> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://chatbase.co/docs/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # WhatsApp > Connect a WhatsApp number so your AI agent can handle customer conversations on WhatsApp ## Overview Integrating WhatsApp with Chatbase lets your AI agent communicate directly with customers on WhatsApp, handling inquiries and automating responses. This guide walks you through connecting your AI agent to a WhatsApp phone number. > **What you can do:** > > Answer customers on the channel they already use, around the clock, with the same AI agent, knowledge, and actions you use on your website. > [!NOTE] > > Attachments are supported, so your AI agent can process them and respond based on their content. See [Attachments](https://chatbase.co/docs/user-guides/chatbot/channels.md#attachments). > [!NOTE] > > You can connect more than one WhatsApp number to your AI agent. Once connected, all your numbers are managed from **Channels → WhatsApp → Manage**. ## Before you start The WhatsApp phone number integrated with the AI agent can only be used by the AI agent. It can't also be used on WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business. > [!TIP] > > Already using the number in the WhatsApp Business app and want to keep it there? Connect it with [WhatsApp Business App Coexistence](https://chatbase.co/docs/user-guides/integrations/whatsapp-coexistence.md) instead, so the app and your AI agent share the number. > **The number is already used with WhatsApp** > > Delete the account in the app first: > > 1. Open the WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business app. > 2. Navigate to **Settings > Account**. > 3. Select **Delete my account**. This may take a few minutes, after which the number becomes available. > **You previously used WhatsApp through Meta Developer for business** > > You must disable **two-step verification**: > > 1. Log in to your [WhatsApp Business Account](https://business.facebook.com/wa/manage/home/). > 2. Choose the phone number you'd like to integrate. > 3. Navigate to **Settings > Two-step verification** and turn it off. Make sure you have an approved display name before integrating with your AI agent. You can [read more about display names](https://www.facebook.com/business/help/338047025165344) on Meta's site. ## How to connect WhatsApp **1. Open the WhatsApp channel** Navigate to the AI agent you'd like to integrate with WhatsApp. Click **Channels** in the sidebar, then click **Setup** on the **WhatsApp** card. **2. Log in with Facebook** Log in with your personal Facebook account, then click **Get started**. ![Logging in with a Facebook account](https://mintcdn.com/chatbase/JnjROJ-aB2q57UGe/user-guides/integrations/images/whatsapp/whatsapp-3.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=JnjROJ-aB2q57UGe\&q=85\&s=8baafadc91f33ff84791c5500fb26388) ![The Get started screen](https://mintcdn.com/chatbase/JnjROJ-aB2q57UGe/user-guides/integrations/images/whatsapp/whatsapp-4.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=JnjROJ-aB2q57UGe\&q=85\&s=051dbc47fff92b9c9a9f6a822d7a2096) **3. Choose or create a business profile** Select an existing business profile or create a new one, then create or select a WhatsApp business profile. ![Choosing a business profile](https://mintcdn.com/chatbase/JnjROJ-aB2q57UGe/user-guides/integrations/images/whatsapp/whatsapp-5.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=JnjROJ-aB2q57UGe\&q=85\&s=d898318c553becd5721947a993faf86a) ![Creating or selecting a WhatsApp business profile](https://mintcdn.com/chatbase/JnjROJ-aB2q57UGe/user-guides/integrations/images/whatsapp/whatsapp-6.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=JnjROJ-aB2q57UGe\&q=85\&s=5ba0d9ad7bfe27019f04873a359a97b0) Fill in the information for the business profile. ![Filling in business profile information](https://mintcdn.com/chatbase/JnjROJ-aB2q57UGe/user-guides/integrations/images/whatsapp/whatsapp-7.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=JnjROJ-aB2q57UGe\&q=85\&s=b616c8d64f73fbcbc10596a7ad361f32) **4. Add a phone number** Add a phone number. It's recommended to have only one associated number in this profile, then click **Continue**. ![Adding a phone number to the business profile](https://mintcdn.com/chatbase/JnjROJ-aB2q57UGe/user-guides/integrations/images/whatsapp/whatsapp-8.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=JnjROJ-aB2q57UGe\&q=85\&s=f43a17eb1f7d9781ac85281695a271aa) ![Continuing after adding the phone number](https://mintcdn.com/chatbase/JnjROJ-aB2q57UGe/user-guides/integrations/images/whatsapp/whatsapp-9.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=JnjROJ-aB2q57UGe\&q=85\&s=534ce5f5c6c085544ebcb425b3e59087) **5. Finish the connection** Wait a few seconds for information verification, then click **Finish**. ![Waiting for information verification](https://mintcdn.com/chatbase/kU-6NVMb2BBkym9H/user-guides/integrations/images/whatsapp/whatsapp-10.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=kU-6NVMb2BBkym9H\&q=85\&s=9a87ded98c880a24a7504945971bbe75) ![Clicking Finish to complete the connection](https://mintcdn.com/chatbase/kU-6NVMb2BBkym9H/user-guides/integrations/images/whatsapp/whatsapp-11.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=kU-6NVMb2BBkym9H\&q=85\&s=81c8e73320d9095f88d2bca1eb468681) **6. Update your WhatsApp settings (optional)** Navigate to **Profile**, update your WhatsApp settings, then click **Save**. ![Updating the WhatsApp profile settings](https://mintcdn.com/chatbase/kU-6NVMb2BBkym9H/user-guides/integrations/images/whatsapp/whatsapp-13.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=kU-6NVMb2BBkym9H\&q=85\&s=09d13677f7a9f748ff19ef9be7576083) > [!TIP] > > Send a message to your connected WhatsApp number and confirm your AI agent replies. ## Automatic lead collection Chatbase can automatically collect basic customer information from WhatsApp conversations, including the phone number and name when available. To enable it: 1. Go to **Channels → WhatsApp → Manage → Leads**. 2. Toggle **Enable Automatic Collection of Leads**. 3. Select the WhatsApp number or numbers you want to apply this to. Once enabled, Chatbase captures lead details whenever a customer messages your WhatsApp number. > [!NOTE] > > For more advanced lead capture and customization, use the [Collect Leads action](https://chatbase.co/docs/user-guides/chatbot/actions/collect-leads.md) in your AI agent. ## Messaging limits and billing Once your integration is active you can send 1000 free messages monthly. To send more, add a payment method in your [Meta billing settings](https://business.facebook.com/billing_hub). > [!NOTE] > > You can enable or disable the WhatsApp integration without disconnecting it. Disabling pauses messages while keeping your setup intact, and you can re-enable at any time. New chats still appear in your Chatbase dashboard chat logs. ## Limitations * **The number is exclusive to the AI agent.** A number connected to Chatbase can't also be used in the WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business app. To keep using the WhatsApp Business app, use [coexistence](https://chatbase.co/docs/user-guides/integrations/whatsapp-coexistence.md). * **1000 free messages per month.** Beyond that, a payment method is required in Meta billing. * **Free-form replies are limited to a 24-hour window.** After that you must use an approved template. See [WhatsApp Templates](https://chatbase.co/docs/user-guides/integrations/whatsapp-templates.md). ## Next steps > **[WhatsApp Templates](https://chatbase.co/docs/user-guides/integrations/whatsapp-templates.md)** > > Create approved message templates so you can reach customers after the 24-hour window closes. This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.