gOOOvy Sign in
← Back to gOOOvy

Google Voice auto reply for texts — keep the number you already use

Google Voice cannot auto-reply to SMS. gOOOvy adds a schedule-based out-of-office on the same number, via the Gmail notifications Voice already sends. $8.99/month or $89.99/year. Cancel anytime.

Subscribe now Why native Voice has no auto-reply →

The problem

If you use Google Voice as a work or client line, missed texts look like you disappeared. There is no “vacation responder” in Voice. Do Not Disturb only sends calls to voicemail — Google’s own help page says that setting does not handle texts. Workspace auto-attendant is a phone menu, not SMS.

Switching to a full business phone (Quo, OpenPhone, and others) solves auto-reply by replacing Voice. gOOOvy is for people who want to keep the Google Voice number.

How Google Voice auto reply works in gOOOvy

  1. Incoming text. Someone texts your Google Voice number.
  2. Gmail notification. Voice already forwards that SMS to the Gmail inbox on the same account.
  3. Schedule check. gOOOvy sees the Voice notification and checks your per-day OOO window and timezone.
  4. SMS goes out. If you are away, gOOOvy replies from Gmail. Voice delivers it as a text. Breakthrough numbers are skipped. VIP numbers get their own message.

This is the same path Google Voice already uses for email. gOOOvy does not scrape the Voice app and does not need a second phone number.

Who this is for

Each subscription covers one Google account and one Voice number.

How it compares

Native Google Voice Gmail / Apps Script DIY Switch to Quo / OpenPhone gOOOvy
Keep your GV number Yes Yes No — new system Yes
SMS auto-reply No If you maintain the script Yes Yes
Per-day schedule No You build it Yes Yes, with timezone
Skip list / VIP copy No You build it Varies Breakthrough List + VIP messages
Price Free / Workspace add-on Your time Typically $15+/user/mo $8.99/mo or $89.99/yr

Pricing

$8.99/month billed monthly, or $89.99/year ($7.50/month, 17% less). No setup fee, no contract. Cancel from the billing portal; service runs through the end of the period you paid for.

Start Google Voice auto reply See plans on the homepage

What you need

gOOOvy asks for Gmail read access (to see Voice notifications) and send access (to send the reply). We do not use Gmail data for ads. Details are in the privacy policy.

Frequently asked questions

Does Google Voice have a built-in auto reply for texts?
No. Consumer Google Voice and Google Voice for Workspace do not include an SMS auto-reply or text out-of-office. Call auto-attendants exist on paid Workspace Voice plans, but they do not send texts.
How does gOOOvy send a Google Voice auto reply?
Google Voice already forwards incoming texts to Gmail. gOOOvy watches those notifications and, when your schedule says you are away, replies from Gmail. Google Voice delivers that reply as an SMS.
Will this work with my existing Google Voice number?
Yes. You keep the same number. Sign in with the Google account that owns the Voice number and turn on text forwarding to Gmail if it is not already on.
Is this the same as Gmail's vacation responder?
No. Gmail vacation replies go to the SMTP Return-Path, which for Google Voice texts is a bounce address, not the sender's txt.voice.google.com address. That is why canned responses fail. gOOOvy replies to the Voice sender so the SMS is delivered.
How much does Google Voice auto reply cost with gOOOvy?
$8.99 per month or $89.99 per year ($7.50 per month). Cancel anytime from the billing portal. No setup fee.
Can some people skip the auto reply?
Yes. The Breakthrough List skips OOO entirely for chosen numbers. VIP contacts get a custom message instead of your default.

More background: Does Google Voice have auto-reply?