✅Prerequisites for WhatsApp Bots

This page covers the first two steps of connecting your WhatsApp number to BotPenguin using the Cloud API — confirming your prerequisites and choosing your connection method.

How to Get Here

1. From the left sidebar, click Chatbot.

2. Select your WhatsApp bot from the dropdown.

3. Click Install Your Chatbot.

4. On the Connect with WhatsApp screen, click Connect with WhatsApp API.

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Step 1: Confirm Prerequisites

You will land on the WhatsApp Bot Pre-requisites screen.

Read through each item and check the box once you have confirmed it is in place. Click Select All to check all boxes at once, then click Proceed.

#	Prerequisite	Details
1	Legally registered business	Your business must be officially registered with the relevant authorities in your country
2	Valid website with a data privacy policy	Your website must be live and must include a publicly accessible privacy policy page
3	Valid business registration document	GST Certificate, Certificate of Incorporation, MSME/Udyam, or equivalent. Required for Indian residents.
4	Valid payment method	A debit or credit card enabled for international payments — required to pay Meta for WhatsApp conversation charges
5	Valid use case in compliance with WhatsApp commerce policy	Your intended use must comply with the WhatsApp Commerce Policy
6	Phone number not registered on WhatsApp	The number must not be active on WhatsApp or the WhatsApp Business App, and must be capable of receiving SMS

A single phone number can only be active on one WhatsApp service at a time. If your number is currently in use on WhatsApp or the WhatsApp Business App, remove it from that service before proceeding.

Once all boxes are checked, click Proceed.

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Step 2: WhatsApp Phone Number Setup

You will now see the WhatsApp Phone Number Setup screen with two options:

Option A: Continue with Facebook (Recommended)

1. This is the fastest setup method. Use this if you have admin access to your Facebook page. It connects your number through Meta's embedded signup flow.

2. Click Continue with Facebook to proceed with this method.

Option B: Connect using Cloud API (Advanced)

1. Use this if you already have a verified phone number, Phone Number ID, WABA ID, and system user token — or if you want to set these up manually.

2. Click Connect using Cloud API to proceed with this method.

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Step 3: Choose Your WhatsApp API Provider

If you clicked Connect using Cloud API, you will see the Choose your WhatsApp API Provider screen.

Enable the Toggle

1. You will see the question "Do you have WhatsApp Business API?" with a toggle next to it. Turn the toggle on.

2. Once enabled, a dropdown will appear with two options:

Option	When to use
WhatsApp Cloud API	You already have your Phone Number ID, WhatsApp Business Account ID, and System User Token ready
None	You do not have these credentials yet and need to set them up from scratch

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If you select WhatsApp Cloud API

Enter the following three credentials and connect:

• Phone Number ID — Found in your Meta Developer Dashboard under your WhatsApp app

• WhatsApp Business Account ID (WABA ID) — Found in Meta Business Manager

• System User Token — Generated when you assign a System User to your WABA

Once all three are entered, click Submit to complete the setup.

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If you select None

Click Next. You will be guided through the full manual setup process, starting with creating a Meta App.

The steps are:

🔤Create a Meta App✔️Register & Verify your WhatsApp Number🔗Subscribe WA webhook with BotPenguin💳Update WA account Payment Method🦸‍♀️Assign System User to WhatsApp Account📃Getting all the necessary details from Meta Developer Dashboard

Need help? On the prerequisites screen, click WhatsApp Now or Email Us on the right side panel to request assistance from the BotPenguin team.

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Support

If everything is correct and you are still unable to move forward, write to us at [e-mail]. We will respond back within 48 business hours.