I wish I could set an availability status for my phone, just the way I do with my instant messaging apps to let people know whether I’m busy or free to chat. Inevitably, I’ll get at least one call a day that I can’t take immediately, and I try not to keep people waiting when they need to get a hold of me. Thankfully, iOS has a neat feature that lets you respond to such calls via quick customisable text messages. Here’s how to use it.

• The next time you get a call you can’t pick up, simply tap the Message button above the green answer button.

• You can then select a template message to send automatically to the caller with just a tap.

Tap the Message button to quickly send a text reponse

• If you’d like to customise these messages, pop into Settings > Phone > Respond with Text, and you’ll find three templates that you can edit.

• Fill in these fields with your own custom messages and you’ll be able to use them next time you get a call you can’t take. For example, if you often get calls while driving, you can set a message to say, ‘Sorry I can’t chat right now as I’m on the road – will call you back soon.’

Customise your text messages responses

With this handy feature, you won’t have to worry about coming off as rude the next time you skip a call, whether you’re driving or attending a meeting.