How to Send WhatsApp Location Request Messages Using the Official API

Location Request Messages allow businesses to ask customers to share their current location directly inside WhatsApp.

Instead of asking the user to type an address manually, WhatsApp displays a “Send Location” button. When the customer taps it, WhatsApp opens the native location-sharing screen and lets the user share their exact location.

With Hibot, this feature is extremely useful for delivery services, appointment bookings, pickup requests, field support, and many other workflows.

What Are WhatsApp Location Request Messages?

A Location Request Message is a special interactive WhatsApp message that contains:

• Body text

• A built-in “Send Location” action button

When the user taps the button, they can:

• Share their live location

• Share a saved location

• Send a nearby place or address

After the customer shares the location, WhatsApp triggers a webhook containing the location coordinates and optional address details.

Why Businesses Use Location Request Messages

Many businesses need a customer’s location before they can continue the conversation.

Examples include:

• Pickup and delivery services

• Taxi and transportation bookings

• Home service appointments

• Restaurant deliveries

• Real estate site visits

• Emergency support requests

Without location request messages, businesses often ask customers to type an address manually, which can lead to:

• Incomplete addresses

• Spelling mistakes

• Wrong locations

• Delays in service

Location Request Messages solve this by letting customers share their exact location with one tap.

How the Feature Works

1. Your business sends a Location Request Message.

2. The user sees a “Send Location” button in WhatsApp.

3. The user taps the button.

4. WhatsApp opens the location-sharing screen.

5. The user selects and shares a location.

6. WhatsApp sends the location details to your webhook.

7. Hibot or your backend can continue the workflow automatically.

8. 
   

API Endpoint

Use the following endpoint to send a location request message:

POST /<WHATSAPP_BUSINESS_PHONE_NUMBER_ID>/messages

Basic request structure:

curl 'https://graph.facebook.com/v25.0/<WHATSAPP_BUSINESS_PHONE_NUMBER_ID>/messages' \
-H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
-H 'Authorization: Bearer YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN' \
-d '
{
  "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
  "recipient_type": "individual",
  "type": "interactive",
  "to": "<CUSTOMER_PHONE_NUMBER>",
  "interactive": {
    "type": "location_request_message",
    "body": {
      "text": "Please share your current location so we can find the nearest pickup point."
    },
    "action": {
      "name": "send_location"
    }
  }
}'

Request Parameters

Field	Required	Description
type	Yes	Must be interactive
interactive.type	Yes	Must be location_request_message
body.text	Yes	Message shown to the user
action.name	Yes	Must be send_location

Important limits:

Element	Limit
Body text	Maximum 1024 characters

Example Request

This example asks the customer to share their pickup location.

curl 'https://graph.facebook.com/v25.0/106540352242922/messages' \
-H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
-H 'Authorization: Bearer YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN' \
-d '
{
  "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
  "recipient_type": "individual",
  "type": "interactive",
  "to": "+16505551234",
  "interactive": {
    "type": "location_request_message",
    "body": {
      "text": "Let\'s start with your pickup. You can either manually enter an address or share your current location."
    },
    "action": {
      "name": "send_location"
    }
  }
}'

When the user receives this message, WhatsApp displays a “Send Location” button below the text.

Example API Response

If the request is successful, WhatsApp returns a message ID.

{
  "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
  "contacts": [
    {
      "input": "+16505551234",
      "wa_id": "16505551234"
    }
  ],
  "messages": [
    {
      "id": "wamid.HBgLMTY0NjcwNDM1OTUVAgARGBJCNUQ5RUNBNTk3OEQ2M0ZEQzgA"
    }
  ]
}

What Happens After the User Shares Their Location?

After the customer shares a location, WhatsApp sends a webhook to your application.

The webhook contains:

• Latitude

• Longitude

• Optional location name

• Optional address

• The original message ID the user is replying to

Example location object:

"location": {
  "address": "1071 5th Ave, New York, NY 10128",
  "latitude": 40.782910059774,
  "longitude": -73.959075808525,
  "name": "Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum"
}

Example Webhook

{
  "messages": [
    {
      "type": "location",
      "location": {
        "address": "1071 5th Ave, New York, NY 10128",
        "latitude": 40.782910059774,
        "longitude": -73.959075808525,
        "name": "Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum"
      }
    }
  ]
}

Your backend can use these coordinates to:

• Find the nearest branch

• Estimate delivery distance

• Assign the closest delivery agent

• Show nearby service providers

• Trigger automated workflows inside Hibot

• 
  

Best Practices for Location Request Messages

1. Clearly explain why you need the location.Customers are more likely to share their location if they understand the reason.

Good example:

“Please share your location so we can assign the nearest delivery partner.”

2. Keep the message short and easy to understand.

3. Ask for the location only when necessary.Requesting it too early can reduce trust and response rates.

4. Use the returned coordinates immediately.For example, automatically calculate nearby branches or estimated arrival times.

5. Respect customer privacy.Only request location information when it is directly relevant to the service.

6. 
   

Business Use Cases

Delivery and Logistics

Ask customers for their pickup or delivery location.

Ride Booking

Request the passenger’s pickup point.

Home Services

Allow customers to share the location for repairs, maintenance, or installations.

Food Delivery

Request the exact delivery address.

Real Estate

Ask customers to share their preferred meeting location or nearby property area.

Healthcare

Collect patient location details for home visits or emergency assistance.

Why Use Hibot for Location Request Workflows?

Hibot helps businesses automate location collection inside WhatsApp conversations.

With Hibot, you can:

• Ask for the customer’s location automatically

• Receive location details in real time

• Trigger delivery or booking workflows instantly

• Route customers to the nearest branch or agent

• Build complete automated journeys without manual intervention

Whether you run a delivery business, taxi service, restaurant, clinic, or home service company, Location Request Messages make it much easier to collect accurate customer locations.

Start using Hibot to create smarter WhatsApp workflows powered by real-time location sharing.