WhatsApp Cloud API Get Started

• Facebook account or managed Meta account
• Developer registration
  • If not yet registered, visit the developer registration page and follow the prompts.
• WhatsApp-enabled device for sending and receiving test messages

1. Open the Meta App Dashboard to create a new Meta app with the WhatsApp use case.
2. Click Create App.
3. Add your app’s name and your email.
4. Select the Connect with customers through WhatsApp use case and click Next.
5. Select an existing business portfolio or create a new one.
6. A list of publishing requirements are listed. You may not have any at this point. Click Next.
7. Confirm your details, use case, and business portfolio. Click Previous to make changes or Create app to complete app creation.

1. Click the Start using the API button to set up the API by adding a phone number and sending your first message. You are redirected to the API Setup page.
2. In the API Setup section, connect your app to a WhatsApp Business Account. This connection allows your app to access the WhatsApp Cloud API and send messages on behalf of your business. Select an existing WhatsApp Business Account or create a new one:
   • To use an existing account: Select the WhatsApp Business Account from the dropdown menu.
   • To create a new account: Click Create a WhatsApp Business Account and follow the prompts to set up your business profile.
3. Once connected, you will see your WhatsApp Business Account ID displayed in the API Setup panel.
   • Save this ID for use in API calls.

Note: If you created a new Meta Business Portfolio during app creation, a WhatsApp Business Account may have been automatically created for you. Verify the connection in the API Setup section before proceeding.

1. Click Generate access token to generate a temporary access token to send a test message.
2. Select a From phone number, or add a new one, from the dropdown menu.
3. Add a To phone number that will receive the test message.
4. Click the Send message button to send your first message.
   • Make sure to retain both your test phone number ID and WhatsApp Business Account ID for later use.
5. Once you receive the message you sent, make sure to reply back to keep the conversation going.

• Permissions and features - View required and optional permissions for this use case and add them to an App Review submission, if applicable.
• Quickstart - Start using the API and learn how to scale your business, improve ROI, and manage your WhatsApp Business account.
• API Setup - Generate access tokens, send and receive messages, and configure webhooks and the WhatsApp SDK.
• Configuration - Configure webhooks and the WhatsApp SDK.
• Resources – View the WhatsApp developer documentation, Meta Blueprint courses, and support resources.
• Tech Provider onboarding – Start scaling the WhatsApp Business Platform for your business.
• Partner Solutions – Create a partner solution.
• Embedded Signup Builder – Integrate Embedded Signup flow into your website or client portal.

{
  "object": "whatsapp_business_account",
  "entry": [
    {
      "id": "215589313241560883",
      "changes": [
        {
          "value": {
            "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
            "metadata": {
              "display_phone_number": "15551797781",
              "phone_number_id": "7794189252778687"
            },
            "contacts": [
              {
                "profile": {
                  "name": "Jessica Laverdetman"
                },
                "wa_id": "13557825698"
              }
            ],
            "messages": [
              {
                "from": "17863559966",
                "id": "wamid.HBgLMTc4NjM1NTk5NjYVAGHAYWYET688aASGNTI1QzZFQjhEMDk2QQA=",
                "timestamp": "1758254144",
                "text": {
                  "body": "Hi!"
                },
                "type": "text"
              }
            ]
          },
          "field": "messages"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

1. Navigate to Business Settings⁠ and click System users in the sidebar.
2. Click the Add+ button in the upper-right corner and follow the prompts to create a new system user.
3. Select the new system user you created, and click Assign Assets.
   • Select your app and toggle Manage app under Full control.
   • Select your WhatsApp account and toggle Manage WhatsApp Business Accounts under Full control.
   • Click the Assign assets button.
4. Click Generate token.
   • Follow the prompts to generate your token.
   • Add the following permissions to the token:
     • business_management
     • whatsapp_business_messaging
     • whatsapp_business_management
   • Copy the token and store it in a secure place to be used in the later steps.

curl 'https://graph.facebook.com/v23.0/<TEST_BUSINESS_PHONE_NUMBER_ID>/messages' \
-H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
-H 'Authorization: Bearer <SYSTEM_USER_ACCESS_TOKEN>' \
-d '
{
  "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
  "recipient_type": "individual",
  "to": "<WHATSAPP_USER_PHONE_NUMBER>",
  "type": "text",
  "text": {
    "body": "Hello!"
  }
}'

• Learn about the different types of non-template messages
• Learn how to create and send template messages
• Learn how to create and manage WhatsApp groups via API
• Learn how to send and receive calls on WhatsApp via API
• Learn how to add a business phone number
• Learn how to set up your own webhook server
• Become a Solution Provider
• View WhatsApp API OpenAPI Specification⁠