Chat channels
Set up WhatsApp
WhatsApp Business Cloud API, hosted by Meta. It needs a Meta developer app and this server reachable from the internet (set the public base URL in Settings first).
- On developers.facebook.com create an app → add the WhatsApp product. Meta gives you a test number to start with.
- Note the Phone number ID (WhatsApp → API Setup), and create a permanent access token: Business settings → System users → generate a token with whatsapp_business_messaging.
- Chat channels → WhatsApp: enter the Phone number ID, choose any verify token phrase, paste the access token and the app secret (App settings → Basic). Create.
- Open Setup on the channel and copy the webhook URL. In Meta: WhatsApp → Configuration → Edit webhook → paste the URL and the same verify token → subscribe to the “messages” field.
- Press Test, then message the number.
Add your team by phone number in the channel's people list — they're recognised from their first message. Replies ride the free 24-hour customer-service window, so normal question-answer use needs no message templates. WhatsApp's business API has no group chats. To go beyond Meta's test number, follow Meta's steps to verify your own number.
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Last updated 29 Aug 2026