---
title: "Reply after the 24h window expires"
description: "On Official API, send a Pre-Approved Template when WhatsApp 24h window shows Expired."
slug: "/features/live-chat/official-template"
---

In this tutorial, you will send a **Pre-Approved Template** when the Official 24-hour window is closed.

**Time needed:** 10 minutes

## Before you start

Make sure:

- This conversation uses an **Official API** account.
- The header shows **Expired**, or the composer shows **WhatsApp 24h window expired**.
- You already have at least one approved template for this WhatsApp Business account.

> This step is for Official API only. Unofficial API does not lock the composer behind a 24-hour window.

> You cannot type a free reply while the window is expired. A template is the way back in.

## 1. Open the expired conversation

On the left menu, click **Live Chat**.

Open a thread whose header shows **Expired**.

<figure class="doc-shot-ph shot-01-expired" data-shot="01-expired.png">
  <div class="doc-shot-ph-frame" role="img" aria-label="Expired in the header">
    <span class="doc-shot-ph-kicker">Screenshot example</span>
    <strong class="doc-shot-ph-title">Expired in the header</strong>
    <span class="doc-shot-ph-hint">Clean UI. No real names, emails, or chats.</span>
  </div>
</figure>

## 2. Open Send Template

In the composer, read **WhatsApp 24h window expired**.

Click **Send Template**.

<figure class="doc-shot-ph shot-02-send-template" data-shot="02-send-template.png">
  <div class="doc-shot-ph-frame" role="img" aria-label="Send Template">
    <span class="doc-shot-ph-kicker">Screenshot example</span>
    <strong class="doc-shot-ph-title">Send Template</strong>
    <span class="doc-shot-ph-hint">Clean UI. No real names, emails, or chats.</span>
  </div>
</figure>

## 3. Pick a Pre-Approved Template

The **Send Pre-Approved Template** dialog opens.

Click the template you want to send.

If the template has variables, fill every field.

<figure class="doc-shot-ph shot-03-pilih-template" data-shot="03-pilih-template.png">
  <div class="doc-shot-ph-frame" role="img" aria-label="Send Pre-Approved Template">
    <span class="doc-shot-ph-kicker">Screenshot example</span>
    <strong class="doc-shot-ph-title">Send Pre-Approved Template</strong>
    <span class="doc-shot-ph-hint">Clean UI. No real names, emails, or chats.</span>
  </div>
</figure>

## 4. Send the template

Click **Send Template**.

<figure class="doc-shot-ph shot-04-hantar-template" data-shot="04-hantar-template.png">
  <div class="doc-shot-ph-frame" role="img" aria-label="Send Template">
    <span class="doc-shot-ph-kicker">Screenshot example</span>
    <strong class="doc-shot-ph-title">Send Template</strong>
    <span class="doc-shot-ph-hint">Clean UI. No real names, emails, or chats.</span>
  </div>
</figure>

## Make sure it worked

The template message appears in the thread.

Your test phone receives the approved template on WhatsApp.

If the customer replies, the header no longer shows **Expired**.

## If it didn’t work

### I can still type a normal reply

This account is not Official, or the customer wrote in the last 24 hours. Use [Reply to a conversation](/features/live-chat/reply) instead.

### The template list is empty

Approve a template in Meta first, then open **Send Pre-Approved Template** again.

### Send Template is blocked

A variable is empty, or the account balance is not enough. Fill every field, then try again.

## Next

Send a later follow-up in [Schedule a message](/features/live-chat/schedule).