# Connect WhatsApp > Connect a phone number to WhatsApp and switch it on Before you can send WhatsApp messages, you need to connect a phone number to WhatsApp through Meta's Business Platform. This guide walks you through the connection process. [Video: How to connect Zavu to Meta with a Zavu phone number](https://youtu.be/Bq34x_NJgI0?si=76h5TN2cpyN7dHd9) ## Connection Options When you connect WhatsApp, you choose one of three routes: - **Zavu Phone Number**: **Recommended.** Use a phone number from your Zavu account. Best for dedicated business lines with high volume messaging. - **WhatsApp Business App**: Keep using the app on your phone while Zavu receives the same conversations (coexistence mode). The number must be on the WhatsApp Business app, not personal WhatsApp. - **Own Phone Number**: Move a number you control to the Cloud API. It must not be registered on WhatsApp: if it is, its account has to be deleted from the phone first. ## Connect a Zavu Phone Number (Recommended) This is the easiest way to get started with WhatsApp. Use a phone number you've purchased through Zavu. #### Open Accounts Log in to your [Zavu Dashboard](https://dashboard.zavu.dev), go to **Accounts**, and choose **Connect account → WhatsApp Business**. #### Choose a Zavu number Choose **Connect a Zavu phone number** (marked as Recommended). If you see the newer connect screen, the same option is called **A Zavu number**, and that screen lists what Meta will ask for before its window opens. #### Complete Meta Business Signup This opens the Meta Business Embed signup flow. Follow the wizard steps to connect your WhatsApp Business Account. #### Enter your Zavu phone number When the wizard asks for a phone number, enter your Zavu phone number. #### Choose Call verification When Meta asks how you want to verify the phone number, select **Call** (not SMS). > **Warning:** > You must select **Call** verification. Zavu phone numbers receive verification codes via voice call, not SMS. #### Enter the verification code Zavu will display the verification code from the incoming call. Copy this code and paste it into the Meta wizard to complete the setup. Zavu answers Meta's call for 40 minutes after you start the connection, and ends it after 90 seconds. Any other call to the number in that time is answered too; outside it, calls to a number without a voice agent are not answered. If Meta calls later, start again from **Accounts**. > **Warning:** > Connected is not the same as able to send. A connected account sends nothing until it is switched on. If your plan includes the connection, it switches on by itself as soon as Meta finishes registering the number. If it costs extra, you switch it on in **Accounts**, which shows the price before anything is charged. Until then WhatsApp is not listed in the sender's `channels` and every send on it is refused. ## Use Your Own Phone Number If you prefer to use your own phone number instead of a Zavu number: #### Navigate to WhatsApp setup Follow step 1 above to reach the connection options. #### Select own phone number Choose **Use my own phone number** (on the newer connect screen, **A number of mine that is not on WhatsApp**). #### Complete verification Enter your phone number in Meta's window. Meta sends a code by SMS or call to verify it, so keep the phone nearby. > **Warning:** > This route moves the number to the Cloud API, so the number must not be registered on WhatsApp. If it is on a phone, delete that WhatsApp account first. If it is registered with another provider, remove it in [WhatsApp Manager](https://business.facebook.com/wa/manage/phone-numbers/) and wait a few minutes before retrying. > > To keep the app on the phone instead, use **WhatsApp Business App** (coexistence). ## WhatsApp Business App (coexistence) Coexistence keeps the WhatsApp Business App working on the phone while Zavu receives the same conversations. The app stays; nothing moves. Choose **Connect WhatsApp Business App** (on the newer connect screen, **I already use WhatsApp Business App**). In Meta's window, pick the number already on the phone rather than registering a new one. Meta only offers this when all of these are true, and its dialog closes without saying which one is missing: - The number is on the **WhatsApp Business app**, version 2.24.17 or newer. Personal WhatsApp cannot be connected. - You sign in with your personal Facebook profile and have **admin access to the Facebook business** that owns the number. - The number is not from Nigeria or South Africa, where Meta does not offer coexistence yet. - The number's credit line is not still shared with another WhatsApp partner. If it is, follow Meta's switch-partner guide first. ## After Connection Once WhatsApp is connected **and switched on** (see the warning above): 1. **Send messages**: Start sending WhatsApp messages via the API or dashboard. Check that `whatsapp` is in the sender's `channels` first; until it is, every send is refused 2. **Configure webhooks**: Set up webhooks to receive inbound messages 3. **Create templates**: Set up message templates for outbound conversations outside the 24-hour window ## Troubleshooting ### Verification code not appearing - Make sure you selected **Call** verification, not SMS - Check that your Zavu phone number is active - Wait a few seconds for the call to come through ### Meta signup fails When Meta's dialog fails, the dashboard hands the failure to the Zavu assistant, which opens with the cause and the fix. The same causes, organised by where the signup gave up, are in [Troubleshooting WhatsApp Signup](https://www.zavu.dev/docs/guides/whatsapp/troubleshooting-signup). - Sign in with your personal Facebook profile, not a Page - Accept every permission Meta lists - Try Chrome with extensions disabled ### WhatsApp not showing as connected - Refresh the dashboard page - Check **Accounts**: a number Meta is still registering shows **Verification pending**, and one that is connected but switched off appears under the **Deactivated** filter - Contact support if the issue persists ## Next Steps - [Send WhatsApp Messages](https://www.zavu.dev/docs/guides/whatsapp/overview): Learn about the different message types you can send - [Create Templates](https://www.zavu.dev/docs/guides/whatsapp/templates/overview): Set up templates for messages outside the 24-hour window