What to Reply When Someone Says I Miss You: 50 Replies for Every Situation

When someone says "I miss you", reply with how you actually feel and, if you can, a next step. If you miss them too, "I miss you too, when can I see you?" beats a bare "me too". If you like them but don't feel the same pull, "That's sweet, it's been too long, let's catch up" is warm without promising anything. If it's an ex or someone you don't miss, you don't have to say it back: "I hope you're doing well" is kind and closes the door gently. Below are 50 replies sorted by who's saying it, plus what to avoid.

What does "I miss you" mean in a text?

Usually one of three things: they want to see you, they want reassurance that you still care, or they're testing the water after some distance. The time and the history tell you which. "I miss you" at 1 a.m. from an ex is not the same message as "miss you!" from your sister at lunch. Answer the need underneath it: a plan for the first, reassurance for the second, a clear yes or no for the third.

Replies when your partner says I miss you: 10 ideas

• I miss you more, and I'm not negotiating on that.
• Counting down the days. Friday can't come fast enough.
• Same. My side of the bed is way too tidy without you.
• Call me tonight? I want to hear your voice.
• I miss you too. Tell me one thing that happened today.
• Come home already, the fridge and I are both lonely.
• You have no idea. I keep saving things to tell you.
• Missing you is my full-time job this week.
• I miss you too. Next weekend is ours, phones off.
• ❤️ Hug when you're back, a long one.

The strongest replies add something: a plan, a question, a detail. Long distance? Our guide to long-distance couple games turns "I miss you" into something to do together tonight.

What to reply when your crush says I miss you: 8 ideas

This is an opening. Take it, lightly, and suggest meeting.

• then come say hi 😏
• oh really? prove it, coffee this week?
• miss you too, honestly. what are you doing saturday?
• I was literally about to text you
• that's the best thing I've read all day
• careful, I might start believing you
• good, that was the plan
• me too. let's fix that

Keep it short and hand the conversation back, the same rule as in our guide on how to reply to wyd. A long paragraph back to a two-word text can feel like too much too soon.

What to reply when a friend says I miss you: 8 ideas

• Miss you too! When are you free?
• Okay that's it, we're booking a day. Pick one.
• Same. It's been way too long, call this week?
• Miss you! Remember when we [one shared memory]? We need a sequel.
• I was just thinking about you, weird timing.
• Miss your face. Brunch soon, my treat.
• Aww, me too. Send me a voice note, I want the full update.
• Miss you more. Life's too busy, let's not let it win.

What to reply when your ex says I miss you

Decide what you want before you type. If you want to try again, say so plainly and suggest talking in person. If you don't, you don't owe them a matching feeling. Replies that are kind and clear:

• I hope you're doing well. I'm in a good place now.
• Thanks for saying that. I've moved on, but I wish you the best.
• I get it, it's normal to miss things. I think we ended for good reasons.
• I miss you too sometimes. Do you want to talk properly, not over text?
• That's nice to hear, but I don't think we should go back.
• (No reply at all is also an answer, especially if the breakup was recent.)

If you're still healing, our guide to a glow up after a breakup has a 30-day plan that doesn't involve checking their profile.

What to say when someone says I miss you but you don't miss them

Saying "I miss you too" when you don't sets up a conversation you don't want. Acknowledge the feeling without returning it:

• That's kind of you to say. How have you been?
• It has been a while! What's new with you?
• Thanks for thinking of me.
• Aw, that's sweet. Hope life's treating you well.
• I appreciate that. I've been really busy lately, but I hope you're good.

These work for old friends, acquaintances and people you've lost touch with on purpose. They're polite, true, and don't promise a meetup.

Funny replies to I miss you: 8 ideas

• understandable, I'm very missable
• I know. it's a common side effect of knowing me
• miss me? I didn't even notice I was gone
• please hold, your call is important to me 😌
• noted. I'll file it under "obviously"
• you miss me or you miss my snacks?
• me too. I'm great company
• prove it: send a meme within 60 seconds

Funny works best with people you're already close to. With a partner who's genuinely sad about the distance, follow the joke with something real.

What not to say when someone says I miss you

• "ok" or "lol": reads as cold, even if you meant it as awkward. If they then go quiet, see what to reply when she says hmm.
• "I miss you too" when you don't: it creates expectations you'll have to undo later.
• "Then why didn't you text me?": keeping score turns a nice moment into a fight.
• Leaving it on read for days: silence is a reply, and usually a harsh one.
• A wall of text to a two-word message: match their energy, then build.

Let your keyboard suggest the reply

The reply that lands mentions something real: the trip, the inside joke, the date you're counting down to. MagicBoard, our AI keyboard for Android, reads the conversation on screen when you tap ✨ Reply and suggests three replies that fit it. Steer them with tones like Flirty, Funny, Friendly, Casual or Polite, or tap "Warmer" or "Shorter", so "I miss you" from your partner and from an old classmate get different answers. With Pro you can save voices such as Bestie, Warm or Flirty and switch between them. It works in WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat and Telegram, and nothing sends until you tap send. More in our guide to an app that responds to texts for you.

Common questions

What is the best reply when someone says I miss you?
If you feel the same, "I miss you too, when can I see you?": it returns the feeling and makes a plan. If you don't, "That's sweet, how have you been?" is warm without saying it back.

How do you reply to I miss you without saying it back?
Acknowledge it and change the subject kindly: "Thanks for thinking of me", "It has been a while, what's new?" or "Hope you're doing well".

What should I reply when my boyfriend says I miss you?
Return it and add something: "I miss you more. Call me tonight?" or "Counting down to Friday". A plan or a question keeps the conversation going.

What do I say when my ex says I miss you?
Decide first. If you're done, "I hope you're doing well, but I've moved on" is kind and clear. If you want to talk, suggest doing it in person rather than over text.

Is there an app that suggests replies to texts?
Yes. MagicBoard is an AI keyboard for Android that reads the chat on screen and suggests three replies in the tone you choose, inside WhatsApp, Instagram and other apps. You get free AI uses to start; saved voices are part of Pro.