> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.msgcompanion.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Connect your WhatsApp number

> Link your business's WhatsApp number to Companion, keep the WhatsApp Business app working, and look after the number afterwards.

Connecting takes about five minutes and happens in a Meta window. The number and the WhatsApp account stay yours.

<Note>
  Owners and admins only. Everyone else does not have the **WhatsApp** page, and should ask an owner or admin.
</Note>

## Before you start

* The Facebook login that manages your business.
* The phone the number is on. Meta sends a code to it.
* If the number is on the WhatsApp Business app, version 2.24.17 or later of that app.
* A card you can add at Meta afterwards. See [Add a card at Meta](#add-a-card-at-meta).

## Connect a number

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the connect page">
    Go to **WhatsApp** and choose **Connect number**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Say how the number is used today">
    Choose **It is on a phone with the WhatsApp Business app** to keep replying from the phone. This is the recommended choice.

    Choose **It is a new number for the platform only** if the number will only be used through Companion. It will not work in the WhatsApp app afterwards. You are given a six-digit **Two-step verification PIN**. Keep it somewhere safe, because Meta asks for it if the number is ever moved.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Continue with Facebook">
    Choose **Continue with Facebook**. In the Meta window, sign in with the Facebook account that manages the business, pick or create the business portfolio, then follow the steps for the number. Enter the code Meta sends to the phone.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Come back to Companion">
    When the Meta window closes, Companion finishes the connection in a few seconds and shows that the number is connected.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Your free trial starts when your first number, or a website chat button, is connected.

## Keep the WhatsApp Business app and your chats

If your number is on the WhatsApp Business app, it stays on your phone and keeps working there. This is called coexistence.

* Chats sync both ways. Replies sent from the phone appear in Companion.
* Your contacts and past chats are copied across. Keep the WhatsApp Business app open for a few minutes after connecting so this can finish. The number shows **Syncing history** while it does, and you can send in the meantime.

## A number on ordinary WhatsApp

Move it to the free WhatsApp Business app first. Install the app, sign in with the same number, and it offers to move your chats. Then connect the number in Companion.

## Add a card at Meta

Meta charges for some WhatsApp messages and bills you directly. It does not deliver chargeable messages until there is a payment method on your WhatsApp Business account.

Once the number is connected, the connect page and the setup screen link to Meta's billing settings. Add a card there. Companion never sees your card and adds nothing to what Meta charges.

See [What Meta charges](/billing/meta-charges).

## More than one number

Choose **Connect number** again for each number. When Meta asks, choose your existing WhatsApp Business account, not a new one. Your templates then cover every number, with nothing to approve twice.

Each number can be shared by the team or belong to one person. Use the **Assigned to** column on the **WhatsApp** page to choose. New chats on a number that belongs to someone go to that person.

Each plan covers a set number of WhatsApp numbers. When they are all connected, the connect page tells you so. Remove a number you no longer use, or move up a plan. See [Plans](/billing/plans).

## Check a number's status and health

The **WhatsApp** page lists every connected number.

| Column | What it tells you |
| - | - |
| Status | Whether the number is **Active**, **Paused**, **Pending**, **Disconnected** or **Needs attention**. A note beside it shows **Syncing history**, or warns when the connection to Meta is about to expire. |
| Health | Meta's view of the number: **Healthy**, **Quality slipping**, **Low quality**, **Name under review**, **Restricted** or **Not sending**, with what to do about it. |
| Daily limit | The daily messaging limit Meta has set for the number, such as **250 a day**. **Not set** when Meta has not given one. |
| Last message | When the number last sent or received a message. |

The menu at the end of each row has:

* **Refresh from Meta**: check the number with Meta now.
* **Reconnect**: go through Meta's sign-up again for the same number. Use this when the connection has expired or the number is not sending. Its conversations and settings stay as they are.
* **Pause number** and **Resume number**: stop the number sending without removing it. Messages still arrive while it is paused.

## Disconnect a number

<Steps>
  <Step title="Choose Remove number">
    On the **WhatsApp** page, open the menu at the end of the number's row and choose **Remove number**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Type the number to confirm">
    Type the number as shown, then choose **Remove number**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Nothing more is sent from that number, and workflows and broadcasts stop using it. Its conversations stay in Companion to read. Its place on your plan is freed, and you can connect it again later.

A number that is on the WhatsApp Business app keeps working on the phone.

<Tip>
  If you only want a break from sending, use **Pause number** instead.
</Tip>

## Related

* [How WhatsApp messaging works](/get-started/how-whatsapp-messaging-works)
* [What Meta charges](/billing/meta-charges)
* [Plans](/billing/plans)
* [Troubleshooting](/help/troubleshooting)


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