This article explains how to add a WhatsApp channel in the Admin Center. If you want to learn about how WhatsApp can be used in CAAC, please refer to: Tutorial｜How to Use WhatsApp Channel in CAAC
# How to Add a WhatsApp Business Account?
You can choose to connect and create a new WhatsApp Business Account, or connect your existing WhatsApp Business Account. Please select the tutorial steps according to your needs.
- Scenario 1: Connect an Existing WhatsApp Business Account
If you want to connect an existing WhatsApp Business Account, please follow the steps below.
Step 1: Go to "Admin Center" in Settings
- Enter Admin Center from MAAC
- Enter Admin Center from CAAC
Step 2: In Admin Center, click "Channel Settings" and "Add Channel"
Step 3: Select "WhatsApp" and "Continue"
Step 4: Complete the connection by following Meta's integration instructions
- Log in to your Facebook account. In the next step, you will select the Meta Business Account that your Facebook account can manage. After completing the integration, your WhatsApp Business Account will be linked to that Meta Business Account.
- Please select or create the Meta Business Account to which you want to link your WhatsApp Business Account
- Please choose "Link an existing WhatsApp Business Account"
- Please enter the phone number linked to your WhatsApp Business Account
- The CAAC connection screen will display a QR code or verification code. Please open the WhatsApp Business App on your mobile device to complete account verification.
Please complete the setup according to the mobile screen below:
- After finishing the steps on your phone, please check in the CAAC connection screen whether the linked WhatsApp Business Account is correct
- Click "Continue" to allow CAAC to access your WhatsApp data and complete the integration.
Step 5: Confirm the integration is complete
- Scenario 2: Create a New WhatsApp Business Account
If you want to connect a brand new WhatsApp Business Account, you can create a new WhatsApp Business Account during the integration process.
Step 1: Go to "Admin Center" in Settings
- Enter Admin Center from MAAC
- Enter Admin Center from CAAC
Step 2: In Admin Center, click "Channel Settings" and "Add Channel"
Step 3: Select "WhatsApp" and "Continue"
Step 4: Complete the connection by following Meta's integration instructions
- Log in using the "Meta Business Account associated with the WhatsApp Business Account". If you haven’t created a WhatsApp Business Account yet, you can create one in the following steps. Please log in with the Meta Business Account to which you want to bind your WhatsApp Business Account.
- Please select or create the Meta Business Account to which you want to link your WhatsApp Business Account
- Please select "Create a new WhatsApp Business Account"
- Enter a phone number that has not been registered with WhatsApp to complete the new account creation process.
Step 5: Confirm the integration is complete
# Why can't I successfully connect the WhatsApp Business Account?
Situation 1: After completing the integration steps, an "account not found" error appears (as shown below)
- Please confirm the following information
1. Do you have admin access to the WhatsApp account?
2. In the Meta Business Account, the account permissions must be "Full Control"
3. Check if the WhatsApp Business Account belongs to the authorized Meta Business Account
Situation 2: If "Link expired" is displayed with a ⚠️ warning in the channel interface, please follow the steps below to reauthorize (as shown below)
- Go to "Admin Center" → "Channel Settings" → Click the "Edit" icon next to the WhatsApp Business Account
- Click "Reauthorize"
- Complete the Meta integration process.
⚠️ Please note, in the steps below, select the same option you used when initially connecting WhatsApp. For example, if you previously chose "Connect an existing WhatsApp Business App", you will also need to select "Connect an existing WhatsApp Business App" when reauthorizing.
If you have any questions, feel free to click the icon in the lower right corner to contact the assistant!