When using WhatsApp API, one of the limitations is that it is difficult to start a new conversation with a customer, even if you have their phone number.
At DelightChat, we have created a workaround for this, just as we created a way to get around the WhatsApp 24-hour rule and reply to your customer even after the 24 hour session window has expired.
How to start a new WhatsApp Chat using the API
Just like the 24-hour rule workaround, where we send a pre-approved WhatsApp message template as a reply, in this tutorial we'll show you how you can start a new WhatsApp conversation with just a customer phone number using the same template message method.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5f68a65d0932e3546d41cc61/620147ddddc2050a8e62f09a_Compose%20new%20WhatsApp%20message%20using%20API.jpeg)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5f68a65d0932e3546d41cc61/62014899c97ee635c0dc0fd5_Compose%20new%20WhatsApp%20message%20preview%20.jpeg)
Step 1
Input the customer's phone number.
Step 2
Select a pre-approved message template and resolve it's body variables.
Step 3
Hit send!