WhatsApp Business API Coexistence Mode: Use WhatsApp Business App Alongside the API

Coexistence mode allows you to use the WhatsApp Business App on your phone at the same time as the WhatsApp Business Cloud API. This means you can keep using your familiar WhatsApp Business App for direct conversations while leveraging the API's advanced features like template messages, automated workflows, and high-volume messaging through WhatsTeam.

What Is Coexistence Mode?

Coexistence mode is a feature introduced by Meta that allows a single WhatsApp Business phone number to be connected to both the WhatsApp Business App and the WhatsApp Business Cloud API simultaneously. Previously, registering a number with the API would disconnect it from the WhatsApp Business App entirely, forcing businesses to choose one or the other.

With Coexistence mode enabled:

• Your phone number remains active on the WhatsApp Business App
• The same number is also connected to the Cloud API through WhatsTeam
• Messages received are delivered to both the app and the API
• You can send messages from either the app or the API
• Business profile information is shared across both connections

This gives businesses the flexibility to manage quick, personal conversations directly from their phone while using WhatsTeam's platform for automated messaging, team collaboration, and campaign management.

Why Use Coexistence Mode?

Coexistence mode is ideal for businesses that want the best of both worlds. Here are three common scenarios where it makes sense:

Scenario 1: Gradual Migration from App to API

If your business has been using the WhatsApp Business App and wants to migrate to the Cloud API, Coexistence mode allows you to transition gradually. You can start using the API for automated messaging and campaigns while continuing to handle day-to-day conversations from the app. This avoids disruption and gives your team time to adapt to the new platform.

Scenario 2: Field Teams and Office Teams Working Together

Businesses with field agents (sales reps, delivery staff, on-site technicians) often need the WhatsApp Business App for quick, on-the-go communication. At the same time, the office team needs the API for managing customer support queues, sending bulk notifications, and running marketing campaigns. Coexistence mode lets both teams work from the same number without interfering with each other.

Scenario 3: Personal Touch with Automation

Some businesses want to maintain the personal touch of responding from the app for VIP customers or high-value conversations, while automating routine messages (order confirmations, appointment reminders, shipping updates) through the API. Coexistence mode enables this hybrid approach.

Important Information

Before enabling Coexistence mode, there are several important details you should be aware of regarding limitations, requirements, pricing, and message synchronization.

Limitations

• Message history: When you first enable Coexistence, existing message history from the WhatsApp Business App is not migrated to the API, and vice versa. Both systems start with their own message records going forward
• Groups: Messages sent and received in WhatsApp groups are only visible on the WhatsApp Business App. Group messaging is not supported through the Cloud API
• Status updates: WhatsApp Status (stories) can only be posted and viewed through the WhatsApp Business App, not through the API
• Calls: Voice and video calls are only available through the WhatsApp Business App. The Cloud API does not support calling features
• Broadcast lists: Broadcast lists created in the WhatsApp Business App are not synced to the API. Use template messages through the API for bulk messaging instead
• Catalog management: While both the app and the API support catalogs, changes made in one may take time to reflect in the other

Requirements

To use Coexistence mode, you need:

• WhatsApp Business App: The latest version installed on your phone (Android or iOS)
• WhatsApp Business Cloud API account: Set up through WhatsTeam's Embedded Signup flow
• Meta Business Manager: A verified Meta Business Manager account
• Same phone number: The number must be registered on both the app and the API
• Stable internet connection: Both the phone and WhatsTeam must have reliable internet access

Pricing

Coexistence mode itself does not incur any additional charges. However, the standard WhatsApp Business API pricing applies:

• Messages sent from the API (through WhatsTeam) are subject to Meta's conversation-based pricing
• Messages sent from the WhatsApp Business App directly are free (no API charges)
• Incoming messages are delivered to both the app and the API, but only count as one conversation for billing purposes
• Your WhatsTeam platform subscription applies as usual

For detailed pricing information, refer to our WhatsApp Business API Pricing Guide.

Message Synchronization Notes

Understanding how messages sync between the app and the API is critical for managing customer conversations:

• Incoming messages: When a customer sends a message, it is delivered to both the WhatsApp Business App and the Cloud API simultaneously
• Outgoing messages from the app: Messages you send from the WhatsApp Business App are visible on the app but are not synced to the API. WhatsTeam will not see these messages
• Outgoing messages from the API: Messages sent through WhatsTeam (API) are delivered to the customer but are not visible in the WhatsApp Business App
• Read receipts: If you read a message on the app, the read receipt is sent to the customer. The API may still show the message as unread
• Typing indicators: Typing indicators from the app are not relayed to the API, and vice versa

Best practice: Establish clear internal guidelines about which conversations are handled through the app and which through the API to avoid duplicate responses or missed messages.

How to Enable Coexistence Mode

Follow these four steps to enable Coexistence mode for your WhatsApp Business number through WhatsTeam.

Step 1: Complete the Embedded Signup

If you have not already connected your WhatsApp Business number to WhatsTeam via the Cloud API, you need to complete the Embedded Signup flow first.

1. Log in to your WhatsTeam dashboard
2. Navigate to Devices > Add Device > WhatsApp Business API
3. Click Connect with Facebook to start the Embedded Signup flow
4. Follow the prompts to connect your Meta Business Manager and select or create a WhatsApp Business Account

Step 2: Register Your Phone Number

During the Embedded Signup, you will be asked to register your phone number with the Cloud API.

1. Enter your business phone number in international format
2. Select your preferred verification method (SMS or voice call)
3. Enter the verification code you receive
4. Wait for the registration to complete

Important: If your number is currently active on the WhatsApp Business App, you will see a prompt asking whether you want to enable Coexistence mode. Select Yes to keep your number active on both the app and the API.

Step 3: Enable Coexistence in WhatsTeam

Once your number is registered with the Cloud API, enable Coexistence mode through the device settings.

1. In WhatsTeam, go to Devices and select your newly connected WABA device
2. Open the device Settings panel
3. Find the Coexistence Mode toggle
4. Switch it to Enabled
5. Confirm the action when prompted

Step 4: Confirm on Your WhatsApp Business App

After enabling Coexistence in WhatsTeam, verify that the connection is active on your WhatsApp Business App.

1. Open WhatsApp Business App on your phone
2. Go to Settings > Linked Devices
3. You should see an active API connection listed
4. Verify that you can still send and receive messages from the app

Your Coexistence setup is now complete. You can use both the WhatsApp Business App and WhatsTeam simultaneously on the same number.

How to Disable Coexistence Mode

If you decide to stop using Coexistence mode, you can disable it at any time. This will disconnect the WhatsApp Business App from the shared number, leaving only the Cloud API connection active.

Steps to Disable

1. In WhatsTeam: Navigate to Devices > select your WABA device > Settings
2. Toggle off Coexistence: Switch the Coexistence Mode toggle to Disabled
3. Confirm the action: A confirmation dialog will appear warning that the WhatsApp Business App will lose access to this number. Click Confirm
4. Verify on your phone: Open WhatsApp Business App and check Settings > Linked Devices. The API connection should no longer appear
5. Wait for completion: The disconnection process may take a few minutes to fully propagate

What Happens When You Disable

• The WhatsApp Business App will be disconnected from the number
• The number will continue to work exclusively through the Cloud API and WhatsTeam
• Message history on the WhatsApp Business App will remain on the device but no new messages will be received
• All future messages will only be accessible through WhatsTeam
• You can re-enable Coexistence later by following the setup steps again

Re-enabling Coexistence

If you want to re-enable Coexistence after disabling it:

1. Open WhatsApp Business App on your phone
2. You may need to re-verify your phone number on the app
3. Follow the enable steps outlined above in WhatsTeam
4. Confirm the connection on your phone

Feature Comparison: App Only vs API Only vs Coexistence

The following table summarizes the features available in each mode to help you decide which configuration is right for your business.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Coexistence mode cost extra?

No. Coexistence mode itself is free. Standard WhatsApp Business API conversation charges from Meta apply to messages sent through the API. Messages sent directly from the WhatsApp Business App do not incur API charges.

Can I use Coexistence with the regular WhatsApp app (not Business)?

No. Coexistence mode only works with the WhatsApp Business App. The regular WhatsApp app does not support Coexistence with the Cloud API.

Will customers know I am using Coexistence mode?

No. From the customer's perspective, nothing changes. They see the same number and business profile regardless of whether you respond from the app or the API.

What happens if I respond from both the app and the API?

The customer will receive both responses. There is no built-in deduplication. This is why it is important to establish internal guidelines about which conversations are handled through which channel.

Can I use companion devices with Coexistence mode?

Yes, but with limitations. Companion devices connected to the WhatsApp Business App will continue to work, but they will only show messages sent and received through the app, not through the API.

Is my message history transferred when I enable Coexistence?

No. Existing message history is not transferred between the app and the API. Both systems maintain separate message records from the point Coexistence is enabled.