> For a complete index of all SignalWire documentation pages, fetch https://signalwire.com/docs/llms.txt

# Receive WhatsApp messages

> View inbound WhatsApp messages and track delivery status through the SignalWire Messaging API.

Inbound messages sent to your WhatsApp business number are automatically received and logged by
SignalWire. You can view them in your Dashboard or retrieve them through the Messaging API, alongside
the delivery status of the messages you send.

WhatsApp on SignalWire is in **early-access alpha**. Inbound messages from customers are
automatically received and logged by SignalWire.

## Message logs

Inbound messages and the delivery status of the messages you send are available through the message
logs endpoint, [`GET /api/messaging/logs`](/docs/apis/rest/message-logs/list-message-logs), which
returns history for both inbound and outbound messages. WhatsApp messages are identified by
`kind: whatsapp`. See the [Message Logs](/docs/apis/rest/message-logs/list-message-logs) reference for
the full response schema.

## Delivery status

The `status` field updates as an outbound message progresses:

| Status      | Meaning                                          |
| ----------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
| `sent`      | SignalWire has dispatched the message to Meta.   |
| `delivered` | The recipient's device has received the message. |
| `read`      | The recipient has opened the message.            |

You can also view message history graphically in your
[SignalWire Dashboard](https://my.signalwire.com) under **Logs → Messaging**.

To be notified of each status change as it happens, set `status_callback` when
[sending a message](/docs/platform/messaging/whatsapp/send-messages). SignalWire then POSTs the
following payload to your URL at each state change:

## Replying to inbound messages

When a customer messages you first, you can reply with any message type for **24 hours** from their
last inbound message. Outside that window, you must use an approved
[template](/docs/platform/messaging/whatsapp/message-templates). See
[Messaging rules](/docs/platform/messaging/whatsapp/send-messages#messaging-rules) for details.

## Next steps

#### [Send messages](/docs/platform/messaging/whatsapp/send-messages)

Send text, media, interactive, and template messages.

#### [Message templates](/docs/platform/messaging/whatsapp/message-templates)

Create and manage Meta-approved templates.