twilio-whatsapp-manage-senders

Overview

A WhatsApp sender is a phone number registered with WhatsApp Business through Twilio. Registration goes through a lifecycle of statuses before becoming ONLINE. Sandbox testing does not require a registered sender — see twilio-whatsapp-send-message.

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Prerequisites

• Upgraded Twilio account (trial accounts cannot register production senders) — See twilio-account-setup for signup and upgrade steps
• A phone number capable of receiving SMS or voice verification
• Number must not already be registered with WhatsApp
• Environment variables:
  • TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID
  • TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN — See twilio-iam-auth-setup for credential setup and best practices
• SDK: pip install twilio / npm install twilio

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Quickstart

Python

import os
from twilio.rest import Client

client = Client(os.environ["TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID"], os.environ["TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN"])

# Step 1: Initiate registration
sender = client.messaging.v2.channels.senders.create(
    sender_id="whatsapp:+15017122661",
    verification_method="sms"
)
print(sender.sid)     # XExxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
print(sender.status)  # CREATING

# Step 2: Submit the OTP Twilio sends to the number
sender = client.messaging.v2.channels.senders(sender.sid).update(
    verification_code="123456"
)
print(sender.status)  # ONLINE (may pass through TWILIO_REVIEW first)

Node.js

const twilio = require("twilio");
const client = twilio(process.env.TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID, process.env.TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN);

// Step 1: Initiate registration
const sender = await client.messaging.v2.channels.senders.create({
    senderId: "whatsapp:+15017122661",
    verificationMethod: "sms",
});
console.log(sender.sid, sender.status);

// Step 2: Submit the OTP
const verified = await client.messaging.v2.channels.senders(sender.sid).update({
    verificationCode: "123456",
});
console.log(verified.status);

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Sender Lifecycle Statuses

Status	Meaning
CREATING	Registration initiated
PENDING_VERIFICATION	Awaiting OTP submission
VERIFYING	OTP being validated
TWILIO_REVIEW	Under Twilio/Meta review
ONLINE	Active and ready to send
OFFLINE	Inactive — check offlineReasons
DRAFT	Incomplete registration