# Reply by text

Answer a client from wherever you are: text alfred_ what to say, check the draft it texts back, and reply "send". It goes when you approve it.

Source: https://get-alfred.ai/docs/email/reply-by-text  
Updated: 2026-10-24

## Before you start

Your phone needs to be connected. Save your number in **Settings → Preferences** and text alfred_ once from that phone. See [Text messages](https://get-alfred.ai/docs/ways-to-use/text).

## How it works

1. **Tell alfred_ who and what**

   Name the person or company and what to say. You don't need the exact wording.

2. **Check the draft**

   alfred_ finds the thread, writes the reply in your voice, and texts it back ending with "Reply 1 to send, 2 to change it, 3 to cancel."

3. **Reply "1" or "send"**

   "1", 👍, "yes", "send it" or "go ahead" sends it from your email account, in the same thread. "2", or a change like "make it shorter", changes it and shows it again. "3", "no" or "cancel" drops it.

> *Example, by text. Names are made up.*
>
> **You:** Reply to Dana and say I'll call her tomorrow
>
> **alfred_:** Here's a reply to Dana Reyes, in the thread about the cleaning schedule:
>
> "Hi Dana, thanks for this. I'll give you a call tomorrow to go through it."
>
> Reply 1 to send, 2 to change it, 3 to cancel.
>
> **You:** 1

## Things to text

- Did the contract from Dana come through?
- What did Mark say about the invoice?
- Reply to Dana saying I'll call her tomorrow
- Who am I waiting on?
- What do I owe Acme?
- Archive the newsletters from this morning

## Limits

- alfred_ replies from your connected email account. It doesn't text your client.
- Name the person or company, and the subject if they've sent you several things, so alfred_ picks the right thread. Check the name and thread in the draft before you send.
- A yes with a change ("yes and copy Sam") is a change: alfred_ shows the new draft before anything goes.
- Reply "3", "no" or "cancel" to drop a draft you don't want.