> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.athenachat.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.athenachat.ai/documentation/documentation-en/channels/messengers/whatsapp/waba.md).

# WABA

Official WhatsApp\* Business API — step-by-step setup

WABA — official [WhatsApp](/documentation/documentation-en/channels/messengers/whatsapp.md) Meta\* Business API. The channel opens in the Athena dashboard: the system launches the Meta window, and you confirm the business and number.

**Before you start, prepare:**

* a personal account [Facebook\*](/documentation/documentation-en/channels/social-networks/facebook.md) with your real first name, last name, and photo;
* the number you will assign to the channel;
* if you are in Russia, a way to change your IP during registration.

{% hint style="info" %}
Connect the number right away in the Athena account where you will use it. You cannot transfer it to another account yourself — only through support.
{% endhint %}

***

## Prepare the website

During registration, Meta\* checks the website link. If the page does not meet the requirements, the Business account [WhatsApp](/documentation/documentation-en/channels/messengers/whatsapp.md) may be rejected.

The bottom section of the website must include:

1. A separate privacy policy page — not a PDF, not Word, and not a Google Doc. In the policy, clearly state that the company may send notifications and that the client can opt out of them.
2. The legal company name — exactly as in the documents.
3. The legal address — also exactly as in the documents.
4. If you plan to verify the business, enter a working contact phone number right away.

You will later need to repeat the same details in the business portfolio. Meta\* often treats discrepancies as an attempt to impersonate another company.

***

## How the connection works

Three major steps, all within Meta\* windows:

1. Create or select the company's business portfolio.
2. Create an account [WhatsApp](/documentation/documentation-en/channels/messengers/whatsapp.md) Business.
3. Specify and confirm the number.

Do not close the tabs that open at the beginning until the very end.

***

## Step 1 — Choose WABA

**Action:** In [the dashboard](https://ru.app.athenachat.ai) open \*\*Channels → Add channel → [WhatsApp\*](/documentation/documentation-en/channels/messengers/whatsapp.md)\*\* and click the card **WABA**.

![Choose WABA](https://4126380821-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwirYrs8odJMFan3KqfzY%2Fuploads%2FmgyTRu6rd0zrxlsW5yz4%2Fwaba-choose.png?alt=media)

***

## Step 2 — Name the channel

**Action:** Enter the channel name to distinguish channels of the same type, and click **Connect**.

![WABA channel name](https://4126380821-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwirYrs8odJMFan3KqfzY%2Fuploads%2Ft7k8HWhCcq5huVW4thiK%2Fwaba-name.png?alt=media)

A new tab will open. Leave it open — you will need it at the end.

If you are in Russia, first enable IP switching and only then click **Connect**.

***

## Step 3 — Log in to Facebook\*

**Action:** Check the consent box and click the button to continue login through [Facebook\*](/documentation/documentation-en/channels/social-networks/facebook.md).

![Login via Facebook](https://4126380821-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwirYrs8odJMFan3KqfzY%2Fuploads%2FyxR0rxFo0QoVX9aM6Ubt%2Ffb-continue.png?alt=media)

If the window did not appear:

* allow pop-ups;
* turn off the page translator and ad blocker.

Log in with **a personal** account. Meta\* may reject a corporate profile without a real name and photo.

On some screens, the partner company's name is visible — that's how the official connection works. This is not an error; do not close the windows.

***

## Step 4 — Business portfolio

**Action:** Select an existing portfolio or the option to create a new one.

![Select a business portfolio](https://4126380821-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwirYrs8odJMFan3KqfzY%2Fuploads%2Fc9a7TuvRqSIzvt3UczDR%2Ffb-portfolio.jpg?alt=media)

If you already have a portfolio, open Business Suite → company settings → **Company information** and compare the fields. If anything is missing, fix it before connecting.

For a new portfolio, fill in:

* company name — as in the documents and in the website footer;
* work email;
* the current website, already brought into compliance with Meta\* requirements;
* address using the add button: country, street, city, region, postal code. Leave the second address line blank.

Click **Next**.

{% hint style="info" %}
Even a couple of extra characters in the name or address can lead to the portfolio being blocked.
{% endhint %}

***

## Step 5 — WhatsApp Business account

**Action:** Create a new account and specify:

* username — clients do not see it; it is needed to distinguish multiple accounts;
* display name — the same as the legal name and as in the website header/footer;
* time zone;
* category;
* website.

![Selecting a portfolio and creating an account](https://4126380821-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwirYrs8odJMFan3KqfzY%2Fuploads%2FHXe5YqwqrUWOWxtDX4L7%2Ffb-waba-select.png?alt=media)

![Company details for the new account](https://4126380821-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwirYrs8odJMFan3KqfzY%2Fuploads%2F8lj7d30ECocRHNJzjhBj%2Ffb-waba-info.png?alt=media)

You can add the company description later in the Athena dashboard. Click **Next**.

***

## Step 6 — Your own number

1. Select **Add number**. If numbers already exist, the item may be named differently — about a new or existing [WhatsApp](/documentation/documentation-en/channels/messengers/whatsapp.md).
2. Enter the number that **does not** sit in the personal [WhatsApp](/documentation/documentation-en/channels/messengers/whatsapp.md) and that you do not plan to return there.
3. Request the verification code by SMS or by call. For a landline number, choose a call: the robot will dictate the digits.
4. Enter the code → **Next** → **Continue** → **Finish**.

![Adding a WhatsApp number](https://4126380821-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwirYrs8odJMFan3KqfzY%2Fuploads%2FZVUIApWiRZRyUcF6eJ0D%2Ffb-add-number.png?alt=media)

{% hint style="info" %}
Do not register this number back in the app [WhatsApp](/documentation/documentation-en/channels/messengers/whatsapp.md) on the phone. Before the application is reviewed, this will derail moderation; after review, it will stop WABA.
{% endhint %}

\**If the number already has* [*WhatsApp\**](/documentation/documentation-en/channels/messengers/whatsapp.md)

Quick way: delete the account in the messenger settings (not the app itself), then immediately register the number in WABA. For about 10–15 minutes, clients won't be able to reach you.

Safe way: first connect any available number, complete registration, then remove the needed number from the phone and add it to the already set up account [WhatsApp](/documentation/documentation-en/channels/messengers/whatsapp.md) Business.

If Meta\* says the number is in use even though you haven't used it: create an account with it in the app and immediately delete it in the settings [WhatsApp](/documentation/documentation-en/channels/messengers/whatsapp.md). After that, repeat the step.

### Meta\* test number

Meta\* may offer a US virtual number (+1). It is convenient for testing the setup, but to clients in another country such a sender looks strange. It works fully only after the company and display name are verified. For a live channel, it's better to use your own number from the start.

***

## Step 7 — Return to the previously opened tab

The window [Facebook\*](/documentation/documentation-en/channels/social-networks/facebook.md) will close by itself. The tab that opened in step 2 will remain.

1. Wait for the page to refresh.
2. From the list, select the number you just confirmed.
3. Check the box that this number cannot be used in a personal [WhatsApp](/documentation/documentation-en/channels/messengers/whatsapp.md)account while it is in the business account.
4. Click **Next** and wait for the successful connection screen.

![Selecting a number in the connection window](https://4126380821-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwirYrs8odJMFan3KqfzY%2Fuploads%2FVSOb1W9dagjilNs0YVek%2Ffb-select-phone.jpg?alt=media)

![Number registration](https://4126380821-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwirYrs8odJMFan3KqfzY%2Fuploads%2FCup9mDNMXtA312hacQrc%2Ffb-registering.jpg?alt=media)

![Channel connected](https://4126380821-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwirYrs8odJMFan3KqfzY%2Fuploads%2FBghxXJP2agtxYTmnhLtO%2Ffb-congrats.jpg?alt=media)

Close the tab only after the message that WABA is connected. Usually, after a few minutes, the channel appears in Athena with the status 'Active'.

After activating the channel, configure the agent: [**Agent setup**](/documentation/documentation-en/features/agent-setup.md). Check the responses in the incoming conversation or in the test chat.

{% hint style="info" %}
\* Meta's activities are prohibited in the territory of the Russian Federation.
{% endhint %}


---

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