Connect directly to the WhatsApp Business API via Meta for messaging.
- Create a Meta Business app and set up WhatsApp inside it.
- Generate an Access Token.
- Locate your Namespace from message templates.
- Go to WooCommerce → SMS Settings.
- Paste the access token and namespace.
- Optionally add a header image URL.
- Save changes.
Every message must use a pre-approved template
This plugin always sends WhatsApp notifications as pre-approved Meta message templates — it does not send free-form text, even for a reply. Before enabling any order-status notification, create and get Meta approval for a matching template, or that notification will fail to send.
How to get your WhatsApp Business credentials:
To connect your WhatsApp Business account with the plugin, you’ll need the following credentials:
- Access Token
- Namespace
Step 1: Create a WhatsApp Business App on Meta
- Go to the Meta for Developers site and log in with your Facebook account.
- Navigate to My Apps > Create App.
- Choose Business as the app type and click Next.
- Provide the required app information (e.g., App name, email, etc.) and click Create App.
Step 2: Set Up WhatsApp Business API
- Inside your app dashboard, click Set Up under WhatsApp.
- Follow the steps to create a WhatsApp Business Account and connect a phone number.
- After setup, you will see:
- Access Token – A temporary token under the API Setup section. Click “Generate token” if it’s not visible.
- Phone Number ID – Required for sending messages (used internally).
- WhatsApp Business Account ID – For identifying your account.
Note
For production use, you must exchange the temporary access token for a permanent token via Meta’s access management — the temporary token expires within 24 hours.
Step 3: Find Your Namespace
- In the same WhatsApp > API Setup section of your app, scroll to Message Templates.
- Select any existing template or create a new one, and submit it for Meta’s approval — approval typically takes anywhere from a few minutes to 24 hours.
- While viewing/editing the template, you’ll find the Namespace (a string like whatsapp_business_account_name.xxxx).
Coverage and requirements
WhatsApp Business messaging works globally wherever WhatsApp itself is available, but Meta requires business verification and template approval for every message this plugin sends, regardless of destination country — there’s no region-specific sender ID scheme to configure here, unlike SMS gateways.
Test your connection
- After saving your Access Token and Namespace, use the Send Test SMS option in SMS Settings.
- Send the test to a WhatsApp number you control and confirm it arrives with the correct template formatting.
- If it fails, check the Troubleshooting section below.
Troubleshooting
- Message rejected or never delivered: the template isn’t approved yet, or its name/language code doesn’t match what’s configured in the plugin.
- Authentication failed after working previously: your temporary access token expired — exchange it for a permanent token in Meta’s access management.
- Namespace not found: the namespace is tied to your WhatsApp Business Account, not the app itself — recheck it under any message template’s details.
- Header image not showing: confirm the header image URL is publicly accessible (not behind login) and matches the media type the template expects.
See the SMS Gateways overview to compare other providers, or the general provider connection guide.