# WhatsApp > Connect your Quickchat AI Agent to WhatsApp Business. This guide covers prerequisites, setup steps, and going live with WhatsApp messaging. This guide shows how to integrate your **Quickchat AI Agent** with **WhatsApp**. The process is divided into **3 simple steps**: - **Step 0** - Prerequisites - **Step 1** - Connect your Meta Business Account - **Step 2** - Connect your WhatsApp Business Account If you have problems with integration or need help, go to [Troubleshooting & FAQs](#troubleshooting--faqs) section or [contact us](https://quickchat.ai/contact). ## Watch the Video [Watch on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFRbfAY9vZA) ## Step 0 - Prerequisites ### A. Business Phone Number Decide **which phone number** you’ll use for WhatsApp. You can [read more in WhatsApp documentation](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/cloud-api/phone-numbers) or follow the FAQs below: **Which number can be used in WhatsApp Cloud API?** - You need to use a **dedicated business phone number** that can receive **SMS or voice calls** for verification. - The number must be valid, owned by you, and have a country and area code. **Can I use a number that is already used in WhatsApp Messenger?** - **No**. You can continue using this number for calls and texts, but **not in WhatsApp Messenger**. - If the number is already used in WhatsApp Messenger, [delete it first](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/cloud-api/get-started/migrate-existing-whatsapp-number-to-a-business-account). Don't forget to [back up your WhatsApp chat history](https://faq.whatsapp.com/481135090640375). - Banned numbers must be unbanned before registering. **Can I use a number that is already used by WhatsApp Business App?** - **Yes**. If your number is currently used in the **WhatsApp Business App**, you may be able to onboard it to the Cloud API without deleting the app account. [Read more about **Coexistence** onboarding](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/embedded-signup/custom-flows/onboarding-business-app-users/) in Meta documentation. **Can I use a new phone number?** - **Yes**, if you prefer not to use your current number, get a **new number** (physical SIM or virtual number). You can buy a virtual phone number from services such as [Hushed](https://hushed.com/). ### B. Business Information Have these details ready (you’ll enter them during the Meta integration flow): - Business name - Business website - Business category - Business description :::caution Even if some fields seem optional, **fill them accurately**. Missing or inaccurate info can delay approval or cause account restrictions. ::: ## Step 1 — Connect your Meta Business Account Open the [Quickchat AI App](https://app.quickchat.ai) → **External Apps** → **WhatsApp** → click **Connect your Meta Business Account** button and follow the Meta pop-up: 1. Log in to your Meta (Facebook) account. 2. Click **Get Started**. 3. Provide accurate business details (Business Portfolio, Business Name, Business Website, Country, etc.). 4. Create or select your WhatsApp Business Account. 5. Choose a WhatsApp Business display name and category. 6. Add your **business phone number** and verify it via SMS/voice as prompted. 7. Click **Confirm** to give Quickchat AI required access. 8. When you see _"You're now ready to chat with people on WhatsApp"_, the connection is complete! Click **Finish** button. If no errors appear, you have successfully connected the phone number 🎉 Otherwise, please revisit **Prerequisites** above to make sure you correctly provided your business phone number and information. ## Step 2 — Connect your WhatsApp Business Account In the same WhatsApp modal in [Quickchat AI App](https://app.quickchat.ai) → **External Apps** → **WhatsApp** → click **Connect your WhatsApp Business Account** button and follow the Meta pop-up: 1. Log in to **the same** Meta (Facebook) account used in Step 1. 2. Select the **WhatsApp Business Account** from Step 1 and click **Continue**. 3. Review requested permissions and click **Save**. 4. When you see a Meta confirmation that you've connected to Quickchat AI, click **Got it**. 5. After several seconds, you should see a confirmation from Quickchat AI, that WhatsApp account has been connected, and the widow will close automatically. **That’s it — you’re live!** 🎉 Customers can now message your WhatsApp number, and your AI Agent will respond automatically. :::tip As a final verification of your integration, send a text message to the WhatsApp number you just connected. You should get a reply from your AI Agent and the conversation should appear in the [Quickchat AI App](https://app.quickchat.ai) Inbox. In the Inbox, you should also see message from WhatsApp with a link to [Setup guidance](https://business.facebook.com/latest/whatsapp_manager/setup_guidance) in [WhatsApp Manager](https://business.facebook.com/latest/whatsapp_manager). Follow the link to complete your WhatsApp onboarding. ::: ## Troubleshooting & FAQs **How WhatsApp Business API Pricing Works?** - Replies to user-initiated (**inbound**) customer inquiries are trated by WhatsApp as **Service messages**. These messages enable businesses to manage incoming customer inquiries, whether that is via a human agent or a conversational AI-powered bot. - When users message a business, this opens a **24-hour customer service window** during which businesses can respond with service messages, **at no charge**. This window **resets with each user message**. - **Outside 24 hours**, you must use **approved Message Templates** (Marketing, Utility, Authentication, etc.) and pay per-message according to [WhatsApp Business Platform Message Rates](https://business.whatsapp.com/products/platform-pricing). - Conversations are **categorized and billed** by Meta. Ensure your WhatsApp Business Account has a **valid payment method** for business‑initiated/template messages. **Step 1 and/or Step 2 buttons do not work. I don’t see the Meta pop-up.** - Disable **pop-up and tracker blockers** in your browser, refresh the website and try again. If it doesn't help, try a different browser. **Number verification failed.** - Ensure the number can receive SMS/voice calls and isn’t blocked by an active registration path that Meta doesn’t allow to coexist. If the number is used in the **Business App**, try [onboarding via **Coexistence**](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/embedded-signup/custom-flows/onboarding-business-app-users/). **I connected the wrong account.** - Repeat **Step 1** and **Step 2** using the correct Meta Business account and WhatsApp Account. **Messages aren’t appearing in the Quickchat AI Inbox.** - Confirm **Step 2** showed the final confirmation message: _"WhatsApp account connected!"_. - Double-check you linked the intended **WhatsApp Account** and the correct **AI Agent** is selected. - If you’re sending messages **after 24 hours** without a user message, use **approved templates** and ensure a **payment method** is set in [WhatsApp Manager](https://business.facebook.com/latest/whatsapp_manager). **Template or business‑initiated messages fail.** - Verify your **Message Templates** are **approved** and your **payment method** is active in [WhatsApp Manager](https://business.facebook.com/latest/whatsapp_manager). - New senders start with **messaging limits** that scale based on quality and verification. If you hit limits for business‑initiated messaging, review [Meta’s **Messaging Limits** guidance](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/messaging-limits/). - Check **messaging limits** and **quality rating** in [WhatsApp Manager](https://business.facebook.com/latest/whatsapp_manager) if delivery is throttled. **How to create my own WhatsApp link and "Chat on WhatsApp" button?** - Follow [this WhatsApp tutorial](https://faq.whatsapp.com/5913398998672934). - Or [download WhatsApp brand button designs](https://scontent-ams2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.8562-6/300768190_383340503990757_1334850925137629076_n.zip?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=b8d81d&_nc_ohc=MY4iaAUhNOYQ7kNvwGbBOyg&_nc_oc=AdnaKELueG_e1Nji2KyGf3coQZnkkn25TIfUlmTuosLDw7myN_glr8hmXq9Dvd1FSXw&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-ams2-1.xx&_nc_gid=mroZ20HBM9XvukXLRU2IGA&oh=00_Afvm-UG8ITS_Ikr5RO_GjyCVU1FolW4_Bh0HcpDZAZ5E-A&oe=69925CDE) and use one of these inline scripts: ```html Chat on WhatsApp ``` or ```html Chat on WhatsApp ``` **How to create my own WhatsApp QR code?** - Visit [WhatsApp Manager](https://business.facebook.com/latest/whatsapp_manager) → **Phone numbers** → select your business phone number → **Message links** → **Create Message Link**. - Alternatively you can find it in your WhatsApp Business mobile app. Follow [this WhatsApp tutorial](https://faq.whatsapp.com/888878128766436). **If we connect via coexistence, can we disconnect later?** - **Yes, at any time.** From inside the WhatsApp Business App, go to **Settings → Account → Business Platform → Disconnect**. - The number stays live on the Business App, and your contacts and existing chat history are unaffected. - Quickchat AI's API access ends immediately. - You can also pause integration without disconnecting by simply stopping outbound messages from Quickchat AI. **What access does Quickchat AI get to our WhatsApp Business Account?** - **Scoped API access, not account ownership.** Your WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) lives in your own Meta Business Manager — under Meta's WABA Sharing model, you own the assets and Quickchat AI is added as a partner you can revoke at any time from Business Manager. - We can send and receive messages through the Cloud API and receive message events via webhook while integration is active. - We cannot close, transfer, or rebrand your account, change billing, or remove your administrators. ## Need Help? Chat with Quickchat’s Support AI on WhatsApp: 📱 **+1 302-405-9992** — [Start a chat](https://wa.me/message/LHARULDFIUEZL1) Or scan the QR code: ![WhatsApp QR code](https://docs.quickchat.ai/_astro/qr.B3rXtjHl.png)