WhatsApp Cloud API Setup

Optimize your customer engagement by integrating WhatsApp Business Cloud API with BotSailor. This step-by-step guide covers everything from Facebook Business Verification to connecting your WhatsApp Business account in BotSailor.

1. Create a Business Portfolio and Meta Developer App

Create a Meta Business Portfolio

1. Log in to Facebook → open business.facebook.com.

2. In the left sidebar, click the portfolio dropdown ▾ (shows your name).

3. Hit Create a Business Portfolio at the bottom.

4. Enter Portfolio name (use your legal/trade name).

5. Add a business email you monitor → Next.

6. (Optional) Invite teammates or skip for later.

7. Review details → Create.

2. Create a Meta Developer App

• Go to developers.facebook.com, then navigate to “My Apps” or “Create App” and click Create App
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Select Other use case, then Business app type.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Enter App Name, Contact Email, and connect your business portfolio, then click Create app
  
  
  
  

3. Verify Your Facebook Business Portfolio

Before using WhatsApp Cloud API, ensure your Facebook Business Portfolio is verified:

• Open Business Settings in Meta Business Suite.
• Navigate to Business Info and click View details under the Business verification status section.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• In Security Center, find Business Verification and click Start verification.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Follow the prompts: Select your business type (e.g., Sole Proprietorship)
  
   

• Enter business registration status
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Provide business details and documents
• Choose contact method and verify via SMS or your preferred method.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Upon successful review, your business status will show as Verified
  
  
  
  

Meta review typically takes 1–2 business days.

4. Add WhatsApp Product

• In App Dashboard, scroll to Add products to your app and click Set up on WhatsApp.
  
  
  
  
  

• Under WhatsApp Business Platform API, select your business portfolio and click Continue.
  
  
  
  
  
  

5. Set Up WhatsApp Business Profile

• Go to API Setup, navigate to Step 5 and click “Add phone number”
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Fill in your WhatsApp display name, Timezone, and Category then click Next
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Add and verify a phone number via SMS or call  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Confirmation shows your WhatsApp Business Account created
  
  
  

6. Configure API & Payment

• In API Setup, choose or add your phone number, then click Generate access token
• Click Add payment method to set billing under Billing & payments in Business Settings
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Verify your credit card appears under Payment methods
  
  
  
  

7. Configure Webhooks (Receive Messages)

• In Developer Dashboard, go to WhatsApp > API Setup, click Configure webhooks
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Enter your Callback URL and Verify token from BotSailor, click Verify and save
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Under Webhook fields, enable messages and test subscription
  
  
  
  
  

8. Publish App Live & Add Policies

• Go to App settings > Basic, set your Privacy Policy & Terms of Service URLs, click Save changes
• Toggle App Mode to Live in App Dashboard.
  
  
  
  
  

9. Create System User & Generate Token

• In Business Settings > Users > System users, click Add and name your user (Admin role) 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Assign App asset with Manage app permission, then WhatsApp accounts with Manage WhatsApp business accounts  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Generate a non-expiring token: Generate token → Select App → Never expire → business_management, catalog_management, whatsapp_business_management, whatsapp_business_messaging
  
  
  
  
  
   
• Lastly, copy the token to a safe place.

10. Connect in BotSailor & Register Phone

• Copy your WhatsApp Business Account ID from Business Settings