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Activate auto reply for text messages on Android so you're not interrupted

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Activate auto reply for text messages on Android so you're not interrupted

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Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the constant stream of text messages that are vying for your attention and response? 

Do you wish you could stay focused on what you are doing without being interrupted by your phone? Well, we have just the answer.

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Setting up an auto reply for your SMS messages on Android

You might benefit from setting up an auto reply for your SMS messages. An auto reply is a feature that automatically sends a predefined message to anyone who texts you, letting them know that you are not able to reply at the moment and when you will get back to them. This way, you can avoid distractions, manage expectations and stay focused on your priorities.

CLICK TO GET KURT’S FREE CYBERGUY NEWSLETTER WITH SECURITY ALERTS, QUICK VIDEO TIPS, TECH REVIEWS AND EASY HOW-TO’S TO MAKE YOU SMARTER

SMS Auto Reply/Autoresponder app (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Use a third-party app called SMS Auto Reply/Autoresponder

However, if you are an Android user, you might have noticed that your phone does not have a built-in aunt reply feature. This means that you have to manually reply to each message or ignore them altogether, which can be frustrating and time-consuming.

Fortunately, there is a solution for this problem. You can use a third-party app called SMS Auto Reply /Autoresponder by LeMi Apps, which allows you to customize your own messages and lists of contacts. This app is easy to use and has many features that can help you win back some of your own time and reduce stress.

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SMS Auto Reply/Autoresponder app (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MORE: TOP ANDROID PHONES OF 2024

How to install and use the SMS Auto Reply / Autoresponder app

  • First, go to the Google Play Store app on your Android phone.
  • Then type in SMS Auto Reply in the search bar.
  • Look for the SMS Auto Reply /Autoresponder app.
  • Hit Install to download it.
  • After it’s installed, press Open.

Installation of SMS Auto Reply/Autoresponder app (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

  • From the front page, you’ll first hit the Add/Edit plus sign. This will take you to the screen where you can create a new auto reply rule.
  • At the top, there’s a drop list with possible reasons to be unavailable, such as Busy, Meeting, Out of the Office, Sleeping, etc.

Steps to use SMS Auto Reply/Autoresponder app (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

  • Below that there’s a spot where you can name this specific reason. Let’s say you selected Busy above. The message could be “I am in a meeting.” 
  • Under that is where you write the message itself. You can type in whatever you want, such as “Sorry, not available.”
  • Then, scroll down a bit to find Personalized List.
  • Tap the Pencil icon next to Personalized List to select a contact or contact groups that the personalized message should go to.

Steps to use SMS Auto Reply/Autoresponder app (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

  • Tap + ADD on the bottom right of the screen, then choose Add Contacts, then click OK.
  • Once you choose the contacts, then tap Add.
  • Now, type out the message for them, like, “Sorry, I am busy right now. Call you later,” then click Apply.

BEWARE OF A NEW ANDROID THREAT TARGETING YOUR PHOTOS AND TEXTS WITHOUT EVEN OPENING THEM

Steps to use SMS Auto Reply/Autoresponder app (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

You can also specify numbers you don’t want to auto respond to. For instance, you can exclude people with whom you expect to remain in contact, even while you’re out of the office.

  • Tap the Pencil icon next to the Don’t Reply List field to select a contact or contact groups that you don’t want a message to go to.
  • Tap + ADD, then choose from one of these options: Single Number, Range of Numbers, Contact Numbers, or Group of Contacts.
  • Then type in the number and then tap Add.

MORE: HOW TO CHANGE YOUR PRIVACY SETTINGS ON ANDROID

Setting a schedule for auto responses

Next, you’ll want to set up a schedule for the auto responder to run on.

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  • Choose Set Time on the home page, or the Set Time button at the bottom of the previous editing screen, to configure this.
  • Make sure you have the right reply template selected from the dropdown bar at the top. Then you have four options for the SMS auto reply schedule:

Run By Time: Lets you pick a time period when the auto responder should be active. Simply set a start time with From and an ending time with To.

Run By Date: Will respond to messages during a period of dates (plus start and end times on those dates) that you choose. This is useful for setting up “out of office” text replies when you know you’ll be away for a set number of days.

Run by Week Days: Will activate the auto responder for the time period you choose on the specified days of the week. Check the Repeat Weekly box if you want to run the same way in the coming weeks.

Run when your car Bluetooth connects: Lets you activate the profile when your phone connects to one or more Bluetooth devices of your choosing. Make sure that you have Bluetooth enabled and the device(s) paired before selecting this. *This option requires you to update via in-app purchase for $2.89 (at the time of publishing).

X Setting a schedule for responses with SMS Auto Reply/Autoresponder app (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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MORE: BEST ACCESSORIES FOR YOUR PHONE

Kurt’s key takeaways

Setting up an auto reply for your SMS messages can be a great way to reclaim some of your own time and reduce stress. You can customize your messages and lists of contacts to suit your needs and preferences. We encourage you to try out the SMS Auto Reply/Autoresponder app and see how it can improve your productivity and well-being.

What are some of the situations or reasons that make you want to use an auto reply for your SMS messages on your Android? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips & security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

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Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

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Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

Technology

Tenways’ compact e-bike twists and folds to go flat

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Tenways’ compact e-bike twists and folds to go flat

Tenways just launched its new CGO Compact electric bike in Europe that’s designed to fit into tight spaces like car trunks, apartment hallways, and train compartments.

To achieve this, the CGO Compact is fitted with small 20-inch wheels, folding pedals, and a handlebar fitted with a twistable stem to create a slim, wall-hugging profile. The adjustable steering column and low-step through frame also make it suitable for a wide range of rider heights, so it could be a good shareable e-bike for families. And its MIK HD rear carrier system is good for hauling up to 27kg (almost 60 pounds) around town, with mounting points for additional accessories like a crate or child seat.

Tenways might not be a household name globally, but the Chinese e-bike company headquartered in the Netherlands is making a name for itself in Europe thanks to aggressive pricing, sleek designs, and over 1,500 shops and service centers. And while the CGO Compact’s €1,999 (about $2,365) price tag isn’t cheap, it’s well below the €2,681 average for European e-bikes.

The company does sell e-bikes in the US, but the CGO Compact is only for sale in Europe as of today. It features a 250W rear-hub motor connected to a Gates Carbon belt drive for maintenance-free propulsion. It promises a range of up to 100km from its 500Wh removable battery, but its single-speed drivetrain produces only 45Nm of torque so it’s best suited for relatively flat cities. If your commute does stray from asphalt then the suspension seat post should help absorb bumps. There’s also an integrated torque sensor to ensure the smooth delivery of pedal-assisted power, and Tektro hydraulic disc brakes should keep any sudden stops under control.

The CGO Compact lives up to its name regarding size, but it’s not all that lightweight. Stripped down it weighs 19.8kg (almost 44 pounds), or 22.1kg (almost 49 pounds) with all the accessories you’ll want in wet urban environments. That makes it heavier than many full-sized e-bikes, even from Tenways, and less versatile than the excellent 20-inch Brompton G foldable which also weighs less but costs more than twice as much.

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Fox News AI Newsletter: Trump activates ‘tech force’

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Fox News AI Newsletter: Trump activates ‘tech force’

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Welcome to Fox News’ Artificial Intelligence newsletter with the latest AI technology advancements.

IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER:

Inside Trump administration’s AI tech force designed to modernize government
Elon Musk slams Anthropic AI models as ‘misanthropic’ and ‘evil’ in scathing social media post
AI power players pour cash into competitive primaries as 2026 midterms heat up

‘TECH FORCE’: Inside Trump administration’s AI initiative designed to modernize government – FOX Business reports on the Trump administration’s latest initiative to overhaul federal efficiency, detailing an internal AI “tech force” tasked with modernizing antiquated government systems and streamlining operations.

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TECH ALLIANCE: War Department to partner with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT, GenAI for military use – The Department of Defense is reportedly strengthening its technological arsenal through a strategic partnership with OpenAI, aiming to integrate ChatGPT and generative AI capabilities into military operations to maintain a strategic edge.

SCATHING POST: Elon Musk slams Anthropic AI models as ‘misanthropic’ and ‘evil’ – Tech billionaire Elon Musk took to social media to unleash a scathing attack on rival AI firm Anthropic, characterizing their models as “misanthropic” and “evil” in a post that highlights the intensifying ideological rift within Silicon Valley.

Elon Musk, chief executive officer of Tesla Inc., during the US-Saudi Investment Forum at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, US, on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 (Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

POWER PLAYERS: AI execs pour cash into competitive primaries as 2026 midterms heat up – With the 2026 midterm elections on the horizon, deep-pocketed investors and executives from the artificial intelligence sector are pouring cash into competitive primaries, hoping to shape the regulatory landscape for the booming technology.

OPINION: AI raises the stakes for national security — here is how to get it right – In this opinion piece, OpenAI’s Chris Lehane argues that the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence has dramatically raised the stakes for American national security, outlining a strategic framework to ensure the U.S. maintains its dominance without compromising safety.

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OPINION: The 2028 election will be a referendum on our future in an AI-dominated world – As technology accelerates, this op-ed contends that the 2028 presidential election will serve as a critical referendum on humanity’s future, forcing voters to decide how the nation should navigate an increasingly AI-dominated world.

Children forming deep emotional connections with AI companions is raising questions among parents. (StockPlanets/Getty Images)

BATTLE FOR DOMINANCE: AI wars begin in new Super Bowl commercials – The battle for artificial intelligence dominance has moved to the advertising stage, as tech giants unleash a wave of new Super Bowl commercials designed to capture the public imagination and assert their position in the “AI wars.”

BOT TO THE FUTURE: Humanoid robots are getting smaller, safer and closer to home – Recent advancements in robotics are making humanoid machines smaller, safer, and more viable for domestic use, suggesting that a future where robots assist with daily household tasks is getting closer to reality.

MOYA’S DEBUT: ‘Warm-skinned’ AI robot with camera eyes is seriously creepy – A new development in robotics featuring “warm skin” and camera eyes has sparked a mix of fascination and unease, with many observers describing the lifelike yet artificial creation as “seriously creepy.”

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Moya’s humanlike appearance is intentional, from her warm skin to subtle facial details designed to feel familiar rather than mechanical.   (DroidUp)

DIGITAL DANGER: AI companions are reshaping teen emotional bonds – A growing trend of teenagers forming deep emotional connections with AI companions is raising questions among parents and psychologists about the long-term impact of synthetic relationships on social development and mental health.

Subscribe now to get the Fox News Artificial Intelligence Newsletter in your inbox.

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A surprise God of War prequel is out on the PS5 right now

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A surprise God of War prequel is out on the PS5 right now

To close out its February 2026 State of Play presentation, Sony revealed God of War Sons of Sparta, a new prequel 2D side scroller in the God of War franchise, and announced that it’s out right now on PlayStation 5.

God of War Sons of Sparta is a 2D action platformer with a canon story set in Kratos’ youth during his harsh training at the Agoge alongside his brother Deimos,” Sony says. Over the course of the game, Kratos will “learn deadly skills using his spear and shield, as well as harness powerful divine artifacts known as the Gifts of Olympus to take on a wide array of foes.”

Sony’s Santa Monica Studio collaborated on the game with Mega Cat Studios. It costs $29.99, with a Digital Deluxe version available for $39.99.

Sony also announced that it’s working on a remake of the original God of War trilogy, with TC Carson set to return as the voice of Kratos. However, the project is “still very early in development, so we ask for your patience as it will be a while before anything else can be shared,” according to Sony. “When we can come back with an update, we aim to make it a big one!”

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