Voice Message Beta Program

This program aims to allow Partners to test a feature still in development.

What is Voice Message?

Cloud API Voice Messages is a Beta feature (meaning in the early testing stage) that allows businesses to send native voice messages on WhatsApp — similar to how users already exchange audio in everyday conversations. Unlike traditional audio files, voice messages are automatically downloaded, transcribed, and displayed in the familiar WhatsApp voice note format, creating a more authentic, accessible, and seamless experience for end users.

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Current Cloud API experience

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New Voice Message Feature (in Beta)

Compared to standard audio media, this format:

  • Feels more native and familiar to users.

  • Enables advanced playback controls (speed control, waveform view).

  • Allows automatic transcription.

  • Improves accessibility for users with low literacy or disabilities.

Why Join?

By participating in the Beta program, you can:

✅ Create more human, accessible experiences Reach users in a format they’re used to — especially those with low tech literacy, visual impairments, or complex language contexts.

✅ Enhance engagement and comprehension Voice messages allow businesses to share richer information that may be hard to convey through text, while letting users multitask.

✅ Stand out with a preferred message format Voice messages are one of the most used formats on WhatsApp — now available for business messaging with a native look and feel.

✅ Leverage extra features Enjoy auto-download, transcription, and playback features that aren’t available in traditional audio messages.

✅ No extra costs Voice Messages do not generate any additional costs. They replace the current audio file experience in a Service conversation, offering a more native and accessible format for end users.

How to Implement

Implementation is simple and ideal for clients already using the Cloud API — no allowlisting is required:

1

Send messages using the same Cloud API payload,

but now with the specific parameters for voice message.

2

Start sending native voice messages,

displayed just like a personal voice note on WhatsApp.

In practice

Supported Media Types

At the moment, only audio/ogg (with OPUS codec only) supports native voice messages. For all other formats, the voice flag will be ignored and a regular audio message will be delivered instead.

Payload Difference

Sending a voice message works similarly to sending a regular audio file, with one key difference: you must include a new boolean field called voice in your payload.

To send a native voice message, set the voice parameter to true. If this parameter is omitted or set to false, the message will be delivered as a standard audio message.

Examples:

Voice message using Media ID:

curl --location 'https://waba-v2.360dialog.io/messages' \
--header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
--header 'D360-API-KEY: {{YOUR-D360-API-KEY}}' \
--data '{
  "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
  "recipient_type": "individual",
  "to": "{{recipient-phone-number}}",
  "type": "audio",
  "audio": {
    "id": "{{previously-uploaded-media-id}}",
      "voice": true
  }
}'

Voice message using URL:

curl --location 'https://waba-v2.360dialog.io/messages' \
--header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
--header 'D360-API-KEY: {{YOUR-D360-API-KEY}}' \
--data '{
  "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
  "recipient_type": "individual",
  "to": "{{recipient-phone-number}}",
  "type": "audio",
  "audio": {
    "link": "link-to-opus-file",
      "voice": true
  }
}'

Generating Media ID

Please refer to this documentation to learn how to generate a media ID before sending your message.

Restrictions

  • Currently in Beta: we recommend a gradual rollout.

  • Feature still evolving: expect updates and required feedback loops.

  • Available for all regions.

Timeline

Phase

Status

Onboarding

✅ Ongoing

Sending

✅ Ongoing

Feedback Collection

✅ Ongoing

Beta Launch

TBC

Last updated

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