WhatsApp OTP: Step-by-Step Guide to Send OTP via WhatsApp

In today's digital age, the use of One-Time Passwords (OTPs) has become increasingly important to ensure the security of personal and sensitive information. Traditionally, companies have used SMS (Short Messaging Service) to send OTPs to their customers. However, the market is changing rapidly. 

While many companies are still using SMS messages for sending OTPs, many industry giants have started to switch to WhatsApp. In addition to being one of the most used communication platforms, WhatsApp also provides end-to-end encryption to ensure excellent security. So, let’s take a deep dive into how WhatsApp can help you.

Why WhatsApp for OTPs?

WhatsApp OTPs make it easy and secure to confirm a user's identity during logins, purchases, or any important action. They work as a second step in the verification process and help keep accounts protected.

Compared to SMS, WhatsApp OTPs are more reliable and widely trusted. A big reason for this is the growing number of fake OTP messages sent via SMS. These messages often look suspicious, and many users end up blocking the sender, thinking it's spam. WhatsApp, on the other hand, feels safer because only verified business accounts can send OTPs. Customers can see your brand name, business details, and support hours, which builds trust right away.

For users, the process is fast and easy. No extra steps. Just a code sent directly to their WhatsApp inbox, ready to use.

Difference between SMS OTPs and WhatsApp OTPs

The use of OTPs has gained momentum all around the world. This is because people want to create a strong barrier of protection to ensure that hackers don’t get access to their personal or sensitive information. While SMS is the most common option in India, WhatsApp is quickly becoming a great alternative. Understanding the following differences can help your company use the right medium to send WhatsApp OTP codes.

How to send OTP via WhatsApp: A step-by-step guide 

If you’re planning to use WhatsApp to send OTPs, then it's necessary to create your own WhatsApp Business API account. This is because only registered business owners who have access to business template messages can send One-Time Passwords to their customers. To set up your own WhatsApp Business API account, you just need to have

1. A mobile number & internet connection.
2. A business name.

Once you have these two, you can contact a WhatsApp Business Solutions Provider (BSP) and register your WhatsApp Business API. For more detailed step-by-step guidance, you can check out our WhatsApp API blog.

Start sending OTPs via WhatsApp using WhatsApp Business API

Once you have a WhatsApp API account, you can start sending OTPs almost immediately. WhatsApp offers two options for sending OTP messages. We will briefly outline both of the processes below:

Send OTPs via Whatsapp using a dedicated mobile number

There are some requirements that your company needs to satisfy before WhatsApp allows you to send OTPs. They are:

1. Having a dedicated WhatsApp number for your business (this should be associated with your WhatsApp Business profile and not your personal profile).
2. Adding a display name to your WhatsApp Business profile. It is also preferable to have a verified business profile.
3. Having a verified Facebook Business Manager profile.

Once you have all three prerequisites, you can create an OTP template message & submit it for approval. Some BSPs like Gallabox can also help you create good template messages. Here are two OTP template message examples:

Template 1:

Hi <Name>, Your OTP is <OTP Code>. Use this code to log in to your <Company Name> account. can_copy_tExt

Template 2:

<OTP> is your One Time Password for your profile verification at <Company Name>, one of the best digital marketing agencies in India. Please note that this OTP will only be valid for the next 15 minutes. can_copy_tExt

You can simply add the template to your chat window or broadcast with the trigger keyword (‘/’ by default).

Note: You can also create an automated chat flow for the template with the help of your BSP.

Send OTPs via WhatsApp using a shared mobile number

To send OTPs using a shared number, you need to contact your BSP and get access to the WhatsApp shared inbox. The shared team inbox is a collaborative workplace that allows multiple agents to log into a single WhatsApp number. Once you’re done, any of your team members can use the template message.

Advantages of WhatsApp OTP delivery 

Below are a few advantages of sending OTP through WhatsApp.

1. Boosts customer engagement at the right moment

First of all, sending OTP via WhatsApp helps you connect with customers exactly when they are most active. With 80 percent of WhatsApp messages read within the first five minutes (DoubleTick), your OTPs are seen almost instantly. That speed matters during logins, transactions, or time-sensitive actions where delays can lead to drop-offs.

2. Builds instant trust with your customers

When you send an OTP through WhatsApp, your message comes from a verified business account. This adds immediate credibility. Customers can see your brand name, profile picture, business info, and support hours. It feels official—unlike SMS, where messages often come from random numbers that people do not recognize. In an age where scams are common, this trust factor makes a big difference.

3. Reduces failed verifications

With WhatsApp's high delivery rates and real-time message tracking, you know your OTPs are reaching the customer. Fewer failed attempts mean fewer support queries and less customer frustration. This saves time for your team and improves the overall user experience.

4. Offers real convenience for your users

Your customers already use WhatsApp to stay in touch with friends, family, and even businesses. So when an OTP arrives in the same app, they do not need to switch apps or copy codes from one place to another. The message pops up in a familiar chat window, and they can act on it immediately. 

5. Improves reliability even in low network areas

Another benefit of sending OTP on WhatsApp is that unlike SMS, which depends heavily on a strong mobile signal, WhatsApp works with both Wi-Fi and mobile data. This makes it far more dependable, especially for customers in areas with weak network coverage. It also removes the complexity of coordinating with telecom operators across regions.

6. Reduces your messaging costs

If your business sends OTPs at scale, WhatsApp is a more cost-effective option. It uses internet data instead of relying on telecom carriers. You avoid extra charges and reduce operational headaches when dealing with multiple regions or network providers.

Use cases: How various industries leverage WhatsApp for OTP

Until now, it's clear why businesses use WhatsApp OTPs. 

But you might be thinking, how do companies across different industries actually use it in practice? Well, businesses across varied industries send OTPs via WhatsApp for different purposes. While some use it for two-factor authentication, others use it for booking confirmations. Its use cases are plenty. 

Below, we discuss some of the important uses of sending OTP via WhatsApp.

1. User registration verification

When someone signs up on your app or website, the first thing you need to do is make sure they're real. Sending an OTP on WhatsApp helps you confirm their identity in just a few seconds. Since it comes from your verified business account, it feels more official and trustworthy. Swiggy, for example, uses WhatsApp OTPs during sign-up to verify mobile numbers and cut down on fake profiles.

2. Two factor authentication

If a user logs in or tries to make changes to their account, adding an extra step of verification keeps things more secure. After they enter their password, they get an OTP on WhatsApp to confirm it's really them. Banks like HDFC use two factor authentication to keep user accounts safe during logins. It adds that extra layer of safety without making the process harder for your users.

3. Booking and reservation confirmations

One of the most common uses of WhatsApp OTPs is in the travel industry. Travel companies often send OTPs on WhatsApp to confirm hotel or travel bookings. Once the user enters the OTP, the booking is confirmed instantly. They don't need to wait for an email or dig through SMS threads to find the details.

4. Password reset process

When someone forgets their password, they want to reset it quickly. Instead of checking emails or waiting for an SMS, the OTP comes right into their WhatsApp chat. Airbnb offers this option for faster password recovery. It helps users get back into their accounts with less stress and more confidence.

5. Transaction authentication

Whenever money is involved, it's important to double-check that it's the actual user making the move. Whether they are paying a bill or transferring money, an OTP sent on WhatsApp confirms their action. Paytm sends WhatsApp OTPs for payment approvals so users know their transactions are secure and verified in real-time.

Best practices for sending OTPs via WhatsApp

Now that we’ve looked at how different companies use WhatsApp OTPs, let’s talk about some best practices that you need to follow. Please note that some of these are strict guidelines that ensure you don’t violate WhatsApp’s business & commerce policies.

Send OTPs only to verified numbers

OTPs are sensitive information and your company should maintain absolute security to avoid leaks. For this reason, it's important to share OTPs to only verified WhatsApp numbers. If you've added unsaved numbers to your broadcast list and want to share the OTP with them, it is better to add additional verification processes like app or email verification.

Notify users of OTP expiration

Trust & transparency stands at the forefront of customer conversations. Therefore, it is critical that you inform your customers about the expiration of the OTP messages. If you don't share the expiration period, customers might get annoyed and there is a chance that they opt out of your messages or report your company to WhatsApp.

Monitor & log access attempts

It is also important to log all the access attempts to know if the OTP template chats are working. If too many customers are requesting two to three OTPs, you must identify and fix the problem immediately. Monitoring the OTP messages can also show you opportunities for improvement.

Look to automate

Customers expect OTP messages to be delivered instantly. So, you need to automate the chat flow as much as possible. Automation can also help you monitor whether the OTPs are working. However, it is important to ensure that any automation shouldn’t cause harm to the customer’s experience.

Incorporate branding if possible

Although OTPs are traditionally not marketing-focused, WhatsApp OTPs provide you with opportunities to improve your brand’s visibility. Incorporating your brand’s name & other important information can help you create instant visibility and boost brand awareness.

Setup WhatsApp Business API account via Gallabox - WhatsApp business automation platform

WhatsApp is quickly becoming a great platform for sending OTP messages because of its efficiency & security. If you’re looking to integrate WhatsApp OTP into your workflow, then it is paramount to partner with a WhatsApp Business tool like Gallabox. Gallabox lets you automate your customer conversations on WhatsApp and offers transparent pricing. We have clients across various industries. Our team also has expertise in helping companies integrate their WhatsApp Business APIs with CRMs, e-commerce platforms and payment gateways. So don’t hesitate to start your free trial now!

FAQs on whatsapp otp

Is WhatsApp OTP more secure than SMS?

Yes, it usually is. WhatsApp messages are end-to-end encrypted, so only you and your customer can see them. SMS, on the other hand, can be easier to intercept, especially on older networks. Also, WhatsApp OTPs come from verified business accounts, so your customers know the message is actually from you and not a random number.

How can I integrate WhatsApp OTP into my business?

To send OTPs through WhatsApp, you'll first need to set up a WhatsApp Business API account. This is because only registered businesses with approved message templates can send OTPs. There are two ways to send OTPs using WhatsApp:

1. Using a dedicated mobile number

You'll need:

- A dedicated number linked to your WhatsApp Business profile

- A display name added to your business profile

- A verified Facebook Business Manager account

Once everything is ready, you can create OTP template messages and submit them for approval.

2. Using a shared mobile number

You can also send OTPs through a shared team inbox. Your BSP will give you access to this setup, and your team can use pre-approved templates to send OTPs from one shared number.

Once the message templates are approved, you can start sending OTPs right away. 

What industries can benefit from WhatsApp OTP?

Pretty much any industry that needs to verify users or send quick updates can use WhatsApp OTP. Banks use it for logins and payments. E-commerce sites use it for new accounts and delivery updates. Travel companies send booking confirmations. Even healthcare and education platforms use WhatsApp OTPs to streamline processes and cut down on delays.