To get the WhatsApp Business API in 2026, sign up with a Meta Business Partner, connect your number through Meta’s Embedded Signup, verify it with a one-time code, and add a payment method. It takes about 15 minutes and costs nothing to set up. This guide covers each step, what you need first, what it costs, and how to fix the errors that stop most businesses.
- What it is: the WhatsApp Business API (officially the WhatsApp Business Platform, Cloud API) lets a business message customers at scale from software, with a shared inbox, chatbots and campaigns.
- What you need: a Facebook account, a Meta business portfolio, a phone number that can receive an SMS or call, a display name and a payment card.
- How to get it: sign up with a Meta Business Partner such as Sendiee, click Connect WhatsApp, and follow Meta’s signup window. You can message customers the same day.
- What it costs: access is free. Meta charges per delivered message, for example ₹0.86 per marketing message in India. Your provider charges for its software.
- Limits: new accounts can start conversations with 250 customers a day. Business verification lifts that to 2,000 straight away.
What is the WhatsApp Business API?
The WhatsApp Business API is Meta’s platform for medium and large businesses to send and receive WhatsApp messages through software instead of a phone. Meta now calls it the WhatsApp Business Platform, and since the On-Premises version was retired on 23 October 2025, every account runs on the Cloud API, which Meta hosts.
There is no app to download. You reach the API through a Meta Business Partner, which gives you a dashboard, or by building your own software on Meta’s developer platform. Once connected, you can:
- Answer customers from a shared team inbox, with several agents on one number.
- Run an AI chatbot that replies instantly, 24 hours a day, in your customers’ languages.
- Send approved template messages: order updates, reminders, OTPs and marketing campaigns.
- Connect WhatsApp to Shopify, WooCommerce, your CRM or any system with an API.
- Add buttons, product catalogs, lists and payment links to messages.
WhatsApp Business app vs WhatsApp Business API
The free WhatsApp Business app suits a single owner replying from one phone. The API is for businesses that need a team, automation or volume. Here is how they compare in 2026.
| Feature | WhatsApp Business app | WhatsApp Business API |
|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | Sole traders and small shops | Growing and large businesses |
| Users on one number | 1 phone plus up to 4 linked devices | Unlimited agents through an inbox |
| Chatbots and AI replies | Greeting and away messages only | Full chatbots and AI agents |
| Bulk messaging | Broadcast lists, only to saved contacts | Campaigns to opted-in customers, tracked |
| Integrations | None | CRM, e-commerce, webhooks, any API |
| Blue checkmark | Through paid Meta Verified | Official Business Account, free to apply |
| Cost | Free | Per message, plus provider software |
Swipe sideways to see the full table.
You do not always have to choose. With coexistence, you keep the app on your phone and add the API on the same number. More on that in the next section.
What you need before you start
Have these ready and the setup takes one sitting.
- A Facebook account that has been in use for a while. Meta may not approve brand-new accounts for business tools.
- A Meta business portfolio (formerly Business Manager). If you don’t have one, you can create it inside the signup window.
- A phone number you own, with a country and area code, that can receive an SMS or a voice call. Mobile, landline, toll-free and VoIP numbers all work. Short codes do not.
- A display name that matches your brand. Customers see it at the top of the chat.
- A website on your own domain, and a business email on that domain. Both help with business verification.
- A credit or debit card for Meta’s message charges.
- Business documents for verification, such as a certificate of incorporation, a tax registration (GST certificate in India) or a utility bill in the business name.
Four ways to get WhatsApp Business API access
The route depends on the number you want to use. Pick the one that fits.
Use a number that is not on WhatsApp yet. You verify it with an SMS or voice-call code during signup.
Best for a fresh support or sales line. Landlines work with voice-call verification.Keep the WhatsApp Business app on your phone and add the API on the same number. You connect by scanning a QR code.
Needs app version 2.24.17 or later. Some app features switch off, and throughput is capped at 20 messages a second.Move the number from your current provider. Your display name, quality rating and approved templates move with it.
Turn off two-step verification on the number before you start.Create a Meta developer app and call the Cloud API yourself. Access is free, but you build and host the inbox, automations and webhooks.
Suits engineering teams. Most businesses go through a partner to get a ready-made inbox and chatbot.What changes with coexistence
Coexistence is the most popular route in 2026, because you keep your existing number, contacts and phone habits. A few things to know before you connect:
- You need WhatsApp Business app version 2.24.17 or later.
- Messages you send from the app stay free. Messages sent through the API are charged at normal rates.
- Disappearing messages, view-once media, live location and broadcast lists switch off in the app.
- Throughput is capped at 20 messages a second, which is plenty for most businesses.
- Open the app on your phone at least every two weeks, or Meta disconnects the number.
Step by step: how to get the WhatsApp Business API
These steps use Sendiee, but the Meta part is the same with any partner. The path in Sendiee is:
Dashboard→Channels→WhatsApp→Connect WhatsApp
- Create an account with a Meta Business Partner
Sign up with a WhatsApp Business Platform provider such as Sendiee. The provider hosts the inbox, chatbot and campaign tools that sit on top of Meta’s Cloud API.
- Click Connect WhatsApp and log in with Facebook
This opens Meta’s Embedded Signup window. Log in with the Facebook account that manages your business.
- Choose or create your Meta business portfolio
Pick the business portfolio (formerly Business Manager) that owns your brand, or create one with your legal business name, website and business email.
- Create your WhatsApp Business Account and display name
Name the WhatsApp Business Account, then enter the display name customers will see. It should match your brand, website and signage.
- Add and verify your phone number
Enter the number with its country code and verify it with a code sent by SMS or voice call. To keep using the WhatsApp Business app on the same number, choose the option to connect your existing app instead and scan the QR code.
- Add a payment method in Meta billing
Attach a card to the WhatsApp Business Account in Meta Business Settings under Billing and payments. Check the currency and time zone first, because they lock once a payment method is added.
- Verify your business (recommended)
Submit business verification in Meta Business Settings, Security Center. Verification raises your messaging limit from 250 to 2,000 unique customers a day and lets you add up to 20 numbers.
- Create a template and send your first message
Create a message template, wait for approval, and send it to your own number. Then switch on your inbox, AI chatbot or campaigns.
Tips that save a second attempt
- Pick the right currency before adding a card. The WhatsApp Business Account’s currency and time zone lock once a payment method is attached. Indian businesses should choose INR and add their GSTIN in the billing business info.
- Keep the signup window open until it finishes. Closing it early is the most common reason a number shows as “pending”.
- Set a two-step verification PIN. Meta requires one when the number is registered. Store it safely; you need it to move the number later.
- Start verification on day one. It runs in the background, and you will want the higher limit by the time you plan your first campaign.
Connect WhatsApp with Sendiee, free
Already a Sendiee user? Open your WhatsApp channel to connect another number.
After setup: messaging limits, display name and the blue tick
Messaging limits
A messaging limit caps how many unique customers you can message outside the 24-hour customer service window in a rolling 24 hours. Replies to customers who messaged you are never limited. Since October 2025, the limit belongs to the whole business portfolio and is shared by all its numbers.
| Tier | Unique customers per 24 hours | How you get there |
|---|---|---|
| Starting | 250 | Every new business portfolio |
| Tier 1 | 2,000 | Business verification, or 2,000 high-quality deliveries in 30 days |
| Tier 2 | 10,000 | Automatic, when quality is high and you use half your limit in 7 days |
| Tier 3 | 100,000 | Automatic, same rule |
| Tier 4 | Unlimited | Automatic, same rule |
Swipe sideways to see the full table.
Upgrades happen within about 6 hours. Meta no longer lowers your limit for poor quality, but low-quality templates can be paused, so send only to customers who opted in.
Display name approval
Meta reviews your display name. Until it is approved, customers may see your phone number instead of the name. A name is more likely to pass when it matches your website and signage exactly. You can change it up to 10 times in 30 days, and a declined name can be edited or appealed.
The blue tick (Official Business Account)
Approved Official Business Accounts show a blue checkmark next to the business name. To apply in WhatsApp Manager, you need a verified business, two-step verification turned on, an approved display name, at least 30 days on the platform, and a brand people search for. Applying is free. Meta Verified is a different, paid subscription for the WhatsApp Business app.
How much the WhatsApp Business API costs in 2026
You pay for two things: Meta’s per-message fees, and your provider’s software. Setup itself is free.
| Item | Who charges | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Business portfolio, WhatsApp Business Account, Cloud API access | Meta | Free |
| Marketing templates (offers, campaigns) | Meta | Per delivered message. India: ₹0.86 |
| Utility templates (order and delivery updates) | Meta | Per delivered message. India: ₹0.115 |
| Authentication templates (OTPs) | Meta | Per delivered message, country rate |
| Replies within 24 hours of a customer message | Meta | 1,000 free a month per number from 1 Oct 2026, then the utility rate |
| Everything sent within 72 hours of a click-to-WhatsApp ad | Meta | Free |
| Inbox, chatbot, campaigns, integrations | Your provider | Plan fee. Sendiee has a free plan |
Swipe sideways to see the full table.
Meta has charged per delivered message since 1 July 2025, and rates differ by country. See Meta’s pricing page for every market. The 1 October 2026 change to service replies is explained in our guide to WhatsApp’s October 2026 pricing change.
Some providers add a markup on each Meta message. Sendiee does not: Meta bills you directly, and you pay Sendiee only for the plan. Compare plans on the pricing page.
How long it takes
You can be live the same day. Only verification and reviews take longer, and they run while you are already messaging customers.
- Embedded Signup about 15 minutesBusiness portfolio, WhatsApp Business Account, number verification.
- First replies immediatelyAnswer anyone who messages you, from the inbox or an AI chatbot.
- Template approval minutes to 24 hoursNeeded before you can start conversations with templates.
- Display name review a few daysYour number shows in chats until the name is approved.
- Business verification a few days to 2 weeksDepends on how quickly your documents match your business details.
- Blue tick after 30 days on the platformOptional. Apply once you are verified and have an approved name.
Common errors and how to fix them
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| “This number is already registered on WhatsApp” | Delete the WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business app account on that number, wait about 10 minutes and retry. To keep the app, choose the coexistence option instead. |
| The verification code never arrives | Switch from SMS to voice call. Landlines, toll-free and IVR numbers should always use voice call, and the line must accept calls from abroad. |
| Migration from another provider fails | Turn off two-step verification on the number in WhatsApp Manager, or ask the old provider to release it, then start again. |
| Display name declined | Use a name that matches your website and branding, with no generic terms or extra words. Edit it in WhatsApp Manager or file an appeal. |
| Messages fail with a billing or payment error | Add a payment method to the WhatsApp Business Account in Meta billing. If you moved from another provider, check you are not still on their shared credit line. |
| Stuck at 250 customers a day | Complete business verification. Or deliver high-quality templates to 2,000 unique customers within 30 days, which also unlocks the next tier. |
| Coexistence number disconnected | Open the WhatsApp Business app on the phone regularly. Meta disconnects the number if the app is inactive for about 14 days. |
| Business not eligible | Businesses based in sanctioned locations, such as Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria and some regions of Ukraine, cannot use the platform. |
Swipe sideways to see the full table.
What to set up next
Once your number is live, these are the first things most businesses switch on:
- An AI chatbot that answers questions, qualifies leads and hands over to a person when needed.
- A shared team inbox so several people can reply from one number.
- Campaigns for offers and reminders to customers who opted in.
- A WhatsApp QR code and a click-to-chat link for your shop, packaging and website, and a chat widget for your site. All three are free.
- Store integrations for Shopify and WooCommerce to send order updates automatically.
Frequently asked questions
Is the WhatsApp Business API free?
Access is free. Meta hosts the Cloud API at no charge and setting up a business portfolio and WhatsApp Business Account costs nothing. You pay Meta per delivered template message, and from 1 October 2026 for service replies above 1,000 a month per number. Providers like Sendiee charge separately for their software; Sendiee has a free plan and adds no markup to Meta’s fees.
Can I get the WhatsApp Business API without a provider?
Yes. You can create a Meta developer app and use the Cloud API directly. You then have to build your own inbox, automations, webhooks and template management. Most businesses use a Meta Business Partner to get these ready-made.
Can I use my existing WhatsApp number for the API?
Yes, if it is on the WhatsApp Business app. Coexistence lets you keep the app and add the API on the same number. A number on personal WhatsApp must be deleted from WhatsApp first, or switched to the Business app.
Do I need business verification to get the WhatsApp API?
No. You can start without it, with a limit of 250 unique customers a day outside the 24-hour window. Verification raises that to 2,000 at once and is required for the Official Business Account badge.
How long does it take to get the WhatsApp Business API?
Signup through a partner usually takes about 15 minutes. You can reply to customers straight away. Display name approval and business verification run in the background and can take from a few days to two weeks.
How many messages can I send per day on the WhatsApp API?
Replies to customers who messaged you in the last 24 hours are unlimited. Messages that start a new conversation are limited per business portfolio: 250 unique customers a day to start, then 2,000, 10,000, 100,000 and unlimited as your quality and volume grow.
How do I get the blue tick on WhatsApp?
Apply for an Official Business Account in WhatsApp Manager. You need a verified business, two-step verification on, an approved display name, at least 30 days on the platform and a notable brand. Approved accounts show a blue checkmark next to the name.
Can I use a landline for the WhatsApp Business API?
Yes. Landlines, toll-free and VoIP numbers can be used. Choose voice call instead of SMS for the verification code.
What is the difference between the WhatsApp Cloud API and the On-Premises API?
The Cloud API is hosted by Meta. The On-Premises API was self-hosted, and its last version expired on 23 October 2025. Every new WhatsApp Business API setup in 2026 uses the Cloud API.
Can I use the WhatsApp Business API and the app at the same time?
Yes, with coexistence. Messages you send from the app stay free, and messages sent through the API are charged at normal rates. Disappearing messages, view-once, live location and broadcast lists are switched off in the app after you connect.
Sources
Facts checked against Meta’s developer documentation on 5 October 2026.
- Meta: Embedded Signup overviewdevelopers.facebook.com
- Meta: Onboarding WhatsApp Business app users (coexistence)developers.facebook.com
- Meta: Business phone numbersdevelopers.facebook.com
- Meta: Messaging limitsdevelopers.facebook.com
- Meta: Display namesdevelopers.facebook.com
- Meta: Official Business Accountsdevelopers.facebook.com
- Meta: WhatsApp Business Accountsdevelopers.facebook.com
- Meta: Pricing on the WhatsApp Business Platformdevelopers.facebook.com
- Meta: Pricing for service (non-template) messagesdevelopers.facebook.com
- Meta: On-Premises API sunsetdevelopers.facebook.com
Need a hand?
Sendiee is an official Meta Business Partner. If you are stuck at any step, message us on WhatsApp or write to [email protected] and we will walk you through it.