live (Default Reply guide (opens in a new tab), Keywords guide (opens in a new tab)).
Chapter 05Copy
Five Instagram auto reply messages to copy
Fill the brackets and promise only the delays you keep. Each one fits a tool from the table.
First DM
Instant reply, in Meta Business Suite.
Thanks for the DM! Replace [Name] reads every message and replies within Replace [response time]. What can we help with?
- Why it works
- A name and a real delay set the right expectation.
Away message
Away message, during the away hours you schedule.
We’re offline until Replace [day] at Replace [time and zone]. Prices and hours are in our Replace [highlight name] Story Highlight.
- Why it works
- People can find the answer before you’re back.
Hours and location
Hours or Location template, or an FAQ answer.
We’re open Replace [days], Replace [hours], at Replace [address]. Book a time here: Replace [booking link]
- Why it works
- The detail they asked for, plus one next step.
Collab request
Saved reply, for brand and partnership DMs.
Thanks for thinking of us! Partnerships go through Replace [email]. Send the brand, dates and budget there.
- Why it works
- Brand deals leave the sales inbox with what you need.
Unmatched DM
Manychat Default Reply, set to once every 24 hours.
Got your message! Tap below if it’s about Replace [offer], or write your question and Replace [name] will answer it.
Prices and packages- Why it works
- Once in 24 hours, so it doesn’t answer every line they send.
Writing the messages after the first one?
Messages by sales stage are in our Instagram DM templates. For a full script from your offer, try the DM setting script generator.
Chapter 06Test
Don’t auto reply to everything
Some DMs need a person, not a fixed reply. Keep these out, or route them:
Upset or urgent
A person answers first, with no menu in the way.
Story replies
A Story emoji isn’t a question. Leave Story replies out of the Default Reply.
Collabs and press
Point them to email with a saved reply.
Hidden requests
Instagram moves likely spam to Requests. Check that folder yourself.
Then run each case from a second account and check what the person actually sees:
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