Everything to have ready, then a step-by-step walkthrough of Meta's secure signup — so you can connect your WhatsApp Business number to emblit.ai yourself in a few minutes.
Hero image: Connecting a WhatsApp Business number to emblit.ai
Too Long? Read This First
Connecting takes a few minutes if you have these ready first:
Important - the number moves to the Cloud API. After connecting, this number can no longer be used in the WhatsApp Business appon a phone — you'll manage all chats inside emblit (works on a mobile browser too). If you want to keep using the phone app, connect a different / secondary number instead.
You do NOT need a Facebook Page. WhatsApp connects with just your Facebook login + a Meta Business account. (A Page is only for Facebook/Instagram Lead Ads, which is a separate setup.)
Screenshot: Open Integrations and click Connect WhatsApp
From the sidebar, go to Integrations. On the WhatsApp Business card, click Connect WhatsApp.
Screenshot: Choose "WhatsApp Business Account" (Recommended)
A short menu appears asking how your number is set up. Pick the first, recommended option - WhatsApp Business Account - then click Continue. This is Meta's guided Embedded Signup, the easiest path and the one that fully activates sending and receiving.
Screenshot: Log in with Facebook in the Meta popup
A secure Meta popupopens. Log in with your Facebook account (or continue if you're already logged in). Everything from here happens inside Meta's own window.
Screenshot: Select (or create) your Business portfolio
Choose the Meta Business portfolio that owns your WhatsApp account - or select Create a new oneif you don't have one yet.
Screenshot: Select or create a WhatsApp Business account
Pick an existing WhatsApp Business account (WABA), or choose Create a WhatsApp Business accountto start fresh. If you create one, you'll enter your business name, category, and country.
Screenshot: Add your phone number and display name
Enter the phone number you want to connect (pick the correct country code) and your WhatsApp Business display name - the name customers will see. Choose to verify by text message or phone call.
Screenshot: Verify the number with the code
Meta sends a 6-digit code by SMS or call. Enter it to verify you own the number.
Screenshot: Review permissions and confirm
Meta shows what emblit will be able to do (manage your WhatsApp account and access conversations). Review it and click Confirm / Save.
Screenshot: Done - you're connected
The popup closes and you're back in emblit with a green ● Connected badge showing your number. From now on, every message customers send becomes a lead, and any approved templates on that account sync in automatically.
No problem - the WhatsApp Business Account flow can create a brand-new WhatsApp Business Account and register a fresh numberfor you during signup (as long as the number isn't already on WhatsApp). Just choose “Create a WhatsApp Business account” at Step 5 and enter a new number at Step 6.
Already have API credentials from a developer? You can instead use the ⚡ WhatsApp Business API option and paste your Phone Number ID and access token— that's the advanced path for numbers already set up on the WhatsApp Business Platform.
If messages aren't arriving or something looks off, open the WhatsApp Business card and click 🩺 Troubleshoot. It runs live checks (connected, subscribed, token, webhook, number registered) and tells you in plain language what to fix.
No. Connecting moves the number onto the WhatsApp Cloud API, which is only for business numbers. Use a business number, or a fresh number that isn't on the regular WhatsApp / WhatsApp Business app.
No. Once a number is connected to the Cloud API it can no longer be used in the WhatsApp Business app on a phone - you manage all chats inside emblit (mobile browser works too). If you want to keep the phone app, connect a different/secondary number.
No. Connecting WhatsApp needs a Facebook login and a Meta Business account - but not a Facebook Page. (A Page is only needed for Facebook/Instagram Lead Ads, which is separate.)
Connecting is free. You only pay Meta for business-initiated template messages (mostly Marketing). Receiving messages and replies inside the 24-hour window are free.
About 2–5 minutes. A brand-new number also goes through a quick display-name review by Meta, which usually clears within a few hours.
Connected and ready to message leads? Next, read What is a WhatsApp Template Message? →