WhatsApp Cloud API Setup

Optimize your customer engagement by integrating WhatsApp Business Cloud API with waatee. This step-by-step guide covers everything from Facebook Business Verification to connecting your WhatsApp Business account in waatee.

1. Create a Business Portfolio and Meta Developer App #

Create a Meta Business Portfolio

1. Log in to Facebook → open business.facebook.com.
2. In the left sidebar, click the portfolio dropdown ▾ (shows your name).
3. Hit Create a Business Portfolio at the bottom.
4. Enter Portfolio name (use your legal/trade name).
5. Add a business email you monitor → Next.
6. (Optional) Invite teammates or skip for later.
7. Review details → Create.

2. Create a Meta Developer App #

• Go to developers.facebook.com, then navigate to “My Apps” or “Create App” and click Create App
  
  
  
  
  
• Select Other use case, then Business app type.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Enter App Name, Contact Email, and connect your business portfolio, then click Create app
  
  
  
  

3. Verify Your Facebook Business Portfolio #

Before using WhatsApp Cloud API, ensure your Facebook Business Portfolio is verified:

• Open Business Settings in Meta Business Suite.
• Navigate to Business Info and click View details under the Business verification status section.
  
  
  
  
  
• In Security Center, find Business Verification and click Start verification.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Follow the prompts: Select your business type (e.g., Sole Proprietorship)
  
   

• Enter business registration status
  
  
  
  
  
• Provide business details and documents
• Choose contact method and verify via SMS or your preferred method.
  
  
  
  
  
• Upon successful review, your business status will show as Verified
  
  
  
  

Meta review typically takes 1–2 business days.

4. Add WhatsApp Product #

• In App Dashboard, scroll to Add products to your app and click Set up on WhatsApp.
  
  
  
  

• Under WhatsApp Business Platform API, select your business portfolio and click Continue.
  
  
  
  
  

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5. Set Up WhatsApp Business Profile #

• Go to API Setup, navigate to Step 5 and click “Add phone number”
  
  
  
  
  
• Fill in your WhatsApp display name, Timezone, and Category then click Next
  
  
  
  
  
• Add and verify a phone number via SMS or call  
  
  
  
  
  
• Confirmation shows your WhatsApp Business Account created
  
  

6. Configure API & Payment #

• In API Setup, choose or add your phone number, then click Generate access token
• Click Add payment method to set billing under Billing & payments in Business Settings
  
  
  
  
  
• Verify your credit card appears under Payment methods
  
  
  

7. Configure Webhooks (Receive Messages) #

• In Developer Dashboard, go to WhatsApp > API Setup, click Configure webhooks
  
  
  
  
  
• Enter your Callback URL and Verify token from waatee, click Verify and save
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Under Webhook fields, enable messages and test subscription
  
  
  
  

8. Publish App Live & Add Policies #

• Go to App settings > Basic, set your Privacy Policy & Terms of Service URLs, click Save changes
• Toggle App Mode to Live in App Dashboard.
  
  
  
  

9. Create System User & Generate Token #

• In Business Settings > Users > System users, click Add and name your user (Admin role) 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Assign App asset with Manage app permission, then WhatsApp accounts with Manage WhatsApp business accounts  
  
  
  
  
  
• Generate a non-expiring token: Generate token → Select App → Never expire → business_management, catalog_management, whatsapp_business_management, whatsapp_business_messaging
  
  
  
  
  
   
• Lastly, copy the token to a safe place.

10. Connect in waatee & Register Phone #

• Copy your WhatsApp Business Account ID from Business Settings
  
  
  
  
  
  
• In waatee Connect Account, paste Business Account ID and Access Token, then click Connect
  
  
  
  
  
• Click Register next to your phone number in waatee, enter the default PIN (e.g., 123456), then Register
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Finally, update your Two‑step verification PIN in WhatsApp Manager > Phone numbers > Two‑step verification for added security