How to connect WhatsApp to WhatBox

Setup takes about 5 minutes. This guide covers both new numbers and numbers already used in the WhatsApp Business app.

Read this first if you already use the WhatsApp Business app. A phone number can be on the WhatsApp Business app or on the WhatsApp API (which WhatBox uses). Connecting a number that's on the app needs a decision — see “Number already on the WhatsApp Business app” below. Do not move your main business number on a whim: migrating it to the API turns off the WhatsApp Business app for that number. To try WhatBox safely, connect a spare number first — and move your main number over only when you're ready.

Before you start

  • A Facebook account that manages (or will manage) your business — yes, you must log in to Facebook. WhatsApp connection runs through Meta's official “Facebook Login for Business”. This logs you in to Meta only; WhatBox never sees your Facebook password.
  • A phone number for WhatsApp that can receive an SMS or call to verify.
  • About 5 minutes.

Do you have to do all these steps every time?

No. The long version only happens the first time, when you have no Meta business assets yet — so Meta walks you through creating a Business portfolio, a WhatsApp Business account, and confirming your business email. If you (or a client) already have a Meta Business portfolio and WhatsApp Business account, most steps are skipped: you just select the existing assets and verify the number. Phone-number verification is always required.

Step-by-step

  1. Open the connect flow. Sign in to WhatBox → Channels → Connect WhatsApp. A Meta popup opens.
  2. Log in with Facebook. Use the Facebook account that manages your business. (Required — there is no way to connect WhatsApp without it.)
  3. Select business assets. Choose an existing Business portfolio and WhatsApp Business account, or pick “Create a … ” to make new ones.
  4. Enter business information (only for new assets): business name, email, category, country. Meta then sends a “Confirm your business email” message — open it and click Confirm now.
  5. Add your WhatsApp phone number. Pick the country code, type the number, and choose how to verify (text message or phone call).
  6. Enter the 6-digit code from the SMS/call to finish. The channel then shows as Connected in WhatBox.

Number already on the WhatsApp Business app?

If you see “This phone number is already registered to a WhatsApp account”, the number is in use on the WhatsApp Business app. What you can do depends on your country.

About “Coexistence” (keep the app + use the API on one number). Meta has a feature that lets a number stay on the WhatsApp Business app and connect to the API at the same time (you'd scan a QR code, nothing is deleted). However, Meta currently offers it only in: Australia, Japan, Philippines, Russia, South Korea, Turkey, the EEA, the EU and the UK. It is not available in Qatar or the GCC yet, so for a +974 number this option won't appear — you'll need to move the number to the API (below), or use a separate number.

Move the number to the API (for Qatar / GCC numbers)

This moves the number off the WhatsApp Business app to the API. The app will stop working for this number and all messaging happens through WhatBox. It is reversible later, with some downtime.

  1. Back up anything you need from the WhatsApp Business app for this number (chats on the app don't transfer).
  2. In the error message, click “disconnect it from the existing account” — or open the WhatsApp Business app → Settings → Account → Delete account for this number.
  3. Wait up to 3 minutes for Meta to release the number.
  4. Return to the connect popup, click Resend code, and verify with the new 6-digit code.
  5. Add a payment method in WhatsApp Manager — Meta requires this (it's Meta's own conversation billing, separate from WhatBox credits) before you can send.

Prefer to keep the app running?

Until Coexistence reaches Qatar, the simplest way to keep your existing WhatsApp Business app untouched is to connect a different number to WhatBox (a second SIM or a spare line). You can move your main number over later.

Troubleshooting

“Already registered” even after deleting from the app

Meta can take up to 3 minutes to refresh. Wait, then click Resend code. If it persists, close the popup and start Connect WhatsApp again.

The code didn't arrive

Use Resend code, or switch to Phone call verification. Make sure the country code and number are correct.

I don't want to lose my main business WhatsApp

Then don't migrate it. Use Coexistence (Option A) to keep the app, or connect a different number. You can always migrate the main number later, when you're ready to run everything through WhatBox.

Still stuck? Email hello@whatbox.qa — our team will connect your channel with you at no charge.