Meta releases Graph API v21.0 and Marketing API v21.0

On October 2, 2024, Meta announced the release of Graph API v21.0 and Marketing API v21.0, introducing several key changes and deprecations that will impact developers and marketers using Meta's platforms. The update, revealed just one day ago, brings modifications to various APIs, including those for Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

General Updates and Feature Enhancements

Image Expansion Merges with Standard Enhancements

For single media ads, the Image Expansion feature will now be included as part of Standard Enhancements in v21.0+. Developers creating ads or creatives with Image Expansion enabled will need to set the standard_enhancements field inside the creative_features_spec. This change affects multiple endpoints, including:

• POST /{ad_account_id}/adcreatives
• POST /{ad_account_id}/ads
• GET /{ad_id}/previews
• GET /{ad_account_id}/generatepreviews

Developers working with these endpoints should update their implementations to accommodate this change.

Deprecations and Breaking Changes

WhatsApp Authentication Message Templates

Starting with v21.0, Meta is modifying the parameters for one-tap autofill and zero-tap authentication templates in WhatsApp. The package_name and signature_hash will no longer be accepted as button object properties. Instead, developers must define these within a "supported app" object inside the supported_apps button property array.

This change aims to improve flexibility and support multiple package/hash definitions. Developers using WhatsApp authentication templates should update their code to comply with this new structure.

Messaging Events API Deprecation

Meta has announced the deprecation of the Messaging Events API, scheduled for September 2025. As part of this transition:

1. The Messaging Events API will not be supported in any future Graph API releases, starting with v21.0.
2. Partners are encouraged to migrate to the Conversion API, which Meta presents as the new solution for sending events.
3. Access to Messaging Events API will remain available through Graph API v20.0 or earlier until the official deprecation date.

Developers relying on the Messaging Events API should plan their migration to the Conversion API well in advance of the September 2025 deadline to ensure uninterrupted functionality.

Instagram Insights API Metric Deprecation

On October 2, 2024, Meta rolled out version 21 of the Instagram Insights API. To enhance metric quality and align the API's functionality with the Instagram app, several metrics will be deprecated starting with v21:

• video_views (total value)
• email_contacts (time series)
• get_directions_clicks (time series)
• profile_views (time series)
• text_message_clicks (time series)
• website_clicks (time series)
• phone_call_clicks (time series)

Meta will continue to support total value metrics on the Instagram Insights API for those also available in the Instagram app. Developers have until January 8, 2025, to migrate their usage accordingly.

WhatsApp Cloud API Local Storage Updates

The v21.0+ release brings significant changes to the WhatsApp Cloud API platform's local storage settings:

1. Local storage enablement will be integrated into the POST /<WHATSAPP_BUSINESS_PHONE_NUMBER_ID>/settings endpoint.
2. This change allows configuration of the setting before phone number registration.
3. The current setting can be verified through the GET /<WHATSAPP_BUSINESS_PHONE_NUMBER_ID>/settings endpoint.
4. Updates to local storage settings will only be allowed for unregistered phone numbers.

These modifications aim to enhance setup flexibility and ensure data is stored in the intended country.

Marketing API v21 Impact on Original Objectives

The release of Marketing API v21 further limits the use of original (legacy) objectives:

1. Existing campaigns using original objectives can continue to run.
2. New ad sets or ads cannot be created within original objective campaigns starting with v21.
3. This change impacts the following APIs:
   • /act_{ad_account_id}/campaigns
   • /act_{ad_account_id}/ads

Meta encourages transitioning all campaigns to simplified objectives as they continue to limit original objective usage with each API version.

Meta Business SDK v21 Release

Shortly after the Graph API v21 release, Meta will publish the Meta Business SDK v21. This update includes:

1. Bug fixes and dependency upgrades
2. New features
3. Updated API interface to match Graph API v21
4. Additional sample code scenarios in five languages, covering over 30 scenarios

Developers should note the upcoming deprecations for Platform SDKs:

• May 2025: Facebook Platform SDK v17.0 or below will be deprecated.

API Version Deprecations

Meta has announced the following API deprecation schedule:

Graph API

• November 20, 2024: Graph API v.15 will be deprecated and removed
• May 14, 2025: Graph API v.16 will be deprecated and removed

Marketing API

• February 4, 2025: Marketing API v19.0 will be deprecated and removed
• May 6, 2025: Marketing API v20.0 will be deprecated and removed

To avoid business disruptions, Meta recommends migrating all calls to the latest API version released today.

Key Facts

• Graph API v21.0 and Marketing API v21.0 released on October 2, 2024
• Image Expansion feature merged with Standard Enhancements for single media ads
• WhatsApp authentication message templates require updated parameter structure
• Messaging Events API to be deprecated in September 2025
• Seven Instagram Insights API metrics to be deprecated starting v21
• WhatsApp Cloud API local storage settings now configurable before phone number registration
• Marketing API v21 further limits use of original (legacy) campaign objectives
• Meta Business SDK v21 to be released soon with updated features and sample code
• Multiple API versions scheduled for deprecation between November 2024 and May 2025