Connect WhatsApp Business Account (WABA)
This guide walks you through connecting your WhatsApp Business Account to WAB2C using Meta Developer credentials. From webhook configuration to full message testing, you will learn how to authenticate, connect, and verify your WhatsApp Cloud API integration.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, make sure you have the following:
- A Meta App with the WhatsApp product enabled
- A verified business and verified phone number
- Access to your WAB2C Admin Panel
- An active WAB2C subscription plan with WhatsApp API access
Step 1: Create a Meta App
Visit Facebook for Developers
Go to the Meta Developer portal and navigate to the "My Apps" tab to start a new app.
Screenshot 1 - Meta Developer My Apps Page
The My Apps tab on Meta Developer portal showing the option to create a new application.
Select "Business" App Type
On the "Create an App" page, select "Business" as the application type and press Next.
Screenshot 2 - Create App Type Selection
App type selection screen showing Business option highlighted for WhatsApp integration.
Complete Business Details
Enter your Display Name, App Contact Email, and optionally select a Business Account. Click "Create App."
Screenshot 3 - Business Details Form
Business details form with fields for display name, contact email, and business account selection.
Add WhatsApp Product
On the product page, scroll down to find the WhatsApp section and click the "Set up" button to add WhatsApp to your app.
Screenshot 4 - Add WhatsApp Product
Product page showing the WhatsApp section with the Set Up button to enable WhatsApp integration.
Step 2: Add and Verify Phone Number
Navigate to API Setup
Go to API setup from the left menu and click "Add phone number" to register your WhatsApp Cloud API phone number.
Screenshot 5 - Add Phone Number Button
API Setup page showing the Add Phone Number button in the phone number management section.
Fill WhatsApp Business Profile
A modal form will appear. Provide your WhatsApp Business Profile Display Name, select a Timezone, choose a Category, and optionally add a business description. Click Next.
Screenshot 6 - WhatsApp Business Profile Form
Profile information form with display name, timezone, category, and business description fields.
Verify Your Phone Number
Enter your phone number and choose verification via text message or phone call. After verification, click "Save changes" and enable live mode by clicking the toggle button.
Screenshot 7 - Phone Number Verification
Phone verification screen with options for text message or phone call verification and live mode toggle.
Step 3: Generate Permanent Access Token
Go to Business Settings
From the API Setup page, click "See the overview page" (Step 5). On the overview page, select Business Settings.
Screenshot 8 - Business Settings Navigation
Business Facebook overview page with Business Settings option in the menu for system user creation.
Create a System User
In the left sidebar of Business Settings, select System users. Click Add, enter a system user name, choose a role (employee or admin), and create the system user.
Screenshot 9 - Create System User
System user creation form showing name field and role selection (employee or admin) options.
Add Assets and Permissions
Select the user, click "Add Assets." Choose the Apps menu, select your app, and grant full control permission. Click "Save changes."
Screenshot 10 - Add Assets and Permissions
Asset assignment modal showing app selection with full control permission toggle enabled.
Generate the Token
Click "Generate new token." Select your app from the dropdown, then choose the following permissions:
- - Business management
- - Catalog management
- - WhatsApp business messaging
- - WhatsApp business management
Click "Generate token" and copy and save the access token securely.
Screenshot 11 - Generate Access Token
Token generation modal showing app selection and permission checkboxes for WhatsApp Business API access.
Important: Save Your Token
Copy and save the access token immediately. You will not be able to view it again. Store it securely as it provides full API access to your WhatsApp Business Account.
Step 4: Connect to WAB2C
Obtain Your WABA ID
Go to the Business Settings tab, select the WhatsApp account menu in the left sidebar, and copy your WhatsApp Business Account ID.
Enter Credentials in WAB2C
In the WAB2C dashboard, click the Connect WhatsApp menu in the left sidebar. Enter the access token and WhatsApp Business Account ID, then click Connect.
Screenshot 12 - WAB2C Connect WABA Form
WAB2C dashboard Connect WhatsApp page showing input fields for WABA ID and access token with Connect button.
Connection Success
After successful connection, a success message will appear. You can also debug your access token by clicking "Debug Token" and click "Configure" to finalize setup.
WhatsApp Business API Integration Details
Screenshot 13 - WABA Integration Dashboard
Full WABA integration dashboard showing access token information, phone details, account health, test messaging, and QR code.
Access Token Information
- Token: Unique authentication token (partially visible for security)
- Permission Scopes: catalog_management, business_management, whatsapp_business_management, public_profile
- Issued At: Date and time of token generation
- Expiry: Token expiration status (N/A for permanent tokens)
- Webhook URL: URL for receiving WhatsApp events
Phone Information
- Display Phone Number: Registered WhatsApp number
- Verified Business Name: Officially verified name
- Phone Number ID: WhatsApp internal identifier
- Quality Indicator: GREEN = good delivery compliance
- Message Limit: Daily message sending capacity
WABA Health & Status
- Overall Health: Last checked timestamp and status
- WhatsApp Business ID: Your unique WABA identifier
- Status: AVAILABLE indicates no issues
- Message Capability: Multiple identifiers marked AVAILABLE
- Refresh Button: Manually check current health
Testing & Verification
- Send Test Message: Enter phone number with country code and send a verification message
- Webhook Verification: Verify webhook is correctly set up and active
- QR Code: Scan to start a chat with your business number
- WhatsApp URL: Direct chat link with copy button
Connection Requirements Checklist
- Mobile Number - Registered phone number on Meta
- Facebook Developer Account - Business app with WhatsApp product added
- WhatsApp Business Profile - Verified phone number with live mode enabled
- System User & Access Token - Permanent token with correct permissions
- Verified Setup - Use WhatsApp Cloud API debug tools to check configuration