Connect WhatsApp — and who pays Meta

WhatsApp is different from the other channels in one way: Meta charges for conversations on it, separately from anything you pay us. The setup asks you to choose who that charge goes to, and it's worth understanding before you start.

What you need

1. 1A phone number that is NOT currently on WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business. If it is, delete that account in the app first — the number can't be used in two places.
2. 2The ability to receive an SMS or a call on that number, to verify it.
3. 3Your business name as you want customers to see it.

Use a number you're happy to keep. Moving a WhatsApp Business number later is possible but slow, and customers save the number they first messaged.

Steps

1. 1Open your workspace and go to Channels.
2. 2Press Connect next to WhatsApp. A Meta window opens and walks you through it.
3. 3Create or choose a business profile, enter the phone number, and verify the code.
4. 4Finish, and you come back to Channels with WhatsApp connected.

Who pays Meta

Meta bills per conversation, not per message — a 24-hour window with one customer is one charge. There are two ways to handle it.

1. 1Through us: we settle with Meta and the cost comes out of your monthly allowance, alongside the assistant's own usage. Nothing to set up, no card at Meta.
2. 2Directly: you attach your own payment method inside Meta and pay them yourself. Your allowance with us then covers only the assistant.

Most owners take the first, because it means one bill instead of two and no card details at Meta. Either way you can see exactly what WhatsApp conversations cost you, per month, on your usage screen.