The short answer
GoHighLevel missed call text back automatically sends a text to anyone whose call rings past the number's incoming call timeout without being answered, so the caller hears from the business while staff are busy or closed. It is a switch in the sub-account's Phone System voice settings, included on every plan. It only works from a number that can legally send SMS, which means an approved A2P 10DLC campaign for local numbers or toll-free verification. There is no feature fee; each text costs $0.00747 per segment plus the carrier's fee. Answered calls and contacts marked Do Not Disturb do not get a text.
| Plans | Included in every plan; needs an SMS-capable number with A2P 10DLC or toll-free verification |
|---|---|
| Cost | No feature fee; each text costs $0.00747 per segment plus the carrier fee |
| Checked | 2026-09-29, against HighLevel's help center and pricing page |
What counts as a missed call
HighLevel treats a call as missed when it goes unanswered past the incoming call timeout set on the number. The feature's own article suggests a timeout in the 10 to 20 second range, and the number settings default to 60 seconds if the field is left blank. The catch is forwarded calls: if the call rings a staff mobile and that phone's own voicemail picks up, the carrier reports it as answered and no text goes out. HighLevel's Call Connect setting fixes this by playing a whisper that asks the person answering to press a key, so only calls a human accepts count as connected. HighLevel describes it as ideal for missed call text back.
Which number sends the text
HighLevel now chooses the sending number in a fixed order, so a text still goes out when the dialed number cannot send SMS. Occasionally that means the reply arrives from a different number than the one the customer called, which is worth warning clients about before they see it happen. It also means a sub-account needs at least one registered texting number even when its main line cannot send SMS.
- First, the number the caller dialed, if it is eligible to send SMS
- Then a number that has already messaged this contact successfully
- Then the sub-account's default outbound number
- Finally any other eligible messaging number in the location
Writing the message
The text is set in the Voicemail and Missed Call Text Back section of the phone settings, supports merge fields such as the contact's name and the business name, and has a Send Test button that texts the exact message to your own phone. A good message names the business, apologizes briefly, and gives one next step: reply here, or book with a link. Avoid promising a callback within a set time unless someone will actually do it. Because the reply often starts a text conversation, many agencies pair it with a Conversation AI bot so the first answer arrives even at night.
When to use a workflow or WhatsApp instead
The built-in setting sends the same text every time, including to someone who calls three times in five minutes. HighLevel's article suggests building a custom workflow recipe when you need wait steps or call filters to stop repeat texts, different wording by business hours, or a follow-up task for staff. For businesses whose customers live on WhatsApp, HighLevel has a separate Missed Call WhatsApp Back feature that uses a WhatsApp-enabled number and an editable message, with variables such as the business name, booking link and business hours. It needs the WhatsApp add-on and consent to message the contact there.
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