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To deploy agents to production with your own phone numbers and business branding, you need to connect a WhatsApp Business Account (WABA).

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Why Connect Your Own Account?

FeatureTest ModeYour WABA
Phone numberShared Wassist numberYour dedicated number(s)
Business nameGenericYour company name
Verified badgeNoPossible (via Meta)
Message templatesLimitedFull access
Messaging limitsLowScales with reputation
Business profileNoneCustom logo, description, hours

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Getting Started

You have several options for connecting WhatsApp to your agents:

Connect Your Own Account

Bring your existing WhatsApp Business Account or create a new one through Meta’s signup flow.

Use WhatsApp Business App

Migrate from the WhatsApp Business App to the API platform.

Free Test Number

Get a free test number while waiting for Meta approval—perfect for development.

Wassist UK Line

Use a Wassist-provided dedicated UK phone number—no setup required.

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Prerequisites

To connect your own WhatsApp Business Account, you need:
  • A Facebook account (personal account is fine—you can create a Business account during signup)
That’s it! The WhatsApp Accounts page in Wassist guides you through creating or connecting everything else.
Don’t have your own phone number to use? Choose a Wassist UK Line or start with a Free Test Number to get started immediately.

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Connecting Your Own Account

1

Go to WhatsApp Accounts

In your Wassist dashboard, navigate to WhatsApp Accounts from the sidebar.
2

Choose Connection Method

Click Connect WhatsApp Account and select your preferred option:
  • Connect existing WABA — If you already have a WhatsApp Business Account
  • Create new account — Start fresh with Meta’s Embedded Signup
  • Migrate from Business App — Move from WhatsApp Business App to the API
3

Log into Facebook

Sign in with your Facebook account. If you don’t have a Facebook Business account yet, you can create one during this process.
4

Configure Your Business

For new accounts, enter:
  • Business display name
  • Business category
  • Business description
For existing accounts, select your WhatsApp Business Account from the list.
5

Add a Phone Number

Choose how to get your number:
  • Your own number — Enter and verify via SMS or voice call
  • Free test number — Get a temporary number for development
  • Wassist UK line — Use a dedicated UK number we provide
6

Complete Setup

Once connected, you’re redirected back to Wassist. Your WhatsApp account appears in the list, ready to deploy agents.

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Using a Wassist-Provided Number

If you don’t want to use your own phone number, Wassist offers dedicated UK lines:
  1. Go to WhatsApp Accounts
  2. Click Get a Wassist Number
  3. Select an available UK number
  4. Your number is instantly ready—no verification needed
Wassist-provided numbers have the same capabilities as your own numbers. They’re ideal for getting started quickly or for businesses that don’t need a specific phone number.

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Using a Free Test Number

While waiting for Meta to approve your business, you can use a free test number:
  1. During the connection flow, select Use test number
  2. You’ll receive a temporary number for development
  3. Once approved, you can migrate to your permanent number
Test numbers have some limitations:
  • Can only message numbers you’ve registered as testers
  • Limited messaging volume
  • Not suitable for production use

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Understanding WhatsApp Business Account Structure

  • Facebook Business Account — Your company’s presence on Facebook
  • WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) — Container for your WhatsApp presence
  • Phone Numbers — Individual numbers under your WABA
  • Agents — You can deploy different agents to different numbers

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Adding More Phone Numbers

Once connected, you can add additional phone numbers:
  1. Go to Settings → WhatsApp Accounts
  2. Click on your connected account
  3. Click Add Phone Number
  4. Follow the verification process
You can have multiple phone numbers under one WABA—useful for different departments, regions, or products.

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Using Pre-Verified Numbers

If you have phone numbers pre-verified through Twilio or another provider, you can add them without the verification step:
  1. Go to Settings → WhatsApp Accounts
  2. Click Add Pre-Verified Number
  3. Select from available pre-verified numbers
  4. Choose which WABA to add it to

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Business Verification

Meta may require business verification for higher messaging limits and the verified badge. This involves:
  1. Submitting official business documents
  2. Meta reviewing your business
  3. Approval (typically 2-10 business days)
You can start this process from:
  • Meta Business Suite → Settings → Business Verification
  • Or follow prompts in Wassist when limits are reached

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Setting Up Your Business Profile

After connecting, customize your WhatsApp Business Profile:
  1. Go to Settings → WhatsApp Accounts
  2. Click on your account
  3. Click Edit Profile
  4. Fill in:
    • About — Short description (max 139 characters)
    • Address — Your business location
    • Email — Contact email
    • Website — Your website URLs
    • Category — Business category
    • Profile Picture — Your logo (recommended: 640x640px)
Changes to your business profile may take up to 24 hours to appear on all users’ devices.

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Troubleshooting

If the connection process fails:
  1. Clear your browser cookies
  2. Try a different browser
  3. Ensure pop-ups are allowed for the Wassist site
  4. Try again from WhatsApp Accounts
If you want to use a number that’s already active on WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business:
  1. Open WhatsApp on that phone
  2. Delete your WhatsApp account (Settings → Account → Delete my account)
  3. Wait 24 hours
  4. Try connecting again
Alternatively, use a Wassist UK line or free test number to get started immediately.
If you don’t receive the SMS/call when verifying your own number:
  1. Check the number is correct (including country code)
  2. Ensure the phone can receive SMS/calls
  3. Try the alternative verification method
  4. Wait a few minutes and request a new code
For higher messaging limits and the verified badge, Meta requires business verification. This is separate from phone verification and requires official documents. You can still use your agent while verification is pending.
  • Just testing? → Use a free test number
  • Ready for production but no number? → Get a Wassist UK line
  • Have an existing WhatsApp Business Account? → Connect your existing WABA
  • Using WhatsApp Business App? → Migrate to the API platform
  • Want your own branded number? → Connect your own account with your number

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SDK Alternative

Create a WhatsApp link session programmatically: 
// Create a link session
const session = await client.whatsappLinkSessions.create({
  successUrl: 'https://yourapp.com/whatsapp/success',
  returnUrl: 'https://yourapp.com/whatsapp/return',
});

// Redirect user to the link URL
window.location.href = session.linkUrl;

// After redirect, check status
const updatedSession = await client.whatsappLinkSessions.get(session.id);
if (updatedSession.status === 'SUCCESS') {
  // Account connected successfully
}

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What’s Next

Deploy Your Agent

Assign an agent to your connected phone number.

Message Templates

Create templates for outbound messaging.