MessageBird WhatsApp

To connect MessageBird WhatsApp, a MessageBird WhatsApp API account is required. Read this guide on how to create a MessageBird WhatsApp API account.
In addition to providing SMS services, MessageBird is also an API provider that works directly with WhatsApp as an official partner. MessageBird also provides other services such as phone number purchases and WhatsApp Official API account management. 
By integrating MessageBird WhatsApp API, the platform can enable you to respond to WhatsApp messages directly. 
This channel has a limited 24-hour messaging window due to WhatsApp regulations. Find out more here!
Connecting MessageBird WhatsApp
Step 1: Navigate to Channel Settings
From Settings Module, navigate to the menu item, Channels
Step 2: Add Channel
Press Add Channel and choose WhatsApp. Select MessageBird on the second step
Step 3: Sign in to MessageBird Dashboard
Sign in with your user credentials at MessageBird
Step 4: Locate the Live API Keys
Locate the Live API Keys and add it to the corresponding field at respond.io platform. 
Step 5: Configure the Channel
At MessageBird, navigate to Channel > My Channels. Select the WhatsApp channel and locate the Channel ID and add it to the corresponding field. 
Step 6: Complete the setup at respond.io
Press DONE to complete the setup
Once you completed the setup, any messages sent to your MessageBird WhatsApp Number will now be received in your Space.
Channel Configuration
MessageBird WhatsApp channel can be configured with a unique:
- Channel Name
- Greeting Message
Step 1: Navigate to Channel Settings
From Settings Module, navigate to the menu item, Channels
Step 2: Locate the MessageBird WhatsApp channel
Once you have located the MessageBird WhatsApp channel, press Configure
Channel Settings
Step 3: Make the necessary configuration
You can configure the following:
Channel Name - Name used internally to identify the account
Greeting Message - This message is the first message sent to contact when they message you through MessageBird WhatsApp. 
Important: As for the other details, take extra note while updating as it might fail to receive messages from your MessageBird WhatsApp account. 
Greeting Message is being replaced by Workflows and will be deprecated in January 2022
Configure MessageBird WhatsApp
Step 4: Update the configuration
Press DONE to update the channel configuration
Managing WhatsApp Message Templates
Before sending a Template Message to a contact at respond.io platform, please ensure you did the following:
Submitted the message template for approval
Added the approved message template to space
Submitting Message Template for Approval
If you do not have an approved message template or would like to submit a new message template, please refer to the following guide. 
Step 1: Navigate to MessageBird
Navigate to the WhatsApp Template Manager in the WhatsApp Section on the left side of your Message Dashboard.
Step 2: Press Create Template
A dialog containing the fields to create message template will open up
Step 3: Fill in the required information
Field
Description
Name
The identifier of the message template in small letters only and spaces need to be replaced with an underscore
Category
The category of which the message template belongs to 
Language
The language of which the message template 
Content
The full body of the message, with the option to add unique parameters represented as placeholders.
Step 4: Submit for approval
Review the information and submit it when you are ready
Adding the Approved WhatsApp Message Template to the Space
Once your Message Template has been approved on MessageBird, you may proceed to add the message template on the respond.io platform.
Step 1: Navigate to Channel Settings
From Settings Module, navigate to the menu item, Channels
Step 2: Locate the MessageBird WhatsApp channel
Once you have located the MessageBird WhatsApp channel, press Templates
Configuring templates for Whatsapp
Step 3: Fill in the required information
Channel Settings
Fields
Type
Description
Template Name
Text
A name used to identify the template
Template Content
Text
The message template approved by WhatsApp and to be sent to the contact
Namespace*
Text
The unique identifier provided by the WhatsApp Partner API. Your namepsace can be found in the WhatsApp Channel dashboard.
Category
Single select
In which category does this template belong to. 
Refer here for a list of categories.
Language
Single select
In which language this template is written in
Step 4: Save changes
Review the information and press SAVE when it is ready. 
Important Links
​Creating message templates
Message template guidelines
Message guidelines by WhatsApp​
Troubleshooting
Having trouble with the channel? Contact us here!