Send a test to your number

Before a template goes to thousands of people, send it to yourself. A test is one real WhatsApp message to the number you choose, so you see exactly what your customers will get.

A test is a real, charged message

A test is sent and charged like any other message with that template. You see the cost before anything is sent, and it shows in your inbox and your wallet statement.

Where the button is

On a template. Open Templates, click the three dots on an Active template and click Send a test.
In a broadcast. While you create a WhatsApp broadcast, Send a test is on the step where you fill the variables and on the last step before you send.

Send a test from a template

Enter the number
Type the number under Send to, with its country code, for example 919812345678. The box remembers the last number you used on this device.
Fill the values
The box shows one field for each variable, filled with the template's sample values. Change them if you like. If the template has a picture, a video or a document at the top, choose the file.
Click Continue
The next screen shows the message, the number and the cost, for example:
This sends 1 real WhatsApp message to +91 98123 45678. Cost: ₹0.88 from your wallet, the normal price of a Marketing message.
If WhatsApp bills your messages to your own WhatsApp account, the screen says WhatsApp bills this message to your own WhatsApp account instead of a wallet cost.
Nothing has been sent yet.
Click Send test message
You see Sent. It should arrive in a few seconds. Check your phone.

Send a test from a broadcast

The test uses the variables and the header file exactly as you set them for the broadcast. You only enter the number.

If a variable takes its value from a contact field, such as the contact's name, the test fills it from the saved contact with that number. If the number is not a saved contact, the test shows the fallback text you typed. If there is no value at all, the box asks you to type one for the test.

Contact fields are filled only if you have access to Contacts. Without it, the test shows the fallback text, as it does for a number that is not saved.

Which number to use

Use your own number, or the number of someone who agreed to get your messages. A number that has opted out of your messages cannot get a test.

If the test does not go out

What you see	What it means
Not enough balance. Add money to your wallet.	The wallet does not cover the price of this message. Add money, then try again.
This number has opted out of your messages.	The person asked you to stop. Use another number.
This number cannot get WhatsApp messages.	The number is not on WhatsApp, or it was typed wrong.
The values do not match the template's variables.	A value is missing, or the header file is not the kind the template needs.
WhatsApp has paused this template	The template cannot be sent right now. See Paused, disabled and rejected templates.
You need access to Messages to send a test.	Your account owner has not given you access to Messages. Ask them.
WhatsApp did not accept this message.	Check the template and try again.

You are not charged for a test that was not sent.

Good to know

Two clicks on Send test message send one message.
A test goes to one number at a time. Every test is a normal paid message, and there is no limit on how many you send.
Carousel templates, limited time offers, authentication templates, and templates with a catalog or flow button cannot be tested from the Templates page. Their menu item says why.
To send a test you need access to Messages.