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Prepare the Meta side of WhatsApp Business (Business Portfolio, WhatsApp Business Account, and verified phone number) before connecting it to Typewise. Doing the Meta-side setup yourself is optional: Meta Embedded Signup can create the Portfolio and WABA for you from inside Typewise. We still recommend it when you want:
  • Faster business verification and fewer initial messaging restrictions (an incomplete Business Info section in a freshly-created Portfolio causes Meta to restrict the WABA)
  • Full control over your business identity (legal name, address, website) before the WABA is created
  • To migrate a number from a personal WhatsApp app or another WhatsApp Business Platform
Want the in-product flow instead? Follow Set up WhatsApp. Meta Embedded Signup will create the Portfolio and WABA for you in a popup.

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Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have:
  • A Meta account that will own the Business Portfolio
  • A phone number that can receive SMS or voice calls for verification. This number will become your WhatsApp Business number.
Virtual or VoIP numbers are not supported. WhatsApp requires a real mobile or landline number that can receive an OTP via SMS or voice call. Numbers from Twilio, Google Voice, or similar VoIP providers, and numbers behind an IVR or outbound-only systems, will fail OTP verification and cannot be registered.
Already have a number you want to reuse from a personal WhatsApp app or another WhatsApp Business Platform? Read Migrate an existing number before starting Step 3.

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Step 1: Create a Meta Business Portfolio

The Business Portfolio (formerly “Business Manager”) is the parent container for your WhatsApp assets.
1

Create the portfolio

Open Meta Business Suite and follow Create a business portfolio.
2

Complete the Business Info section

In Business settings → Business Info, fill in your legal business name, business address, and website (live, publicly accessible, HTTPS). Meta reviews this information when activating WhatsApp; missing or invalid fields cause the WABA to be restricted.
3

Verify your business

Business verification is required before WhatsApp can move past trial messaging limits. Follow Verify your business in Meta Business Suite.

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Step 2: Create a WhatsApp Business Account

The WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) is a sub-account inside the Portfolio that holds your WhatsApp phone numbers and message templates.
1

Open WhatsApp Manager

Go to WhatsApp Manager inside Meta Business Suite.
2

Create the WABA

Follow Create a WhatsApp Business Account.

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Step 3: Add and verify your phone number

1

Open the Phone Numbers page

Go to WhatsApp Manager → Phone numbers.
2

Add the number

Click Add phone number and enter the number in international format (e.g., +15017122661).
3

Receive the verification code

Choose SMS or Voice call to receive a 6-digit OTP from Meta.
4

Enter the code

Enter the OTP in WhatsApp Manager. The number should now appear as Connected in the dashboard.
If the OTP never arrives or verification fails, the number may not meet WhatsApp’s requirements (VoIP, IVR, or outbound-only). See Prerequisites.

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Step 4: Connect to Typewise

Once the number is Connected in Meta, finalize the integration in Typewise. Follow Set up WhatsApp. Because the number is already verified on Meta, the Embedded Signup popup will let you pick the existing WABA without re-doing the OTP step.

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Migrate an existing number

If the phone number you want to use is already in use somewhere, follow the matching procedure before adding it in Step 3.

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From a personal WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business app

The number can only be registered in one place at a time, so the existing account must be removed from the device first. Meta’s full procedure is documented at Use an existing WhatsApp number with the platform.
1

Delete the account on the device

On the phone that owns the number, follow Delete your WhatsApp account.
2

Add the number in Meta

Return to Step 3 and add the number as usual.
Deleting the WhatsApp account removes message history and groups on the device. Make sure you have backups if you need them.

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From another WhatsApp Business Platform

If the number is currently registered with another Business Solution Provider (BSP), Meta requires two-step verification (2FA) to be disabled on that platform before the number can be re-registered.
1

Disable two-step verification

In WhatsApp Manager, open the number’s settings and disable Two-step verification.
2

Add the number in Meta

Return to Step 3 and add the number as usual.
If you can’t disable 2FA yourself (e.g., the PIN was set by the previous provider), contact your previous Solution Partner. They may need to clear it on their side.

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Troubleshooting

If the number cannot recover and you don’t need its history, the fastest fix is to remove it from Meta and add it again. Note that message history, templates, and quality rating tied to that number will be lost.Re-adding the number follows the same flow as Step 3.
The number is still locked by 2FA on its previous registration. Disable Two-step verification in WhatsApp Manager for that number, then retry.The same root cause and fix apply when disconnecting from Typewise. See Disconnect a WhatsApp number.
Confirm the number can receive SMS or voice calls from an international sender. VoIP numbers (Twilio, Google Voice, etc.), IVR systems, and outbound-only lines cannot complete OTP verification. See Prerequisites.

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See also

Reference material from Meta:
Contact Typewise Support for help.