Choosing a Connection Method
A quick decision guide — connect a new number with one-click signup, keep using the WhatsApp Business App with Coexistence, or connect manually with your own Meta app.
There are three ways to bring a number into Wably. The right one depends on the number you want to use.
Quick decision guide#
| Your situation | Use this method |
|---|---|
| A fresh number, or one not currently on WhatsApp | One-click signup (recommended) |
| A number already running on the WhatsApp Business App that you want to keep using on your phone | Coexistence |
| One-click signup fails, or you already manage your own Meta Developer App | Manual connection |
| A number currently connected to another provider | Move from another provider first |
One-click signup (Embedded Signup)#
You click Connect WhatsApp in Wably, log in with Facebook, and Meta's own pop-up walks you through choosing a Business Portfolio, creating a WhatsApp Business Account and verifying your number by OTP. Wably receives the connection automatically. This is the fastest and most reliable path.
Coexistence#
Coexistence lets one number work in both the WhatsApp Business App on your phone and Wably at the same time. Your chat history stays, your staff can still reply from the phone, and Wably adds automation on top. There are a few trade-offs — see Coexistence.
Manual connection#
You create the WhatsApp setup inside your own Meta Developer App, then paste a few IDs and a permanent access token into Wably. It takes longer and is easier to get wrong, so only use it when the other two options don't fit.
A number registered on the personal WhatsApp app must be backed up and deleted from that app first, or moved to the WhatsApp Business App and connected using Coexistence. A number cannot be on personal WhatsApp and the Cloud API at the same time.