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Get a WhatsApp number from Meta

Prepare a business phone number in Meta so you can connect it to your WhatsApp AI agent.

Before a WhatsApp AI agent can talk to your customers, Meta has to know which phone number it will use. This guide explains how to get that number ready on Meta's WhatsApp Business Platform, and which details to bring back to Ordering.co.

Two ways to connect

In the AI Dashboard you can connect WhatsApp with WhatsApp Business Login or with Manual Credentials. With WhatsApp Business Login, Meta walks you through adding and verifying the number inside the login window, so you only need the items in Before you start. Use the full Meta setup below only if you plan to use Manual Credentials.

Before you start​

Have these ready:

  • A Facebook account that will manage the business in Meta.
  • A Meta business portfolio (formerly Business Manager). You can create one during the setup if you don't have one.
  • A phone number for WhatsApp. It must:
    • belong to your business;
    • include the country and area code;
    • be able to receive an SMS or a voice call, so Meta can send a verification code;
    • be a regular number, not a short code.
  • A display name, which is the business name customers see in WhatsApp. Use your real business or brand name.
  • Business documents for Meta's business verification, such as your business registration and proof of address.
The number can't be in use on WhatsApp

A number that is active in the WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business app must be removed from that app before Meta will register it. Once registered on the platform, the number can no longer be used in those apps. If you want to keep your current WhatsApp number in the app, use a different number for your AI agent.

  1. In the AI Dashboard, open AI Agents and select Create Agent.
  2. Choose WhatsApp as the channel and select the brand.
  3. Choose WhatsApp Business Login.
  4. In the Meta window, sign in with your Facebook account and follow the steps:
    • select or create your business portfolio;
    • select or create a WhatsApp Business account;
    • add your phone number and display name;
    • enter the verification code Meta sends by SMS or voice call.
  5. When the Meta window closes, finish the agent setup. See Create a WhatsApp AI agent.

Option B: Set up the number yourself in Meta​

Use this path to get the details for Manual Credentials.

1. Create a Meta app with the WhatsApp use case​

  1. Go to developers.facebook.com/apps and select Create App.
  2. Enter an app name and your contact email.
  3. Select the use case Connect with customers through WhatsApp.
  4. Select your business portfolio, or create one.
  5. Review the details and select Create app.

Meta opens Customize use case → Connect on WhatsApp. Under Choose your integration type, keep Integrate with API selected.

2. Try it out with Meta's test number (optional)​

Step 1. Try it out gives you a free test number so you can send a sample message. You can skip this step. The test number is not the number your customers will write to.

3. Add your business phone number​

Follow Step 2. Production setup:

  1. Select or create the WhatsApp Business account for your business.
  2. Select Add phone number.
  3. Enter the display name and business details.
  4. Enter your phone number in international format, for example +52 33 1234 5678.
  5. Choose Text message or Phone call and enter the verification code.

You can also add numbers later in WhatsApp Manager → Account tools → Phone numbers.

tip

Meta lets new accounts register two phone numbers at first. The limit can grow after business verification and an approved display name.

4. Verify your business​

Follow Step 3. Business verification and upload the documents Meta asks for. Meta reviews them and approves your display name. Until then, your number may show limits on how many customers it can message.

5. Add a payment method​

In WhatsApp Manager, open payment settings and add a payment method. Meta charges for some business-initiated messages; check Meta's current pricing for your country.

6. Create a permanent access token​

The token shown during testing expires quickly. Your agent needs a long-lived one:

  1. Open Business settings at business.facebook.com/settings and select System users.
  2. Select Add, name the system user, and give it the Admin role.
  3. Select the system user, then Assign assets:
    • your app, with Manage app (full control);
    • your WhatsApp account, with Manage WhatsApp Business accounts (full control).
  4. Select Generate token, choose your app, and add these permissions:
    • business_management
    • whatsapp_business_messaging
    • whatsapp_business_management
  5. Copy the token and store it somewhere safe. Meta shows it only once.
Keep the token private

Anyone with this token can send messages as your business. Don't paste it into emails, chats, or support tickets.

7. Copy the details you need​

In your Meta app, open WhatsApp → API Setup and copy:

  • Phone number ID, the identifier of the number you added;
  • WhatsApp Business Account ID;
  • the phone number itself.

8. Enter the details in Ordering.co​

  1. In the AI Dashboard, open AI Agents and select Create Agent.
  2. Choose WhatsApp, select the brand, and choose Manual Credentials.
  3. Enter the Channel External ID (the Phone number ID), the Phone Number, and the Access Token.
  4. Save, then test the agent with the QR code. See Create a WhatsApp AI agent.

Verify the result​

In WhatsApp Manager → Phone numbers, your number shows as Connected. In the AI Dashboard, the agent shows as active, and a test message sent after scanning the QR code gets a reply.

Troubleshooting​

Meta doesn't send the verification code​

Check that the number can receive SMS or calls from international senders, then try the other method (text or call). Toll-free numbers with a phone menu must be able to route Meta's call to a person.

Meta says the number is already registered​

The number is still active in the WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business app, or registered with another provider. Delete the WhatsApp account on that phone, or ask the other provider to release the number, and try again. If two-step verification is on for that number, it must be turned off first.

The agent stopped responding​

If you used Manual Credentials, the access token may have expired or been revoked. Generate a new system user token and update the agent. Also confirm the number still shows as Connected in WhatsApp Manager.

My display name was rejected​

Edit the display name in WhatsApp Manager so it matches your business name, then submit it again.

Related guides: Create a WhatsApp AI agent · Analyze conversations