MailerSend
Knowledge base

How to connect and use the WhatsApp sandbox

How to connect your WhatsApp account to the sandbox in seconds so you can test before you connect your WhatsApp Business account.

Before purchasing the add-on, you can try out WhatsApp sending with the sandbox feature, for up to 50 messages per day to the WhatsApp account you connect. The sandbox feature is available to all plans.

Step 1: Connect to the sandbox

a) From the left-hand navigation menu, click WhatsApp, select Try in sandbox, and then click Connect to sandbox or scan the QR code. 

b) WhatsApp will open a chat with the MailerSend Business account and a pre-filled connection message. Tap the send icon to send the message.

c) When the connection message is received by MailerSend, you’ll receive a confirmation message that your sandbox is active. The sandbox will now be visible in your MailerSend account.

An example of the connection message and confirmation of WhatsApp account connection.
Note:

If you cannot connect automatically via the Connect to sandbox button or QR code, click Connect manually instead. Then open a chat with the sandbox number provided and send the connection message.

Step 2: Send a test message

You can send messages via 1-click send or API. All messages sent through the sandbox will be delivered to the phone number that you connected with.

Note:

Businesses must use Meta-approved message templates. For sandbox testing, you can choose from 4 pre-approved templates and customize the variables.

1-click send:

In the sandbox, choose the message template you’d like to send and adjust the variables, if necessary, and select the 1-click send tab. Then click Send message.

When the message has been delivered, a confirmation message will appear in the sandbox, with the API response.

A GIF showing how to send a WhatsApp message via the 1-click method in the Sandbox.

Send via API:

a) In the sandbox, choose the message template you’d like to send and adjust the variables, if necessary, and select the Send via API tab.

b) Enter your API token. The code snippet will be auto-populated with your token. You can also create a new API token from the sandbox by clicking New API token.

c) In the sandbox, select a language and copy the code snippet. Make sure your API token has been added correctly, as well as the phone number that was used to create the sandbox connection.

Note:

The number should be the full international number with or without the “+”, e.g., +33601020304 or 33601020304.

d) Run the code to send your message.

How to disconnect from the sandbox

Once you’ve finished testing, you can disconnect from the sandbox by clicking the Disconnect button in the top right-hand corner. 

The WhatsApp sandbox with the Disconnect button highlighted.

You’ll receive a disconnection confirmation in the app.

Note:

Sandbox connections expire every 1 hour. To stay connected, click Reconnect on the expiration warning message.

Need more info?

Feel free to reach out to support@mailersend.com. A member of our support team will gladly assist you.