> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.orsay.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# 1. Connect WhatsApp Business API

> Set up an official WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) with Orsay — verified, scaleable, with approved templates.

The WhatsApp Business API is Meta's official channel for businesses. It requires a **verified WhatsApp Business Account (WABA)** and **approved templates** for sending the first message — but in exchange, you get a green-tick checkmark, no daily message caps, and full Meta support.

<Note>
  You have **two options**: create a brand-new WhatsApp Business account from scratch, or connect an existing WhatsApp Business app you already use.
</Note>

## Option A — Create a new WhatsApp Business account

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Integrations → WhatsApp">
    In the sidebar, click **[Integrations](https://app.orsay.ai/integrations)** → **[WhatsApp](https://app.orsay.ai/integrations/whatsapp)**.

    <img style={{ borderRadius: "0.5rem" }} src="https://mintcdn.com/orsay-1117ebc5/gx-xmQnnuNxP0YlC/image_whatsapp/step_1/1.0.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=gx-xmQnnuNxP0YlC&q=85&s=8249ceec9d3bf6f2fb88cfe650df929d" width="1604" height="963" data-path="image_whatsapp/step_1/1.0.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a profile">
    Add a name and profile picture, then click **Connect a new WhatsApp number**.

    <img style={{ borderRadius: "0.5rem" }} src="https://mintcdn.com/orsay-1117ebc5/gx-xmQnnuNxP0YlC/image_whatsapp/step_1/2.0.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=gx-xmQnnuNxP0YlC&q=85&s=437508f0cc3f7c329549112ad70e386c" width="1146" height="786" data-path="image_whatsapp/step_1/2.0.png" />

    <img style={{ borderRadius: "0.5rem" }} src="https://mintcdn.com/orsay-1117ebc5/gx-xmQnnuNxP0YlC/image_whatsapp/step_1/3.0.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=gx-xmQnnuNxP0YlC&q=85&s=920272141d9873b167d2b625cd5843d4" width="1587" height="958" data-path="image_whatsapp/step_1/3.0.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Approve in Facebook Business Manager">
    You're redirected to Facebook. Approve the initial dialogs, then select your **Business Manager**.

    <img style={{ borderRadius: "0.5rem" }} src="https://mintcdn.com/orsay-1117ebc5/gx-xmQnnuNxP0YlC/image_whatsapp/step_1/4.0.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=gx-xmQnnuNxP0YlC&q=85&s=6225762ea84211a774a27a28e606d7e8" width="737" height="770" data-path="image_whatsapp/step_1/4.0.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a WhatsApp Business Account">
    Click **Create a new WhatsApp Business Account**. Use a name in the format **"Name - Your Company"** (Meta requires this for approval).

    <img style={{ borderRadius: "0.5rem" }} src="https://mintcdn.com/orsay-1117ebc5/gx-xmQnnuNxP0YlC/image_whatsapp/step_1/5.0.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=gx-xmQnnuNxP0YlC&q=85&s=3de5c1977b6f8c0d89a6940b80bd0438" width="710" height="701" data-path="image_whatsapp/step_1/5.0.png" />

    <img style={{ borderRadius: "0.5rem" }} src="https://mintcdn.com/orsay-1117ebc5/gx-xmQnnuNxP0YlC/image_whatsapp/step_1/6.0.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=gx-xmQnnuNxP0YlC&q=85&s=f050442f4a8ff24aaeb2d6a38fe7975e" width="754" height="723" data-path="image_whatsapp/step_1/6.0.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add a phone number">
    Add a phone number that is **not currently linked to any WhatsApp account**. We recommend [On Off Business](https://onoffbusiness.com) to get a clean number quickly. Validate with the 2FA code sent to that number.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Option B — Connect an existing WhatsApp Business

<Warning>
  This option only works if your phone uses the **WhatsApp Business** app — not a personal WhatsApp account. (For personal WhatsApp, use the [Personal WhatsApp channel](/en/personal-whatsapp/1-connect) instead.)
</Warning>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Start the same flow">
    Go to **[Integrations](https://app.orsay.ai/integrations)** → **[WhatsApp](https://app.orsay.ai/integrations/whatsapp)** → create a profile and click **Connect WhatsApp number**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pick existing app in Facebook">
    In the Facebook flow, choose **Connect with existing WhatsApp Business App**.

    <img style={{ borderRadius: "0.5rem" }} src="https://mintcdn.com/orsay-1117ebc5/EWPrmGUKVTLBaM54/image_whatsapp/num/5.jpeg?fit=max&auto=format&n=EWPrmGUKVTLBaM54&q=85&s=b56c124ec3beb56da40dd1504baad4f2" width="746" height="793" data-path="image_whatsapp/num/5.jpeg" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Scan and validate">
    Enter your phone number, scan the QR code, and validate with the 2FA code.

    <img style={{ borderRadius: "0.5rem" }} src="https://mintcdn.com/orsay-1117ebc5/EWPrmGUKVTLBaM54/image_whatsapp/num/6.jpeg?fit=max&auto=format&n=EWPrmGUKVTLBaM54&q=85&s=5c98dac6f18b1bbf162605659f8116f2" width="637" height="643" data-path="image_whatsapp/num/6.jpeg" />
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Validate the phone number for sending

Before you can send messages, Meta requires a payment method on the WhatsApp Business Account.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Add a payment method">
    Go to [business.facebook.com/billing\_hub](https://business.facebook.com/billing_hub), select the right business, open **WhatsApp**, and add a card.

    <img style={{ borderRadius: "0.5rem" }} src="https://mintcdn.com/orsay-1117ebc5/gx-xmQnnuNxP0YlC/image_whatsapp/step_1/1.1.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=gx-xmQnnuNxP0YlC&q=85&s=1def1b70b666119dd50a2d453a10be64" width="1589" height="307" data-path="image_whatsapp/step_1/1.1.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Send a TEST message">
    Click the **TEST** button, input your personal WhatsApp, and click **SEND**. If you receive the message, your account is fully ready.

    <img style={{ borderRadius: "0.5rem" }} src="https://mintcdn.com/orsay-1117ebc5/gx-xmQnnuNxP0YlC/image_whatsapp/step_1/2.1.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=gx-xmQnnuNxP0YlC&q=85&s=03b3e5ec9b8262294213b8dcba89751a" width="1591" height="549" data-path="image_whatsapp/step_1/2.1.png" />
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Create your template messages

Templates are the **only** way to start a conversation on the WhatsApp Business API (Meta's rule). Once a lead has replied, the agent can write freely for 24 hours.

→ Create templates in **[Integrations](https://app.orsay.ai/integrations) → [WhatsApp](https://app.orsay.ai/integrations/whatsapp) → Templates**, submit for Meta approval (usually a few hours), then use them in your sequence.

## Next step

→ [2. Create an agent](/en/whatsapp-api/2-agent)