TriggerWhatsApp BusinessReal-timeUpdated May 2026
How do I trigger when a WhatsApp message comes in?
Short answer: Drop the "WhatsApp Business → Message Received" trigger on your workflow canvas, add filters if you want them, and publish. It fires within seconds of the event in WhatsApp Business, not on a polling schedule.
Anatomy
What this trigger looks like in a workflow.
Drop it on the canvas. Configure a couple of fields. Publish.
In the builder
Trigger
Message Received
When the matching event happens
new message receivedwhen message receivedwatch for message receivedon message receivedwhen a new message is received on whatsapp businessincoming message
What this trigger returns
for the curiousYou don’t need to read this. Tiny Command auto-maps every field into the visual picker so downstream nodes can pull values by clicking. We show it here for power users who want to know what’s on the wire.
{"from": "15559876543","name": "John Doe","type": "text","message": "Hello!"}
Output shape
Fields available to downstream nodes.
Every field below can be referenced by name in any action or filter that comes after this trigger.
| Field | Type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| from | string | "15559876543" |
| name | string | "John Doe" |
| type | string | "text" |
| message | string | "Hello!" |
Pairs with
Drop these actions after Message Received.
FAQ
Questions about Message Received.
How does the Message Received trigger work in WhatsApp Business?
Fires when a new message is received on your WhatsApp Business number. The starting hook for chatbots, customer-service routing, or auto-replies. Inbound messages open a 24-hour customer service window.
Is the Message Received trigger real-time?
Yes. Message Received uses webhooks or push subscriptions, not polling. Your workflow fires within seconds of the event happening in WhatsApp Business.
What data does Message Received return?
The full event payload from WhatsApp Business. The output shape table on this page lists every field, its type, and an example value so you can map fields into downstream nodes.
Can I filter Message Received so only some events start a workflow?
Yes. Add a Filter node right after the trigger and match on any field, whether that's subject, sender, status, or anything else in the payload. Workflows only continue when the filter passes.
Do I need WhatsApp Business admin permissions to use Message Received?
For most WhatsApp Business accounts a standard user can authorize the trigger. Some WhatsApp Business plans require an admin to enable third-party webhooks. Check WhatsApp Business's docs if the trigger fails to register.
More triggers
Other WhatsApp Business triggers.
Build a workflow on this trigger.
One trigger. 3+ downstream actions. Zero glue.
