Learn how to connect and configure a WhatsApp Business Account in Chatwik using Embedded Signup or Manual WhatsApp Cloud API setup.
You can manage your WhatsApp Business Account conversations directly from Chatwik. To connect your WhatsApp number, Chatwik supports two onboarding methods:
- Embedded Signup (Recommended) – A guided flow powered by Meta that automatically configures your number, webhooks, and tokens with minimal manual effort.
- Manual Setup (WhatsApp Cloud API) – An advanced setup option for tech providers, custom business portfolios, or cases where you want direct control over Meta Developer assets.
Prerequisites
Before connecting your WhatsApp channel to Chatwik, make sure you have:
- A Meta (Facebook) Developer Account (create one at Meta for Developers).
- A valid phone number ready for WhatsApp API registration.
- A Chatwik workspace with the WhatsApp feature enabled.
Method 1: Embedded Signup (Recommended)
Embedded Signup is the fastest way to connect WhatsApp to Chatwik without manually configuring webhooks or access tokens.
Go to Inbox Settings
Navigate to Settings → Inboxes → click Add Inbox.
Select WhatsApp
Choose WhatsApp from the available channels list.
Authenticate via Meta
Click Connect with WhatsApp Business. Log in with your Facebook account, select or create your WhatsApp Business Account (WABA), and verify your phone number.
Add Agents
Assign team members to your WhatsApp inbox so they can view and respond to incoming customer messages.
Chatwik automatically receives the webhook URL, access tokens, and phone number configuration directly from Meta upon completing the Embedded Signup flow.
Method 2: Manual Setup (WhatsApp Cloud API)
If you prefer to host and manage your API access directly through Meta's Cloud infrastructure, follow the step-by-step process below to manually connect WhatsApp Cloud API to Chatwik.
Set Up Business Portfolio
- Log into Meta Business Suite.
- Click Create Portfolio from the account dropdown menu under Home.
- Fill in your business details to complete your portfolio setup.
Create Facebook Developer App
- Log into Meta Developers Console.
- Click Create App → choose Other → select Business as the app type.
- Enter your contact email and associate the app with your Meta Business Portfolio.
Add WhatsApp to Your App
- From your App Dashboard, scroll to Add Product.
- Locate WhatsApp and click Set up.
- (Note: Complete Meta Business Verification if prompted for full production access).
Generate a Permanent Access Token
To ensure uninterrupted access, generate a permanent token using a System User:
- Go to Meta Business Settings → System Users.
- Add a new system user with the Admin role.
- Click Add Assets → select your App name → grant Full Control → click Assign Assets.
- Select the system user and click Generate New Token.
- Select your App and enable the following permissions:
whatsapp_business_manage_eventswhatsapp_business_managementwhatsapp_business_messaging
- Copy and securely store your generated Access Token.
Connect WhatsApp to Chatwik
- In Meta Developer Dashboard, copy your Phone Number ID and WhatsApp Business Account ID.
- Open Chatwik → navigate to Settings → Inboxes → Add Inbox → select WhatsApp.
- Enter your phone number, Phone Number ID, Business Account ID, and the generated Access Token.
- Assign agents to the inbox.
- Copy the generated Webhook URL and Webhook Verification Token from Chatwik.
Configure Webhook in Meta
- In Meta Developer Console, navigate to WhatsApp → Configuration.
- Click Edit under Webhook, paste the Webhook URL (format:
https://your-domain.com/webhooks/whatsapp/{phone_number}) and Verification Token. - Click Verify and Save.
- Under Webhook fields, click Subscribe next to messages.
Ensure you subscribe to the messages event field in the Meta Webhook settings, otherwise incoming messages will not sync to Chatwik.
Additional Inbox Settings
To customize your WhatsApp channel settings, go to Settings → Inboxes and click the gear icon next to your WhatsApp inbox.
General Settings
- Enable Channel Greeting: Sends an automated welcoming message when a customer initiates a new conversation.
- Enable CSAT: Automatically prompts customers with a Customer Satisfaction survey when a conversation is resolved. CSAT scores can be reviewed under Reports.
- Reauthorize / Update Credentials: Reconnect access tokens or update Phone Number ID details whenever required.
Managing Collaborators
- Open the Collaborators tab.
- Add or remove agents assigned to this WhatsApp inbox.
- Enable or disable Automatic Assignment of new incoming conversations to assigned agents.
- Click Update to save changes.
Business Availability
- Open the Business Hours tab.
- Check Enable business availability for this inbox to set operational hours.
- Customise the Unavailability Message displayed to customers during off-hours.
Wik AI Note
When Wik AI is enabled on an inbox, the unavailability message is automatically suppressed. Wik AI handles conversations directly outside business hours unless explicitly handed off to a human agent.
- Set specific working hours for each day of the week along with your time zone.
- Click Update Business Hour Setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I configure multiple numbers under a single Facebook app?
A Meta Developer App allows configuring only a single Webhook endpoint URL. To manage multiple phone numbers in Chatwik, create separate inboxes for each number in Chatwik. You only need to configure the Webhook URL provided by one of these inboxes in the Meta Developer Console for all associated numbers under that app to work seamlessly.
What media types are supported in WhatsApp conversations?
Chatwik supports sending and receiving various media formats through WhatsApp:
- Text & Emojis: Standard messaging, rich text formatting, and full emoji support.
- Images:
.jpg,.jpeg,.png - Documents:
.pdf,.doc,.docx,.ppt,.xlsx,.txt - Audio & Voice Messages:
.mp3,.aac,.ogg,.amr - Video:
.mp4,.3gp - Location & Contacts: Interactive vCards and location coordinates.
- Interactive Messages: Quick reply buttons and list messages.