How to set up WhatsApp Business API (WABA) in 2026: Step-by-Step Guide

WhatsApp Business API (WABA) is the official communication standard for modern businesses. Moving to the API lets you work with customers without risking a number ban, set up bulk campaigns and automate conversations.

Step 1. Create a Business Portfolio

Before connecting the messenger, prepare your account in Meta. Without a Business Portfolio, you cannot get official access to the WhatsApp API.

  1. Go to business.facebook.com
  2. Log in with your personal Facebook account.
  3. In the top-left menu under the Meta logo, open the dropdown and choose “Create a business portfolio”.
  4. Enter the details:
  • Name: enter your company’s official name. It will be shown inside Meta systems.
  • Your name: enter your details as the administrator.
  • Email: use a work email that you can access quickly.

Click “Create” and make sure to open your inbox to confirm the email via the link from Meta.

Step 2. Technical Requirements

To avoid setup errors, check that your company is ready using this checklist:

  • Ad account: it must not have active restrictions or unpaid balances.
  • Company website: the footer must include a separate “Privacy Policy” page. Meta checks this when approving the account.
  • Phone number:
  1. The number must be active and able to receive SMS and calls.
  2. Important: IVR, voice menus, and auto-attendants must be fully disabled on the number.
  3. If the number is currently used in the regular WhatsApp app, delete the account in the app settings (“Delete account”). This is critical: Meta “takes over” the number from the app for cloud API use.

Step 3. Integration with MaviBot

In MaviBot, the process is streamlined: you do not need to copy tokens manually. Everything happens through Meta’s official authorization window.

Launch: In MaviBot, go to Messengers → WhatsApp Business API.

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Authorization: Click Connect via Facebook and log in with the account that has admin rights in the Business Portfolio you created.

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Important: do not close this window until your account is fully activated.

Step 4. Registration in Meta (Embedded Signup)

In the Meta window (Embedded Signup), complete the following steps:

Asset selection: Choose your Business Portfolio and WhatsApp Business account. Create a new one if this is your first connection.

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Profile: Enter the Display Name your customers will see. It should be close to your company name.

Category and website: Choose your business category and add your website link.

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Why this matters: Meta checks these details. If the company name and website look questionable, the display name may be rejected.

Step 5. Phone Number Verification

Meta will send a code to verify the number.

  • Enter the phone number in international format.
  • Choose how you want to receive the code: SMS or call.

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Important: If the number is already linked to the regular WhatsApp app, you will need to delete it. The steps are described in the official WhatsApp documentation

Step 6. Activation and First Launch

After entering the 6-digit code, click “Done”. Do not close the window until the final screen appears.

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What to do next in MaviBot:

After Meta approves the number, the channel will appear in MaviBot, usually within 1 minute. You can then create message templates and set up automation directly inside MaviBot without switching between tabs.

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Business Verification

You do not need verification to get started. But if you plan to send more than 50–250 template messages per day, you will need to complete company verification.

  • Where: Meta Business Settings → Company information.
  • What you need: documents confirming your legal entity and address, such as a company extract, lease agreement, or utility bill.
  • Result: after successful review, your company receives official status and a “green checkmark” appears in the profile.

Pricing: What You Pay For

Since 2026, Meta has used a pricing model based on each delivered message.

Message categories:

  • Marketing: The broadest category. Promotions, sales, abandoned-cart reminders, and invitations.
  • Utility: Informational messages such as order statuses, payment confirmations, and delivery schedule changes.
  • Authentication: Access codes and OTP passwords for logging into your service.
Important: messages sent within the 24-hour window after a customer contacts you are free as Service conversations.

Cost-saving tips:

  • Every message you send first must be an approved Meta template.
  • Choose the template category carefully. If you send promotional text as “Utility”, the account may receive a penalty or a ban.
  • Current rates for your region are always available in Meta Business Dashboard.

Need help with setup?

Integrating official WhatsApp requires attention to detail. If you do not have time to deal with Meta Business settings, documents, or template moderation rules, the MaviBot team can handle it for you.

Book WhatsApp Business API setup with MaviBot