Hello ​@thebreakupdiet ,

When manually creating a contact, you can add their email address at the time of creation. However, for an already existing contact, you won’t be able to manually add an email because the user’s opt-in is required — meaning they must give permission to receive communications via email.

This consent can be requested through a traditional flow, asking the user directly. But if the user provided their email outside of a flow, there’s a workaround: you can update the contact via the API by submitting their email manually.

One option is to create a flow that updates the email and, during a live chat, simply send the flow to the user — no need to ask any additional questions. The email will then be saved correctly.

Here’s how to do it:

1. First, get your manychat API key. Go to Settings > API, copy your API key, and keep it safe. Do not share it publicly, as it gives access to make changes to your account.
 

2. Create a new flow and add only one step: an External Request action. Note that a PRO plan is required to use this feature. Here's what the flow should look like:
 

3. Configure the External Request as follows:

• Request Type: POST

• URL: https://api.manychat.com/fb/subscriber/updateSubscriber

• Headers:

  • Authorization: Bearer Your API Key

  • Content-Type: application/json
     

    

     

• Body:

{
  "subscriber_id": "system field ID",
  "email": "Custom field where you saved the email",
  "has_opt_in_email": true,
  "consent_phrase": "I agree to receive notifications"
}

Once everything is set up, publish the flow.

4. After publishing, send the flow to the lead whose email you want to update. The easiest way is through live chat: click the automation icon and select the flow you created.
 

Once the email is saved, the system field will be populated and you'll be able to edit it manually if needed.