WhatsApp templates: messaging after 24 hours

WhatsApp lets a business send a regular reply only within 24 hours of the person's last message. After that, the only thing you can send is a message template WhatsApp approved first.

Write a template

1. Open Setup, scroll to When someone messages you on WhatsApp, then Message templates.
2. If you have more than one number, pick it under Number.
3. Name it, for example "Order shipped".
4. Choose the kind: Order or account update, or Marketing. Abandoned cart and win-back messages count as marketing.
5. Write the Message. Use {{1}}, {{2}} for the parts that change, like their name: "Hi {{1}}, your order {{2}} has shipped. Reply here with any questions."
6. Fill in an Example for each blank (like Maya and WM-10442). WhatsApp reviews the message with these.
7. Add Reply buttons if you like: up to 10, 25 characters each.
8. Click Send for review.

Each template shows its status: In review, Approved, Rejected (with the reason), Paused for low quality or Turned off by WhatsApp.

Send one from a conversation

When the 24 hours are up, the reply box in Messages becomes a template picker.

1. Pick an approved template.
2. Fill in each blank.
3. Click Send template.

Once they write back, you can reply normally again.

Rules WhatsApp sets

• WhatsApp does not deliver marketing templates to United States numbers.
• Marketing templates go only to people who agreed to get marketing messages from you. For numbers outside the US, tick They agreed to get marketing messages from you once they have.
• Meta charges your WhatsApp account for each delivered template. Replies inside the 24 hours are free.