Connect a WhatsApp Number
Connecting your own WhatsApp number to Platica is the first step toward letting your AI agents (or your human team) start interacting with your customers. This process is done securely through the official integration with Meta.
There are two ways to start this process: from the integrations page or directly from an agent's configuration. We'll walk through both below.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, make sure you have the following:
- A phone number that is not currently in use with any other WhatsApp app (neither the regular nor the Business version).
- A verified WhatsApp Business account.
- A personal Facebook account that has admin permissions on your company's Business Manager.
Dedicated number: It's essential that the number you're going to connect isn't active on any phone. If it is, you'll need to delete the WhatsApp account from the mobile app before continuing.
Option 1: From the Integrations page (Recommended)
1. Open the integrations page
From the main panel, head to the channels or integrations section. Among the available options, pick WhatsApp.
2. Channels with WhatsApp
On this page you can see the WhatsApp Business accounts you have connected and manage them. Click the "New account" button to start the linking process.
3. Meta information screen
A screen will appear listing Meta's requirements (Facebook Business Manager access, viable phone number, registered address, and company details). Click the Get started button to continue.
From this point on, the steps to complete the authentication with Meta are identical in both methods. You can jump straight to the "Final steps: Authentication with Meta" section below.
Option 2: From an Agent's configuration
1. Open the Agents configuration
Head to Platica's main panel and pick any of your agents from the navigation menu. Once inside the agent's configuration, click the Channels tab.
2. Channels tab
This is where you'll manage all the communication channels for your AI. Find and click the "Add channel" button to start the linking process.
3. Select WhatsApp
Among the available channel options, pick WhatsApp.
Final steps: Authentication with Meta
No matter which of the two options you picked above, from this point on the system will walk you through a direct authentication with Meta.
1. Grant the necessary permissions
Platica needs specific permissions to be able to send and receive messages on your behalf. Click to accept the permissions requested by Meta.
2. Confirm your phone number
The system will ask you to confirm that you have a phone number that meets the prerequisites (not currently in use on mobile devices). Confirm to continue.
3. Authentication with Meta (Pop-up)
Click to start creating the channel. An official Meta pop-up window will open. Follow these instructions inside the window:
- Sign in with your personal Facebook account (the one that is the Business Manager admin).
- Pick the WhatsApp Business account and the Business portfolio you want to connect.
- Accept Meta's terms and conditions.
- Enter the phone number and give it a visible name for the channel.
- Meta will send you a 6-digit code (by SMS or call) to verify ownership of the number. Enter it on the screen.
Make sure you don't have any pop-up blockers enabled in your browser, since they could prevent Meta's window from opening.
4. Finishing
Once the number is verified, the window will close. You'll need to go back to the Platica screen to confirm the selection of the business portfolio and the WhatsApp Business account.
Click Continue one last time and you're done! Your WhatsApp number will be connected and ready to receive and send messages through Platica.