What do you text when you are running late?

A new arrival time and nothing else. Explanations read as excuses; a specific time lets the other person actually plan.

How do you cancel plans politely by text?

Cancel early, say it plainly, and propose an alternative date in the same message. Proposing the reschedule is what keeps it from reading as a brush-off.

Running late text messages

These are the messages everyone types several times a week and nobody wants to compose while walking. Running late, on my way, and the cancellation that needs to sound sincere rather than casual.

3 replies - free to copy or install

Install in Fast Reply Don't have the app yet?

The messages

Copy any of these as they are, or install the everyday pack to keep them on your keyboard. Anything in brackets is a blank the app fills as you send.

Running late

Hey [Name], running about [Minutes] minutes late - see you soon!
On my way

On my way! Should be there around [Time].
Can't make it

So sorry [Name], something came up and I can't make [Event]. Let's find another time?

These are part of the Everyday pack, which installs all 8 replies in one tap.

Questions

What do you text when you are running late?: A new arrival time and nothing else. Explanations read as excuses; a specific time lets the other person actually plan.
How do you cancel plans politely by text?: Cancel early, say it plainly, and propose an alternative date in the same message. Proposing the reschedule is what keeps it from reading as a brush-off.

Save your first reply in under a minute.

Then never type it again. Free to download, no account and no card - five replies of your own, and the keyboard in every app. Pro is $19.99 a year or $2.99 a month after a 7-day trial.

Download on the App Store

For iPhone and iPad · English, Spanish, French, German and Japanese