Auto reply while driving not sending text

Late to the post but I was having the same issue with mine. I just fixed it by going into Settings > Messages > Allow Messages to Access and switching the Focus toggle on. I tested it by sending a quick iMessage to myself in Driving Focus mode and it seems to work now; configured auto replies now send and the Focus Status now shows in the conversation too. Hope that helps for you! :]

Try this, it worked for me.

Share your Focus status

When you set up the Driving Focus, you can turn on Focus status so that apps display that you have notifications silenced when people message you. Since apps only know that you have notifications silenced but not which Focus is on, the name is never shared. Focus status is shared in apps when you have a Focus on and after you give an app permission.

To turn Focus status on: 

1. Go to Settings > Focus. 
2. Tap Focus Status. 
3. Turn on Driving.

All of these suggestions do not work on my iOS 16 iPhone 12 Pro. I have deleted the "focus" multiple times and re-added it and all other settings. Sometimes, it will work for one or even two messages and then stops working again, only to have to start the troubleshooting all over again with the same results. Is there anyone out there that has found a solution or even using a third party app that could solve this issue and once again allow auto-reply text messages?

I’m sure those of you still having issues tried this but you may need to delete the Focus, then allow access, then re-set up the Focus parameters. I set up my Focus parameters first, then went to Settings > Messages > Allow Messages to Access & switched the Focus toggle on, as indicated above. No auto-replies were being sent. Since that didn’t work I deleted the Focus and turned off the phone. Turned back on, went to Settings > Messages > Allow Messages to Access & switched the Focus toggle on. *Then* I set up the Focus parameters and enabled the Focus. Seems to work now! I have an iPhone 13 pro with a dual sim. My business line is set as my default line and according to my tester, the auto-reply was sent from my business line.

Hello! I figured it out. You need to toggle on the “Share Across Devices” under the different focus modes.

I have iPhone 12 Pro Max. None of the suggestions have helped

Thanks, I tried that also and it worked only for ONE text auto reply and then stopped working again.

I have a 12 pro max also and those suggestions unfortunately didn’t help either. Does anyone know how to escalate this? Thanks,

Thank you for this advice, why Apple has to make it difficult for the users when they run these updates, I do not know. All working now!

Same issue - Figured it out - It will only send auto-reply to people you have SAVED in your contacts. If it is a number you do not have saved to contacts, it will not send auto reply.

As indicated in this support document, Stay focused while driving with iPhone - Apple Support you have to select who should receive your auto-reply. Do you have that configured correctly? It may be that not everyone is selected to receive your auto-reply for texts.

Take the time to report your findings to Apple using their feedback link. It provides you the ability to provide feedback about product uses, but also one of the selections is bug report. Go to Product Feedback - Apple

I am having this same issue on my wife’s iphone 8 Plus.

no text response for Focus-Driving mode.

have trouble **** it for a day. I have tried everything. It is not working.

I'm not aware of any other troubleshooting steps. You may wish to delete that Focus setup and set it up again and test. If that does not work, you can see if anyone else responds to this that may be using Focus while Driving, or you can use the Get Support link at the top of the page here to contact Apple Support for assistance. I'm sorry, but I do not use that feature when I drive. I have my Apple Watch and have texts read to me.

Having the same issue but only on my work device which is an old iPhone 8 running 15.1 overdue for upgrade. My auto reply works fine on my 13. This is an bug that needs to be identified and flushed though.