Send Interactive Messages on WhatsApp

Learn how to send button messages and list messages to create engaging conversational experiences on WhatsApp.

Footer (optional): Small text below the body

Buttons/List Items: Configure your interactive elements

  1. Understand interactive message types
  2. Create a reply button message
  3. Create a list message
  4. Handle user responses via webhooks
  5. Test interactive messages

FAQ

Why does my interactive message fail to send?

Interactive messages only go out inside WhatsApp's 24-hour session window, which opens when the customer writes to you. Once it has closed the API returns a 422 error, and you need an approved message template to reach the contact again.

How many buttons can one message have, and how long may a label be?

Up to 3 reply buttons per message, with a maximum of 20 characters per button title. If a button does not show up, the title is usually too long, or two buttons share the same ID.

Can I send buttons and lists on channels other than WhatsApp?

Buttons also work on Messenger, Instagram, Telegram and Live Chat. List messages are supported on WhatsApp and Live Chat only. SMS and email support neither. The Channel Capabilities endpoint tells you what a specific channel accepts before you send.

Do interactive messages need to be approved by Meta?

No. Inside the 24-hour session window buttons and lists go out as ordinary messages, so nothing is submitted for review. Only message templates, which you need once the window has closed, go through Meta's approval.

Do interactive messages work on a number connected through WhatsApp Coexistence?

Yes. You can send buttons and lists from SendSeven while your team keeps answering from the WhatsApp Business App on the phone, because Coexistence runs the app and the API in parallel on the same number.

How do I tell which button or list item a customer picked?

The webhook event carries the ID you set when you built the message: button_reply.id for a button and list_reply.id for a list item. Use that ID to branch into the right follow-up.

Can a Flow send interactive messages automatically?

Yes. A Flow sends WhatsApp buttons and lists on its own, with an optional text, image or video header and a footer, so a bot can offer choices without an agent stepping in.