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

# WhatsApp overview

> WhatsApp is in early access. Connect your business numbers and prepare Meta-approved templates now; sending isn't generally available yet.

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<Snippet file="early-access.mdx" />

Brudcast's WhatsApp channel runs on your own WhatsApp Business Account. You keep the account, Meta
approves your message templates, and Meta bills its fees to you directly. Brudcast reviews each
business number you add.

<Screenshot id="ss-whatsapp-overview-hero-channel-page" alt="The WhatsApp channel page with its Setup and Numbers tabs and the Approved Numbers, Awaiting Review and Setup counters" />

## What you can do today

|                                                            | Status                  |
| ---------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------- |
| Add business numbers and get them reviewed by Brudcast     | Available               |
| Store WhatsApp numbers on contacts                         | Available               |
| Create message templates in your WhatsApp Business Account | Done on Meta's side     |
| Send WhatsApp campaigns                                    | Not generally available |

## How it fits together

```mermaid theme={"system"}
flowchart LR
  M[Your Meta Business account] --> W[Your WhatsApp Business Account]
  W --> N[Business number, identified by its Phone Number ID]
  W --> T[Message templates, approved by Meta]
  N --> B[Business number in Brudcast, reviewed by Brudcast]
```

There are two approvals, from two different approvers:

* **Brudcast** reviews each business number before it can send.
* **Meta** approves your message templates. See [Message templates](#message-templates).

## The WhatsApp page

Go to **Channels > WhatsApp**. It has two tabs:

* **Setup**: the checklist for this channel. "Connect your WhatsApp sender", then "Get your WhatsApp
  sender approved".
* **Numbers**: your business numbers and their review status.

The counters at the top show **Approved Numbers**, numbers **Awaiting Review** by Brudcast, and how
many **Setup** steps are done.

## What you need

Brudcast works with your own WhatsApp Business Account rather than one it owns for you, so some
requirements sit on Meta's side and some on Brudcast's.

In your Meta account:

| You need                                                      | Why                                                                          |
| ------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| A WhatsApp Business Account in your own Meta Business account | Your messages go out on your account, and you stay in control of it          |
| At least one verified phone number on that account            | This is the business number your messages come from                          |
| The number's **Phone Number ID**                              | Brudcast identifies each business number by this ID, not by the phone number |
| A payment method on your WhatsApp Business Account            | Meta bills its per-message fees to you directly                              |
| Message templates approved by Meta                            | WhatsApp marketing messages must use a template Meta approved in advance     |

In Brudcast:

| You need                       | Why                                                                                                                              |
| ------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| An approved business number    | Brudcast reviews each number before it can send. See [Connect your WABA](/channels/whatsapp/connect-your-waba)                   |
| Credits in your wallet         | WhatsApp is wallet gated. It needs no subscription, but only purchased credits can pay for it                                    |
| Contacts with WhatsApp numbers | A contact without a WhatsApp identity can't be reached on WhatsApp. See [Add and edit contacts](/contacts/add-and-edit-contacts) |

You don't need credits or a subscription to add a business number. You only need them to send.

Message only people who agreed to hear from you on WhatsApp, and keep a record of how and when each
person gave their consent.

## Message templates

WhatsApp doesn't allow free-form marketing messages from a business. Every such message uses a
template that Meta approved in advance. You create and submit templates in your own WhatsApp Business
Account, and Meta approves or rejects them. Brudcast doesn't create or edit templates. It refers to a
template you've already had approved.

A template is fixed text with numbered variables:

```text theme={"system"}
Hi {{1}}, your order {{2}} has shipped and should arrive by {{3}}.
```

The fixed text can't change without a new approval. Only the variables change from message to
message, so base each one on data you already hold on your contacts, including custom fields.

Meta sorts templates into **Marketing**, **Utility** and **Authentication**, and reviews each template
against the category you choose. The category must match the one Meta approved the template under. It
doesn't change what Brudcast charges.

## What it costs

A WhatsApp message has two costs, charged by two different companies.

|                              | Brudcast                             | Meta                                                 |
| ---------------------------- | ------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| What it pays for             | Sending the message through Brudcast | Meta's own fee for the message                       |
| How much                     | 10 credits per message               | Meta's price for that message                        |
| Paid from                    | Your Brudcast wallet                 | The payment method on your WhatsApp Business Account |
| Depends on template category | No                                   | Set by Meta                                          |

You connect your own WhatsApp Business Account, so Meta bills you directly. Brudcast doesn't pay Meta
on your behalf or resell Meta's fees.

WhatsApp needs no subscription, but it's wallet gated, and only purchased credits can pay for it.
Bonus credits, the extra credits that come with larger credit packs, can't be used, because
WhatsApp's rate is already set low. See [Credits and wallet](/billing/credits-and-wallet).

<Snippet file="wallet-gated.mdx" />

## Prepare now

<Steps>
  <Step title="Check what you need" icon="list-checks">
    [What you need](#what-you-need)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add your business numbers" icon="phone">
    [Connect your WABA](/channels/whatsapp/connect-your-waba)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Get your templates approved by Meta" icon="file-text">
    [Message templates](#message-templates)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Collect WhatsApp numbers on your contacts" icon="users">
    [Add and edit contacts](/contacts/add-and-edit-contacts)
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Related

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="Connect your WABA" icon="phone" href="/channels/whatsapp/connect-your-waba">
    Add a business number by its Phone Number ID.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Channels overview" icon="radio-tower" href="/channels/overview">
    What each channel needs, and what's available today.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Credits and wallet" icon="wallet" href="/billing/credits-and-wallet">
    How credits are held, spent and topped up.
  </Card>
</Columns>