message_template_status_update Webhook

Field reference for WhatsApp message_template_status_update webhooks: template approval, rejection, pause, disablement, archive, deletion, appeal, and Dualhook handling.

The message_template_status_update field reports lifecycle changes for an existing WhatsApp template. It is the primary webhook field for approval, rejection, pause, disablement, archive, deletion, and appeal status.

What message_template_status_update Reports

This field identifies the template and reports the current lifecycle event, category, language, and any reason or extra metadata available for that event.

It is especially important for:

  • moving newly created templates from pending to approved or rejected,
  • detecting templates that were paused, disabled, or flagged,
  • showing rejection reasons and recommendations,
  • keeping archived or deleted template state in sync.

When It Fires

Meta sends it when a template is approved, rejected, disabled, archived, unarchived, paused, flagged, locked, reinstated, deleted, or enters appeal.

Event Values

Common event values include:

EventMeaning
APPROVEDTemplate can be sent.
REJECTEDTemplate failed review. Check reason and possibly rejection_info.
PENDINGTemplate is still in review.
FLAGGEDNegative feedback puts the template at risk.
PAUSEDTemplate is temporarily paused.
DISABLEDTemplate has been disabled due to feedback or policy.
LOCKEDTemplate cannot be edited.
IN_APPEALTemplate is in the appeal process.
REINSTATEDTemplate is usable again.
ARCHIVED / UNARCHIVEDTemplate moved into or out of archived state.
DELETED / PENDING_DELETIONTemplate was deleted or scheduled for deletion.
LIMIT_EXCEEDEDThe WABA reached its template limit.

Payload Shape

{
  "object": "whatsapp_business_account",
  "entry": [
    {
      "id": "<WABA_ID>",
      "time": 1751247548,
      "changes": [
        {
          "field": "message_template_status_update",
          "value": {
            "event": "REJECTED",
            "message_template_id": 1689556908129835,
            "message_template_name": "abandoned_cart",
            "message_template_language": "en",
            "reason": "INVALID_FORMAT",
            "message_template_category": "MARKETING",
            "rejection_info": {
              "reason": "Variables are not clearly separated.",
              "recommendation": "Add descriptive text between variables."
            }
          }
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Optional nested objects:

ObjectUsed for
disable_infoDisable date when the template is disabled.
other_infoPause, unpause, lock, or unlock details.
rejection_infoDetailed invalid-format rejection reason and recommendation.

Dualhook Handling

Dualhook subscribes to message_template_status_update as a management field. It uses the event to update template status in the dashboard, show review outcomes, classify template problems, and forward the management event to your configured endpoint.

Only template metadata and operational delivery status are stored. Dualhook is not in the message-send path and does not store any customer message bodies.

Implementation Notes

  • Treat message_template_id plus language as the safest identity pair.
  • For REJECTED, show both reason and rejection_info when present.
  • For PAUSED, FLAGGED, and DISABLED, slow or stop sends that use the affected template.
  • Keep unknown event values. Meta adds lifecycle events over time.
  • Do not assume reason is always a string; scheduled deletion events can report null.

Related

  • Webhook Subscription FieldsReference list of all 22+ WhatsApp Business Platform webhook subscription fields, what each notifies you of, required permissions, payload size limits, retry policy, mTLS support, and IP allowlisting.
  • Webhook Events & NotificationsManagement webhook events: template status, quality updates, account alerts, and forwarding.
  • TemplatesTemplate lifecycle, categories, and management through Dualhook and Meta Graph API.
  • Template ElementsTemplate structure: headers, body, footer, buttons, variables, and practical limits.
  • message_template_quality_update WebhookField reference for WhatsApp message_template_quality_update webhooks: template quality score changes, payload shape, and Dualhook handling.
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