How to make a vacation responder in Gmail

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Everyone needs a vacation. Sadly, with today’s ever-present technology, it’s becoming increasingly more difficult to unplug and check out. Thankfully, you don’t have to miss out on seeing Paris or New York if you properly set a vacation responder in Gmail. People have been doing so on their phone or computer since the beginning of email, and fortunately, its even easier in 2015.

Choose your method:

Set using the Web interface
Set using your iOS device
Set using your Android device

Set using the Web interface

Before you turn off your computer and flee the office for your next getaway, you should probably log into your Gmail account and craft a hilarious outgoing message. Google’s vacation responder typically starts at 12:00 a.m. on your specified start date and end at 11:59 p.m. on a given end date, unless otherwise noted. While Gmail only sends your curated reply once to people who email you, it will send additional responses if the same person contacts you after four days. Said timer will also reset every time you edit it.

Step 1: Navigate to your Gmail inbox as you would normally and click the small gear icon in the top-right corner.

Gmail Menu — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 2: Next, click “Settings” from the resulting drop-down menu and scroll down to the “Vacation Responder” option near the bottom of the panel.

gmail_step1 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 3: Check the bubble directly left of “vacation responder on” and set your desired start and end dates in the text fields underneath.

Step 4: Once you’ve chosen your dates, write and stylize your auto-reply message in the entry field below with an appropriate subject line above. Also, keep in mind checking the box beneath your message will restrict the auto-reply to people on your contact list. Afterward, click the “Save Changes” button at the bottom of the page and enjoy your peace and quiet.

gmail_step2 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Set using your iOS device

Step 1: Download and launch the official Gmail app.

Step 2: Click the three vertical lines located in the upper left-hand corner of the window.

Step 3: Tap the gear icon in the upper-right corner to access the settings panel.

Gmail Auo — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 4: Next, scroll down and toggle “Vacation Responder” to on and click the calendar icons to set the appropriate start and end dates.

Step 5: Once you’ve chosen the dates, enter a subject line and your desired auto-reply in the message in the text field before clicking the blue “Save” button in the upper-right corner.

Set using your Android device

Step 1: Download and launch the official Gmail app.

Step 2: Tap the three horizontal lines in the upper-right corner of the app window.

Step 3: Click “Settings” and choose the appropriate account from the list of available options.

Step 4: Select “Vacation responder” and set your desired start and end dates.

Gmail Auto — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 5: Enter a subject line along with your message in the text fields beneath the dates, and afterward, toggle the switch beside “Vacation responder” to on.

Step 6: Click “Done” in the upper-right corner and enjoy your time away.

Truly relax by setting a vacation reminder in Gmail

Set using the Web interface

Set using your iOS device

Set using your Android device

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