Skip to content
Support Buy Now
Official WhatsApp API

Cloud API setup guide

Step-by-step instructions to apply for Meta's verified WhatsApp Business Platform — from Business Manager to phone registration and WhatSender Pro integration.

Get Business Edition View pricing
Application path

From zero to verified API

Follow these four milestones. Chapters 03–04 cover the developer app, phone number, and display name approval.

STEP 1 Prepare documents Business registration & website Read guide → STEP 2 Business Manager Create Meta business account Read guide → STEP 3 Get verified Submit business documents Read guide → STEP 4 Connect WhatSender Paste API credentials Read guide →
Meta billing

WhatsApp Official Pricing

Understand how Meta bills your official WhatsApp Cloud API usage before you go live.

  • Meta charges per 24-hour conversation (not per message).
  • The first 1,000 Service conversations per month are FREE.
  • Prices vary by Country and Category (Marketing, Utility, Service).
  • Click the "View Global Pricing" button below for all country rates on Meta's official site.
Marketing Promotions, offers, re-engagement campaigns
Utility Order updates, receipts, appointment reminders
Authentication OTP codes and account verification
Service Replies within 24h of a customer message
View Global Pricing Meta pricing docs
Per message · USD
Country / region Marketing Utility Authentication Service
India $0.0118 $0.0014 $0.0014 Free
Turkey $0.0109 $0.0009 $0.0009 Free
Colombia $0.0125 $0.0008 $0.0008 Free
North America (US & Canada) $0.0250 $0.0034 $0.0135 Free
Mexico $0.0305 $0.0085 $0.0085 Free
South Africa $0.0379 $0.0076 $0.0076 Free
Indonesia $0.0411 $0.0250 $0.0250 Free
Pakistan $0.0473 $0.0100 $0.0100 Free
United Arab Emirates $0.0499 $0.0157 $0.0157 Free
Saudi Arabia $0.0501 $0.0107 $0.0107 Free
Nigeria $0.0516 $0.0067 $0.0067 Free
United Kingdom $0.0635 $0.0220 $0.0220 Free
Brazil $0.0625 $0.0068 $0.0068 Free
Argentina $0.0618 $0.0260 $0.0260 Free
Spain $0.0707 $0.0200 $0.0200 Free
Italy $0.0795 $0.0300 $0.0300 Free
France $0.0859 $0.0300 $0.0300 Free
Malaysia $0.0860 $0.0140 $0.0140 Free
Germany $0.1365 $0.0550 $0.0550 Free
Netherlands $0.1597 $0.0500 $0.0500 Free
Egypt $0.0644 $0.0036 $0.0036 Free
Peru $0.0703 $0.0200 $0.0200 Free
Chile $0.0889 $0.0200 $0.0200 Free
Rest of Africa $0.0225 $0.0040 $0.0040 Free
Rest of Latin America $0.0740 $0.0113 $0.0113 Free
Rest of Asia Pacific $0.0450 $0.0120 $0.0120 Free
Rest of Europe $0.0750 $0.0250 $0.0250 Free
Rest of Middle East $0.0450 $0.0120 $0.0120 Free

Rates below are Meta's published USD list prices by recipient country and category. Service conversations are free. Meta may update pricing at any time — always confirm on the official rate card before budgeting.

Check official prices on Meta →

Official WhatsApp API

Verified business Cloud API setup

Complete walkthrough — Business Manager, verification, developer app, phone registration, and connecting to WhatSender Pro.

00

Before you apply

Gather documents and understand requirements for Meta's official WhatsApp Business Platform (Cloud API).

00

What you need ready

Meta reviews your business before granting full API access. Having these items ready speeds up approval.

  1. A legally registered business (company, sole proprietorship, or verified brand).
  2. Business website or active Facebook/Instagram page showing your brand.
  3. Government-issued business registration or tax document (GST, VAT, incorporation certificate, etc.).
  4. A phone number NOT currently on WhatsApp (or willing to migrate off the consumer app).
  5. Business email on your company domain (e.g. support@yourcompany.com).
Timeline

Business verification typically takes 2–10 business days. Display name review can take 1–3 days.

Meta / app preview
Application checklist
Registered business & legal documents
Business website or social page
Dedicated phone number (not on WhatsApp app)
Company email address
00.1

Official API vs QR linking

WhatSender supports both. Official Cloud API is required for high volume, templates, and verified business messaging.

  1. QR linking: scan from dashboard — good for small bulk sends on personal/business app.
  2. Cloud API: Meta-hosted — required for approved templates, webhooks, and scale.
  3. Verified business badge and green check come from Meta Business Verification.
  4. This guide covers the official Cloud API application path only.
Meta / app preview
QR vs Official Cloud API
QR linking
  • Quick setup
  • Personal / SMB use
  • Session on your PC
Official Cloud API
  • Meta verified business
  • Template messages
  • Webhooks & scale
01

Meta Business Manager

Create your Meta Business account and add your company details — the foundation for WhatsApp API access.

01

Create Business Manager account

Business Manager centralizes your Meta assets: WhatsApp, Facebook Pages, ad accounts, and verification.

  1. Go to business.facebook.com and click Create Account.
  2. Enter your business name exactly as it appears on legal documents.
  3. Add your name and business email address.
  4. Confirm your email via the link Meta sends you.
Meta / app preview
Meta Business Suite
Create your Business Manager
Business name: Your Company Ltd.
Email: admin@yourcompany.com
01.1

Add business info & assets

Complete your Business Settings profile before starting verification.

  1. Business Settings → Business Info → fill legal name, address, phone, and website.
  2. Add or create a Facebook Page linked to your brand.
  3. Optional: link Instagram Business account for stronger brand proof.
  4. Assign yourself Admin role under Users → People.
Meta / app preview
Business Info
Your Company Private Limited
123 Main Street, City, Country
https://yourcompany.com
Facebook Page linked
02

Business verification

Submit documents so Meta confirms you represent a real business — required for higher messaging limits and official API.

02

Start Meta Business Verification

Verification unlocks WhatsApp Business Platform features and increases trust with customers.

  1. Business Settings → Security Center → Start Verification.
  2. Select verification method: email, phone, or domain (domain is fastest if you have DNS access).
  3. Upload business registration document matching your legal business name.
  4. Submit and wait for Meta review (check Security Center for status updates).
Common rejections

Name mismatch between document and Business Manager, blurry scans, or personal (non-business) documents.

Meta / app preview
Security Center Pending
Business verification
Upload: GST certificate / incorporation document
Review usually takes 2–10 business days.
02.1

Verify your website domain (recommended)

Domain verification proves you own yourcompany.com and often speeds up overall approval.

  1. Business Settings → Brand Safety → Domains → Add domain.
  2. Choose DNS TXT record or HTML file upload verification.
  3. Add the Meta-provided TXT record to your DNS (or upload HTML to site root).
  4. Click Verify — status should show Verified within minutes to 48 hours.
Meta / app preview
Domain verification
facebook-domain-verification=abc123xyz
@
Verified
03

Developer app & WhatsApp

Create a Meta Developer app, add the WhatsApp product, and link it to your verified Business Manager.

03

Create Meta Developer app

The Developer app holds your WhatsApp API credentials and webhook configuration.

  1. Go to developers.facebook.com → My Apps → Create App.
  2. Select Other → Business as the app type.
  3. Name the app (e.g. WhatSender Cloud API) and link to your Business Manager.
  4. Add your business email as app contact.
Meta / app preview
Create App
Business ▾
WhatSender Cloud API
Your Company Ltd. ▾
03.1

Add WhatsApp product

Enabling WhatsApp on your app creates a WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) tied to your business.

  1. In app dashboard, scroll to Add products → WhatsApp → Set up.
  2. Select or create a WhatsApp Business Account under your Business Manager.
  3. Accept WhatsApp Business Platform terms.
  4. Open WhatsApp → API Setup to view Phone number ID and temporary token.
Meta / app preview
Meta for Developers
Temporary access token
EAAIxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Phone number ID
123456789012345
WhatsApp Business Account ID
987654321098765
03.2

Generate permanent access token

Temporary tokens expire in 24 hours. Production requires a System User token.

  1. Business Settings → Users → System Users → Add → create system user (Admin).
  2. Assign Assets: select your app + WhatsApp account with full control.
  3. Generate token → select app → permissions: whatsapp_business_messaging, whatsapp_business_management.
  4. Copy and store the token securely — treat it like a password.
Meta / app preview
System User Token
✓ whatsapp_business_messaging
✓ whatsapp_business_management
EAAI••••••••••••••••••••
Store securely — never share publicly.
04

Phone number & display name

Register your business phone number and get your WhatsApp display name approved by Meta.

04

Register a phone number

The number must receive SMS or voice OTP. It cannot stay active on WhatsApp mobile app simultaneously.

  1. WhatsApp Manager → Phone numbers → Add phone number.
  2. Enter country code + number → choose SMS or voice verification.
  3. Enter the 6-digit OTP received on that number.
  4. Number status should show Connected after successful verification.
Meta / app preview
WhatsApp Manager
+1 555 123 4567
● ● ● ● ● ●
Connected
04.1

Apply for display name

Your display name is what customers see in WhatsApp chats — must match your verified business brand.

  1. WhatsApp Manager → Phone numbers → select your number → Profile.
  2. Submit Display name (must match Business Manager legal/brand name).
  3. Add business category, description, and profile photo (optional).
  4. Wait for Meta review — Approved status required before high-volume messaging.
Display name tips

Avoid generic names like "Support". Use your registered brand. Rejected names can be resubmitted with corrections.

Meta / app preview
Display name review
Your Company
Approved
Name must match verified business brand.
04.2

Create message templates

Outbound messages outside the 24-hour customer care window must use pre-approved templates.

  1. WhatsApp Manager → Message templates → Create template.
  2. Choose category: Marketing, Utility, or Authentication.
  3. Write body text with {{1}} variables for personalization.
  4. Submit for review — sync approved templates in WhatSender before campaigns.
Meta / app preview
Message templates
Hi {{1}}, your order #{{2}} is confirmed. Thank you for shopping with us!
Utility Approved
05

Connect to WhatSender Pro

Paste your verified API credentials into WhatSender and start sending official template campaigns.

05

Paste API credentials

Use the permanent token and IDs from Meta API Setup in WhatSender's Meta Cloud API panel.

  1. Open WhatSender Pro Business Edition → Meta Cloud API settings.
  2. Paste Access Token, Phone Number ID, and WhatsApp Business Account ID.
  3. Click Verify Connection — green status confirms credentials work.
  4. Sync message templates from Meta Manager.
Meta / app preview
Meta Cloud API — WhatSender Verified
EAAI••••••••••••••••
123456789012345
05.1

Configure webhooks (optional)

Webhooks deliver inbound messages and delivery receipts to your server or WhatSender's local API.

  1. Developer API → Start server → Start ngrok for a public URL.
  2. Meta app → WhatsApp → Configuration → Webhook → paste callback URL + verify token.
  3. Subscribe to messages and message_status fields.
  4. Enable Meta API webhook mode in AI Agents Hub for Cloud API auto-replies.
Meta / app preview
Webhook configuration
https://abc123.ngrok-free.app/webhook
my_verify_token_2026
✓ messages
✓ message_status
05.2

Go live checklist

Final checks before launching production campaigns on the official API.

  1. Business verification: Approved in Security Center.
  2. Display name: Approved on your phone number.
  3. At least one message template: Approved.
  4. Permanent token stored securely; test send succeeds in WhatSender.
Meta / app preview
Go live checklist
Business verification approved
Display name approved
Template message approved
WhatSender connection verified
06

Checklist & official links

Track your application progress and open Meta portals directly.

Application checklist

  • STEP 1 Meta Business Manager Account created with legal business details
  • STEP 2 Business verification Documents submitted & approved
  • STEP 3 Developer app + WhatsApp WABA linked, permanent token generated
  • STEP 4 Phone + display name Number verified, name approved
  • STEP 5 WhatSender Pro Credentials pasted & templates synced

Official Meta links

  • LINK Meta Business Suite business.facebook.com
  • LINK Meta for Developers developers.facebook.com
  • LINK WhatsApp Manager business.facebook.com/wa/manage
  • LINK Cloud API docs developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/cloud-api
More API guides

Need other API keys too?

See our full API configuration guide for Google, AI agents, Twilio, and Developer REST API setup.

All API guides → Contact support