# Voice Message Beta Program

## What is Voice Message?

**Cloud API Voice Messages** is a Beta feature 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.

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="files"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Current Cloud API experience</td><td><a href="https://2248475362-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FuyAl2S0lSHJaNDXJHo7A%2Fuploads%2FBvxFeqm52qQ1US3Gvz8A%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=1485c1ba-e085-42d9-b368-ce9a5731094c">image.png</a></td></tr><tr><td>New Voice Message Feature (in Beta)</td><td><a href="https://2248475362-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FuyAl2S0lSHJaNDXJHo7A%2Fuploads%2FjDS8Ewe6nwlxOhD5lEx8%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=e3cdb430-8241-4804-95c2-b0ec460a7fa7">image.png</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

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&#x20;

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

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Send messages using the same Cloud API payload,

but now with the specific parameters for voice message.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Start sending native voice messages,

displayed just like a personal voice note on WhatsApp.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

### In practice

{% hint style="success" %}
**Transcription requirements**

For the voice transcription to work, the end user must have the relevant [WhatsApp settings enabled](https://faq.whatsapp.com/241617298315321/?helpref=uf_share). Otherwise, the message will appear as a regular audio note.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
S**upported 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.
{% endhint %}

#### 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:

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Voice message using Media ID" %}

```json
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
  }
}'
```

{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Voice message using URL" %}

```json
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
  }
}'
```

{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

### Generating Media ID

Please refer to [this documentation](https://docs.360dialog.com/partner/messaging/media-messages/upload-retrieve-delete-media#upload-media) 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.