If you want to connect to WhatsApp Business API (WABA), the first thing you need to decide is which number to choose for this service. Is it possible to use a city number for WhatsApp? How to transfer an existing business number to WABA?
Let's understand the most common questions that arise when connecting official WhatsApp.
What requirements does WhatsApp set for a phone number for WABA?
The main requirements for the number are:
1. The number must include the country and area code. Therefore, short numbers such as 3333 or 4444 cannot be used.
2. You can use a PBX landline (virtual) number to connect to the WhatsApp Business API. To avoid missing a verification call or message, disable interactive voice response and set up a digital PBX. To do this, when registering the number, specify the country code from which you will receive incoming calls
You can choose a number with the code "800". The main requirement is that you can be reached or send an SMS.
3. To complete the verification, confirm that the number belongs to you or your company. For example, provide payment receipts for communication charges - this option requires minimal time and effort.
4. The number for WABA should not be connected to the "regular" WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business app. It is better to use a new phone number so that you don't waste time migrating your old WhatsApp number and connecting it to WhatsApp Business API.
If you need to use a phone number previously associated with WhatsApp, you'll need to delete your "regular" WhatsApp account and use a special migration procedure in WABA - we'll tell you more about it below.
To migrate a number:
1. Manually delete the "regular" WhatsApp account
2. Register with the WhatsApp Business API
Please note: migrating a number will not save the messages you received before the process. So, if you need your correspondence history, please upload it manually before migrating.