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📱 WhatsApp Cloud API - Meta’s Official API

Configure WhatsApp Business using Meta (Facebook) official API. Two configuration methods: quick via Embedded Signup or manual with credentials.

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📋 Overview

WhatsApp Cloud API is Meta’s official solution for integrating WhatsApp Business:

Embedded Signup

⚡ Automatic setup via Meta
✅ Recommended for beginners

Manual

🔧 Credential-based setup
✅ More technical control

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✨ Official API Features

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Capabilities

✅ Text Messages - Send and receive
✅ Media - Images, videos, audio, documents
✅ Location - Share/receive location
✅ Contacts - Send vCard
✅ Templates - Pre-approved messages by Meta
✅ Interactive Messages - Buttons and lists
✅ Replies - Reply to specific message
✅ Reactions - Emoji reactions
✅ Indicators - Typing, read, delivered

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Limitations

⚠️ 24-hour window: After 24h of customer’s last message, can only send approved templates
⚠️ Templates: Need Meta approval (takes 1-24h)
⚠️ Message limits: Based on account quality rating

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🚀 Method 1: Embedded Signup (Recommended)

Automatic setup in 3 clicks!

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Prerequisites

  • Facebook Business account
  • Be administrator of Facebook Business Manager
  • Modern browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox)

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Step by Step

1

Access Create Inbox

  1. Go to “Settings” → “Inboxes”
  2. Click “Add Inbox”
  3. Choose “WhatsApp”
2

Choose Embedded Signup

  1. In provider list, select: “WhatsApp Business - Quick setup with Meta”
  2. Click “Continue”
3

Connect with Meta

  1. Click “Connect with WhatsApp Business”
  2. A Meta pop-up window will open
  3. Log in to your Facebook Business account
4

Authorize Access

  1. Select WhatsApp Business Account or create new
  2. Choose phone number or add new
  3. Authorize permissions:
    • Manage messages
    • Send messages
    • Manage templates
  4. Click “Continue”
5

Automatic Configuration

Chatwoot automatically:
  • ✅ Gets API credentials
  • ✅ Configures webhook
  • ✅ Registers phone number
  • ✅ Syncs templates
Wait ~30 seconds…
6

Done!

✅ Inbox created successfully!Now you can:
  • Add agents to inbox
  • Start receiving messages
  • Send approved templates

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Embedded Signup Advantages

✅ Zero manual config: Everything automatic
✅ Secure: OAuth2 via Meta
✅ Fast: Ready in 2 minutes
✅ Error-free: Correct credentials guaranteed
✅ Auto webhooks: Already configured

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🔧 Method 2: Manual Configuration

For those who prefer full control or use custom systems.

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Prerequisites

  • Meta for Developers account
  • WhatsApp Business App created
  • Verified phone number

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Get Credentials from Meta

1

Access Meta for Developers

  1. Go to developers.facebook.com
  2. Login with your Facebook Business account
  3. Click “My Apps”
2

Create/Select App

Create new:
  1. Click “Create App”
  2. Type: “Business”
  3. App name: “Chatwoot WhatsApp”
  4. Contact email
  5. “Create App”
Or select existing app
3

Add WhatsApp Product

  1. On app dashboard, search “WhatsApp”
  2. Click “Set up”
  3. Follow Meta’s setup wizard
4

Get Phone Number ID

  1. On sidebar: “WhatsApp” → “Getting Started”
  2. In “Send and receive messages” section
  3. Copy the Phone Number ID
Example: 123456789012345
5

Get Business Account ID (WABA ID)

  1. Still on WhatsApp page
  2. Look for “WhatsApp Business Account ID”
  3. Or go to “WhatsApp” → “API Setup”
  4. Copy the Business Account ID
Example: 987654321098765
6

Generate Access Token (API Key)

  1. Go to “WhatsApp” → “API Setup”
  2. “Temporary access token” section:
    • Click “Generate token”
    • ⚠️ Token expires in 24h - for testing only!
For Production (Permanent Token):
  1. Create System User in Business Manager
  2. Generate permanent token with permissions:
    • whatsapp_business_management
    • whatsapp_business_messaging
  3. Store token securely!
Example: EAAxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
7

Add Phone Number

  1. Go to “WhatsApp” → “API Setup”
  2. Click “Add phone number”
  3. Choose number:
    • Use Meta’s test number (limited)
    • Add your own number
  4. Verify number via SMS/Call

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Configure in Chatwoot

1

Create Inbox

  1. “Settings” → “Inboxes” → “Add Inbox”
  2. Choose “WhatsApp”
  3. Provider: “WhatsApp Cloud - Quick setup via Meta”
2

Fill Credentials

Form:Inbox Name:
Ex: WhatsApp Sales
Phone Number (E.164 format):
Ex: +15551234567
Phone Number ID:
Paste ID from step 4
Ex: 123456789012345
Business Account ID:
Paste WABA ID from step 5
Ex: 987654321098765
API Key (Access Token):
Paste token from step 6
Ex: EAAxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
3

Create Inbox

  1. Click “Create WhatsApp channel”
  2. Wait for credential validation
  3. ✅ Inbox created!

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Configure Webhook in Meta

Important: Without webhook, you WON’T receive messages!
1

Get URL and Token from Chatwoot

  1. In Chatwoot, go to created inbox
  2. “Settings” → “Configuration” tab
  3. See “Callback URL” section:
Webhook URL:
https://your-chatwoot.com/webhooks/whatsapp/+15551234567

Verify Token:
abc123xyz456 (auto-generated)
Copy both!
2

Configure in Meta

  1. Back to Meta for Developers
  2. Your app → “WhatsApp” → “Configuration”
  3. “Webhook” section
  4. Click “Edit”
3

Add URL

Callback URL:
https://your-chatwoot.com/webhooks/whatsapp/+15551234567
Verify Token:
abc123xyz456
Click “Verify and save”✅ Should show “Verified” in green
4

Subscribe to Events

In “Webhook fields” section, check:✅ messages - Received messages
✅ message_template_status_update - Template status
⚠️ account_alerts - Important alerts
⚠️ phone_number_quality_update - Number qualityClick “Subscribe”
5

Test Webhook

  1. Still in Webhook configuration
  2. Click “Test”
  3. Choose “messages”
  4. Click “Send”
✅ Should return 200 OK status

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📝 Create Message Templates

Templates are pre-approved messages to send outside 24h window.

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Create Template in Meta

1

Access WhatsApp Manager

  1. Go to business.facebook.com
  2. Select your WhatsApp Business Account
  3. Sidebar: “Messaging tools” → “Message templates”
2

Create New Template

  1. Click “Create template”
  2. Category:
    • Marketing: Promotions, offers
    • Utility: Order updates, reminders
    • Authentication: OTP codes
  3. Name: welcome_message (no spaces, use _)
  4. Language: English
3

Compose Message

Header (Optional):
Text, Image, Video or Document
Ex: Welcome to Acme!
Body (Required):
Hello {{1}}! 👋

Thank you for contacting Acme.
How can we help you today?

Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm
Footer (Optional):
Acme Team
Buttons (Optional):
  • Call to Action (URL, Phone)
  • Quick Reply
4

Submit for Approval

  1. Review template
  2. Click “Submit”
  3. Wait for approval: 1-24 hours
Status:
  • 🟡 Pending: Awaiting review
  • 🟢 Approved: Can use now!
  • 🔴 Rejected: See reason

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Use Template in Chatwoot

1

Sync Templates

  1. In Chatwoot, go to WhatsApp inbox
  2. “Settings” → “Templates”
  3. Click “Sync”
  4. Approved templates appear in list
2

Send Template

  1. Open conversation (can be > 24h inactive)
  2. In message box, click “Templates” (⚡ icon)
  3. Choose template from list
  4. Fill variables (ex: customer name)
  5. “Send”
✅ Message sent even outside window!

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🔍 Verify Configuration

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Configuration Checklist

✅ Correct credentials:
   - Valid Phone Number ID
   - Valid Business Account ID
   - Active API Key (not expired)

✅ Webhook configured:
   - URL: https://your-chatwoot.com/webhooks/whatsapp/+155...
   - Token: Matches Chatwoot
   - Status: Verified ✓
   - Subscribed fields: messages ✓

✅ Templates synced:
   - At least 1 approved template
   - Sync working

✅ Number verified:
   - Number has green check in Meta
   - Number not in use elsewhere

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🚨 Common Issues

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Not Receiving Messages

Cause 1: Webhook not configured 
Solution:
1. Check webhook URL in Meta
2. Test webhook with "Test" button
3. See logs in Chatwoot: /logs
Cause 2: Expired token 
Solution:
1. Generate new permanent Access Token
2. Update in Chatwoot:
   Inbox → Settings → Edit → API Key
3. Save

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Cannot Send

Cause 1: Outside 24h window 
Error: "Message failed to send"

Solution:
Use approved template instead of normal message

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💡 Best Practices

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Operations

✅ Monitor webhook: Check logs regularly
✅ Sync templates: Weekly or after creating new
✅ Account quality: Check status monthly
✅ Permanent token: Use System User, not temporary

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Security

✅ Secure API Key: Don’t share, don’t commit to Git
✅ Webhook HTTPS: Always use secure URL
✅ IP whitelist: Configure in Meta if possible

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🚀 Next Steps

Advanced Templates

Create templates with buttons, media and variables

WhatsApp Campaigns

Send bulk messages via templates