What you are connecting
Two kinds of number can be connected, both WhatsApp Business (Cloud API), never ordinary personal WhatsApp. The company number is shared: customers write to the business and the team replies in Inbox. Each employee can also connect their own WhatsApp Business number: chats to that number are assigned to them. Colleagues talking to each other still use Team Chat, not WhatsApp.
Before you start
- A VelBEE workspace. Admins connect the company number. Anyone with Inbox can connect their number.
- WhatsApp Business on the phone that uses the number customers already message.
- The number you want customers to message. See the table below if it is already on a phone.
Not the same as personal WhatsApp
A number used for family chats in the ordinary WhatsApp app cannot also be the business Cloud API number. Use WhatsApp Business (the business app), or a number that is not on personal WhatsApp.
Which number can you use?
| What you have today | What to do in the popup |
|---|---|
| Already in WhatsApp Manager (Cloud API) | Pick it from existing numbers. |
| WhatsApp Business app on the phone | Scan the code VelBEE shows. The app stays on the phone, and chats also arrive in Inbox. |
| Ordinary personal WhatsApp | Cannot stay as personal WhatsApp. Move the business to WhatsApp Business, or use a different number. |
| A spare SIM, not on WhatsApp | Choose create a new number and verify by SMS or call. |
| Need a number quickly for a test | Meta's virtual number option. Fine for a demo, weaker as your public business number. |
Connect it, step by step
Open Connections
In the workspace, open Settings, then Connections.
Choose company or my number
Admins press Connect company WhatsApp for the shared business line. Each person presses Connect my WhatsApp for their own WhatsApp Business number. Allow the window.
Scan the code
On your phone, open WhatsApp Business and scan the code in the window. That connects the number. Ordinary personal WhatsApp cannot scan in.
Wait until VelBEE says connected
The Connections page should show the number and its quality. Then open Inbox in the sidebar.
Migrate from the WhatsApp Business app
- On the phone, open WhatsApp Business (not personal WhatsApp) for that number.
- Turn on two-step verification and remember the PIN. Migration asks for it.
- In VelBEE, start Connect WhatsApp and type that number when asked.
- Complete Meta's SMS or call, then the PIN.
- After it succeeds, the team replies in Inbox. The phone app is no longer the main business inbox unless Meta offered coexistence and you chose it.
Live customer numbers
Migrating a number that customers already message is a business decision. Try first with a spare number. Tell anyone who used the phone app that new chats will appear in VelBEE.
Where chats appear
There is no “send WhatsApp” button that opens the green app on your phone. After the number is connected, conversations are in Inbox. From a thread you can open the lead, or turn a new chat into a lead.
Inbox still empty?
That means nobody has messaged the connected number yet, or the number is not connected. Send a test from another phone to that business number, then refresh Inbox.
If Connect WhatsApp is missing or stuck
- Coming soon / waiting for provider approval: VelBEE has not switched WhatsApp on for customers yet. Ask VelBEE support.
- Popup blocked: allow pop-ups for your workspace address and try again.
- Existing numbers list is empty: that Facebook login has no Cloud API numbers. Add or migrate your phone number in the same popup.
- Sign-in will not finish while the app is in Development: the Facebook user must be an admin or tester on VelBEE's Meta app.