To set up out of office in Gmail, click the gear icon → See all settings, stay on the General tab, scroll to Vacation responder, select Vacation responder on, set the first and last day, write a subject and message, then click Save Changes. Gmail replies to each sender at most once every 4 days while it is on.
Updated 2026 · Checked against Google Gmail Help
Web: gear → See all settings → General → Vacation responder → on → dates → message → Save Changes. Android and iPhone app: menu → Settings → your account → Vacation responder (Out of Office AutoReply on some Android versions). Set a Last day so it switches itself off.
| Where | Path | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Gmail on the web | Gear → See all settings → General → Vacation responder | Save Changes is at the very bottom of the page; nothing applies until you click it. |
| Gmail app (Android) | Menu → Settings → your account → Vacation responder | Some versions call it Out of Office AutoReply. |
| Gmail app (iPhone, iPad) | Menu → Settings → your account → Vacation responder | Same settings as the web; changes sync. |
| Google Workspace (work account) | Same path as the web | Adds an option to reply only to people in your organization. |
| How often it replies | Once per sender, up to every 4 days | Replies again if the same person writes after 4 days, or if you edit the message. |
In Gmail's upper-right corner, click the gear icon to open the Quick settings panel.
Click "See all settings" at the top of the panel.
You'll land on the General tab. Scroll all the way to the bottom, Vacation responder is the second-to-last section.
Click the radio button labeled "Vacation responder on." Set your First day (when the auto-reply starts) and check the Last day box if you have a specific return date.
If you don't set a Last day, the responder runs until you manually disable it. Set the date, it's safer.
Subject line: keep it short and specific. "Out of office until [return date]" works.
Message body: use our free template below or our free generator.
Two checkboxes appear below the message:
Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page and click "Save Changes." Your vacation responder is now active.
You'll see a yellow banner at the top of Gmail confirming "Vacation responder on." Click "End now" any time to disable it manually.
iOS or Android, same flow.
Tap the menu icon (three lines, top-left) → scroll to bottom → tap Settings.
Tap the email account you want to set up the responder for. (If you have multiple accounts, each needs its own setup.)
It's near the bottom of the account settings. Toggle it on, set dates, write your message, save.
Out of office until [return date]
Hello, Thank you for your email. I am out of office from [start date] until [return date] and will not be checking email during this time. For urgent matters, please contact [name] at [email]. They have full coverage and will be glad to help. I will respond to your message in the order received upon my return. Best regards, [Your name]
Need a different tone (warm, playful, brief, firm)? Use our free OOO message generator, five tones, eight reasons, copy-and-paste output.
No. Gmail replies to each sender the first time they write, then at most once every 4 days while the responder is on. Editing the message resets that.
Gmail does not send vacation replies to messages in Spam or to mail sent through mailing lists you subscribe to. You can also limit replies to your Contacts.
Yes. Pick a future First day. The responder starts at the beginning of that day and stops at the end of the Last day.
Yes, with the same steps. Workspace adds a checkbox to only reply to people in your organization.
Only mail that actually arrives in that Gmail inbox gets a reply. Aliases that forward elsewhere are not covered.
General information, researched from the sources above; not legal, HR or tax advice.
The auto-reply tells people you're out. OutOfOfficePro is a live page they can tap to instantly reach the right person, by issue type, automatically routed. Add the URL to your responder body and your vacation message stops being passive. $9.99/mo for active routing.
Set up your routing page →