Send an image message

Sends a JPEG or PNG image, optionally with a caption. Needs an open 24-hour window.

Provide the image one of two ways:

• link: a public HTTPS URL WhatsApp can download from.
• id: a media_id from POST /v1/media/upload. Use this to send the same file many times, or when the file isn’t publicly reachable.

Example: by link

curl -X POST "$HELLO_API_URL/v1/<your-phone-number-id>/messages" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HELLO_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "to": "+919999999999",
    "type": "image",
    "image": {
      "link": "https://example.com/catalog/sneaker-red.jpg",
      "caption": "The Runner 2 in red, back in stock."
    }
  }'

Example: by media ID

{
  "to": "+919999999999",
  "type": "image",
  "image": { "id": "1099999999991234", "caption": "Your receipt" }
}

Response

202 Accepted (queued), or 200 with ?sync=true once WhatsApp accepts it. See Send a message.

Fields

Field	Type	Required	Description
image.link	string	One of link / id	Public HTTPS URL of the image
image.id	string	One of link / id	media_id from /v1/media/upload. Takes precedence if both are set.
image.caption	string	No	Text shown under the image

Supported formats: image/jpeg and image/png, up to 5 MB. See supported media.

Common errors

Status	code	Cause
403	OUTSIDE_24H_WINDOW	The recipient’s 24-hour window is closed
400	VALIDATION_ERROR	image is missing or the wrong shape
422	SEND_FAILED	(?sync=true only) WhatsApp rejected the send (unreachable link, unsupported file, invalid media ID)