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How to connect WhatsApp Bot

Let customers install and access their loyalty cards directly through WhatsApp.

Written by Dan. A
Updated this week

Overview

Connecting the WhatsApp Bot lets customers install their loyalty card through WhatsApp, view their balance and rewards, and access their QR code for scanning — all within the WhatsApp chat. Once connected, WhatsApp appears as an installation option on your card issuing form.

This is a more advanced setup that requires a Facebook Business account and a Meta developer app. Follow each step carefully.

Step 1: Create a Meta developer app

  1. Log in to your Facebook Business account.

  2. Go to developers.facebook.com and navigate to My Apps.

  3. Click Create.

  4. Select Other, then click Next.

  5. Select Business as the app type.

  6. Enter your Application Name, email, and select or create a Business Manager.

  7. Click Create App.

Step 2: Set up WhatsApp

  1. On the app dashboard, find WhatsApp and click Set up.

  2. Select your Business profile.

  3. Click Start Using the API.

  4. Add the phone number you want to use to send WhatsApp messages.

  5. Optionally, enter a test phone number to verify that messaging works.

Note: Take note of the Phone Number ID and WhatsApp Business Account ID displayed on this page — you'll need both to connect in Perkstar.

Step 3: Configure webhooks

  1. In the WhatsApp setup, find the Webhooks section and click Edit next to Callback URL.

  2. Enter the following details:

  3. Click Verify and Save.

  4. Click Manage next to Webhooks.

  5. Find Messages in the list and enable it.

  6. Click Done.

Step 4: Generate a permanent access token

  1. Go to business.facebook.com/settings/people.

  2. Select the Business Manager you specified when creating the app.

  3. Navigate to Users > System Users and click Add.

  4. Create a system user: enter a name and select the Admin role.

  5. Click Generate New Token and select your app.

  6. Set Token Expiration to Never.

  7. Enable the following permissions:

    • business_management

    • catalog_management

    • whatsapp_business_management

    • whatsapp_business_messaging

  8. Click Generate Token and save the generated token securely.

  9. Go to Assign Assets > Apps and enable Manage App.

  10. Return to your business account dashboard and enable Live Mode.

Step 5: Connect WhatsApp Bot in Perkstar

  1. Navigate to Settings in the left-hand menu, then click Services.

  2. Click Connect WhatsApp Bot.

  3. Enter the following details:

    • Token — The permanent access token you generated

    • Sender's phone number — The phone number you added in Step 2

    • Phone Number ID — From the WhatsApp setup page

    • WhatsApp Business Account ID — From the WhatsApp setup page

  4. Click Connect.

Your WhatsApp Bot is now connected.

For more information about generating access tokens, see the Meta WhatsApp Business API documentation.

How customers install a card via WhatsApp

Once the WhatsApp Bot is connected, a Install in WhatsApp button appears on your card issuing form.

  1. The customer scans the QR code or opens the card installation link.

  2. They fill in their details (e.g., first name and phone number).

  3. They tap Install in WhatsApp.

  4. A confirmation message is sent to the customer's WhatsApp, confirming the setup was successful.

What customers can do in WhatsApp

Once the card is installed, customers can interact with it directly in the WhatsApp chat:

  • View card details — See their balance, rewards, company name, card expiration date, and serial number

  • Open QR code — Tap to display the QR code in fullscreen so your staff can scan it

  • Switch cards — If the customer has multiple cards installed, they can choose which card to view and the system will load the details for that card

FAQs

Do I need a Facebook Business account?

Yes. The WhatsApp Bot requires a Meta developer app linked to a Facebook Business account.

Can customers install multiple cards through WhatsApp?

Yes. If a customer has more than one card, they can switch between cards within the WhatsApp chat.

Does the WhatsApp Bot send automatic messages?

The bot sends a confirmation when a card is installed and allows customers to interact with their card details. Push notifications and mailings are handled separately through the Push and Mailings sections.

What phone number should I use?

Use a phone number dedicated to your business WhatsApp communications. This is the number customers will see messages from.

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