# Setup

Connect your WhatsApp Business account to Missive through Meta's WhatsApp Business Platform.

## Prerequisites

Before starting, you need:

* **Meta Business Account:** [Create one](https://www.facebook.com/business/help/1710077379203657?id=180505742745347) if you don't have one
* **Business verification:** Your Meta Business Account must be verified. [Learn how to verify](https://www.facebook.com/business/help/2058515294227817?id=180505742745347)
* **WhatsApp Business Policy compliance:** Your business must comply with [WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy](https://business.whatsapp.com/policy)

## Connect your account

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**Open account settings**

Go to **Settings** > **Accounts** and click **Add account**.

{% hint style="info" %}
To open Settings, click your avatar in the bottom-left corner of the sidebar, then **Settings** (or press <kbd>⌘,</kbd>).
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Select WhatsApp Business**

Click the **Others** tab, then select **WhatsApp Business**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Sign in to Meta**

Log in with your Meta Business Account credentials, or click **Continue as \[name]** if already logged in.

<figure><img src="https://3242897856-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F1If7JwIQhfz5wGM9LiIU%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-42a4ce2c8fbda1313bbdd78fc2ff3b7ddbfed446%2Fguides-whatsapp-missive-step-1.png?alt=media" alt="WhatsApp login screen" width="448"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Review permissions**

Review the permissions Missive needs and click **Get started**.

<figure><img src="https://3242897856-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F1If7JwIQhfz5wGM9LiIU%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-43d3ee74eb34b6f1a8ef2aded7b4b9234de6c9e4%2Fguides-whatsapp-missive-step-2.png?alt=media" alt="WhatsApp permissions screen" width="448"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Enter business details**

Fill in your business information and click **Next**.

<figure><img src="https://3242897856-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F1If7JwIQhfz5wGM9LiIU%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-e9f1142e28c0db904f1879f9150f59265c7806b7%2Fguides-whatsapp-missive-step-3.png?alt=media" alt="Business information form" width="448"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Select or create WhatsApp Business Account**

Choose an existing WhatsApp Business Account or create a new one, then click **Next**.

<figure><img src="https://3242897856-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F1If7JwIQhfz5wGM9LiIU%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-486b1939146934e2123653ad3df9423faf291ac3%2Fguides-whatsapp-missive-step-4.png?alt=media" alt="Select WhatsApp Business Account" width="448"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

If creating a new account, fill in your business details when prompted.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Confirm access**

Review Missive's access request and click **Continue**.

<figure><img src="https://3242897856-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F1If7JwIQhfz5wGM9LiIU%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-683b2679d69f60f3182308fc42d028a886913d3c%2Fguides-whatsapp-missive-step-5.png?alt=media" alt="Access confirmation" width="448"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Verify your phone number**

Enter the phone number you want to use for WhatsApp Business. Choose verification by text message or phone call.

{% hint style="info" %}
If you don't receive the text message code, try the phone call option. Verification texts sometimes get blocked.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Add payment method (optional)**

Meta bills directly for WhatsApp Business Platform usage. You can add a payment method now or later.

<figure><img src="https://3242897856-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F1If7JwIQhfz5wGM9LiIU%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-e2bc1857b34c6755fe53e98b67464d8e75f5a2ac%2Fguides-whatsapp-missive-step-6.png?alt=media" alt="Setup complete" width="448"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Done**

Your WhatsApp number is now connected to Missive. New messages will appear in your inbox.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Next steps

* [Message templates](https://missiveapp.com/docs/core-features/connected-accounts/other-channels/whatsapp/templates) for initiating conversations
* [WhatsApp FAQ](https://missiveapp.com/docs/core-features/connected-accounts/other-channels/whatsapp/faq) for common questions


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://missiveapp.com/docs/core-features/connected-accounts/other-channels/whatsapp/setup.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
