Send a text message

A text message is the simplest call. It works inside the 24-hour customer service window, that is, after the customer has messaged you. To start a conversation outside that window, use a template instead.

POST/{phone-number-id}/messages

Request

curl -X POST \
  "https://graph.facebook.com/v23.0/PHONE_NUMBER_ID/messages" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer ACCESS_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
    "recipient_type": "individual",
    "to": "919867800451",
    "type": "text",
    "text": { "preview_url": false, "body": "Hi! Thanks for your message." }
  }'

Response

{
  "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
  "contacts": [{ "input": "919867800451", "wa_id": "919867800451" }],
  "messages": [{ "id": "wamid.HBgL..." }]
}

The 24-hour window

Free-form text only sends if the customer messaged you in the last 24 hours. Outside that window the call is rejected and you must send a template.

Set preview_url to true if your text contains a link you want shown as a preview.

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