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Meta app & WhatsApp setup

This page focuses on WhatsApp Cloud API prerequisites: creating a Meta app, enabling WhatsApp, completing business verification, verifying the phone number, and finding the IDs required by AI Bucket.

Key concepts

WhatsApp Cloud API

The official WhatsApp Business Platform API hosted by Meta. It uses webhooks for inbound messages and requires a registered phone number.

WABA ID and Phone Number ID

AI Bucket needs business_id (WhatsApp Business Account ID) and phone_id (Phone Number ID) to route messages correctly.

System User (server-to-server)

For production, generate the access token from a System User and assign your WABA to it. This avoids fragile personal-user tokens.

Prerequisites

  • A Meta Business with admin access (Business Manager).
  • A Meta Developers account and permission to create apps under the business.
  • A phone number you can receive SMS/voice calls on for verification.
  • A plan for who will own token rotation and webhook maintenance.

Phone number rule

WhatsApp Cloud API requires a number registered for the Business Platform. You generally cannot use a normal WhatsApp app number directly; use a dedicated number or follow Meta’s migration guidance.

Create the app in Meta Developers

Go to https://developers.facebook.com/

  1. Create a new app in Meta Developers under the correct business.
  2. Add the WhatsApp product (Cloud API) to the app.
  3. In WhatsApp Manager, create or connect a WhatsApp Business Account (WABA).
  4. Add a phone number to the WABA and complete phone verification.

Before moving on, confirm

  • The app is owned by the correct business.
  • WhatsApp product is added and you can access WhatsApp Manager for the app.
  • You can see your WABA and phone number configuration.

Business verification

Business Verification helps unlock production capabilities and improves trust. It may be required for higher messaging limits and some features.

  1. Open Meta Business Settings and locate Business Verification (often under Security Center).
  2. Submit your company details and required documents.
  3. Wait for review. If rejected, address the feedback and resubmit.

Tip

Start verification early. It can take time and can block production launch if done late.

Phone number verification

Phone verification registers the number to WhatsApp Cloud API. Without it, you cannot reliably send/receive messages through the API.

  1. In WhatsApp Manager, add a phone number to your WABA.
  2. Choose verification method (SMS or voice call) and receive the one-time code.
  3. Enter the code and confirm the number status is verified/connected.

Tip

Ensure the number can receive the code and is not blocked by carrier filters. Avoid numbers already tied to a personal WhatsApp app account.

Find business_id and phone_id

AI Bucket’s WhatsApp bot requires two IDs from WhatsApp Manager. Copy them exactly as shown.

business_id (WABA ID)

Find your WhatsApp Business Account ID in WhatsApp Manager. Paste it into AI Bucket as business_id.

phone_id (Phone Number ID)

Find the Phone Number ID for your verified number in WhatsApp Manager. Paste it into AI Bucket as phone_id.

Next

Access token (System User)Webhook