> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.uservox.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create and manage WhatsApp templates

> Create WhatsApp message templates with a live preview, submit them to WhatsApp for approval, and keep their status up to date.

## Overview

A **template** is a pre-approved WhatsApp message. Businesses can only start a WhatsApp conversation with a customer using a template that **Meta (WhatsApp) has approved**. You create templates in Uservox; Meta reviews them.

Templates live under [**WhatsApp → Templates**](https://app.uservox.ai/whatsapp/templates).

![WhatsApp templates list](https://mintcdn.com/uservox/qfIbUoc4a0UqKRwq/images/whatsapp/templates-list.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=qfIbUoc4a0UqKRwq\&q=85\&s=0c880c0794b9aca81e6c1b760cc22ca6)

Each row shows the template's name and language, its **category**, its **status**, how many messages were sent and tapped in the selected period, and when it was last updated. Click a row to preview the template.

> [!NOTE]
>
> Templates need a connected WhatsApp Business Account. See [Connect your WhatsApp Business Account](https://docs.uservox.ai/whatsapp/connect-whatsapp.md).

***

## Create a template

Click **Create template**. Fill in the form on the left; the **Preview** on the right shows the message as customers will see it, updating as you type.

![Create template form with live preview](https://mintcdn.com/uservox/qfIbUoc4a0UqKRwq/images/whatsapp/create-template-form.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=qfIbUoc4a0UqKRwq\&q=85\&s=f28454c9b04d6c8be73df04f1960ca74)

| Field | Description |
| :- | :- |
| **Name** | Lowercase letters, numbers and underscores only, e.g. `service_booking_confirmation`. Other characters are replaced automatically; the form shows the name that will be saved. |
| **Language** | The language the message is written in. Create one template per language. |
| **Category** | **Utility** for updates about something the customer asked for (confirmations, reminders). **Marketing** for offers and promotions; it costs more per message. **Authentication** for one-time codes. |
| **Header** (optional) | A short bold title above the message. It can contain one value, `{{1}}`. |
| **Body** | The main message. Use `{{1}}`, `{{2}}`, `{{3}}`… for values that change per customer, such as a name or a date. |
| **Sample values** | One example for each `{{n}}`. **Required by Meta** to review the template. |
| **Footer** (optional) | A short grey line under the message, e.g. your business name. |
| **Buttons** (optional, up to 3) | **Quick reply** (the customer taps a reply), **Visit website** (opens a link) or **Call phone**. |

When it looks right, click **Submit for review**.

![Template submitted for review](https://mintcdn.com/uservox/qfIbUoc4a0UqKRwq/images/whatsapp/create-template-submitted.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=qfIbUoc4a0UqKRwq\&q=85\&s=35a92e6d6ea5889ce302c9119794ea3d)

### Tips for getting approved

* Pick the **category** that matches the content. A promotion filed as Utility is usually rejected or moved to Marketing.
* Number values in order (`{{1}}`, `{{2}}`, `{{3}}`) and don't start or end the body with a value.
* Give realistic sample values, e.g. `Priya` rather than `test`.
* Avoid excessive punctuation, all-caps and misleading text.

***

## Approval and status

**Meta (WhatsApp) approves or rejects every template**, usually within minutes and sometimes up to 24–48 hours. The status in Uservox updates on its own when Meta decides.

| Status | Meaning |
| :- | :- |
| **Pending** | Waiting for Meta's review. It can't be sent yet. |
| **Approved** | Ready to use in processes and test messages. |
| **Rejected** | Not approved. The reason is shown under the status. Fix the template and create it again. |
| **Paused / Disabled** | Meta stopped the template, usually because customers blocked or reported it. It can't be sent until it's fixed. |

Click a template to see its details and preview. A rejected template also shows the reason.

![Preview of an approved template](https://mintcdn.com/uservox/qfIbUoc4a0UqKRwq/images/whatsapp/template-preview.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=qfIbUoc4a0UqKRwq\&q=85\&s=729387ca6ddc075f3b980c85b7597e60)

![A rejected template with the reason](https://mintcdn.com/uservox/qfIbUoc4a0UqKRwq/images/whatsapp/template-rejected.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=qfIbUoc4a0UqKRwq\&q=85\&s=4ccc5d414cff516dac13536a31c1c031)

> [!NOTE]
>
> Meta can also change a template's **category** after approval, for example from Utility to Marketing, and rate its **quality**. These changes appear in Uservox automatically.

***

## Refresh templates

Statuses update on their own. If a status looks out of date, or you created templates outside Uservox (for example in Meta Business Manager), click **Refresh from WhatsApp**. Uservox fetches the latest list and statuses and shows how many templates were refreshed, or the reason if it couldn't.

***

## Delete a template

Click **Delete** on the template's row and confirm. The template is deleted from WhatsApp too.

> [!WARNING]
>
> After you delete a template, **WhatsApp blocks its name for 30 days**. Use a different name if you need a similar template sooner.

***

## Next step

[Send a test template](https://docs.uservox.ai/whatsapp/send-test-template.md) to your own phone to see exactly how it looks.


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.