Sender Registrations
What it is
Sender Registrations is the centralized hub where you register and manage every identity your business uses to send messages through BotBat. A sender identity is the phone number, alphanumeric name, or short code that recipients see when they receive a message from you. Without a properly registered and approved sender identity, you cannot send outbound messages on any channel.
For WhatsApp, registering a sender involves claiming a phone number, linking it to a verified Meta Business Account, and submitting a display name for approval. For SMS, the process covers alphanumeric sender ID registration (up to 11 characters such as "BotBat") and short code provisioning for high-volume use cases. Every registration carries a trackable lifecycle status, and the system surfaces country-specific compliance requirements so you can address them before submission.
The registrations list gives your team a single view of all sender identities across channels, their current statuses, and any actions required. This is especially valuable for businesses operating in multiple countries, where each market may impose distinct regulatory obligations on sender identification.
When to use
| Scenario | Why Sender Registrations helps |
|---|---|
| Connecting a new WhatsApp Business number | You must register the phone number, complete Meta business verification, and get your display name approved before sending any WhatsApp messages. |
| Setting up SMS sender IDs | Register an alphanumeric sender ID or apply for a short code so recipients see a recognizable brand name instead of a random long number. |
| Tracking registration approvals | After submitting a registration, monitor its real-time status (pending, approved, rejected) to know exactly when you are cleared to start sending. |
| Expanding to new countries | Different countries enforce different sender registration rules. Use the built-in compliance guidance to ensure your registration meets local regulations before you submit. |
| Resolving a rejected registration | Review the rejection reason provided by the carrier or Meta, correct the issue (for example, a display name that does not match your legal business name), and resubmit directly from the detail view. |
Steps
1. Open Sender Registrations
Navigate to Account > Sender Registrations in the sidebar. The registrations list displays all your current sender identities across WhatsApp and SMS, along with their approval statuses. You can sort by status, channel, or creation date to quickly find what you need.
2. Register a WhatsApp Business number
Click Add WhatsApp Number. Enter the phone number you want to register, select the associated Meta Business Account from the dropdown, and provide your desired display name. The display name is what recipients see in the WhatsApp chat header, so it should clearly represent your business. If you are registering a landline, be prepared to verify ownership via a voice call OTP.
3. Complete business verification
Follow the prompts to verify your business with Meta. This typically involves submitting official business documents (such as a certificate of incorporation or utility bill), confirming your legal business name, and verifying your business phone number or domain. Verification can take anywhere from a few hours to several weeks depending on Meta's review queue.
4. Register an SMS sender ID
Click Add SMS Sender. Choose between an alphanumeric sender ID (a text-based name up to 11 characters) or a short code (a 4-6 digit number for high-throughput messaging). Enter the sender name and select the target countries where you plan to send. Each country row displays its specific requirements inline.
5. Review compliance requirements
For each target country, the system displays a compliance requirements panel listing what you must complete before your registration can be approved. For example, India requires DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology) registration, the US requires 10DLC campaign registration for A2P SMS, and some EU countries require pre-registration of alphanumeric sender IDs with local carriers. Complete every listed requirement before proceeding.
6. Submit and monitor
Once all fields are filled and compliance steps are addressed, click Submit for Approval. The registration enters "Pending" status. The registrations list shows real-time status updates: Pending (under review), Approved (ready to send), or Rejected (action required). You will also receive an email notification when the status changes.
7. Handle rejections
Click on any rejected registration to open its detail view, which shows the specific rejection reason provided by Meta or the carrier. Common reasons include display name mismatches, incomplete documentation, or policy violations. Update the problematic fields and click Resubmit to send the corrected registration back for review.
Common pitfalls
| Pitfall | How to avoid it |
|---|---|
| Display name mismatch on WhatsApp | Meta requires your WhatsApp display name to closely match your verified business name. Double-check both before submitting. |
| Skipping country-specific compliance | Some countries block messages entirely if sender compliance steps are not completed. Always review and finish the compliance checklist for every target country. |
| Registering a number already in use elsewhere | If a phone number is already registered with another WhatsApp Business API provider, you must deregister it there first. Attempting to register it again on BotBat will fail. |
| Not planning for approval lead times | WhatsApp business verification can take days to weeks. SMS short code provisioning can take 8 to 12 weeks in some markets. Start the process well before your planned launch date. |
| Using a landline without voice verification access | If you register a landline number for WhatsApp, you must be able to receive a voice call for OTP verification. Confirm the line is accessible before starting. |
Keep a tracking spreadsheet for all your sender registrations, their statuses, and renewal dates. Some SMS registrations require annual renewal, and missing a renewal deadline can interrupt your sending ability without warning.
Key reference
| Channel | Identity type | Typical approval time | Renewal required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone number + display name | 1 day to 3 weeks | No (but display name changes need re-approval) | |
| SMS | Alphanumeric sender ID | 1 to 5 business days | Yes (annual in most countries) |
| SMS | Short code | 4 to 12 weeks | Yes (annual) |
- Sender Registrations Overview
- Add WhatsApp Number
- Add SMS Sender
- Compliance Requirements
- Rejection Details