Submit a WhatsApp Message Template
Estimated time
10 min
Difficulty
Intermediate
Required access
Admin
Templates are pre-written messages reviewed by Meta. Once approved you can send them to anyone — even outside the 24-hour window — and use them in broadcasts and automation.
When to use this guide
Whenever you need to message a customer outside their 24-hour window or send a broadcast.
Before you start
- A connected WhatsApp Business Account.
- Clear text — Meta rejects templates that look spammy or generic.
Step-by-step
- 1
Open Templates
Settings → WhatsApp → Templates → Create template.
- 2
Pick a category
Marketing (promotions), Utility (order updates, reminders), or Authentication (OTP). Categories affect approval and pricing.
- 3
Choose a language
Pick the primary language your customers speak. You can submit the same template in multiple languages.
- 4
Write the body
Use {{1}}, {{2}} placeholders for variables (name, order number). Keep it conversational and specific — Meta rejects vague marketing copy.
- 5
Add header, footer, or buttons (optional)
Headers can be text or media. Buttons can open URLs, dial a number, or trigger a Quick Reply.
- 6
Submit for review
Approval usually takes a few minutes to a few hours. Status shows under Templates: Pending → Approved or Rejected.
What happens next
Once approved, the template is available everywhere — Inbox, Automation actions, and Broadcasts.
Common issues
Template was rejected for 'Promotional content in Utility category'.
Resubmit under the Marketing category, or rewrite the body to be transactional only (e.g. 'Your order #123 has shipped').
Template stuck on Pending for over 24 hours.
Templates submitted on weekends sometimes take longer. If still pending after 48 hours, contact support.
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Related guides
WhatsApp Official
WhatsApp 24-Hour Messaging Rule
Understand the 24-hour customer service window and when you must use a pre-approved template.
Broadcasts
Create a Broadcast Campaign
Send an approved WhatsApp template to thousands of contacts at once — and track open and reply rates.
Automation
Create Your First Automation
Build a no-code workflow that runs on its own — from trigger to condition to action — in under 10 minutes.
Still need help?
Contact Nuha Chat Support — the more detail you share up front, the faster we can help. Please include:
- Workspace name — so we can find your account.
- WhatsApp number involved in the issue (in international format).
- Screenshot of the issue, including the full error message if one is shown.
- The step you were trying to complete when the issue happened.
We typically reply within a few hours during business days.