Connect Your Existing WhatsApp Business app (Coexistence Mode)

Discover the seamless integration of your WhatsApp Business App with the WhatsApp Cloud API, enabling you to manage communications efficiently across platforms. Whether you need to maintain a single business number or manage multiple lines, this guide will walk you through the process, ensuring you make the most of Flexito OmniAI's capabilities.

Coexistence enables you to use your WhatsApp Business App on a mobile device while simultaneously connecting the same number to the WhatsApp Cloud API.

Requirements

Ensure you meet the following prerequisites before connecting:

1. WhatsApp Business App: You must utilise the WhatsApp Business application, which is different from the standard WhatsApp Messenger.

2. Latest Version Installed: Make sure your WhatsApp Business app is updated to the latest version available from the official app store.

3. Meta Business Manager: You need an active Meta Business Manager account.

4. Compliance: Your phone number’s country code and business type must comply with WhatsApp Business and Commerce Policies.

Important Disclaimer to Prevent Errors

Coexistence WABAs are designed with a one-to-one relationship between the WABA and the phone number. This is due to the SMB (WhatsApp Business App) model, which assumes one phone number equals one business.

Embedded Signup WABAs do not have this limitation—they allow multiple phone numbers per WABA. This flexibility is available when customers onboard through the standard Embedded Signup process.

What This Means for Flexito OmniAI Customers

The error message "Cannot add phone number to WhatsApp Business Account"

is expected when the WABA is created via the coexistence flow.

Customers have two options:

1. Create a new WABA using the standard Embedded Signup — If you need to manage multiple phone numbers through Flexito OmniAI, onboard a new WABA with the Embedded Signup flow (not coexistence). This new WABA will support multiple numbers via the API.

2. Continue using coexistence for the initial number and create a separate WABA for additional numbers — Maintain the coexistence WABA for the original number (allowing dual access with the WhatsApp Business App and Cloud API), and create a separate standard WABA for any additional numbers.

Connection Steps

Go to WhatsApp Cloud on your platform and click the “Connect WhatsApp Cloud” button.

Select your Business Manager and choose the connection type: “Connect the WhatsApp Business App.”

You will encounter two types of onboarding screens:

Note on Existing Linked Numbers

If you already have a number linked to the Cloud API and wish to add another number using Coexistence:

• Simply connect the new WhatsApp Business App number.

• After connecting, both numbers will automatically appear in your dashboard.

• No further setup is necessary.

Enter your WhatsApp Business App phone number. A verification code will be sent to the WhatsApp Business app from the Facebook Business Account.

Once verified, scan the QR code or enter the code. You will receive messages on your WhatsApp.

Press the Connect to the Business Platform button to proceed with the onboarding.

Press the Confirm button in the app to allow the business to share their chat history with you.

Scan the QR code or enter the verification code.

After completing these steps, the connection will be established. Next, add your payment method and link your number to the bot. Then, everything will be set up and ready to use.

Important Note

Your WhatsApp Business App must remain active on your phone. Do not delete or uninstall the WhatsApp Business App account.