WhatsApp Business API Setup

WhatsApp Business API Setup Guide with Permanent Access Token (via Facebook Developers)

✅ Prerequisites

• A verified Facebook Business Manager account

→ Create Business Manager

→ Verify Your Business

• A Facebook (Meta) developer account (https://developers.facebook.com/)

→ Register as a Meta Developer

• A phone number not linked to any WhatsApp account (can receive SMS or voice)

→ WhatsApp Business Phone Requirements

• Admin access to your Facebook Business Manager

Note: If you do not yet have a WABA, you will be guided to create one when you add your phone number in Step 1.

🛠️ Step 1: Create a Facebook App

1. Go to https://developers.facebook.com/apps

2. Click "Create App"

3. In the pop-up:
• App Name: Choose a name (e.g., LeadGen WhatsApp App)
• Contact Email: Use your business email
• Use Case: Select "Other"
• App Type: Select "Business"
• Business Account: Choose your verified Business Manager

4. Click Create App and complete the CAPTCHA if prompted

💬 Step 2: Add WhatsApp Product to the App

1. In the App Dashboard, scroll to "Add Products to Your App"

2. Locate WhatsApp and click Set Up

☎️ Step 3: Create a WhatsApp Business Account (WABA)

1. Go to WhatsApp > Getting Started inside your app

2. Click Create WhatsApp Business Account if none exists

3. Link it to your Business Manager account

☎️ Step 4: Add and Verify a Phone Number

1. In WhatsApp > Getting Started, click Add Phone Number

2. Enter a number that:
• Is not registered with WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business
• Can receive SMS or voice calls

3. Verify the number via the chosen method

• phone_number_id

• whatsapp_business_account_id

These are needed for API messaging and must be securely stored

 

🔌 Step 5: Add Your Webhook URL (WAct Specific)

1. Go to your app dashboard

2. Click: WhatsApp > Configuration

3. Under Webhook, click Edit

4. Enter the following:
• Callback URL: https://app.waconversiontracking.com/api/webhook
• Verify Token: waconv123

5. Click Verify and Save

📃 Step 6: Subscribe to Webhook Events

1. Still in WhatsApp > Configuration

2. Under Webhook fields, click Manage

3. Select and enable the following fields:
• account_alerts
• messages

4. Click Save

🔑 Step 7: Generate an Access Token (Permanent)

1. Go to https://business.facebook.com/settings/

2. In the left panel, click System Users

3. Click Add:
• Name: WhatsAppBotUser
• Role: Admin

4. After creation, click Assign Assets
• Select your Facebook App
• Grant Full Control (Manage App)

5. Click Generate Token
• Choose your app
• Set Expiration: Never
• Select permissions:
• whatsapp_business_messaging
• whatsapp_business_management

6. Click Generate Token

Important: Copy the token immediately. You won’t be able to view it again. This token will be used by your to configure your WhatsApp Business API connection in WACT.

🔄 Step 8: Assign System User to WABA

1. In Business Settings, go to Accounts > WhatsApp Accounts

2. Select your WABA

3. Under People, click Add People

4. Select your System User and assign Full Control - Manage WhatsApp business accounts