How automatic WhatsApp birthday messages work
WhatsApp does not let a business send any free text it likes to a customer who has not messaged it recently. To start a conversation, the business sends a message template: pre-written text that Meta reviews once and approves. The template can include placeholders, so each person still sees their own name.
A birthday tool stores each person's birthday and WhatsApp number (with the country code, such as +1 for the US). Every day it checks who is celebrating and sends the approved template from your connected number at the time you chose.
How to set up WhatsApp birthday messages with Peoplewisher
- 01
Get ready
You need a Facebook Business (Meta Business) account and a phone number for WhatsApp. It can be the number you already use in the WhatsApp Business app, or a new one. WhatsApp is available on paid Peoplewisher plans.
- 02
Connect your number with Meta
Go to Apps & Integrations → WhatsApp → Connect, click + Connect with Meta, log in with your Facebook Business account, pick your number and allow the WhatsApp Business permissions. Your number then appears under Connected WhatsApp Business numbers.
- 03
Create a birthday template
Click Template, create a WhatsApp template, choose your number and write your greeting with placeholders such as {firstname}. Add an image header (JPG or PNG under 5 MB) if you want to send a birthday card graphic. Submit it to Meta.
- 04
Wait for Meta's approval
The template shows Pending approval, then Approved. This usually takes minutes. If it shows Rejected, hover over the status to see why, edit and resubmit.
- 05
Add WhatsApp to the group schedule
Open the group's Group Schedule → Default Scheduler → WhatsApp, choose your number, your approved template and a send time, tick Attach Graphics if you want, and click Save settings.
- 06
Check numbers and results
Make sure every number includes its country code, for example +1 415 555 0134. Check History after the first birthdays to confirm delivery.
Let Peoplewisher run this for you
It remembers every date, writes each message, designs the card and sends it on the right channel.
How to get a WhatsApp birthday template approved
- Keep it warm, not salesy. Remove discount codes, prices and “buy now” wording. A plain greeting is approved fastest.
- Do not start or end with a placeholder. “{firstname}, happy birthday” is often rejected; “Happy birthday, {firstname}! 🎂 …” is fine.
- Never put two placeholders side by side, such as “{firstname} {lastname}”.
- Check spelling and formatting. Avoid ALL CAPS and long rows of emojis.
- Add an image header if you plan to attach birthday graphics.
- Do not resubmit the same template repeatedly. Each submission restarts the review.
Happy birthday, {firstname}! 🎂 Everyone at {business_name} hopes your day is full of good people and good food. Thank you for being with us.
Happy birthday, {firstname}! 🎉 The whole team is cheering for you today. Enjoy every minute, and thank you for all you do.
What WhatsApp birthday messages cost, and what to watch out for
On the official connection, Meta charges per template message and bills you directly through your Meta Business account. Peoplewisher shows WhatsApp on paid plans; see pricing. There are no daily message limits on Peoplewisher's official connection.
- People can opt out of marketing messages from businesses on WhatsApp. Reach them by email or SMS instead.
- A number without a country code, or one that is not on WhatsApp, cannot receive the message.
- Templates are sent exactly as approved, so fully rewritten personal messages are used on email, SMS, Slack or Teams instead. Names and details are still filled in.
- Meta can pause a template that people block or report. Keep greetings genuine and only message people who expect to hear from you.