--- title: "Meta WhatsApp Credentials & Templates Setup Guide" description: "This guide provides step-by-step instructions to set up a Meta Developer App, retrieve your **Phone Number ID**, **Business Account ID**, and **Permanent Access Token**, and create the required **3 Meta Utility Templates** for eSchool SaaS integration. --- ## Quick Reference Links (Meta Developer & Business…" url: "https://www.xschool.in/docs/meta-whatsapp-credentials-templates-setup-guide/" updated: "2026-09-25" category: System Settings --- # Meta WhatsApp Credentials & Templates Setup Guide This guide provides step-by-step instructions to set up a Meta Developer App, retrieve your **Phone Number ID**, **Business Account ID**, and **Permanent Access Token**, and create the required **3 Meta Utility Templates** for eSchool SaaS integration. --- ## Quick Reference Links (Meta Developer & Business Tools) | Tool / Page | Direct URL | Purpose | | --- | --- | --- | | **Meta Developer Portal (Apps)** | [developers.facebook.com/apps](https://developers.facebook.com/apps) | Create and manage your Meta Developer App | | **Meta Business Manager** | [business.facebook.com](https://business.facebook.com/) | Manage your Meta Business Portfolio | | **System Users (Permanent Token)** | [business.facebook.com/settings/system-users](https://business.facebook.com/settings/system-users) | Generate permanent access tokens for API | | **WhatsApp Manager (Templates)** | [business.facebook.com/wa/manage/templates](https://business.facebook.com/wa/manage/templates) | Create & manage WhatsApp Message Templates | | **Meta WhatsApp Cloud API Docs** | [developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/cloud-api](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/cloud-api) | Official Meta API documentation | --- ## Step 1: Create a Meta Developer App 1. Go to the [Meta Developer Portal Apps Console](https://developers.facebook.com/apps). 2. Log in with your Facebook account associated with your Business Account. 3. Click the green **Create App** button at the top-right. 4. Select **Other** (or **Business**) as the app type and click **Next**. 5. Select **Business** as the app type and click **Next**. 6. Enter an **App Name** (e.g., `Atharva International School WhatsApp Integration`). 7. Enter your **App Contact Email**. 8. Under **Business Portfolio**, select your official Meta Business Account. 9. Click **Create App** (you may be prompted to re-enter your Facebook password). --- ## Step 2: Set Up WhatsApp Product & Get Phone Number ID & Business Account ID 1. On your newly created App Dashboard, scroll down to the **Add products to your app** section. 2. Locate **WhatsApp** and click **Set Up**. 3. Select your **Meta Business Portfolio** from the dropdown menu and click **Continue**. 4. In the left sidebar navigation menu, go to **WhatsApp** -> **API Setup** (or **Getting Started**). Here you will find your credentials: ``` ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐│ WhatsApp API Setup ││ ││ Phone Number ID: 104567890123456 [Copy] ││ WhatsApp Business Account ID: 109876543210987 [Copy] │└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ ``` - **Phone Number ID**: Copy the numeric value displayed under *Phone Number ID*. - **WhatsApp Business Account ID**: Copy the numeric value displayed under *WhatsApp Business Account ID*. > **Adding a Production Phone Number**: In the API Setup section, scroll down to **Step 5: Add a phone number**, enter your school's official display name and mobile number, and verify it via SMS or phone call OTP. --- ## Step 3: Generate a Permanent System User Access Token > **Important**: The temporary access token shown on the API Setup page expires after 24 hours. For production use, you **MUST** generate a **Permanent System User Token**. 1. Navigate directly to [Meta Business Settings -> System Users](https://business.facebook.com/settings/system-users). 2. Select your Business Portfolio. 3. Click **Add** (or **Create System User**). 4. Enter a name for the System User (e.g., `eSchool WhatsApp System User`). 5. Set the **System User Role** to **Admin**. 6. Click **Create System User**. #### Assign Assets to the System User 1. Select the created System User from the list and click **Assign Assets**. 2. Go to **Apps** -> Select your app (`Atharva International School WhatsApp Integration`). 3. Toggle **Full Control** (Manage App) to **ON**. 4. Click **Save Changes**. #### Generate the Permanent Token 1. Select the System User and click **Generate New Token**. 2. Select your App (`eSchool WhatsApp Integration`) from the dropdown. 3. Under **Token Expiration**, select **Never** (or the maximum duration allowed). 4. Under **Available Permissions**, check the following 2 required permissions: - `whatsapp_business_messaging` *(Required to send messages)* - `whatsapp_business_management` *(Required to manage templates and read account insights)* 5. Click **Generate Token**. 6. Copy the generated Access Token (starts with `EAAG...` or `EAAL...`) and store it securely. --- ## Step 4: Create the 3 Required Meta Utility Templates Meta requires pre-approved templates under the **`Utility`** category to send business-initiated messages outside an active 24-hour window. The eSchool SaaS integration uses **3 Meta Relay Templates** with a `{{1}}` parameter, allowing you to edit all message texts dynamically in your school panel without re-submitting to Meta. 1. Navigate directly to [WhatsApp Manager — Message Templates](https://business.facebook.com/wa/manage/templates). 2. Ensure your correct WhatsApp Business Account is selected in the top-left dropdown. 3. Click the **Create Template** button. --- ### Template 1: Text Relay Template (Normal Text Messages) - **Category**: `Utility` - **Template Name**: `school_message` *(Must be lowercase with a-z, 0-9, and underscores only)* - **Language**: `English (US)` (`en_US`) or your local language - **Header**: Select **None** - **Body**: ``` Hello, you have a new message from your school:{{1}}Thank you. ``` - **Sample Content for `{{1}}`**: `Your child Raghav Sharma has been marked present on 31-07-2026.` - **Footer**: *(Optional)* e.g. `School Communication Portal` - **Buttons**: None - Click **Submit**. --- ### Template 2: Document Relay Template (PDF / Document Attachments) - **Category**: `Utility` - **Template Name**: `school_message_document` - **Language**: `English (US)` (`en_US`) - **Header**: Select **Document** - *Upload a sample PDF document from your computer for Meta review.* - **Body**: ``` Hello,{{1}}Please find the attached document for your reference. ``` - **Sample Content for `{{1}}`**: `Please find attached your fee receipt for term 1.` - **Footer**: *(Optional)* - **Buttons**: None - Click **Submit**. --- ### Template 3: Image Relay Template (JPG / PNG Attachments) - **Category**: `Utility` - **Template Name**: `school_message_image` - **Language**: `English (US)` (`en_US`) - **Header**: Select **Image** - *Upload a sample JPG/PNG image from your computer for Meta review.* - **Body**: ``` Hello,{{1}}Please find the attached image for your reference. ``` - **Sample Content for `{{1}}`**: `Here is the poster for annual sports day.` - **Footer**: *(Optional)* - **Buttons**: None - Click **Submit**. > **Note**: Meta utility templates containing standard placeholder parameters are typically approved automatically within a few minutes. --- ## Step 5: Configure Credentials in School Admin Panel Now that you have gathered all credentials and created the templates, open your School Management System: 1. Log in as **School Admin**. 2. Go to **WhatsApp Integration** (Sidebar Menu) -> **Setup** Tab. 3. Fill in the following fields: | Field | Value to Enter | | --- | --- | | **Enable WhatsApp** | Toggle **ON** | | **Phone Number ID** | Copied from Step 2 | | **Business Account ID** | Copied from Step 2 | | **Permanent Access Token** | Copied from Step 3 (`EAAG...`) | | **Default Meta Relay Template (Text)** | `school_message` | | **Default Meta Language** | `en_US` (or `en`) | | **Default Meta Document Template** | `school_message_document` | | **Default Meta Image Template** | `school_message_image` | 1. Click **Save Settings**. 2. Click **Test Connection** (Green badge indicates successful connection). 3. Click **Send Test Message** to send a test message to your personal mobile number.