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.

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

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

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).

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

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.

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

Next steps