Send WhatsApp messages

All WhatsApp messages are sent through the same endpoint as SMS and MMS, POST /api/messaging/messages. Two things route a message over WhatsApp instead of SMS/MMS:

• The from number is a whatsapp:-prefixed WhatsApp number (e.g. whatsapp:+15557654321).
• You set a message_type (for content messages) or a template_id (for template messages).

For the full request schema (every field, every message type’s body shape, and authentication), see the Send a message API reference. To send SMS and MMS from the same endpoint, or to handle incoming texts, see Send and receive messages.

Messaging rules

Meta enforces specific rules about when and how a business can send WhatsApp messages:

Message types

Set message_type to one of the following for a content message. Each value determines the shape of body, shown below.

Examples

Plain text

{
  "to": "+15551234567",
  "from": "whatsapp:+15557654321",
  "body": "Your appointment is confirmed for tomorrow at 2pm.",
  "message_type": "whatsapp_media_text"
}

Interactive reply buttons

Send a message with tappable reply buttons, ideal for simple menus or surveys. The body.type is button and each entry in action.buttons is a reply button (up to 3).

{
  "to": "+15551234567",
  "from": "whatsapp:+15557654321",
  "body": {
    "type": "button",
    "body": { "text": "How can we help?" },
    "action": {
      "buttons": [
        { "type": "reply", "reply": { "id": "sales",   "title": "Talk to Sales" } },
        { "type": "reply", "reply": { "id": "support", "title": "Get Support" } },
        { "type": "reply", "reply": { "id": "exit",    "title": "No thanks" } }
      ]
    }
  },
  "message_type": "whatsapp_interactive_reply_button"
}

Template message

Use a template when reaching out to a customer for the first time, or outside the 24-hour window. Provide the template_id and fill in any placeholders; the template must be approved. Use an array for positional parameters or an object for named parameters.

{
  "to": "+15551234567",
  "from": "whatsapp:+15557654321",
  "template_id": "{template_id}",
  "header_template_parameters": ["Jane Smith"],
  "body_template_parameters": ["ORD-9821", "out for delivery"]
}

Next steps