WhatsApp Business API
Step-by-step instructions to connect your WhatsApp Business number to SmarticBot through Meta.
Connect your official WhatsApp Business number to SmarticBot
Overview
This guide connects an official WhatsApp Business API number to SmarticBot using Meta's secure sign-in. You do not need to copy tokens or create a developer app yourself.
What you will have at the end:
- Your WhatsApp Business number connected to SmarticBot
- Your assistant answering customers, with official approved templates for outreach
What You Need Before Starting
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| A SmarticBot account with an assistant | Create it under Assistants |
| A Meta (Facebook) account that manages your business | You sign in with it during setup |
| A WhatsApp Business Account in Meta Business | With a phone number you want to use |
| Your number must not be in use in the regular WhatsApp app | A number is either on the Business API or in the app, not both |
Connect the Number
- Log in to SmarticBot and open Channels
- Under Connect a channel, choose the assistant that should answer
- Click WhatsApp Business API
- Meta's sign-in window opens. Sign in, choose your business and WhatsApp Business Account, and select (or add and verify) your phone number
- Approve the permissions and finish. You return to Channels, where the new channel shows Connected
SmarticBot registers your number and subscribes to its messages automatically. There is no webhook address or token to paste.
Turn the Assistant On
New channels start paused so you can test first.
- In Channels, click Resume AI on the new channel
- In Assistants → your assistant → Review & activate, make sure it is on
Official Templates
WhatsApp only lets a business start a conversation with a template approved by Meta.
- Approved templates appear in Templates & Saved Replies → Official WhatsApp templates
- In Campaigns, choose your Business API number and an approved template
- Templates that use variables such as
{{1}}are not supported yet
Create and submit templates in your Meta Business account. Approval is done by Meta.
Test It
From a different phone, send a message to your business number. The assistant should reply within seconds and the chat appears in Inbox.
Important Notes
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 24-hour window | Free-form replies are only allowed within 24 hours of the customer's last message. Outside it, use an approved template |
| Number in the app | If the number is also in the regular WhatsApp app, remove it from the app first |
| Disconnecting | Use Remove on the channel. Also remove the app in Meta Business settings to fully revoke access |
Troubleshooting
| Problem | What to check |
|---|---|
| The sign-in window is blocked | Allow pop-ups for this site and try again |
| Your number is not listed | Add and verify it in Meta Business, then reconnect |
| Connected but no replies | Check the assistant is on and the channel shows AI on |
| A template cannot be chosen | It may be pending, rejected, or use variables |
For further help, contact SmarticBot support.