WhatsApp API Interactive Messages

gzambonni

WhatsApp team @Facebook did a good job providing sort of new elements to format messages in the client. I'm talking about Interactive Messages (https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/guides/interactive-messages)
Any chance to use this with Twilio API?

pnash

I was just scrolling through the blog and found this: https://www.twilio.com/blog/using-whatsapp-quick-reply-buttons-for-more-engaging-customer-experiences. So, yes! You now can create interactive messages in WhatsApp through the Twilio API.

gzambonni

Thanks @philnash... but here we have a huge difference... according Facebook documentation, Interactive Messages do not require templates or pre-approvals. Twilio API didn't implement this.

pnash

Yes, you're right. WhatsApp allow you to send interactive message templates and regular conversation interactive messages. I don't know of a way to send the regular non-template interactive messages myself, so I'm checking internally for you.

pnash

Hey @gzambonni, sorry for the delay on this. I've checked with the team and while I can tell you that there are plans to support non-template interactive messages there is no timeline for it just yet.

gzambonni

Hi @pnash!! Ty. Good hear that this feature lives on twilio roadmap! totally understand that have interactive messages in templates first is really important to solve the Notification use case. We, in another hand, use twilio API as a chat channel, and provide interactive messages to our users will be amazing. So, let's wait. hope see this feature soon

Thomas A

Hi @pnash. We would also absolutely need this feature. Is there a timeline for the implementation?

pnash

Hi @Thomas A, my answer hasn't changed since last time I'm afraid. There is no timeline that I am aware of.

joseco

Would you please help with the way to call the api to send an interactive message? Normally I was using this function (text in body):

  const client = Twilio(context.ACCOUNT_SID, context.AUTH_TOKEN);

  const result = await client.messages.create({

   from: whatsappSender,

   to: whatsappDestinationNumber,

   body: "Hello world"

  });

How do I call api using my whatsapp approved "template with buttons"?

pnash

@joseco To send an interactive message you have to have the message template set up and approved in your account. Then, you need to send a message that matches the text in the template and the buttons will be included automatically. You can see more about this in the documentation on sending WhatsApp messages using templates.

raed

Hello @pnash

Can I create Message templates dynamically?

I mean I use such an API like the following

const sendWhatsAppMessage = (from, to, text) => {
  return client.messages
    .create({
      from: `whatsapp:${from}`,
      body: text,
      to: `whatsapp:${to}`,
    })
    .then((message) => console.log(message.sid));
};

Instead of body that would be text, can I send template data?

Same As these: https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/guides/commerce-guides/share-products-with-customers

pnash

Hi @raed, I have never seen those commerce messages before! They look interesting!

I do not believe that the Twilio API for WhatsApp currently supports those style messages. You can see all the parameters you can pass in the API documentation here. To answer your question, the body must be text and doesn't support anything else.

pnash

Hey, for anyone in this thread interested in interactive messages, we announced a new Content API at SIGNAL that will help to build interactive and rich messages that work across multiple platforms.

It will be going into pilot this month, and you can sign up to join the pilot here: https://www.twilio.com/go/messaging-content-api-request-access-1.

raed

I actually tried all parameters for the API mentioned above but had no luck.

I will look at this content access.

thanks for help!

kdamerje

Hello, @pnash ,

I wanted to reach out to follow up on a potential timeline for support for non-template interactive messages. You had mentioned in June 2021 that Twilio was looking into it.

pnash

Hi @kdamerje , please check my post above from November about the Content API pilot.