When working with Flows, you may encounter the error code 139001 stating:

Flow can't be updated

This can be frustrating, but it's by design. Once a Flow is published, you cannot edit or delete it. However, there is a workaround to help you manage it.

Steps to Update a Published Flow on WhatsApp

Since you cannot directly modify a published Flow, you need to create a new version by cloning the existing Flow:

  1. Clone the Flow – Use the clone_flow_id field to create a new copy.

  2. Modify the Clone – Make the necessary changes in the new Flow.

  3. Publish the New Flow – Once finalized, publish the updated Flow.

  4. Start Using the New Flow – Direct users to the newly published Flow instead of the old one.

  5. Deprecate the Old Flow – Since deletion is not allowed, you can deprecate the old Flow to prevent further usage. Use the /deprecate API call to mark the Flow as deprecated. Redirect users to the new Flow to ensure a smooth transition.

If you need to update a published Flow, remember that direct modifications aren't possible. Instead, clone, modify, and publish a new version while deprecating the old one. This ensures stability and smooth user experiences while keeping your Flows up to date.

For more troubleshooting tips related to WhatsApp Business API, check out heltar.com/blogs.