Connect WhatsApp

Connect WhatsApp to HabariChat

WhatsApp connects through Meta's secure login. HabariChat integrates with the official WhatsApp Business Platform, so your messaging stays compliant with Meta's policies and every conversation lands in your unified inbox.

HabariChat is a Verified WhatsApp Tech Provider. We onboard your number directly onto Meta's official platform, and Meta bills your message costs directly at its published rates (0% markup). See what this means.

Connect your WhatsApp number

Everything WhatsApp starts here, by connecting your number. When you click Connect WhatsApp, a secure Meta popup opens and asks how you want to connect, you pick one of these three options from a dropdown. Choose the one that matches your situation:

Option 1 Set up a brand-new number You don't have a number on WhatsApp yet, or you want a dedicated one just for automation. Option 2 Use a number on Meta You already have a WhatsApp Business Account in Meta Business Manager and want to bring a number in. Option 3 Keep the number on your phone Coexistence: keep chatting from the WhatsApp Business app on your phone and automate at the same time.

After your number is connected, set up WhatsApp Broadcast Marketing to send broadcast campaigns and message templates to reach customers outside the 24-hour window.

Prerequisites

A WhatsApp Business Platform account (set up through Meta).
A dedicated phone number that is not registered to any existing WhatsApp account (personal or virtual). If it is, delete that WhatsApp account first, or choose Coexistence to keep the number active on your phone instead.
Your Meta / Facebook login for the account that owns the number. Credentials are encrypted in transit and never stored in plain text.

Steps

Go to Inboxes and click Connect Channel, then select WhatsApp.
Click Connect WhatsApp. A secure Meta Embedded Signup popup opens directly inside HabariChat.
Log in with Facebook and choose the business portfolio you want to integrate.
Choose how to connect: set up a brand-new number, use a number you already manage on Meta, or keep the number on your phone (Coexistence). See Choose how to connect your number for each walkthrough.
Grant HabariChat the requested permissions and select the account/number to connect.
You're returned to HabariChat and your phone number(s) show as connected.
Send a test message to the number and confirm it appears in your inbox.

How WhatsApp messaging works: the integration answers incoming messages. You can't cold-start a brand-new chat with a user, and after a customer messages you there's a 24-hour service window in which you can reply freely. Outside that window, reaching out uses pre-approved templates, see WhatsApp Broadcast Marketing.

Troubleshooting

Issue	What to do
Number already in use	Disconnect it from any existing tool, or use Coexistence to keep it linked in the WhatsApp mobile app instead of deleting it.
Meta login fails	Use the Meta account that owns the WhatsApp Business number.
No messages appearing	Send a test message, refresh the Inboxes page, and confirm the channel shows as Active.
Permission errors	During the Meta login, grant all the permissions HabariChat requests.
"Failed to get WhatsApp OAuth URL"	Check your internet connection and retry.
Number missing after authorising	Confirm the number is active in Meta Business Manager.
"Phone number already linked to automatic events"	Turn off Auto labels in the WhatsApp Business app (Business tools > Labels), then retry. See the full fix.

Hitting an error in the Meta popup? See all WhatsApp Embedded Signup errors for the message, what it means, and how to fix or report it.

Before connecting, confirm your business isn't in a category Meta restricts on WhatsApp, and note that political parties, politicians, and campaigns are prohibited entirely. See prohibited & regulated industries, political parties & government, and the WhatsApp Business Policy explained.

Choose how to connect your number

When you click Connect WhatsApp, a secure Meta popup opens right inside HabariChat. Because HabariChat is a Verified WhatsApp Tech Provider, the whole onboarding happens in that one window: you never leave the dashboard and you never copy secret keys by hand.

You'll pick one of three ways to connect, based on what your number is doing today. Each one has its own step-by-step guide:

Set up a brand-new number

You don't have a number on WhatsApp yet, or you want a dedicated one just for automation. The popup registers your business and creates your WhatsApp Business Account.

Read the guide

Use a number on Meta

You already have a WhatsApp Business Account in Meta Business Manager and want to bring one of its numbers in. No business re-registration needed.

Read the guide

Keep on your phone (Coexistence)

Keep chatting from the WhatsApp Business app on your phone and automate at the same time. Replies sync both ways, the gentlest option for a number in daily use.

Read the guide

Before you start (all options)

A Facebook login that is an admin of your business portfolio. To check: go to Business Settings > Users > People, find your name, and confirm the Role column shows Admin (not Employee).
A phone number that can receive an SMS or voice code. For a brand-new API number it must not already be on any WhatsApp account; for Coexistence it must already be active in the WhatsApp Business app.
Your business details (legal business name and website or social profile) if you'll be registering a new business.

Not sure which one fits? New to WhatsApp Business or want automation-only? Pick a brand-new number. Already on Meta Business Manager? Use a number you manage on Meta. Want to keep your phone app? Choose Coexistence.

Want faster support if something needs Meta's involvement? You can optionally add Habari Labs as a partner in Meta Business Settings. It's separate from connecting your number above and only affects how we can support your account.

Need a hand mid-setup? Message us on WhatsApp and we'll walk you through it live.

Common questions

Do I need a separate phone number to use WhatsApp on HabariChat?

For a dedicated API number, you need a number that is not registered to any existing WhatsApp account, personal or virtual. If you want to keep using your current number in the WhatsApp Business app, choose the Coexistence option instead, which links the same number to the API while you keep chatting from your phone.

Is HabariChat an official WhatsApp provider?

Yes. HabariChat is a Verified WhatsApp Business Platform Tech Provider. We onboard your number directly onto Meta's official platform, and Meta bills your message costs directly at its published rates with no markup.

Can I reply to any customer at any time on WhatsApp?

After a customer messages you there is a 24-hour service window in which you can reply freely. Outside that window, reaching out uses pre-approved message templates. You cannot cold-start a brand-new chat with a user who has never messaged you.

What does the error "Number already registered" mean?

For a new API number, it means the number is already on an existing WhatsApp account. Delete that account in the WhatsApp app and retry, or use the Coexistence option to keep the number on your phone and link it to the API.