> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.famulor.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# WhatsApp Sender

> Create and manage WhatsApp Business senders for AI-powered messaging

A WhatsApp sender is a phone number registered with the WhatsApp Business API that can send and receive messages. Each sender is connected to an AI assistant for automated responses.

## What is a WhatsApp Sender?

A WhatsApp sender is:

* A dedicated phone number linked to WhatsApp Business
* Connected to an AI assistant for automated replies
* Capable of sending template messages and free-text responses

## Options for Number Type

When creating a WhatsApp sender, you can choose between two types of phone numbers:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Platform Numbers" icon="building">
    Use phone numbers obtained through our platform. We handle verification automatically using AI-powered voice verification.

    **Ideal for:** Companies wanting a dedicated business line with automated setup
  </Card>

  <Card title="External Numbers" icon="mobile">
    Use your own mobile number. You verify ownership by receiving an SMS or voice call with a verification code.

    **Ideal for:** Companies wanting to use an existing number
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Creating a WhatsApp Sender

Creating a WhatsApp sender starts with selecting the number type, followed by the corresponding setup flow.

### Step 1: Choose Your Number Type

Go to **WhatsApp Sender** → **Create Sender** and select your preferred number type:

* **Platform Number** — Use a number from our platform (automated AI verification)
* **External Number** — Use your own mobile number (SMS/voice code verification)

***

## Setting Up Platform Numbers

If you chose **Platform Number**, follow these steps:

### Step 2: Pre-Verify Your Phone Number

Before connecting to WhatsApp, your phone number must be verified with Meta.

<Warning>
  **Call Interception Warning** — During verification, ALL incoming calls to the selected phone number will be intercepted by our verification system for up to 5 minutes.

  This means:

  * Your regular AI assistant will NOT receive calls during this time
  * All calls are routed to a silent verification listener
  * Regular customers calling this number will experience service disruption

  **DO NOT perform this on a production phone number that regularly receives customer calls!**
</Warning>

1. Select an available phone number (only “Normal” type numbers not yet used for WhatsApp will be shown)
2. Enter a **display name** for your company (this will be shown to customers)
3. Optionally, add company profile information (About us, description, address, category)
4. Click **Start Verification**

The system automatically verifies your number with Meta via AI-powered voice verification. This usually takes 1–2 minutes.

### Step 3: Select Your Verified Number

Once verification is complete:

1. You will see your verified number in the “Verified Numbers Ready” section
2. Select the number you want to connect
3. Click **Proceed to WhatsApp Connection**

### Step 4: Connect with WhatsApp Business

This step connects your verified number to WhatsApp via Meta’s embedded signup flow.

<Warning>
  **IMPORTANT: Create a NEW account** — During the Facebook login process, you MUST create a brand new WhatsApp Business account. Do NOT select an existing WhatsApp Business account — this will cause the integration to fail.
</Warning>

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/famulor/U6S7wTqiZDvZeLo7/resources/whatsapp/step-add-number.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=U6S7wTqiZDvZeLo7&q=85&s=5fdf2a220327703a71e4d5bc65859a8e" alt="Click 'Add New Number' in Meta login" />
</Frame>

**Step A: Click “Add New Number”**

When the Meta popup appears, look for the option “Add New Number”. Do NOT enter the phone number manually.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/famulor/U6S7wTqiZDvZeLo7/resources/whatsapp/step-select-number.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=U6S7wTqiZDvZeLo7&q=85&s=fcdc93d7d4771902f921ae381e1e7195" alt="Select your pre-verified number" />
</Frame>

**Step B: Select Your Pre-Verified Number**

From the dropdown menu, select the phone number you just verified. It will appear in the list because Meta already knows it from the verification step.

After selecting your number, complete the remaining steps in the Facebook flow (business verification, permissions, etc.) and you will be automatically redirected back.

***

## Setting Up External Numbers

If you chose **External Number**, follow these steps to connect your own mobile number.

### Requirements Before Starting

<Info>
  Make sure you have the following ready:

  * **Phone at hand** — You must have your phone available to receive a verification code
  * **SMS or calls enabled** — Your number must be able to receive SMS messages or voice calls
  * **Not already on WhatsApp** — This number must not be registered on WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business app
  * **Facebook account** — You need a Facebook account to complete the setup
</Info>

### Step 2: Enter Your Phone Number

1. Enter your phone number in international format (e.g., +49 151 12345678)
2. Provide a **display name** for your company
3. Click **Next**

<Tip>
  **Phone Number Format** — Enter your number starting with + and your country code:

  * Germany: +49 151 12345678
  * Austria: +43 664 1234567
  * Switzerland: +41 79 1234567
</Tip>

### Step 3: Connect with WhatsApp Business

Click **Login with Facebook** to open Meta’s embedded signup flow. Follow these steps:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Login with Facebook">
    A popup will open. Make sure popups are allowed for this site.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create WhatsApp Business Account">
    Follow the prompts to create a **new** WhatsApp Business account. Do not select an existing one.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Your Phone Number">
    When prompted, enter the same phone number you provided in Step 2.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify via SMS or Voice Call">
    You will receive a 6-digit code via SMS or voice call. Enter this code to verify your number.
    <Tip>If you don’t receive an SMS within 60 seconds, choose the voice call option.</Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Complete Setup">
    Grant required permissions and close the popup when done. You will be automatically redirected.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Troubleshooting External Numbers

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Popup blocked?">
    Allow popups for this site in your browser settings and try again.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Verification code not received?">
    Wait 60 seconds and then try the voice call option. Make sure your phone has signal.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Number already registered?">
    If this number is already registered on WhatsApp, you must delete that WhatsApp account first before using it with the WhatsApp Business API.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Issues with Facebook login?">
    Make sure you are logged into the correct Facebook account, or try a different browser.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Sender Status

Your sender can have different statuses during operation:

| Status                                                 | Description                                           |
| ------------------------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| <span style={{color: '#22c55e'}}>**Online**</span>     | Fully operational. You can send and receive messages. |
| <span style={{color: '#3b82f6'}}>**Connecting**</span> | Initializing. Usually takes a few seconds.            |
| <span style={{color: '#f59e0b'}}>**Pending**</span>    | Waiting for verification or approval.                 |
| <span style={{color: '#6b7280'}}>**Offline**</span>    | Manually disabled. Cannot send or receive messages.   |
| <span style={{color: '#ef4444'}}>**Suspended**</span>  | Suspended by Meta due to policy violations.           |
| <span style={{color: '#ef4444'}}>**Failed**</span>     | Setup failed. Check error messages for details.       |

## Sender Configuration

### Connecting AI Assistants

Once your sender is online, connect an AI assistant to automatically handle incoming messages:

1. Edit your WhatsApp sender
2. Select an assistant from the dropdown menu
3. Enable the **AI Enabled** toggle
4. Save your changes

All incoming messages will now be forwarded to your AI assistant for replies.

### Company Profile

Customize how your company appears to customers:

* **Display Name** — Your company name shown on WhatsApp
* **About Us** — Short description (max. 139 characters)
* **Description** — Detailed company description
* **Address** — Business address
* **Company Category** — Industry category (Automotive, Medical, Retail, etc.)
* **Logo** — Company logo image
* **Banner** — Banner image for your profile
* **Websites** — Links to your websites
* **Contact Information** — Additional email and phone contacts

## Quality Rating & Messaging Limits

Meta monitors your messaging quality and adjusts your limits accordingly.

### Understanding Quality Rating

Your quality rating is based on:

* Block rates (customers blocking your number)
* Spam reports
* Response rates
* Customer feedback

### Messaging Limits

New senders start with limited capacity that increases with good quality:

| Tier   | Daily Limit       | How to Achieve               |
| ------ | ----------------- | ---------------------------- |
| Tier 1 | \~250 messages    | New sender                   |
| Tier 2 | 1,000 messages    | Maintain quality over 7 days |
| Tier 3 | 10,000 messages   | Consistently high quality    |
| Tier 4 | 100,000+ messages | Enterprise-level quality     |

<Tip>
  **Build quality first** — Focus on high-quality conversations before scaling. Send relevant, requested content to maintain a high quality rating.
</Tip>

## Best Practices

### 1. Choose the Right Number

Select a phone number from a country that matches your target audience. Customers are more likely to interact with local or familiar area codes.

### 2. Set Your Display Name Carefully

Your display name appears in customer chats. Use your company name or a clear identifier customers recognize and trust.

### 3. Connect AI Assistants

Link an AI assistant to automatically handle incoming messages. This ensures customers receive instant answers 24/7.

### 4. Create Templates Early

Message templates require Meta approval, which can take up to 24 hours. Create and submit your templates before you need them.

### 5. Start with Quality Conversations

New senders have messaging limits that increase over time. Focus on building your sender’s reputation with high-quality conversations before increasing volume.

## Troubleshooting

### Verification Failed

If verification fails, Meta may have temporarily blocked requests. Wait a few minutes before trying again or use a different phone number.

### Sender Stuck on "Pending"

If your sender stays in “Pending” status for more than a few minutes:

1. Check that you completed the Meta login flow fully
2. Ensure you selected the correct pre-verified number
3. Contact support if the issue persists

### Sender Suspended

If Meta suspends your sender:

1. Review the suspension reason in the sender details
2. Fix any policy violations
3. Contact Meta support to appeal

## Next Steps

* Learn more about [message templates](/en/whatsapp/templates) and the approval process
* Set up [automation triggers](/en/whatsapp/automation) for WhatsApp conversations
* Review the [AI assistant configuration](/en/ai-assistants/what-is-ai-assistant) for optimal responses