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

# Set up WhatsApp on Meta

> Prepare your Meta Business Portfolio and WhatsApp number manually before connecting to Typewise.

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](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/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

<Note>
  Want the in-product flow instead? Follow [Set up
  WhatsApp](/guides/channels/setup-whatsapp). Meta Embedded Signup will create
  the Portfolio and WABA for you in a popup.
</Note>

***

## 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.

<Note>
  **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.
</Note>

<Tip>
  Already have a number you want to reuse from a personal WhatsApp app or
  another WhatsApp Business Platform? Read [Migrate an existing
  number](#migrate-an-existing-number) before starting Step 3.
</Tip>

***

## Step 1: Create a Meta Business Portfolio

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

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create the portfolio">
    Open [Meta Business Suite](https://business.facebook.com/overview) and
    follow [Create a business
    portfolio](https://www.facebook.com/business/help/1710077379203657).
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify your business">
    Business verification is required before WhatsApp can move past trial
    [messaging
    limits](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/messaging-limits/).
    Follow [Verify your business in Meta Business
    Suite](https://www.facebook.com/business/help/2058515294227817).
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## 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.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open WhatsApp Manager">
    Go to [WhatsApp
    Manager](https://business.facebook.com/latest/whatsapp_manager/overview/)
    inside Meta Business Suite.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create the WABA">
    Follow [Create a WhatsApp Business
    Account](https://www.facebook.com/business/help/713785646327651).
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 3: Add and verify your phone number

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Phone Numbers page">
    Go to [WhatsApp Manager → Phone
    numbers](https://business.facebook.com/latest/whatsapp_manager/phone_numbers).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add the number">
    Click **Add phone number** and enter the number in international format
    (e.g., `+15017122661`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Receive the verification code">
    Choose **SMS** or **Voice call** to receive a 6-digit OTP from Meta.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the code">
    Enter the OTP in WhatsApp Manager. The number should now appear as
    **Connected** in the dashboard.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  If the OTP never arrives or verification fails, the number may not meet
  WhatsApp's requirements (VoIP, IVR, or outbound-only). See
  [Prerequisites](#prerequisites).
</Note>

***

## Step 4: Connect to Typewise

Once the number is **Connected** in Meta, finalize the integration in Typewise.

Follow [Set up WhatsApp](/guides/channels/setup-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.

***

## 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](#step-3-add-and-verify-your-phone-number).

### 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](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/cloud-api/get-started/migrate-existing-whatsapp-number-to-a-business-account/).

<Steps>
  <Step title="Delete the account on the device">
    On the phone that owns the number, follow [Delete your WhatsApp
    account](https://faq.whatsapp.com/2138577903196467).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add the number in Meta">
    Return to [Step 3](#step-3-add-and-verify-your-phone-number) and add the
    number as usual.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  Deleting the WhatsApp account removes message history and groups on the
  device. Make sure you have backups if you need them.
</Note>

### 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.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Disable two-step verification">
    In [WhatsApp
    Manager](https://business.facebook.com/latest/whatsapp_manager/), open the
    number's settings and disable **Two-step verification**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add the number in Meta">
    Return to [Step 3](#step-3-add-and-verify-your-phone-number) and add the
    number as usual.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  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.
</Tip>

***

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Number is stuck offline or in a stale state">
    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](#step-3-add-and-verify-your-phone-number).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Re-registration fails with Meta error 63110: &#x22;Already Registered&#x22;">
    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](/guides/channels/setup-whatsapp#disconnect-a-whatsapp-number).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="OTP never arrives">
    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](#prerequisites).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## See also

* [Set up WhatsApp](/guides/channels/setup-whatsapp): Finalize the connection
  inside Typewise
* [WhatsApp Configuration](/documentation/behavior/whatsapp): Customize AI
  behavior on the WhatsApp channel

Reference material from Meta:

* [Embedded Signup overview](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/embedded-signup/):
  What happens inside the in-product signup popup
* [Use an existing WhatsApp number with the platform](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/cloud-api/get-started/migrate-existing-whatsapp-number-to-a-business-account/):
  Official migration procedure
* [WhatsApp Business Phone Numbers](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/cloud-api/phone-numbers/):
  Number eligibility, statuses, and management
* [Messaging limits](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/messaging-limits/):
  How messaging tiers scale with verification and quality
* [WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy](https://www.facebook.com/business/help/149394465758671):
  Rules Meta applies to business messaging

***

Contact **Typewise Support** for help.