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WhatsApp Business — IFAclick Connection Guide
Complete every section in order before connecting in IFAclick. Use the error and debugging sections if something fails.
1. Overview
IFAclick connects to your existing WhatsApp Business app number using Meta’s Coexistence flow. Your number continues to work on your phone; IFAclick can also send and receive messages through Meta’s platform.
Eligible: WhatsApp Business app, active business number, Meta Business setup complete.
Not eligible: Personal WhatsApp, brand-new unused Business app number, number still tied to another API provider without disconnecting first.
2. Prerequisites
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| App | WhatsApp Business app (latest version) on the phone that holds your number |
| Usage | Number used for real customer chats (not created only for IFAclick) |
| Meta account | Facebook / Meta login with admin access to your business on business.facebook.com |
| Platform | Number on Meta Cloud API (not On-Premises) |
| Verification | Meta Business Verification submitted or approved where required |
| Billing | Payment method added in WhatsApp Manager for API messages |
| Documents | Business documents and website if Meta requests them during verification |
3. Setup instructions
3.1 WhatsApp Business app
- Confirm the number runs on WhatsApp Business app, not personal WhatsApp.
- Update the app from the App Store / Play Store.
- Keep the phone online with notifications enabled during setup.
If previously connected to another API provider:
WhatsApp Business app → Settings → Account → Business Platform → Disconnect Account
Wait until disconnection completes before continuing.
Completion check
- Business app installed, updated, and active on the correct number
- Disconnected from any previous API provider (if applicable)
3.2 Meta Business Portfolio
- Open business.facebook.com and sign in.
- Select the Business Portfolio that owns your WhatsApp number (create one if none exists).
- Confirm you have admin access: you can open Portfolio Settings and see WhatsApp Manager.
Use the same Meta account when connecting in IFAclick.
Completion check
- Correct Business Portfolio identified
- Signing-in user is portfolio admin
3.3 Activate WhatsApp on Cloud API
IFAclick requires Cloud API. Numbers on On-Premises will not work correctly (e.g. templates may not appear).
- Business Portfolio → Inbox → WhatsApp (or Get started / Connect WhatsApp).
- Complete every prompt: phone confirmation, business details, verification steps.
- Do not skip screens until WhatsApp shows as active on the portfolio.
If Meta displays a waiting period (7–30 days) after activation or platform change, note the date and do not connect in IFAclick until it ends.
Completion check
- Inbox → WhatsApp activation fully completed
- Any Meta waiting period has passed
3.4 Business Verification
- Business Portfolio → Settings → Security Center / Business verification.
- Submit required documents and details.
- If Meta requests a business website, provide a working URL (company site or other option Meta accepts per their current rules).
- Wait for Approved status if Meta shows In review.
Completion check
- Verification submitted or approved
- Website and documents provided where required
3.5 Payment method
API messages through IFAclick are billed by Meta. App messages from your phone remain free.
- Business Portfolio → WhatsApp Manager → your account / number.
- Open Billing / Payment settings.
- Add and save a valid payment method.
- Confirm no billing errors are shown.
Completion check
- Payment method active in WhatsApp Manager
4. Connect in IFAclick
Start only after all completion checks in Section 3 are done.
4.1 Before connecting
- WhatsApp Business app open on your phone
- Stable internet on phone and computer
- IFAclick organisation admin logged in
- Meta admin account ready (same as Section 3.2)
4.2 Connection steps
- IFAclick → Settings → WhatsApp.
- Click Connect Meta Account.
- Keep the Meta popup open until IFAclick shows success.
- Select connect existing WhatsApp Business account (not add new number).
- Enter your number with country code (e.g.
+91XXXXXXXXXX). - On your phone (WhatsApp Business app):
- Open the message from the official Facebook Business Account
- Tap Connect to the Business Platform
- Tap Confirm
- Enter the verification code in the browser popup if Meta displays one.
- Choose whether to share chat history (optional; connection works either way).
- Confirm IFAclick shows Connected.
Completion check
- IFAclick shows successful connection
- WhatsApp Business app shows number connected to Business Platform / API
5. Post-connection steps
Complete within 24 hours of connecting.
- Keep WhatsApp Business app open on your phone for 15–30+ minutes.
- Stay on stable internet during sync.
- Do not uninstall or log out of the Business app.
- Re-link supported linked devices if needed (some devices unlink during onboarding).
- Send a test message from IFAclick only after templates are visible and billing is active.
Completion check
- Initial contact / history sync window addressed (app kept open)
- Test message sent successfully (optional but recommended)
6. Ongoing requirements
| Action | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Open WhatsApp Business app | At least every ~2 weeks |
| Keep number on Business app only | Always — do not move to personal WhatsApp |
| Maintain Meta billing | Keep payment method valid |
| Avoid disconnecting API in app | Unless intentionally removing IFAclick |
Disconnect path (only if removing integration):
WhatsApp Business app → Settings → Account → Business Platform → Disconnect Account
7. Errors that can occur
7.1 During setup (before or during IFAclick connect)
| Error / message | Cause |
|---|---|
| No option to connect existing Business account | Number not on Business app, or wrong Embedded Signup path |
| Number not eligible | Personal WhatsApp, new unused account, or number on another API provider |
| Embedded Signup cancelled | Popup closed before completion |
| No authorization code / login failed | Flow abandoned after Meta login; popup blocked |
| Embedded Signup failed (Meta) | Ineligible number, outdated app, or Meta validation failure |
| Unable to verify WhatsApp Business Account access | Wrong Meta account or user is not WABA admin |
| Verification code not received | Phone offline, outdated app, or notifications disabled |
| Meta requests waiting period (7–30 days) | Recent Cloud API activation or platform change |
| Existing partner / credit line error | Number still linked to previous API provider or BSP |
7.2 After connection
| Error / symptom | Cause |
|---|---|
| Message templates not displayed | Number on On-Premises instead of Cloud API; activation incomplete |
| Payment pending | No payment method on Business Portfolio / WhatsApp Manager |
| Messages fail to send | Billing missing, templates not approved, or 24-hour reply window expired for API |
| No chat history in IFAclick | History sharing declined, or 24-hour sync window missed |
| Sync not progressing | App closed, poor connectivity, or Business Suite activation incomplete |
| Group chats missing in IFAclick | Expected — only 1:1 chats sync |
7.3 Disconnection (connection lost later)
| Event / reason | Cause |
|---|---|
| PARTNER_REMOVED (user) | Disconnected via Business Platform in app settings |
| PRIMARY_INACTIVITY | Business app unused on primary phone ~14+ days |
| BUSINESS_DOWNGRADE | Number registered on personal WhatsApp |
| CHANGE_NUMBER | WhatsApp number changed |
| USER_RE_REGISTERED | Account re-registered on new device without re-linking |
8. Debugging steps
Work through the section that matches your symptom. Fix each item before retrying.
8.1 Cannot start or complete IFAclick connection
- Confirm WhatsApp Business app (not personal), updated.
- Confirm number is not on another API provider — disconnect if needed (Section 3.1).
- Use Meta account that is admin on the correct Business Portfolio (Section 3.2).
- In Meta popup, select existing Business account, not new number.
- Keep phone online; complete Connect → Confirm in Business app.
- Disable popup blockers; use Chrome or Edge; do not close Meta window early.
- If Meta shows a 7–30 day wait, stop and retry only after that period.
8.2 Templates not showing after connection
- Business Portfolio → Inbox → WhatsApp — complete all activation steps (Section 3.3).
- WhatsApp Manager — confirm number is on Cloud API, not On-Premises.
- Complete Business Verification if pending (Section 3.4).
- Add payment method (Section 3.5).
- Wait for Meta waiting period if one was shown, then reconnect if required.
- Refresh IFAclick WhatsApp settings; allow time for template approval.
8.3 Messages fail to send
- WhatsApp Manager → Billing — confirm payment method active.
- Confirm templates show Approved in IFAclick / WhatsApp Manager.
- For contacts who have not messaged recently, use an approved template (API 24-hour window rule).
- Confirm correct sending phone number selected in IFAclick.
8.4 No contacts or history synced
- Within 24 hours of connecting: keep Business app open on stable internet.
- If history was declined during signup, old chats will not sync (by design).
- Complete Business Suite WhatsApp activation if sync stayed pending (Section 3.3).
- If 24-hour window passed, disconnect and run connection again only as a last resort.
8.5 Connection worked before, now broken
- Open WhatsApp Business app on primary phone (rule out inactivity).
- Check
Settings → Account → Business Platform— confirm not disconnected. - Confirm number is still on Business app, not personal WhatsApp.
- Check WhatsApp Manager billing and verification status.
- Re-run Section 3 checks, then reconnect in IFAclick if needed.
8.6 Business Verification stuck
- Business Portfolio → Settings → Business verification — review missing items.
- Add business website if Meta requires it.
- Upload correct legal documents (name must match portfolio).
- Wait for review; do not connect IFAclick until verification clears blockers Meta shows.
9. Final checklist
Section 3 — Meta & app setup
- WhatsApp Business app ready (Section 3.1)
- Business Portfolio admin access (Section 3.2)
- Cloud API activation via Inbox → WhatsApp (Section 3.3)
- Business Verification complete or in acceptable state (Section 3.4)
- Payment method added (Section 3.5)
- Meta waiting period elapsed, if any
Section 4 — IFAclick connection
- Connected existing Business account
- Phone verification completed
- IFAclick shows Connected
Section 5 — Post-connection
- App kept open for initial sync
- Test send successful (recommended)
When all items are checked, setup is complete.