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I wonder if there is an open API to access WhatsApp through an internet protocol? The concrete question is:

  1. Is there a way to send a message to a list of WhatsApp users from an internet server?
  2. Is there any open concept for authentication?
  3. Or - is WhatsApp at the end a closed system without any open API through an internet protocol?
Andrew T.
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Ralph
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    The question have been closed but I would like mention here that WhatsApp have now introduced "WhatsApp Business". For more information about how to use the same please find below the links:- [https://www.firstpost.com/tech/news-analysis/your-complete-guide-to-whatsapp-business-how-it-works-and-what-sets-it-apart-from-the-standard-app-4317175.html] [https://blog.whatsapp.com/10000633/Building-for-People-and-Now-Businesses] [https://www.whatsapp.com/business/] – user1321244 May 31 '18 at 05:30
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    You can now use https://wassenger.com which provides a simple HTTP API for sending messages. It's not an official product, but it works and does not require a business account. – Tomas Sep 30 '18 at 18:04
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    Please find some useful resources here: https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/ and https://www.whatsapp.com/business/api – Biswajit Roy Nov 04 '18 at 19:00
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    I have started an OpenAPI Specification on GitHub for "WhatsApp Business API": https://unblu.github.io/WhatsApp-Business-API-OpenAPI/ feel free to contribute. – Jmini Jul 16 '19 at 09:51
  • 1: See https://www.twilio.com/whatsapp "officially supported by WhatsApp" – jrc Apr 06 '20 at 11:19

3 Answers3

23
  1. is the correct answer. WhatsApp is intentionally a closed system without an API for external access.

There were several projects available that reverse engineered the WhatsApp webservice interfaces. However, to my knowledge all of them are now discontinued/defunct due to legal action against them from WhatsApp.

For mobile phone applications there is a limited URL-Scheme-API available on IPhone and Android (Android-intent possible as well).

Community
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PhilS
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    WhatsApp (Facebook), Released on August '18 a public API: https://www.whatsapp.com/business/api and https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp – JOBG Aug 06 '18 at 23:06
  • This might also be useful to some: https://faq.whatsapp.com/general/security-and-privacy/unauthorized-use-of-automated-or-bulk-messaging-on-whatsapp – aderchox Apr 16 '22 at 11:09
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WhatsApp does not have a API available for public use. As you put it, it's a closed system.

However, they provide several other ways in which your iPhone application can interact with WhatsApp: through custom URL schemes, share extension and through the Document Interaction API.

See this WhatsApp FAQ article.

Munesawagi
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1) It looks possible. This info on Github describes how to create a java program to send a message using the whatsapp encryption protocol from WhisperSystems.

2) No. See the whatsapp security white paper.

3) See #1.

maso
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