WhatsApp OTP (Authentication) templates
Meta-approved Authentication templates with Copy Code button and SMS failover. 40–80% cheaper than SMS, 99%+ delivery, multi-language, 60-second approval.
- Authentication category (fixed-format)
- Copy Code button + auto-fill SDK
- SMS failover built-in
Key things to know
Copy Code button
Native WhatsApp button — one tap copies the OTP to clipboard.
Android auto-fill SDK
WhatsApp OTP SDK reads the code from notification without opening the app — same UX as SMS auto-fill.
SMS failover
Auto-failover via BSP if WhatsApp delivery fails — captures the 1% edge case.
Multi-language
Same Authentication template approved in EN / HI / ES / AR / PT — auto-routes by user locale.
People also ask
Q.Is WhatsApp OTP cheaper than SMS?
Yes. WhatsApp Authentication conversations are $0.0135 in India, $0.0135 US, vs $0.05–$0.10 per SMS in most markets — 40–80% cost reduction at scale.
Q.What category is an OTP template?
OTPs use the dedicated Authentication category under Meta's 2026 pricing — separate from Utility / Marketing, with its own per-conversation rate and stricter content rules (no marketing language).
Q.What's the OTP delivery rate on WhatsApp vs SMS?
WhatsApp Authentication averages 99%+ delivery vs 92–96% on SMS (carrier filtering). Failover to SMS is supported natively by Meta if WhatsApp delivery fails.
Q.Can I customise the OTP message body?
Authentication templates have a fixed-format body and a Copy Code button. You can localise the language but not add promo text — Meta rejects anything outside the OTP intent.
Q.Does WhatsApp OTP work without the user opening WhatsApp?
Meta's auto-fill SDK reads the OTP from the WhatsApp notification on Android — same UX as SMS auto-fill, no app open required.
Q.How long does Meta take to approve an OTP template?
Authentication templates approve in under 60 seconds. Stricter category rules mean fewer rejections than Marketing.
Why move OTP from SMS to WhatsApp
SMS OTPs cost $0.05–$0.10 in most markets and get filtered by carrier spam systems — 92–96% delivery on a good day. WhatsApp Authentication conversations cost $0.0135 worldwide, deliver 99%+, and ship with a native Copy Code button.
Meta's Authentication category is fixed-format on purpose — body text is templated, you only fill the code variable. The Copy Code button auto-fills on Android via the WhatsApp OTP SDK, matching SMS auto-fill UX with zero extra integration work.
If WhatsApp delivery fails (rare), Meta auto-fails-over to SMS through your BSP — you get the cost saving on the 99% that land on WhatsApp without losing the 1% on SMS.
Built for serious growth teams
Copy Code button
Native WhatsApp button — one tap copies the OTP to clipboard.
Android auto-fill SDK
WhatsApp OTP SDK reads the code from notification without opening the app — same UX as SMS auto-fill.
SMS failover
Auto-failover via BSP if WhatsApp delivery fails — captures the 1% edge case.
Multi-language
Same Authentication template approved in EN / HI / ES / AR / PT — auto-routes by user locale.
Branded sender
Customer sees your verified business name + logo, not a 6-char shortcode.
Built-in fraud rules
Meta blocks bulk OTP send to non-opted numbers — protects sender quality and prevents toll fraud.
Get live in days, not months
- 1
Submit Authentication template
Choose 'OTP (Authentication)' in the LandinChat library. Body is fixed-format — only set the code variable name.
- 2
Add Copy Code button
Single click — Meta provisions the native Copy Code button + auto-fill SDK metadata.
- 3
Wire your auth endpoint
POST {{phone}}, {{otp}} from your sign-up / login backend to LandinChat's send-OTP webhook.
- 4
Enable SMS failover
Toggle SMS failover on — your existing SMS BSP fires only if WhatsApp delivery fails.
- 5
Integrate Android auto-fill
Add the WhatsApp OTP SDK to your Android app — auto-fills code on receipt, no user tap.
WhatsApp OTP vs SMS OTP
| Capability | LandinChat | SMS OTP |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per OTP (India) | ≈ ₹0.11 Authentication | ₹0.10–₹0.30 SMS |
| Cost per OTP (US) | ≈ $0.0135 | $0.03–$0.10 |
| Delivery rate | 99%+ | 92–96% |
| Copy Code / auto-fill | Native button + Android SDK | Carrier-dependent auto-fill |
| Failover | Auto-failover to SMS | No failover |
| Branding (sender name) | Business display name + logo | 6-char shortcode / number |
Frequently asked questions
Send OTPs on WhatsApp — 40–80% cheaper than SMS
Meta-approved Authentication templates, Copy Code button, Android auto-fill SDK, SMS failover — 60-second setup.