WhatsApp Business

Overview

Channels & integrations → WhatsApp Business connects your WhatsApp Business phone number with OrderInChat using Meta Embedded Signup.

Meta approval pending (waiting list)

Until Meta approves OrderInChat, connecting a new WhatsApp number is open only to pilot stores. Other stores see Meta approval pending — we'll e-mail you when it opens with a Notify me button: one click puts your e-mail on the waiting list (a second click shows that you are already on it), and we e-mail you once when the connection opens. Stores whose number is already connected keep working and can reconnect; the web chat widget, web search and your storefront work without WhatsApp.

Try before you connect (demo number)

If you are on a trial and do not want Embedded Signup yet:

Open Channels & integrations → WhatsApp Business
Click Open demo WhatsApp (my catalog)
Send the prefilled message to OrderInChat’s shared demo number

Your first message includes a secure store code. OrderInChat links your WhatsApp number to {store-name} so the assistant uses your catalog (products, prices, bookings) — not a generic demo store. Replies still come from the shared OrderInChat number.

When you are ready to receive customer messages on your own number, complete Embedded Signup below.

Steps

Open WhatsApp Business integration in the app
Complete Meta Embedded Signup (Business + WhatsApp Business account + phone)
Confirm the number shows as connected (phone ID / display number)
Test a message into Inbox → WhatsApp

Notes

Owner WhatsApp on Store Setup → Contact is not the WhatsApp Business number
When that owner/staff phone messages this Business number, OrderInChat opens operator mode (Panel AI) instead of the customer assistant
Catalog sync is separate — see Meta Catalog
Connection problems can be fixed from the integration status panel when a repair option is shown

Keep using the WhatsApp Business app (coexistence)

If your number already runs in the WhatsApp Business app on your phone, you can connect the same number without leaving the app:

Open Channels & integrations → WhatsApp Business and expand Already using the WhatsApp Business app?
Choose whether to import your chats from the last 6 months
Click Connect my WhatsApp Business app number and follow Meta's steps; Meta asks you to confirm in the WhatsApp Business app on your phone
When the panel shows Connected together with the WhatsApp Business app, customer messages appear in Inbox → WhatsApp and the AI assistant answers them

What to know:

Replies you send from the phone appear in the inbox thread. The AI assistant stays quiet in that chat for 5 minutes after your last phone reply, then takes over again
Open the WhatsApp Business app at least once every 14 days; otherwise Meta disconnects the number and the panel shows a warning
Chat history can be imported only once, within 24 hours of connecting. If you skipped it, use Import chat history now while the button is shown
Group chats are not synced. In the app, disappearing messages, view once, live location and broadcast lists are turned off; WhatsApp for Windows and Wear OS cannot be linked
WhatsApp voice and video calls keep ringing in the app on your phone: Meta gives these numbers no calling, so the AI assistant cannot answer them. For AI-answered WhatsApp calls, connect the number to the Cloud API only (the WhatsApp Business app then stops working on it) or connect a second number. Normal phone calls to your number can still be forwarded to an OrderInChat phone line
Messages you send from the phone app are free; messages sent through OrderInChat (including AI replies) follow Meta's normal WhatsApp pricing
Requires WhatsApp Business app 2.24.17 or newer
To disconnect, open the WhatsApp Business app: Settings → Account → Business Platform → Disconnect