How to Connect a New Purchased Number to WhatsApp via WhatsTeam

Summary

Connecting a newly purchased phone number to WhatsApp through WhatsTeam is a straightforward process that takes approximately 10-15 minutes. This guide covers every step from navigating to the connection settings to finalizing your setup, so you can start sending and receiving WhatsApp messages through WhatsTeam's platform right away.

Connect a New Number

To begin the process of connecting your new phone number, you first need to navigate to the appropriate settings page in the WhatsTeam dashboard.

Navigate to Settings

1. Log in to your WhatsTeam account at whats.team.
2. From the main dashboard, click Settings in the left sidebar navigation menu.
3. Under Settings, click WhatsApp Connections.
4. On the WhatsApp Connections page, you will see a list of your existing connections (if any) and a button to add a new one.
5. Click the Connect a New Number button to start the Embedded Signup process.

Tip: Make sure you have your new phone number ready and that it is able to receive either SMS messages or voice calls. You will need this for the verification step later in the process.

Issuance and Initial Setup

Before proceeding with the connection, ensure your new phone number meets the following criteria:


• Number is active: The phone number must be fully provisioned and active with your telecom provider. Test it by calling or texting the number from another phone.
• Not registered on WhatsApp: The number must not already be registered on any WhatsApp account (consumer app, Business app, or Business API). If it is a truly new number, this should not be an issue.
• Can receive SMS or calls: The number must be able to receive SMS messages or voice calls for OTP verification. VoIP numbers may work but are not guaranteed; standard mobile and landline numbers are preferred.
• Country code ready: Know the full international format of your number including the country code (e.g., +1 for the United States, +44 for the United Kingdom, +34 for Spain, +91 for India).

Choose Your Setup Path

When you click Connect a New Number, the system will present you with the Embedded Signup flow. This is Meta's official integration process that creates and configures everything you need in a single guided experience:

• A Meta Business Account (if you do not have one)
• A WhatsApp Business Account (WABA)
• Phone number registration and verification
• Permissions and access configuration

Facebook Login and Permissions

The Embedded Signup process requires authentication through your Facebook account, as WhatsApp Business API is managed through Meta's infrastructure.


Log In to Facebook

1. A popup window will appear asking you to log in to Facebook.
2. Enter your Facebook email address and password.
3. If you have two-factor authentication (2FA) enabled on your Facebook account, complete the verification step (enter the code from your authenticator app or SMS).
4. Click Log In.

Note: If you do not have a personal Facebook account, you will need to create one first. Meta requires a Facebook account to manage business assets. This personal account is used for authentication only and will not be visible to your WhatsApp customers.

Grant Required Permissions

After logging in, Meta will display a permissions screen listing what WhatsTeam needs access to in order to manage your WhatsApp connection.


Review and approve the following permissions:

• Manage your WhatsApp Business Account: Allows WhatsTeam to configure your WABA settings, manage phone numbers, and handle business profile information.
• Manage WhatsApp Business Account phone numbers: Allows WhatsTeam to register, verify, and manage phone numbers on your behalf.
• Send and receive messages: Allows WhatsTeam to send outgoing messages and receive incoming messages through the API on your behalf.

Make sure all checkboxes are selected before clicking Continue. If any permission is unchecked, WhatsTeam will not be able to fully manage your WhatsApp connection, and you may encounter errors later.

Setting Up WABA

With permissions granted, the next step is configuring your WhatsApp Business Account (WABA). This is where you define your business identity on WhatsApp.


Create or Select a Business Portfolio

1. If you already have a Meta Business Portfolio (Business Manager), select it from the dropdown menu.
2. If you do not have one, select Create a new Business Portfolio.
3. Enter your business name as it appears on your official documents. This name is used for Meta's internal records and business verification.
4. Click Continue.

Create or Select a WhatsApp Business Account

1. Select Create a new WhatsApp Business Account from the options.
2. Fill in the following fields:
   • WhatsApp Business Account name: This is an internal label for your WABA (e.g., "My Company - Main Account"). Customers do not see this name.
   • Display name: This is the name your customers will see when they receive messages from you. Choose carefully, as it must comply with Meta's display name guidelines and will require Meta's approval.
   • Business category: Select the category that best describes your business from the dropdown (e.g., "Retail," "Education," "Healthcare," "Technology").
   • Business description (optional): A short description of what your business does.


1. Click Continue to proceed to phone number registration.

Important: Your display name must accurately represent your business and follow Meta's naming guidelines. Names that are generic, misleading, or contain URLs or phone numbers will be rejected.

Phone Number Connection

This is the step where you register your new phone number with WhatsApp and verify that you own it.


Enter Your Phone Number

1. Select your country code from the dropdown menu.
2. Enter your phone number in local format (without the country code, as it is already selected).
3. Double-check the number to make sure it is correct. An incorrect number will cause the verification to fail.

Choose Verification Method

Select how you want to receive the verification code:

• SMS: A text message containing a 6-digit code will be sent to your number. This is the fastest and most reliable method for mobile numbers.
• Voice Call: An automated phone call will read the 6-digit code aloud. This is the best option for landline numbers that cannot receive SMS.

Enter the Verification Code

1. Wait for the SMS or voice call to arrive (this typically takes 10-30 seconds).
2. Enter the 6-digit verification code in the field provided.
3. Click Verify.


If the Code Does Not Arrive

• Wait 60 seconds before requesting a new code.
• Try the other method: If SMS did not work, try voice call, and vice versa.
• Check spam filters: Some SMS providers may filter verification codes.
• Confirm the number is active: Call the number from another phone to ensure it is working.
• VoIP limitations: Some VoIP numbers may not receive Meta's verification codes. If this is the case, you may need to use a standard mobile or landline number instead.

Finalizing the Setup

After successful verification, you are almost done. The final steps confirm your configuration and activate the connection.


Review Your Configuration

Before completing the setup, review all the details on the summary screen:

• Business Portfolio: The Meta Business Portfolio associated with this WABA.
• WhatsApp Business Account: The WABA name and ID.
• Display Name: The name customers will see.
• Phone Number: The verified number being connected.
• Connection Type: Standard Cloud API connection.

Confirm that all information is correct. If anything needs to be changed, use the Back button to navigate to the relevant step.

Accept Terms and Conditions

1. Read the WhatsApp Business API Terms of Service.
2. Read the WhatsTeam Platform Terms of Service.
3. Check the acceptance checkbox.
4. Click Finish Setup.

Connection Activation

After clicking Finish Setup:

1. The system will process your connection request. This typically takes 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
2. Once complete, you will be redirected to the WhatsTeam dashboard.
3. Your new number will appear in the WhatsApp Connections list with a Connected status.


Post-Setup Checklist

After your number is connected, complete these recommended steps:

• Send a test message: Go to the Chat section in WhatsTeam and send a test message to your personal phone to verify the connection works.
• Configure your business profile: Add your business logo, address, email, website, and description in the WhatsApp business profile settings.
• Create message templates: Set up your message templates for business-initiated conversations. These require Meta's approval, which can take up to 24 hours.
• Set up automations: Configure chatbot flows, auto-replies, and notification webhooks as needed.
• Invite team members: Add your support agents or team members to the WhatsTeam workspace so they can start handling conversations.
• Start business verification: If you have not already, begin the Meta Business Verification process in your Meta Business Suite to unlock higher messaging limits and the verified green checkmark badge.

Need help? If you encounter any issues during or after the setup process, contact the WhatsTeam support team at support@whats.team. Include your WABA ID and phone number for the fastest resolution.