You apply for the WhatsApp Business API through a Meta Business account: you create an account, have your company verified, add a phone number that isn't already in use in WhatsApp, set a display name, and connect the number to your platform. After that you submit your first message templates. The technical steps take about an hour; the lead time depends on Meta's verification, usually a few days.
The steps
- 1Create a Meta Business account (or use your existing one) at business.facebook.com.
- 2Start business verification: enter your company registration details and upload a supporting document where the company name matches exactly.
- 3Pick a phone number that isn't in use in WhatsApp or the WhatsApp Business App. A landline or a new mobile number both work.
- 4Add a WhatsApp Business account and register the number with the verification code.
- 5Set your display name and business profile: name, category, description, address, and website.
- 6Connect the number to Easy Flow Builder and test a conversation in the editor.
- 7Submit your first message templates and publish your flow.
Where people get stuck
- Using a number that's still in the WhatsApp Business App — remove it there first
- Business verification with documents whose name doesn't exactly match your company registration
- Choosing a display name that doesn't resemble your company name; Meta rejects those
- Submitting templates with promotional copy in the utility category
- Assuming your number can send high volume right away: your limit grows along with your quality rating
How long it takes
The technical setup is an hour's work. With a complete file, business verification often takes a few days; if documents are missing, it can run longer. Templates are usually reviewed within a few minutes to a day.
Help during onboarding
Onboarding at Meta is the hardest part of the process, so our AI assistant walks you through it step by step: you paste a screenshot of your screen and the assistant tells you which button you need. See the AI assistant.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a registered business?
Yes. Meta verifies your company and asks for details that match an official registration. Without one, you won't get through business verification.
Can I use my existing WhatsApp number?
Only if you remove the number from the WhatsApp Business App or regular WhatsApp first. The conversation history on that device is lost when you do.
Do I need a Facebook page?
A Meta Business account is required; a public Facebook page is usually not needed for WhatsApp onboarding.
How many messages am I allowed to send at the start?
New numbers start with a limited daily allowance for conversations you initiate. That limit grows automatically as long as your quality rating stays good.
Does applying cost money?
Meta charges nothing for the application itself. You pay per delivered message, plus your platform's subscription.