WhatsApp templates
A template is a message that needs Meta approval before you send it. You need one to start a conversation, or to write to a customer more than 24 hours after their last message.
You need a connected WhatsApp account (see Connecting a number), the app in Live mode, and a role that can manage templates: Owner, Admin, or a custom role with Manage WhatsApp Templates.
In the sandbox, your team has a few sample templates, already approved. Send them to the Simulator without creating your own.
Create the template
- Open WhatsApp › Templates and choose New Template.
- Pick the WhatsApp Account it's for.
- Give it a Name in lowercase letters, digits and underscores, such as
order_confirmation. - Pick its Category and Language Code.
- Write the Message. Put
{{1}},{{2}}and so on where your values go, such asHi {{1}}, your repayment of {{2}} is due {{3}}. - Add a Header, a Footer and Buttons if you want them.
- Under Examples, give a sample value for each placeholder. Meta reviews the template with them.
The preview shows the message as the customer sees it. Choose Save Draft to keep it and finish later.
Submit it for review
Choose Submit for Review. Meta usually decides within one business day. The template shows as In Review until then.
Copy its Template ID
Once it's Approved, open the template. Its page shows the Template ID. You send the template with that ID. See Send a template.
Categories
| Category | For |
|---|---|
| Authentication | One-time codes and verification |
| Utility | Receipts, reminders, and account or order updates |
| Marketing | Offers and announcements |
Meta can change the category when it approves the template. The template is charged at the category it's approved in. People who unsubscribe stop getting marketing templates. See When someone unsubscribes.
Statuses
| Status | What it means | Can you send it? |
|---|---|---|
| Draft | Saved, not submitted. | No |
| In Review | Meta is reviewing it. | No |
| Approved | Meta approved it. | Yes |
| Rejected | Meta turned it down. The template's page says why. | No |
| Paused | WhatsApp paused it after negative feedback from customers. | Not for now |
| Disabled | WhatsApp disabled it after repeated negative feedback or a policy problem. | No |
Changing a template
- A Draft or Rejected template can be edited. Edit a rejected one to fix what Meta said, then submit it again.
- An Approved or Paused template can't be changed. Choose Copy to New Template, change the copy, and submit it. The copy has its own Template ID, so update your code when it's approved.
- Deleting an approved template deletes it from WhatsApp too, and sends that use its ID stop working. Switch them to another template first.