Templates are pre-approved message formats that ensure your WhatsApp communications comply with WhatsApp Business policies while maintaining consistent messaging with your audience.
Overview
Templates serve as the foundation for all non-session messages on WhatsApp Business. Each template:- Must be pre-approved by WhatsApp before use
- Belongs to a specific category (Marketing, Utility, Authentication)
- Can include variables that personalize messages for each recipient
- Supports multiple languages and formats (text, media, interactive components)
Try it in the API Reference
Experiment with the Get Templates API and view responses in real-time
Get Templates
Retrieve all WhatsApp templates associated with your account, including approval status, variables, and other key properties.Endpoint
Authentication
All API requests require authentication using your API key. Never share your API keys in client-side code.
Response
The API returns an array of template objects, each containing detailed information about your WhatsApp templates.Unique identifier for the template
UUID of the account that owns the template
Unique name identifier of the template
Format type of the template (text, media, etc.)
Language code (e.g., “en”, “en_US”)
Number of variable placeholders in the template
Format string showing variable placement (e.g., “[b:7]”)
UUID of the template in our system
Example Request
Example Response
Response Codes
200: Success
200: Success
Your request was successful and the templates have been returned.
401: Unauthorized
401: Unauthorized
403: Forbidden
403: Forbidden
Your account doesn’t have permission to access templates.
429: Too Many Requests
429: Too Many Requests
You’ve exceeded the rate limit. Implement exponential backoff in your requests.
500: Server Error
500: Server Error
Something went wrong on our end. Please contact support if the issue persists.
Working with Templates
1
Retrieve templates
Use the Get Templates API to fetch all templates associated with your account.
2
Check template status
Verify that your templates are in the “APPROVED” status before using them.
3
Identify variable placeholders
Note the
variable_counts
and template_formate
to understand how many variables need to be provided when sending a message.4
Send messages
Use the template ID and required variables to send messages via the Send Template API.
Template Best Practices
Variable Management
Keep track of which variables correspond to which placeholders in your template. Consider creating a mapping in your application.
Template Versioning
Templates can’t be edited after submission, but you can create new versions. Use a versioning system in your template names (e.g., welcome_v2).
Status Monitoring
Regularly check the status of your templates, as WhatsApp can change approval statuses based on user feedback.
Language Support
Create templates in multiple languages to communicate with your global audience in their preferred language.
FAQs
How long does template approval take?
How long does template approval take?
WhatsApp typically reviews templates within 24-48 hours, but this can vary depending on template content and current review volumes.
Why was my template rejected?
Why was my template rejected?
Templates may be rejected if they violate WhatsApp’s Business Policy, contain prohibited content, or don’t match the selected category. Check our Template Guidelines for more information.
Can I edit an existing template?
Can I edit an existing template?
No, once submitted, templates cannot be modified. You’ll need to create a new template with your desired changes.
What are the template character limits?
What are the template character limits?
Text-only templates have a limit of 1,024 characters. Templates with media have different limits based on the header type.
Need help?
Our support team is available 24/7 to assist with template issues, API integration, or any other questions.