Get the pairing QR code
GEThttps://api.wapito.com/v1/channel/qr
Send a channel token on every request: Authorization: Bearer wpt_YOUR_TOKEN
Returns a PNG QR code to scan from WhatsApp on the phone you want to link, as base64 bytes plus the number of seconds before WhatsApp rotates it. The code is only available while the channel is in the `qr` state; asking for it while the session is still booting returns `channel_not_in_qr_state`, so retry for a few seconds rather than failing the flow.
Responses
200
A QR code that is valid for a few seconds.
| Field | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
data | string | Required | Base64-encoded PNG bytes, without a data URL prefix. |
expires_in | integer | Required | Seconds before WhatsApp rotates the code. |
format | string | Required | Media type of `data`.one of image/png |
{
"data": "iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAASwAAAEsCAYAAAB5fY51AAAA…",
"expires_in": 20,
"format": "image/png"
}401
The channel token is missing, malformed, revoked or belongs to a deleted channel.
Show 2 example bodies
token_revoked — the token was rotated in the dashboard
{
"error": {
"code": "token_revoked",
"message": "This channel token has been revoked.",
"request_id": "req_01JRQ8F4X9N2K7YB3C5V6W8H0T"
}
}unauthorized — no or unusable Bearer token
{
"error": {
"code": "unauthorized",
"message": "Missing or invalid channel token.",
"request_id": "req_01JRQ8F4X9N2K7YB3C5V6W8H0T"
}
}403
The token is valid but the channel may not perform this action right now.
Show 2 example bodies
channel_locked — billing lapsed or the channel was locked by an operator
{
"error": {
"code": "channel_locked",
"details": {
"reason": "plan_required"
},
"message": "This channel is locked.",
"request_id": "req_01JRQ8F4X9N2K7YB3C5V6W8H0T"
}
}forbidden — the channel does not own the target object
{
"error": {
"code": "forbidden",
"message": "You are not allowed to perform this action.",
"request_id": "req_01JRQ8F4X9N2K7YB3C5V6W8H0T"
}
}409
The channel is in the wrong state for this action, or the account type does not support it.
Show 3 example bodies
business_account_required — labels need WhatsApp Business
{
"error": {
"code": "business_account_required",
"message": "This action requires a WhatsApp Business account.",
"request_id": "req_01JRQ8F4X9N2K7YB3C5V6W8H0T"
}
}channel_not_connected — link the number first
{
"error": {
"code": "channel_not_connected",
"details": {
"status": "qr"
},
"message": "The channel is not connected.",
"request_id": "req_01JRQ8F4X9N2K7YB3C5V6W8H0T"
}
}channel_not_in_qr_state — no QR available while the session boots
{
"error": {
"code": "channel_not_in_qr_state",
"details": {
"status": "created"
},
"message": "The channel is not waiting for a QR scan.",
"request_id": "req_01JRQ8F4X9N2K7YB3C5V6W8H0T"
}
}429
A rate limit, a plan quota or one of the anti-ban guards stopped the request. Every one of these is safe to retry later; read `Retry-After` when present.
Show 5 example bodies
cold_send_limit — too many first messages to new recipients this hour
{
"error": {
"code": "cold_send_limit",
"details": {
"resets_at": "2026-09-15T09:00:00.000Z",
"window_cap": 20
},
"message": "The hourly limit for messages to new recipients is reached.",
"request_id": "req_01JRQ8F4X9N2K7YB3C5V6W8H0T"
}
}quota_exceeded — plan quota for the day or month
{
"error": {
"code": "quota_exceeded",
"details": {
"quota": "sent",
"resets_at": "2026-09-16T00:00:00.000Z",
"used": 150
},
"message": "The plan quota for this resource is exhausted.",
"request_id": "req_01JRQ8F4X9N2K7YB3C5V6W8H0T"
}
}rate_limited — per-minute API rate limit
{
"error": {
"code": "rate_limited",
"details": {
"retry_after": 12
},
"message": "Too many requests.",
"request_id": "req_01JRQ8F4X9N2K7YB3C5V6W8H0T"
}
}send_rate_limited — the send queue did not drain within 20 s
{
"error": {
"code": "send_rate_limited",
"details": {
"retry_after": 5
},
"message": "The send queue for this channel is saturated.",
"request_id": "req_01JRQ8F4X9N2K7YB3C5V6W8H0T"
}
}warmup_limit — the warm-up ladder cap for today
{
"error": {
"code": "warmup_limit",
"details": {
"cap": 200,
"day": 2
},
"message": "The warm-up limit for this channel is reached.",
"request_id": "req_01JRQ8F4X9N2K7YB3C5V6W8H0T"
}
}500
Something went wrong inside Wapito. Quote `request_id` when reporting it.
Show the example body
internal_error — unexpected failure
{
"error": {
"code": "internal_error",
"message": "Something went wrong on our side.",
"request_id": "req_01JRQ8F4X9N2K7YB3C5V6W8H0T"
}
}502
The engine answered with an error Wapito could not translate into a more specific code.
Show the example body
engine_error — unexpected engine failure
{
"error": {
"code": "engine_error",
"details": {
"engine": "gows",
"status": 500
},
"message": "The WhatsApp engine returned an error.",
"request_id": "req_01JRQ8F4X9N2K7YB3C5V6W8H0T"
}
}503
The engine session is not reachable. Retry with backoff.
Show the example body
engine_unavailable — engine down or restarting
{
"error": {
"code": "engine_unavailable",
"details": {
"engine": "gows"
},
"message": "The WhatsApp engine is unavailable.",
"request_id": "req_01JRQ8F4X9N2K7YB3C5V6W8H0T"
}
}504
The engine did not answer before the upstream timeout.
Show the example body
engine_timeout — no answer within the deadline
{
"error": {
"code": "engine_timeout",
"details": {
"timeout_ms": 20000
},
"message": "The WhatsApp engine did not respond in time.",
"request_id": "req_01JRQ8F4X9N2K7YB3C5V6W8H0T"
}
}Webhook events
- channelChannel connection state changed
onChannel()
Errors
Code examples
import requests
url = "https://api.wapito.com/v1/channel/qr"
headers = {"Authorization": "Bearer wpt_YOUR_TOKEN"}
response = requests.get(url, headers=headers)
print(response.json())Used in
Related
Other endpoints in this group
Glossary
Reference
Try it on your own number
Create a channel, link a WhatsApp number by QR or pairing code, and call the API in a couple of minutes. The Sandbox plan is free and needs no card.