---
title: "Authentication template"
description: "An authentication template is the WhatsApp template category reserved for one-time passwords and verification codes. It uses fixed preset text plus a one-tap autofill, copy-code or zero-tap option, and Meta does not allow URLs, media or emojis in it."
canonical: "https://omnichannels.ai/glossary/authentication-template/"
language: "en"
updated: "2026-10-10"
publisher: "BroadNet Technologies"
brand: "OmniChannels.ai"
---

# Authentication template

Canonical: https://omnichannels.ai/glossary/authentication-template/
Language: en
Publisher: OmniChannels.ai by BroadNet Technologies

**Definition:** An authentication template is the WhatsApp template category reserved for one-time passwords and verification codes. It uses fixed preset text plus a one-tap autofill, copy-code or zero-tap option, and Meta does not allow URLs, media or emojis in it.

Meta's documentation states that if an app sends one-time passwords or verification codes via WhatsApp, it must use an authentication template. The body is fixed text ("<code> is your verification code."), with an optional security disclaimer and an optional expiry warning.

There are three delivery styles. One-tap autofill passes the code into the business's Android app when the user taps the button. Copy code copies the code to the clipboard. Zero-tap lets the app capture the code with no tap at all. Meta's documentation also describes keyboard suggestions on iOS 26 and later, where iOS offers the code from the notification.

Authentication messages have linked-device security: they are delivered only to the user's primary WhatsApp device. In some markets Meta also applies a separate authentication-international rate, so check Meta's pricing documentation before routing OTP traffic across borders.

WhatsApp OTP is often paired with SMS or voice OTP as fallback, because not every user has WhatsApp. Confirm the user's number first, tell the user the code will arrive on WhatsApp, and keep code lifetimes short.

## Example

```
"482913 is your verification code. For your security, do not share this code. This code expires in 10 minutes." [Copy code]
```

## Sources

- [Authentication templates — Meta for Developers](https://developers.facebook.com/documentation/business-messaging/whatsapp/templates/authentication-templates/authentication-templates)
- [Template categorization — Meta for Developers](https://developers.facebook.com/documentation/business-messaging/whatsapp/templates/template-categorization)