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! :]

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.

My device was not sending an auto-reply b/c under the "Auto-Reply To" my default setting was to FAVORITES only. Unbelievable there is NO option for everyone.

Only options are:

No One

Recents

Favorites

All contacts

So, if someone contacts you from a new number, they will not be notified.

Best work around:

Focus>Driving-settings>Auto-Reply>click 'All Contacts'

Is probably going to give you the best results, just make sure you add everyone to your contacts.

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.

I have an iPhone 12 Pro Max and after trying every suggestion possible I saved my work phone in my personal phone as a contact and it worked. Thanks. You’re absolutely right. The number must be saved as a contact for auto reply to work.

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.

I finally discovered, I turned on Share Across Devices and now it all works as it should. Apparently, when I did the last IOS update (15.50, this was not turned on.

I discovered this by deleting the Focus for driving and setting it up myself.

after trying everything else, this was the only thing that has worked. I sent a message to myself and I received the auto reply I had set up. Thanks so much!

See comment below! It will only send auto reply to SAVED contacts.

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.

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

About 3 months ago I was having this problem. Turned on Share Across all Devices. No problems since.

Only auto replies to saved contacts

I had this issue and fixed it by turning on “Share focus status”. “Share across devices” must be enabled for this setting to work.

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.