Use this guide to connect your existing WhatsApp Business App with WABB. You will automate conversations, handle scale, and keep your current number.
Feature changes after integration
Once an existing WhatsApp Business App is connected to WABB, the following changes will take effect in the WhatsApp Business app:
Message edit and revoke → disabled
Disappearing messages → turned off for all 1:1 chats
View once messages → disabled
Live location sharing → disabled
Broadcast Lists → read-only
You cannot create new lists
You must send broadcasts from WABB
For more details on feature changes and how coexistence affects WhatsApp Business App functionality, please refer to the official feature comparison table.
Connecting your existing WhatsApp Business App account
Requirements
To proceed with the connection, make sure you meet the following requirements:
You must already be using the WhatsApp Business App.
According to Meta guidelines, only users with past activity in WhatsApp Business Manager (WABA) can use the Coexistence method. If this requirement is not met, you will see the error message: "Phone number isn't allowed to connect."
Your WhatsApp Business App must be version 2.24.17 or newer.
Your phone number’s country code must be supported. Please check the list of unsupported countries.
💡 If your country or region is on the unsupported list, you can still connect a WhatsApp number to WABB using this way, but coexistence with the WhatsApp Business App will not be possible.
Step-by-step connection guide
Start by navigating to Settings > Connection and click on Connect WhatsApp Business App and then click on Continue:
Follow the instructions carefully and click Continue:
Since WhatsApp Business App is part of Meta Business Manager, you will need to connect through Meta. Click Continue, which will open in a new window.
Follow the on-screen instructions to log in to your existing Facebook account. Select the Facebook Business account that will own the WhatsApp number and click on Continue:
Select your Business Portfolio and click on Connect a WhatsApp Business app:
Next, add a phone number for WhatsApp with country code:
You will be presented with a QR code and instructions to check for a new WhatsApp Business app message. Please note that a QR code updates every 1 minute:
You will need to use the app to scan the QR code:
⚠️ Make sure to share your chat history during the connection process to sync contacts from the WhatsApp Business App with WABB.
You're all set! Your WhatsApp integration is now up and running. Start exploring its powerful features and see how it can enhance your customer interactions.
Now Confirm you business detail and select the appropriate time zone and click on Next
Finally, re-check all your Business Details and click on Confirm:
Connection completes in a few seconds. You will see a success message and get redirected back to WABB automatically.
How Meta charges for messages:
Messages sent via WhatsApp Business App remain free. Conversations started via WABB will follow WhatsApp's conversation-based pricing.
Add payment details (required for sending messages)
Even after a successful WABB connection, messages will not send until you add a payment method in Meta.
WABB does not manage message billing. Meta handles all charges.
Steps to add payment method
Log in to your Facebook Business Manager
Go to Settings → WhatsApp Accounts
Select your connected number
If you don’t see it, refresh the page
Scroll down and click Payment Settings
Add your credit or debit card
Set it as default
Go back to WhatsApp Account page
Click Edit
Under Update Payment Method, select your card
Click Save
Troubleshooting unexpected messages
If you see an unexpected message that you didn’t set up in WABB, it’s probably coming from WhatsApp Business App’s automatic responses (if they’re enabled). These automatic replies can disrupt WABB’s automation.
To resolve this, check your WhatsApp Business app settings to ensure no auto-replies or messaging setups conflict with WABB.
Here's how:
Open your WhatsApp Business app and navigate to Settings > Business tools:
Ensure all automatic messaging options are disabled.