Why is my WhatsApp broadcast not delivered?
Updated 30 September 2026
A Business-app broadcast only reaches people who saved your number, so a customer who has not saved it never receives it. Lists are also capped at 256 contacts.
- Ask customers to save your number. This is WhatsApp's own fix when someone is not receiving your broadcasts.
- Each list holds up to 256 contacts, and you can make as many lists as you like. Lists work only on the phone app.
- Some countries may see a monthly broadcast limit, which WhatsApp is rolling out gradually.
- If you connected the API through coexistence, broadcast lists are switched off and existing lists become read-only.
- To reach people who have not saved your number, a broadcast can be turned into a paid business broadcast, but only in limited countries.
Send broadcasts through the WhatsApp API
Menuthere sends broadcasts and comeback messages through the WhatsApp Business API on your own number, where customers who opted in don't need to have saved your contact.
Next questions
Sources (4)
- How to use broadcast lists, WhatsApp Help Center, read 30 September 2026
- About linked devices, WhatsApp Help Center, read 30 September 2026
- Onboarding WhatsApp Business app users (coexistence), Meta for Developers, updated 26 June 2026
- Turn a broadcast into a marketing message, WhatsApp Help Center, read 30 September 2026
