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Owners and admins only. You need a connected WhatsApp number before you can submit a template.

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Create and submit a template

1

Start a new template

Go to Templates and choose Create new.
2

Set up: choose a category and a message type

Pick Marketing, Utility or Authentication. Pick the one that honestly describes the message, because Meta reviews the template against it.Then pick a message type. Default is text, media and buttons. The others are Template with a form, Carousel, Limited-time offer, Catalogue and Multi-product. These are always marketing templates, apart from a template with a form. Catalogue and Multi-product need your products in a Meta commerce catalogue connected to your WhatsApp Business account.Choose Next.
3

Edit: name and language

Give the template a Template name. Use lowercase letters, numbers and underscores only, such as piece_ready_for_collection.Choose a Language. English (UK) is selected to begin with.Choose a Variable style: numbered, like {{1}}, or named, like {{first_name}}.
4

Edit: write the content

  • Header is optional. A default template can have text, an image, a video, a document or a location. Header text is limited to 60 characters. For an image, video or document, upload a sample file of up to 4 MB for Meta to review.
  • Body is the message itself, up to 1,024 characters.
  • Footer is optional, up to 60 characters. Marketing templates usually carry an opt-out line here, such as “Reply STOP to opt out”.
5

Edit: add variables

A variable is a gap that is filled in for each customer, such as their name or an order number. Choose Add variable to put one in the body, or type it yourself.Under Sample values, give every variable an example. Meta needs these so the reviewer can read the real message.The body cannot start or end with a variable. A text header takes one variable at most, and a footer takes none.
6

Edit: add buttons

Choose Add button and pick a type:
  • Quick reply sends a set reply back to you
  • Visit website opens a link
  • Call phone number starts a call
  • Call on WhatsApp starts a WhatsApp call to you
  • Copy offer code copies a code
  • Open a form opens a form you build in the next step
A template takes up to 10 buttons, and a button label up to 25 characters. WhatsApp shows the first three and tucks the rest behind “See all options”. You can have up to two link buttons, and one each of the phone, WhatsApp call, offer code and form buttons.
7

Check the preview

The Template preview beside the editor shows the message as WhatsApp will show it. It updates as you type.
8

Review and submit

Choose Next to reach Review. It lists anything to fix, marked Fix, and things worth knowing, marked Note. When it says Passes Meta’s checks, choose Submit for review.
Choose Save draft at any point to keep your work without sending it to Meta. A draft only saves once the errors shown in the editor are fixed.

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How long review takes

Meta usually answers within a few minutes. Some utility templates are approved straight away. The status on the Templates list updates when Meta answers, and owners and admins get an email. If a status seems stuck, choose Refresh from Meta. Once a template is Approved, you can send a real copy to your own phone. Select it in the list, choose Send a test, and enter your number. It is a real message, so Meta charges for it and it appears in your conversations.

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If Meta rejects a template

The template shows as Rejected, with Meta’s reason. The usual causes are:
  • a variable with no realistic sample
  • a variable at the very start or end of the body
  • wording that does not match the category. Anything that promotes a product or an offer belongs in marketing, not utility
To try again, select the template and choose Edit and resubmit. Change what the reason points to, then choose Resubmit to Meta. The name and language cannot change, because Meta fixed them when the template was first submitted. If the header has an image, video or document, upload the sample file again. A Paused template can be rewritten and resubmitted the same way.

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Change an approved template

An approved template is locked, so it never stops being sendable while you work on it. To change one:
1

Duplicate it

Select the template and choose Duplicate. A copy opens under a new name, such as offer_2.
2

Make your changes

Edit the copy. A picture or file in the header has to be uploaded again.
3

Submit the copy

Choose Submit for review. When it is approved, use the new template in your workflows and broadcasts.
A template that is In review cannot be changed until Meta has answered.

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Delete a template

1

Open the template

Go to Templates and select the template.
2

Delete it

Choose Delete template, type the template’s name to confirm, and choose Delete template again.
Deleting removes the template from your WhatsApp Business account too, and it cannot be undone. Meta will not let the same name be used again for 30 days.
A template that a workflow or an unsent broadcast uses cannot be deleted. Companion tells you which ones use it. Point them at another template first. A draft that was never submitted only exists in Companion, so deleting it removes it there and nowhere else.