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Template messages are pre-approved message formats submitted to and approved by Meta. They are the only type of message you can send outside the 24-hour messaging window.

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When to use a template

Use a template when:
  • The customer’s last message was more than 24 hours ago (the window has closed)
  • You want to proactively start a conversation with a contact who has never messaged you
  • You’re sending a broadcast to a list of contacts
Inside the 24-hour window, you can still send templates — for example, to send a structured order confirmation or appointment reminder.

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Send a template from a conversation

  1. Open the conversation.
  2. Click Send template (the button appears in the message bar, or replaces the input box when the 24-hour window is closed).
  3. A dialog opens with your approved templates. Search or scroll to find the one you want.
  4. If the template has variable placeholders (e.g. {{1}}, {{2}}), fill in each value in the form fields shown.
  5. Preview the final message in the preview panel on the right.
  6. Click Send.
Only templates with Approved status appear in the list. If a template you need isn’t showing, check its status at Templates in the sidebar.

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Variable substitution

Templates can include numbered placeholders like {{1}}, {{2}} that you fill in at send time. For example: Template body: 
Hello {{1}}, your order {{2}} has been shipped and will arrive by {{3}}.
When sending, you fill in:
  • {{1}} → Rahul
  • {{2}} → #ORD-4821
  • {{3}} → Thursday
The customer receives: 
Hello Rahul, your order #ORD-4821 has been shipped and will arrive by Thursday.

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Template categories and cost

Meta charges for template messages based on category:
CategoryUsed for
MarketingPromotions, offers, product announcements
UtilityOrder updates, appointment reminders, account alerts
AuthenticationOTPs and verification codes
Replies from the customer within the resulting 24-hour window are free.
Use Utility templates for transactional messages — they are typically cheaper than Marketing templates and have higher delivery rates.

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Sync templates from Meta

If you created or modified templates directly in Meta Business Manager, they won’t appear in WapNotify until you sync. Go to Templates in the sidebar and click Sync from Meta. This pulls the latest status and content for all your templates.