> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://easy-peasy.ai/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# WhatsApp

> Connect a WhatsApp Business number to your agent in one click, keep using the WhatsApp Business app if you like, and manage message templates.

Your agent can answer messages sent to your WhatsApp Business number. You connect it by signing in with Facebook and picking or creating a number; there's no Meta developer app, token, or webhook to set up.

<Note>
  WhatsApp is available on paid plans. Meta charges its own fees for business messaging, billed to your Meta account.
</Note>

## Before you start

You need:

* A Facebook account.
* A phone number for your business that can receive a text message or a call for verification.
* A number that isn't signed in to the regular WhatsApp app. A number you use in the **WhatsApp Business** app is fine: see [Keep using the WhatsApp Business app](#keep-using-the-whatsapp-business-app).

## Connect in one click

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the WhatsApp channel">
    Open your agent, click **Channels**, and click **Connect** on **WhatsApp**.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/easy-peasyai/9Brw5At2juy5r5tl/images/agents/channel-whatsapp.webp?fit=max&auto=format&n=9Brw5At2juy5r5tl&q=85&s=ad0a633ceb1557a935ee010da54a4f42" alt="The WhatsApp Integration window: Connect in one click, with a Continue with Facebook button and a link to enter credentials manually" width="520" data-path="images/agents/channel-whatsapp.webp" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose how to connect">
    Click **Continue with Facebook**, then choose **Continue with Facebook** again for a number that isn't on WhatsApp yet, or **I already use the WhatsApp Business app**.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/easy-peasyai/9Brw5At2juy5r5tl/images/agents/channel-whatsapp-connect.webp?fit=max&auto=format&n=9Brw5At2juy5r5tl&q=85&s=ee012b6fb846ecb34458bb7c3775a0f2" alt="Connect WhatsApp: Continue with Facebook, or I already use the WhatsApp Business app to keep using the app with messages working in both places" width="460" data-path="images/agents/channel-whatsapp-connect.webp" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Finish in Meta's window">
    Meta's window opens. Sign in with Facebook, pick or create a business portfolio, create your WhatsApp Business profile (the name customers see), add your number, and enter the code Meta sends. Keep the window open until it closes on its own.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test it">
    The WhatsApp card shows **Connected**. Send a WhatsApp message to your business number from another phone; the agent replies within seconds.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Everything after Meta's window is automatic: your number is registered and incoming messages are sent to your agent.

## Keep using the WhatsApp Business app

Choose **I already use the WhatsApp Business app** to connect the number you already use in the app. The agent answers automatically, and you can still read and reply from the app on your phone. Your chat history stays.

Meta's requirements for this option:

* The number must be on the **WhatsApp Business** app, not regular WhatsApp, and in use there for at least 7 days on the latest version.
* It must not already be added to your WhatsApp Business account as an API number. If you tried the one-click option first, remove the number in WhatsApp Manager (**Phone numbers**), wait a few minutes, and try again.
* It isn't available in every country.

You'll confirm the connection in the app on your phone, so keep it nearby.

## The 24-hour rule and templates

This is WhatsApp's rule. Your agent can reply freely within 24 hours of a customer's last message, which covers normal back-and-forth. To start a conversation with someone who hasn't messaged you in the last 24 hours, WhatsApp requires an approved **message template**.

Once connected, click **Manage templates** in the WhatsApp window, then **New template**. Enter a **Template name**, **Category** (**Utility** or **Marketing**), the **Message body** with `{{1}}`-style variables and example values, and a **Language**, then click **Submit for approval**. Meta usually reviews templates within minutes to hours; the list shows each template's status.

## Pause, disconnect, or move a number

* **Pause:** switch off **Enable integration**. Messages still arrive at your number; the agent stops answering.
* **Disconnect:** click **Disconnect**. The number stays in your Meta account; it just stops going to this agent.
* **Move to another agent:** disconnect it here, then connect it on the other agent.

Conversations appear in [**Conversations**](/docs/agents/conversations) under **WhatsApp**. Your [actions](/docs/agents/actions) work on WhatsApp. The agent answers text messages; photos, voice notes, and documents aren't answered.

## Use your own Meta app

If your business already runs the WhatsApp Cloud API with its own Meta app, click **Using your own Meta app? Enter credentials manually** and fill in:

| Field                        | Where to find it                                                                                                                                        |
| ---------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **WhatsApp phone number ID** | In your Meta app under **WhatsApp** > **API Setup**                                                                                                     |
| **Access token**             | A permanent system user token with the `whatsapp_business_messaging` and `whatsapp_business_management` permissions                                     |
| **Verify token**             | Any text you choose; enter the same text in Meta                                                                                                        |
| **Webhook URL**              | Shown in the form. In your Meta app, go to **WhatsApp** > **Configuration**, paste the URL and your verify token, and subscribe to the `messages` field |

Unless you need your own app, the one-click connection is faster and needs no upkeep.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="The number is still in use in the WhatsApp app on a phone">
    The number is signed in to the regular WhatsApp app, and WhatsApp won't connect it while that account exists. Delete the WhatsApp account on the phone (**Settings** > **Account** > **Delete my account**), wait a few minutes, and connect again. If the phone uses WhatsApp Business, use [Keep using the WhatsApp Business app](#keep-using-the-whatsapp-business-app) instead.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="It asks for a two-step verification PIN">
    The number was registered before and has a PIN. Enter it when asked, or turn off two-step verification in WhatsApp Manager (**Phone numbers** > **Settings** > **Two-step verification**) and connect again.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The connection expired before I finished">
    Meta allows 14 days to finish registering a number. Start the connection again from the beginning.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The agent isn't replying">
    Check that **Enable integration** is on, that the number shows as connected in WhatsApp Manager, and that you sent a text message.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="Channels" icon="share-nodes" href="/docs/agents/channels">
    All the places your agent can answer.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Conversations" icon="comments" href="/docs/agents/conversations">
    Read your WhatsApp chats.
  </Card>
</Columns>