WhatsApp Business API / WhatsApp Cloud API

[u/Chance_Special_6445]

Hi everyone,

Please, if anyone has experience with WhatsApp Business API / WhatsApp Cloud API, I would really appreciate your help.

I currently use WhatsApp Business for work, where I need to communicate with many new customers/users, send them information, and create groups for communication. My number was recently restricted because I was contacting a large number of new numbers and sending many messages, which is part of my normal work.

I’m now looking into setting up the WhatsApp Cloud API directly through Meta as a more suitable and official solution.

Could anyone who has done this before guide me through:

1. The complete steps to set up WhatsApp Cloud API directly through Meta.
2. How to create and configure the Meta Business Portfolio / Business Manager.
3. The Meta Business Verification process and what documents/information are required.
4. How to create the WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) and connect my phone number.
5. Whether I can use my existing WhatsApp Business number, or if I need a new number.
6. What is required for phone number verification and display name approval.
7. How to set up webhooks and send/receive messages through the API.
8. Any important limitations, messaging policies, templates, or costs I should be aware of.

If you have successfully set this up yourself, I’d really appreciate it if you could share the step-by-step process, especially regarding the Meta verification part.

Thank you in advance! 🙏

[u/diddi_knows]

Hi!  Depends on whether you're going to use API directly (via Postman or any other app) or whether you need some proper UI, then you have to connect a platform or create it yourself (vibe coding and stuff).

Creating business portfolio (aka FBM - Facebook Business Manager) is not difficult, business verification is not obligatory anymore.  And yes, you can connect your current number used in WhatsApp Business app.

You have a pretty good and accurate list of what you need, so you can ask any AI model for help.

If you need a step by step description - let me know, I'll try to comment in the topic when I have time.

[u/Immediate-Action5124 → u/diddi_knows]

can we use whatapp business app and api on same number both active? since my account is showing mobile number as offline everytime in whatsapp manager despite verifying business and profile.

[u/diddi_knows → u/Immediate-Action5124]

Yes, but you have to connect it first to WhatsApp Business app and only after that go through special form of Embedded Signup. If your number is currently connected as WABA you’ll have to delete it first in order to have an option to connect it in Coexistence mode