Connect your own phone number
Register a mobile or landline number with the WhatsApp Business API and start managing customer conversations in Wadwin.
Important — read before you start
- Your phone number cannot be registered on WhatsApp Personal or WhatsApp Business App at the same time
- You will need a number that can receive SMS or voice calls for verification
- We recommend using a dedicated SIM or a virtual number (e.g. Twilio, Vonage)
What you'll need
A personal Facebook account with Full Access rights
You must be an Admin in your Meta Business Portfolio. Check your access at business.facebook.com → Settings → People.
Two-factor authentication on your Facebook account
Meta requires 2FA to be enabled before you can connect a WhatsApp Business API account.
A completed Meta Business Portfolio
Your Business Info page (name, website, country) must be filled in before starting the connection.
A phone number for verification
A mobile or landline number that can receive an SMS or phone call from the United States. Virtual (VoIP) numbers are often blocked by Meta.
Step-by-step guide
Open the Wadwin onboarding wizard
Go to Wadwin → Onboarding or navigate to Settings → WhatsApp Numbers → Connect. Select "Connect your own phone number" when prompted to choose a connection method.
Sign in to your Facebook account
A Meta pop-up window will appear. Sign in with the personal Facebook account that has Full Access rights in your Meta Business Portfolio. If you are on the wrong account, click "Log into another account" to switch.
Select your Business Portfolio
Choose the Meta Business Portfolio you want to associate with your WhatsApp Business account. Once linked, a WABA cannot be moved to a different Business Portfolio. Confirm your business name, website, and country, then click Next.
Create your WhatsApp Business Account (WABA)
Select "Create a WhatsApp Business Account". Give it an internal name (only visible to your team) and choose your timezone and currency — these cannot be changed after creation.
Then create a WhatsApp Business Profile with a display name (what customers see) and your business category.
Verify your phone number
Enter your phone number with the correct country code. Choose to receive a verification code via SMS or phone call. Enter the 6-digit code when it arrives and click Next.
Copy your credentials into Wadwin
After completing the Meta flow, you'll be redirected back to Wadwin. Enter the following credentials:
- WABA ID — found in Meta Business Manager → Business Settings → WhatsApp Accounts
- Phone Number ID — found in Meta for Developers → your app → WhatsApp → API Setup
- Access Token — use a System User token for a permanent, never-expiring token (recommended)
You're live!
Click Connect WhatsApp Number. Wadwin will verify your credentials and configure the webhook automatically. Send a WhatsApp message to your number to confirm everything is working.
Pro tip: Use a System User token
The default access token from Meta expires every 24 hours. To avoid reconnecting daily, create a System User in Meta Business Settings and generate a token with Never expiry. This is the recommended approach for production.
- Go to Meta Business Settings → System Users → Add
- Create a System User with Admin role
- Click Generate New Token → select your app → enable
whatsapp_business_messagingandwhatsapp_business_management - Set expiry to Never and copy the token