# Send WhatsApp messages from analytics events - Docs You can use your PostHog event data to send WhatsApp messages via the WhatsApp Cloud API (Meta Graph API). Here's everything you need to get started. ## Configuring WhatsApp First, you need a Meta Business account with WhatsApp Cloud API access. Gather the following credentials from the [Meta for Developers](https://developers.facebook.com/) dashboard: 1. **Access token** - Generate a WhatsApp Cloud API access token in your Meta app dashboard. This is found under **WhatsApp** > **API Setup**. 2. **Phone number ID** - The ID associated with your WhatsApp Business phone number. Find this in the [WhatsApp Manager](https://business.facebook.com/wa/manage/) or your Meta app's **WhatsApp** > **API Setup** page. ## Configuring PostHog's WhatsApp destination 1. In PostHog, click the **[Data pipeline](https://app.posthog.com/pipeline/destinations)** tab in the left sidebar. 2. Click the [Destinations](https://app.posthog.com/pipeline/destinations?search=whatsapp) tab. 3. Click **New destination** and choose WhatsApp's **Create** button. Enter your access token and phone number ID from Meta. The recipient phone number defaults to `{{ person.properties.phone }}` and supports Liquid templating. ## Message types WhatsApp supports two message types, selectable via the **Message type** input: - **Text** - A free-form message body (max 4,096 characters). Text messages can only be sent within WhatsApp's 24-hour customer service window – i.e., within 24 hours after the recipient last messaged you. - **Template** - A pre-approved message template registered in your WhatsApp Manager. Use templates for business-initiated conversations outside the 24-hour window, such as drip campaigns or transactional notifications. You must provide the template name and the language code it was approved in. > **Important:** If you're sending business-initiated messages (e.g., marketing campaigns or transactional alerts), you must use the **Template** message type with a pre-approved template. Free-form text messages sent outside the 24-hour window will fail. ### Filtering Filter events to only those that contain a valid phone number property, as this is required for sending WhatsApp messages. ### Testing Once you've configured your WhatsApp destination, click **Start testing** to verify everything works the way you want. Switch off **Mock out async functions** in order to send a test WhatsApp message. | --- | | Access tokenType: stringRequired: True | Your WhatsApp Cloud API access token from Meta. Generate it in the Meta for Developers app dashboard. | | Phone number IDType: stringRequired: True | The phone number ID associated with your WhatsApp Business account (found in the WhatsApp Manager). | | Graph API versionType: stringRequired: False | The Meta Graph API version to call. Defaults to v21.0. | | Recipient phone numberType: stringRequired: True | Phone number to send the message to (in E.164 format, e.g., +1234567890). | | Message typeType: choiceRequired: True | Text messages can only be sent within the 24-hour customer service window. Use a pre-approved template for business-initiated conversations. | | MessageType: stringRequired: False | Message body (max 4096 characters). Only used for text messages. | | Template nameType: stringRequired: False | Name of the pre-approved WhatsApp message template. Only used for template messages. | | Template languageType: choiceRequired: False | Language and locale code of the pre-approved template. Must match the language the template was approved in. Only used for template messages. | | Log responsesType: booleanRequired: False | Logs the WhatsApp sending responses for debugging. | How to create this via the API Using our REST API you can create this destination like so: Terminal PostHog AI ```bash # Create a new destination curl --location 'https://us.i.posthog.com/api/environments/:project_id/hog_functions' \ --header 'Content-Type: application/json' \ --header 'Authorization: Bearer ' \ --data '{ "type": "destination", "name": "WhatsApp", "inputs": { "access_token": { "value": "" }, "phone_number_id": { "value": "" }, "api_version": { "value": "v21.0" }, "to_number": { "value": "{{ person.properties.phone }}" }, "message_type": { "value": "text" }, "message": { "value": "PostHog event {{ event.event }} was triggered" }, "template_language": { "value": "en_US" } }, "enabled": true, "template_id": "template-whatsapp" }' ``` ## FAQ ### Is the source code for this destination available? PostHog is open-source and so are all the destinations on the platform. The [source code](https://github.com/PostHog/posthog/blob/master/nodejs/src/cdp/templates/_destinations/whatsapp/whatsapp.template.ts) is available on GitHub. ### What phone number format is required? Phone numbers must be in E.164 format (e.g., +1234567890). This includes the country code preceded by a plus sign, followed by the phone number without spaces or special characters. ### What is the 24-hour customer service window? WhatsApp restricts free-form (text) messages to a 24-hour window that opens when a customer messages you first. After 24 hours of inactivity, you can only send pre-approved template messages. See [Meta's documentation on conversations](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/conversation-types) for details. ### What Graph API version does this use? The destination defaults to Meta Graph API `v21.0`. You can override this in the **Graph API version** input field if you need a different version. ### Who maintains this? This is maintained by PostHog. If you have issues with it not functioning as intended, please [let us know](https://us.posthog.com/#panel=support%3Asupport%3Aapps%3A%3Atrue)! ### What if I have feedback on this destination? We love feature requests and feedback. Please [tell us what you think](https://us.posthog.com/#panel=support%3Afeedback%3Aapps%3Alow%3Atrue). ### What if my question isn't answered above? We love answering questions. Ask us anything via [our community forum](/questions.md). ### Community questions Ask a question ### Was this page useful? HelpfulCould be better