Say Hello to Enhanced WhatsApp Messaging in Salesforce: What You Need to Know Before July 2025

Rajiv Krishnan
May 9
2 min read

Salesforce is moving with the times and that means saying goodbye to the legacy Standard WhatsApp channels. As part of this evolution, Salesforce is retiring Standard WhatsApp Messaging Channels by August 1, 2025, and transitioning to the more powerful, flexible Enhanced WhatsApp Channels.

Say Hello to Enhanced WhatsApp Messaging in Salesforce: What You Need to Know Before July 2025 | Salesforce | Truffle Consulting

A Salesforce admin, a customer service manager, or a solution architect, doesn’t matter. This blog breaks down what’s changing, what to do about it, and why it actually helps your business.

Why This Change Is Happening

This isn't just a Salesforce decision. Meta (WhatsApp’s parent company) is retiring the legacy On-Prem API. In response, Salesforce is shifting from Standard WhatsApp (previously powered by Twilio as the BSP) to Enhanced WhatsApp channels built on direct integration with Meta’s Cloud API.

Key Deadlines August 1, 2025 – Final sunset of Standard Channels. After this date, they will no longer function.

What’s New with Enhanced WhatsApp?

Upgrading to Enhanced WhatsApp unlocks:

Direct connection with Meta (no need for third-party BSPs like Twilio)
Faster setup with a guided flow
Better integration with the Salesforce Messaging platform
Stronger security & reliability
Improved tracking and insights via Messaging Analytics
Full support for bots, automation, and rich media
Self-serve template management - edit or create templates directly from within Salesforce, with no need for Salesforce support intervention

This upgrade isn't just about compliance, but about efficiency and control.

How to Upgrade: Step-by-Step

Go to Setup > Messaging Settings
Create a New Channel and choose "WhatsApp (Enhanced)"
Connect your WhatsApp Business Account (WABA)
Register or migrate your phone number
Verify ownership via SMS/Call
Complete your business profile
Configure routing, bots, and message templates
Test and Activate the new channel

Need help? Salesforce offers full migration documentation here.

Gotchas to Watch Out For

Before you hit "Activate," keep these in mind:

Templates won't auto-migrate, you’ll need to re-import or recreate them.
Bot flows and routing need re-linking, your old logic won’t carry over.
If your number was tied to a third-party BSP (like Twilio), you’ll need to migrate it via Meta's embedded sign-up process.
Customer opt-ins are still mandatory under WhatsApp’s business rules.

Final Word: Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute

Migration might take a few days, especially if you're coordinating across teams or regions. Don’t risk a service disruption. Start planning now, test early, and give your agents time to get familiar with the new setup.

TL;DR: Why You Should Upgrade

Benefit	Standard WhatsApp (Twilio BSP)	Enhanced WhatsApp (Meta Direct)
Supported beyond 2025	❌	✅
Cloud API Integration	❌	✅
Direct Meta Access	❌	✅
Template Management	Manual + Support Request	In-App, Self-Service
Rich Media Support	Limited	Full
Real-time Routing	Manual setup	Built-in
Messaging Insights	Basic	Advanced