> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.ofatoura.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Notification Preferences and Gateway Status

> Enable or disable individual WhatsApp notification types by event category, check your gateway connection status, and understand how real-time messages reach your staff during daily operations.

WhatsApp notifications in oFatoura let you control exactly which operational events trigger messages to your staff — from new orders and kitchen tickets to reservation updates and payment confirmations. This page explains how to switch notification types on or off and what the gateway status banner means.

<Note>
  WhatsApp notifications are available only if this module is included in your restaurant's subscription plan and has been activated at the system level. If you do not see the WhatsApp Notifications section, contact your account administrator.
</Note>

## Gateway status banner

At the top of **Settings > WhatsApp Notifications** you will see a status banner that tells you whether your WhatsApp connection is ready to deliver messages.

| Status       | What it means                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| ------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Active**   | Your WhatsApp Business account credentials (Business Account ID, access token, and phone number) are fully configured. Messages will be sent as soon as a notification is enabled.                            |
| **Inactive** | One or more required credentials are missing. Notifications you enable are saved, but no messages will be delivered until the gateway is configured. Contact your system administrator to complete the setup. |

<Warning>
  You can still browse and save your notification preferences while the gateway is inactive. However, no WhatsApp messages will actually reach staff until the gateway becomes active.
</Warning>

## Notification types you can enable or disable

Go to **Settings > WhatsApp Notifications** in the web admin. You will see notification types grouped by category. Each type has a toggle you can switch on or off — changes save automatically, so there is no Save button to press.

### Order notifications

Control which order lifecycle events send a message to staff.

* **Order confirmation** — sent when an order is confirmed.
* **Order status update** — sent each time an order's status changes (for example, when it moves to preparing or ready).
* **Order cancellation** — sent when an order is cancelled.
* **Order bill** — sent when the bill for an order is generated and ready.

### Reservation notifications

Control messages triggered by reservation activity.

* **Reservation confirmation** — sent when a new reservation is confirmed.
* **Reservation status update** — sent when a reservation's status changes.
* **Reservation reminder** — sent as a reminder ahead of an upcoming reservation.

### Payment notifications

* **Payment confirmation** — sent when a payment is recorded successfully.
* **Payment reminder** — sent to prompt action on outstanding payments.

### Waiter and service notifications

* **Waiter request acknowledgment** — sent when a waiter request is received from a table.
* **Table ready notification** — sent when a table is marked ready for the next party.

### Kitchen notifications

* **KOT notification** — sent to relevant staff when a kitchen order ticket (KOT) is created and sent to the kitchen.

## How real-time notifications work

When an event occurs during normal operations — a new order is placed, a kitchen ticket is fired, a reservation is received — oFatoura sends a WhatsApp message to the appropriate staff members instantly and automatically. There is no manual step required.

Which staff receive a message depends on:

1. Whether the notification type is toggled **on** in your preferences.
2. The staff roles assigned to receive that type of notification.
3. Whether the WhatsApp gateway is active.

<Tip>
  Make sure each staff member who should receive WhatsApp messages has a valid phone number saved in their staff profile. Messages cannot be delivered to staff without a registered mobile number.
</Tip>

## Step-by-step: reviewing and updating your notification preferences

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open notification settings">
    In the web admin, go to **Settings** and select **WhatsApp Notifications**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check the gateway status banner">
    Look at the banner at the top of the page. If it shows **Inactive**, note that your changes will be saved but messages will not be sent until the gateway is configured by your administrator.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Toggle notification types">
    Find the notification category you want to adjust — Order, Reservation, Payment, Waiter/Service, or Kitchen. Use the toggle next to each notification type to enable or disable it. The change saves automatically.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm your changes">
    The toggle state reflects the current saved preference immediately. No additional confirmation is needed.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Related

* [WhatsApp Notifications Overview](/whatsapp/index)
* [Automated Schedules and Scheduled Reports](/whatsapp/schedules-and-reports)
* [Staff and Permissions Overview](/staff/index)
* [Email and Push Notification Settings](/settings/communications)