SMS & Phone
How to Auto-Text Back Missed Calls in GoHighLevel
By Marnix Geerkens. Published 2020-07-24. Updated 2026-06-02.
When a call goes unanswered, GoHighLevel can send an automatic SMS to the caller within seconds. Use the Call Status trigger set to inbound calls with a status of No Answer, Busy, or Voicemail, then add an SMS action with a short message. This keeps potential customers engaged before they move on to a competitor.
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Summary. This tutorial walks through creating a missed-call text-back automation in GoHighLevel using a Twilio phone number. A workflow trigger fires whenever an inbound call ends without being answered, and an SMS action immediately replies to the caller. The result is a hands-off system that recovers leads who would otherwise never hear back.
What you will learn
- How to use the Call Status trigger for inbound missed calls
- Which call statuses to include: No Answer, Busy, and Voicemail
- How to write an SMS message that opens a two-way conversation
- Why this automation is especially valuable for service businesses and tradespeople
- How to test the workflow with a real call
Steps
Open Automation and create a new workflow
Navigate to Automation inside your sub-account and click to add a new workflow. Give it a name like 'Missed Call Text-Back' so it is easy to identify.
Add the Call Status trigger
Select Call Status as the trigger type. Set Call Direction to Inbound so outbound calls do not fire it.
Select the missed-call statuses
Under Call Status, check No Answer, Busy, and Voicemail. Selecting all three ensures the workflow fires regardless of how the call ended without being picked up.
Add an SMS action
Click the plus icon to add an action, select SMS, and write a short, friendly message. Something like 'Sorry I missed your call, how can I help?' works well because it opens a reply rather than closing the conversation.
Save and activate the workflow
Click Save and then toggle the workflow to Active. GoHighLevel will now watch every inbound call on your Twilio number and fire the SMS whenever one goes unanswered.
Test with a real call
Have someone call your Twilio number and let it ring to voicemail or hang up before you answer. Check the Conversations tab to confirm the contact was created and the SMS was delivered.
Tips
- Pair this with a call forwarding timeout of 10 to 15 seconds if you want the text to feel prompt rather than arriving after a long ring cycle.
- For client sub-accounts, this is one of the first automations to set up because almost every business type benefits from it immediately.
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Frequently asked questions
Does this work with LeadConnector numbers as well as Twilio?
Yes. The Call Status trigger works with both LeadConnector and Twilio numbers in GoHighLevel.
Will the workflow fire if the caller hangs up immediately?
If the call registers a status of No Answer or Busy before disconnecting, the trigger fires. Very short calls may not always register a status.
Can I customize the SMS message per client?
Yes. Each sub-account has its own workflow, so you can write a unique message that matches the business name and tone.
What if someone calls multiple times in the same day?
Each missed call event can trigger the workflow again. Add a contact tag check or a filter to avoid sending duplicate messages if needed.