Templates
Templates are pre-approved message structures that you send to customers over WhatsApp. This section explains which channels support templates, how the official and unofficial WhatsApp connections differ, and where to create, manage and send a template.
What a Template Is
A template holds the fixed parts of a message, which are the header, body, footer and buttons, plus the variables that change for each customer. A variable is written as {{1}}, {{2}} and so on, and the person sending the message fills in the value before the message goes out.
Every template belongs to one WhatsApp connection. The template list, the 24-hour sending window and the message history all follow the connection you picked when you created the template.
Templates cover three categories:
- Marketing: promotions, offers, coupons, newsletters and announcements.
- Utility: order confirmations, receipts, account updates, reminders and billing notices.
- Authentication: one-time passwords, account recovery codes and account verification.
The template setup screen marks Authentication as Coming Soon. Choose Marketing or Utility until the category opens.
Templates Are WhatsApp Only
WaaPY sends templates over WhatsApp, and it supports both WhatsApp connection types: the official WhatsApp connection and the unofficial WhatsApp connection. Other channels have no templates, so the Manage templates button never appears on a Telegram, Messenger, Instagram or LINE connection.
| Connection | Templates |
|---|---|
| WhatsApp, official through Meta | Supported |
| WhatsApp Unofficial, through a WhatsApp Web gateway | Supported |
| Telegram, Messenger, Instagram, LINE | Not supported |
Official and Unofficial WhatsApp at a Glance
Both connection types share the same template list and the same two-step creation flow. They differ in how a template is approved and in what you can build.
| Official (WhatsApp) | Unofficial (WhatsApp) | |
|---|---|---|
| Approval | Meta reviews the template before it can send | Approved on creation, no review |
| Main button | Submit to Review | Create Template |
| Sync from Meta | Sync Templates pulls your approved templates | Not available |
| Buttons | Quick Reply and Visit Website | Not available |
| Template type | Default or Call permission request | Default only |
Spintext such as {{hi|hello|hey}} | Not available | Available |
| Editing after approval | Name, language and category are locked | Free to edit |
Read Official (WhatsApp) and Unofficial (WhatsApp) for the full behaviour of each connection type.
Templates and the Other Messaging Tools
- Quick replies: a Quick Reply is a free-form message that staff type into the chat. A template is a pre-approved structure, and Meta requires one once the 24-hour customer window has closed.
- Blast campaigns: a Blast Campaign sends an approved template to a list of contacts in bulk.
- Automations: an automation action sends plain text. It does not pick a template.
Where to Start
- Open Templates in the sidebar.
- Pick the WhatsApp connection the template belongs to.
- Create the template in two steps: the setup step, then the template details.
Continue with Managing Templates, or go straight to Creating a Template.