The InOut WhatsApp Receive/Send Message IFTTT service is a convenient way to interact with Applets using WhatsApp. You can trigger Applets by messaging the InOut bot, and you can receive notifications from the bot as an Applet Action. Triggers let you start an Applet using WhatsApp, while Actions let you receive updates for things like social media activity, smart home device activity, and more.
Connecting to the InOut WhatsApp Service
To get started, the first step is connect your IFTTT account to the WhatsApp Receive/Send Message Service. You can do so by following these steps:
- Log in to your IFTTT account, then navigate to the WhatsApp Receive/Send Message Service page
- Press the Connect button
-
Enter the Phone number used with your WhatsApp account in the Phone field, then press continue
-
You'll then receive a message from the InOut.bot's number via WhatsApp with a one-time code. Enter this code in the code field, then press authenticate
- Select 'Connect account to IFTTT', then you'll be returned to the InOut WhatsApp service page. From there, you can begin enabling or creating Applets using the service.
Using InOut WhatsApp Service's Triggers
The InOut WhatsApp service supports two Triggers:
- You send any WhatsApp message to InOut: This Trigger fires when you send any message to the InOut Bot on WhatsApp.
- You send a specific WhatsApp message to InOut: This Trigger fires when you send a specific message to the InOut Bot on WhatsApp. All other messages are ignored.
These Triggers can be used to start an Applet via WhatsApp. For example, you can send the bot a message to trigger an Applet that turns on a smart device in your home, such as a Phillips Hue bulb.
You can follow these steps to create an Applet using an InOut service Trigger:
Go to ifttt.com/create
To the right of If This, search for “InOut WhatsApp Receive/Send Message” and select the service from the results.
Select the InOut Trigger of your choice, then press Create Trigger
Next, press Add to the right of Then That, search for a service of your choice, then complete the prompts to add your Action
Follow the remaining prompts to name and save your Applet
Now, whenever you send a message to the InOut.bot's WhatsApp number (+1 234 332 2110), your IFTTT Applet will run.
Using InOut WhatsApp Service's Action
The InOut WhatsApp service supports one Action:
- Send me a message: This Action sends a WhatsApp text message to your number from the InOut.bot WhatsApp number.
This Action provides a useful way to receive notifications via WhatsApp. For example, you could be notified when a camera detects motion, when a user posts a Tweet on X, or when a smart device changes state.
You can follow these steps to create an Applet using an InOut service Action:
Go to ifttt.com/create
To the right of If This, search for a service of your choice, then complete the prompts to add a Trigger to your Applet
Next, press Add to the right of Then That, search for “WhatsApp Receive/Send Message” and select the service from the results.
Select the card titled Send me a message, then configure the Message field to your preference based on the message content you want to receive when the Applet runs.
Follow the remaining prompts to save your Applet
With the above setup, whenever your Applet's trigger event occurs, the InOut.bot will send you a WhatsApp message.
Check your InOut.Bot Balance
While Triggers (messages you send to the InOut bot to trigger an Applet) are free and unlimited, there are limits on the use of Actions (messages the InOut bot sends to you). Their pricing page explains the available subscription tiers and the included balance for each: https://inout.bot/whatsappd-price/.
These plans are separate from IFTTT Pro or Pro+ subscriptions and are managed directly by InOut.bot.
You can check your balance by doing the following:
- Open WhatsApp
- Start a chat with the InOut.Bot using the Bot's number: +1 234 332 2110
- Send the message: Balance
- The bot will reply with your balance and instructions to add more messages if needed
New users of InOut.bot are given a free trial balance of 20 messages before a subscription is required.
Key Reminders When Using the InOut.bot Service
Here are a few important points to remember before using the InOut.bot:
IFTTT connects to InOut.bot, not WhatsApp directly. That means the automation happens through InOut.bot’s platform.
Your Applets will only work with messages to and from InOut.bot. You won’t be able to use this to text your other WhatsApp users directly through IFTTT. All messages must go through the InOut.bot number.
-
If your Applet that uses an InOut Action is running, but you are not receiving a message from the bot, and your activity feed shows:
"Your balance of Messages to Send is 0. You can subscribe now to keep sending messages to your number."
This indicates your InOut account has no remaining message balance. Follow the steps in the section above to add more message balance.