WhatsApp Channel FAQ

Can I still work with WhatsApp Business App after migrating to API?

No, the old WhatsApp Buiness account must be deleted in order to apply for API access. Once the migration to WhatsApp Business API is complete, the conversation can be handled only from Inbox and via automated bot's messages.

What do I need to connect my bot with WhatsApp?

You can start using the channel right away, however, the Facebook team strongly advises you to complete the Business Verification process. Otherwise, your phone number will be subject to restrictions.
We are hosting the entire infrastructure on our side and you will not have to pay any extra fees for the migration or the customer volume, except for your regular Pro Plan package.
Note that previously existing WhatsApp accounts associated with the submitted phone number will be removed.

What are the requirements for a business to be approved?

Make sure your use cases are compliant with WhatsApp policies and are use cases that respect WhatsApp guidelines. WhatsApp requires compliance with:

What are possible reasons why my business might not get pre-approval?

a) You offer or sell
Illegal, prescription or recreation drugs, including marijuana
Tobacco products and related paraphernalia
Unsafe supplements
Weapons, ammunition or explosives
Animals
Adult items or services
Alcohol
Adult health items
Real money gambling services
Goods, items, or posts that we determine may be or are fraudulent, misleading, deceptive or offensive
Items or products with overtly sexualized positioning
Products or items that facilitate or encourage unauthorized access to digital media which do not comply with Facebook's policies.
b) Your audience might be younger than 16.
c) You request a phone number for countries or regions where WhatsApp/Facebook do not operate, such as the Crimea region.

Can I upgrade from a mobile WhatsApp consumer number or a mobile/landline WhatsApp for Business client number?

Yes, sure! Just read our migration guide.
Technically we can set up existing numbers if they are linked to the WhatsApp for Business client (or with some more effort numbers linked to a regular WhatsApp consumer client), BUT we cannot migrate numbers that have been set up by another Business Solution Provider. This is not possible from a technical point of view.

What are the possible reasons for the failure of a registration of a number?

a) A client is installed (a WhatsApp consumer client or WhatsApp for Business client)
b) Your WhatsApp for Business profile is still linked to the WhatsApp for Business client. Make sure that your profile gets deleted first which might require that you reinstall an already uninstalled WhatsApp for Business client before you can delete the profile.

Can I change my phone number?

This can be achieved by setting up a new phone number and by phasing out the old phone number. New phone numbers will start again at the lowest quality tier and will be automatically upgraded to higher tiers as more messages with a high quality are sent.

Can I use location sharing?

WhatsApp for Business API supports location sharing, but real-time location sharing is currently unsupported and will result in “Message type is unsupported”.

Can I use the WhatsApp business mobile app to view conversations?

No, this is not possible after the migration.

Can I send broadcasts to anyone I want?

Cut-off control prevents messages from being delivered to users outside of certain conditions. Here's a summary of the requirements:

Regular text messages or media messages (i.e., any non-Template Messages) can only be delivered within the 24 hour period after the customer sent a message to your business.
Template Messages do not have this restriction and should be the preferred way of reaching a customer.
Business account should be eligible for payments
If a message does not meet any of these requirements an error code is sent and the message is not delivered.

Will I loose data during the phone migration?

Deleting the WhatsApp account on your Android or iPhone will cause any incoming messages to be queued by the WhatsApp servers and then subsequently delivered upon successful registration.

Can I import my backup using the WhatsApp for Business API?

There is currently no option to import previous conversations.