# How to create WhatsApp message templates and get them approved

Message templates are required to message a customer outside the 24-hour reply window, and every template needs Meta's approval — usually within about 24 hours — before it can be used.

## Steps

1. Go to **Templates** to see your stats (total, approved, pending, rejected) and select **Sync from Meta** to pull in any changes made directly on Meta's side.
2. Select **New template**, choose the agent it's for (Order Confirmation or Upsell Offer), a name (lowercase letters, numbers, and underscores, starting with a letter), a language, and a category (UTILITY or MARKETING).
3. Add an optional header (text, image up to 5 MB, video up to 16 MB, document up to 100 MB, or location), a body up to 1,024 characters using `{{1}}`-style variables with example values, and an optional footer up to 60 characters.
4. Add up to 3 buttons: quick reply, a URL (https only), a phone number with country code, a copy code, or a voice call.
5. Submit for approval, or start from the pre-built template library instead of writing one from scratch.

## Common problems

- Template rejected for too many variables, or a variable alone on a line or at the start/end of the body → reduce the number of variables and keep them inside full sentences, not standing alone.
- Template rejected for non-sequential variables → number your variables in order starting from `{{1}}` with no gaps.
- "Duplicate name and language" → change the template's name or language; Meta requires a unique combination.
- Rejected for a missing example, an overly long body, an invalid URL or phone number, or a category mismatch → fix the specific field Meta flagged and resubmit; category (UTILITY vs MARKETING) must match the actual content.
- Template still pending after 24+ hours → this can happen occasionally; select **Sync from Meta** to check for an updated status.

## Related
- [How to view conversations and take over from the AI agent](https://help.dropify.shop/en/whatsapp_ai_agent/live-chat-and-take-over/)
- [How to set up the WhatsApp order confirmation agent](https://help.dropify.shop/en/whatsapp_ai_agent/order-confirmation-agent/)
- [How to send a WhatsApp marketing campaign](https://help.dropify.shop/en/whatsapp_ai_agent/marketing-campaigns/)
- [WhatsApp AI Agent troubleshooting](https://help.dropify.shop/en/whatsapp_ai_agent/whatsapp-agent-troubleshooting/)