Tech Guide

How to set an out-of-office message on your iPhone

Key Points
  • CNBC shows you how to set up an out-of-office message from your iPhone.
  • This sends a reply to people automatically if you're on vacation or not in the office.
  • It's kind of hidden and isn't inside the Mail app, which makes it a little confusing.
Yuriy Melnikov | EyeEm | Getty

I recently took a week off and, to my surprise, found it harder than expected to set an out-of-office message from my iPhone.

If you're unfamiliar, an out-of-office message can be used to automatically tell people you aren't checking email. It's useful for when you're on vacation or out sick.

One would think it would be an option under the iPhone's Mail settings, but it isn't. Instead, it's buried to the side. It took me longer than I thought it would to get it going, so I figured I can't be the only one with the issue. Here's how to set an out of office message from your iPhone.

Open Settings then scroll down to "Accounts & Passwords."

This is the main settings menu on an iPhone
Todd Haselton | CNBC

Select the e-mail account that you want to set an automatic reply from.

Choose the email account you want to use
Todd Haselton | CNBC

Scroll down to the bottom and tap "Automatic Reply." 

Scroll down until you see this option
Todd Haselton | CNBC

Turn Automatic Reply on

Turn on Automatic Reply
Todd Haselton | CNBC

Select how long you want the message to be on for, and then create your custom message. Turn on "External Away Message" to apply this to people e-mailing from outside of your company, too.

Set your automatic reply
Todd Haselton | CNBC

That's it! Now you have automatic reply set up. Enjoy your vacation.