Send WhatsApp Messages in VB.NET - Complete Guide

Automate WhatsApp messaging using VB.NET and the WhatsMate WA Gateway REST API

Posted on February 24, 2016   Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn Share on Twitter Share on Google+

Last reviewed: January 28, 2026  

🚀 Automate WhatsApp Messaging with VB.NET

Looking to integrate WhatsApp messaging into your Visual Basic .NET applications? This guide walks you through sending WhatsApp messages using VB.NET and the WhatsMate WA Gateway REST API. Perfect for VB.NET developers maintaining legacy applications, building Windows utilities, or creating business solutions with Visual Studio.

đź“‹ Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have:

  1. A WhatsMate WA Gateway account - Required for API access
  2. Recipient registration - Each recipient must register with the Gateway first
  3. Visual Studio - 2015 or higher (Community, Professional, or Enterprise)
  4. .NET Framework - Version 4.5 or higher
  5. Basic VB.NET knowledge - Familiarity with Visual Studio and VB.NET development

⚠️ Important: Recipients must register with the WhatsMate WA Gateway before they can receive messages. Unregistered users will not receive any messages from the Gateway. Registration instructions are available on the official WhatsMate site.

🎥 Video Walkthrough

đź“ť Step-by-Step Implementation

Follow these steps to send your first WhatsApp message from a VB.NET application:

1. Copy the VB.NET Template

Start by copying the following source code to the main module file in your Console Application in Visual Studio:

2. Configure a few Parameters

Customize these key parameters in the VB.NET code:

  • Line 10: Replace with your gateway instance ID
  • Lines 11-12: Update with your Client ID and Secret
  • Line 64: Specify the target phone number (including the country code) and your message content

3. Add Required Reference

Add the “System.Web.Extensions” reference to your project:

  1. Right-click on your project node in the Solution Explorer panel
  2. Choose “Add” → “Reference…”
  3. Select “Framework” on the left pane
  4. Find “System.Web.Extensions” in the middle pane and check the checkbox
  5. Click OK to add the reference

4. Build and Run

Build and run your application in Visual Studio to deliver your WhatsApp message.

🔧 Common Use Cases

This VB.NET integration approach is ideal for:

  • Legacy application modernization - Add messaging features to existing VB.NET systems
  • Windows utilities - Create tools that send notifications via WhatsApp
  • Business applications - Integrate WhatsApp into enterprise VB.NET solutions
  • Automation scripts - Convert VB.NET scripts to send automated messages

🚀 Get Started Today

Ready to integrate WhatsApp messaging into your VB.NET applications? You’ll need a trial account to access the API. Sign up for a 2-week trial and start sending messages within minutes!

Next Steps: Once you’ve mastered basic message sending, explore advanced features like sending images, documents, or group messages through the WhatsMate API documentation.