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Already Have WhatsApp API? How to Migrate to Watobot

A phone number is connected to one WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) at a time, so if your number is already set up with another provider or your own Meta app, it has to be moved to us. It can't be connected in both places.

Moving a number that is already on the Cloud API

Meta's migration flow moves the number to a new WABA through Embedded Signup. Before you start, Meta requires:

  • A verified business portfolio. See our portfolio guide or Meta's business verification steps.
  • A WABA in good standing (not restricted or rejected).
  • A valid payment method on that WABA. How to add one.
  • An approved display name on the number, with no pending display name change. Display name guidelines.
  • Two-step verification disabled on the number. In WhatsApp Manager, go to Account tools → Phone numbers, select your number, open the Two-step verification tab and turn it off. It can't be turned off through the API. If your number has no such tab, there is nothing to disable. Meta's guide.

How the move works

There's no separate step to disconnect from your old provider. Meta's docs describe the move as part of the new provider's onboarding:

  1. Finish the prerequisites above.
  2. Start onboarding in our Dashboard and enter your phone number and display name in the popup.
  3. Meta creates the new WABA under us and moves the number. The old provider's connection ends automatically.
  4. Save your Watobot API key and update your app to send through our endpoint with it. Tokens from your old provider stop working for this number.

One thing to know: your message templates carry over, but their quality ratings reset to UNKNOWN.

Does coexistence still work after migrating?

Meta's migration guide says migrated numbers work only with the Cloud API, which would mean the WhatsApp Business app stops working on that number. We haven't confirmed whether a number already on the Cloud API can be put into coexistence directly. If you want to keep using the Business app, the safest route is to check with Meta support first.

Meta's own docs

Ready to connect your number?

Open the Dashboard →

What you can do for free, and the limits

Know your limits

  • Conversations you start: up to 250 unique customers per 24 hours (rolling window), rising to 2,000 once your business is verified. You can only send messages with an approved template, and you pay a per-message cost based on the customer's country. There is no free monthly quota for these messages.
  • Conversation started by your customer: you can send free form messages for 24 hours after a customer messages you. You get 1000 free responses per month. After the limit, you are charged at 'service' template rate, which is same as utility message.
    Exception: Any customer starting conversation via 'Click to Whatsapp' ad on Instagram/Facebook or by clicking 'chat on whatsapp' CTA on your facebook page, you can respond to them for free for upto 7 days, provided your first response to them was within 24 hour window of they messaging you.

Full details on WhatsApp's pricing page. These are Meta's rules, and they can change.