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

# Send on WhatsApp

> Connect a WhatsApp number, get a template approved by Meta, and send — no Meta Business Manager setup.

Minimo lets you send WhatsApp from your database events without the usual Meta Business Manager and
Twilio glue. One Minimo connection covers the number, the templates and the inbound replies.

## How WhatsApp sending works

WhatsApp business messaging is **template-first**: to start a conversation you send a message built
from a template that Meta has **approved**. The lifecycle is:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Connect a number">
    In **Settings → Connections**, connect a WhatsApp sender. You can connect more than one number (multi-sender /
    multi-WABA). See [List WhatsApp senders](/api-reference/messaging-channels/whatsapp/list-senders).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a template">
    Build the template — body text, variables, buttons. Templates have a **category** (Utility, Marketing,
    Authentication) that affects approval and pricing.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Submit for approval">
    Submit the draft to Meta. It moves through `PENDING` → `APPROVED` (or `REJECTED`). Approval usually takes minutes to
    hours.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Send">
    Once `APPROVED`, send the template to a contact, filling its variables per recipient. See [Send a WhatsApp
    template](/api-reference/messaging-channels/whatsapp/send-template).
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Let **Mo** build and submit templates for you, then send an approved one to a segment — ask your connected agent or
  use the in-app assistant. See [Build with Mo](/product/mo).
</Tip>

## Check template status

A template can only be sent when it's `APPROVED`. List your templates and their status in the app,
or via [List WhatsApp templates](/api-reference/messaging-channels/whatsapp/list-templates).

## Receive replies and events

Minimo receives inbound WhatsApp messages, delivery events and template-status updates for you and
surfaces them in the unified inbox. If you want them in your own backend too, see
[Inbound & webhooks](/api-reference/messaging-channels/whatsapp/inbound-webhooks).

## Let an AI assistant reply

WhatsApp on Minimo is two-way. Assign an **AI assistant** to a number and inbound conversations are
handled automatically — it understands voice notes, photos and reactions, answers from your knowledge
base, and can take real actions like booking. See
[AI assistants on WhatsApp](/product/messaging/whatsapp-assistant).

## Multiple & custom numbers

A single Minimo account can run many WhatsApp numbers (multi-sender / multi-WABA). Because Minimo is
a WhatsApp **Business Solution Provider**, you can give each customer, brand or location its own
custom number — and pick which one a message goes out from with the `sender` field. See
[Custom numbers, multiple numbers & agencies](/product/messaging/whatsapp-numbers).

<Warning>
  Sending a template that isn't approved returns a `template_not_approved` error, and an invalid recipient returns
  `invalid_phone_number`. Numbers must be in E.164 format (e.g. `+15551234567`).
</Warning>