Use WhatsApp Business App and API Simultaneously (Coexistence)

You use the WhatsApp Business App on your phone for daily customer communication — chats, away messages, calls — and now want to connect the same number to meetergo for automated appointment reminders and follow-ups?

Good news: you can do this without losing anything. Since May 2025, Meta officially supports WhatsApp Coexistence — the WhatsApp Business App and the WhatsApp Business API run side by side on the same number.

Coexistence is available in all 27 EU countries (including Germany, Austria, Switzerland), the UK, and most countries worldwide. Only Nigeria and South Africa are currently excluded.

What does Coexistence mean?

	WhatsApp Business App	WhatsApp Business API (meetergo)
Manual chats	As usual on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android	-
Away messages	Still active	-
Phone calls	Normal on the same number	-
Automatic reminders	-	Sent by meetergo automatically
Booking confirmations	-	Sent by meetergo automatically
Follow-ups	-	Sent by meetergo automatically

Both run simultaneously. You lose neither chats, contacts, nor functionality.

What you need

A meetergo account (Growth plan)
A Facebook / Meta account (a personal account is fine)
The WhatsApp Business App on your smartphone (version 2.24.17 or newer)
Your number must have been active in the WhatsApp Business App for at least 7 days

You don't need to set up a Meta Business Account in advance — it will be created automatically during the connection process if you don't have one yet.

Step-by-step guide

Step 1: Start the connection in meetergo

Go to Integrations & Apps
Find "WhatsApp Business" and click "Connect"
A Meta popup opens

Sign in with your Facebook account
If you don't have a Meta Business Account yet, the popup will guide you through creating one — just enter your company name and confirm

Step 3: Create a WhatsApp Business Account (WABA)

The popup asks for a WhatsApp Business Account — click "Create"
Enter a name (e.g. your company name) and select your time zone and currency

If you already have a WABA, you can select it here instead of creating a new one.

Step 4: Enter your phone number

Select your country code (e.g. Germany +49)
Manually enter your WhatsApp Business number

Your number will not appear automatically in a dropdown list. You need to type it in yourself.

Step 5: Scan QR code and confirm

A QR code appears on your screen
Open the WhatsApp Business App on your smartphone
You'll receive a message with a "Scan QR code" button — tap it
Scan the QR code from your screen
Optional: choose whether to share your existing chats (up to 6 months) with the API
Confirm the connection

Done! Your number is now connected to meetergo — and your WhatsApp Business App continues to work as usual.

After connecting

Your WhatsApp Business App works as before — chats, away messages, calls, everything stays
meetergo sends automated messages (reminders, confirmations, follow-ups) via the API in the background
Messages are synchronized between the app and the API

Open the WhatsApp Business App at least every 14 days. If the app isn't opened for longer, Meta may deactivate the API connection.

Next steps

Now that your number is connected:

Create message templates — WhatsApp requires pre-approved templates for automated messages
Set up workflows — Link templates to triggers (e.g. "24h before appointment", "After booking")

See Connect WhatsApp directly – Send Reminders & Follow-Ups for the full guide.

Switching from another provider (e.g. Superchat)

If your number is currently connected to the WhatsApp Business API through another provider (e.g. Superchat, 360dialog, Trengo), you have two options:

Option 1: Direct migration (recommended – no waiting)

A direct number migration transfers your number from your current provider straight to meetergo — no cooldown and no downtime. Your number keeps its display name, quality rating, and approved templates.

How to do it:

At your current provider: Ask them to disable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for your number. For Superchat: Settings → Mailboxes → 3-dot menu → "Cloud API Transfer"
In meetergo: Go to Integrations & Apps → WhatsApp Business → Connect
In the Meta popup: Enter your existing number — Meta will migrate it automatically

Direct migration takes just a few minutes. No waiting period, no data loss.

Option 2: Disconnect and reconnect (1–2 month waiting period)

If direct migration isn't possible (e.g. your current provider won't disable 2FA), there's a longer path:

Disconnect the number from your current provider
Delete the old WABA account in Meta Business Manager (Business settings → WhatsApp accounts)
Wait 1–2 months — Meta enforces a cooldown after previous API usage
Continue using the WhatsApp Business App actively during this time
Then start the Coexistence setup in meetergo (see above)

Do not disconnect the number from your current provider before trying the direct migration first. Once disconnected, the cooldown period kicks in.

Coexistence limitations

Message throughput drops from 80 to 20 messages per second (irrelevant for most users)
View-once media and broadcast lists may work with limitations
Template messages (e.g. reminders) can only be sent via the API, not via the app

Troubleshooting

Error: "This number is registered to an existing WhatsApp account"

This is the most common error when setting up Coexistence. It means the setup process did not enter Coexistence mode and is instead attempting a classic migration.

Possible causes and solutions:

Number was previously connected to a WhatsApp Business API (WABA) If you previously connected this number to the WhatsApp Business API through meetergo, Superchat, or any other provider and then disconnected it, Meta enforces a cooldown period of 1–2 months. Coexistence onboarding is not available during this time. → Solution: Wait at least 1–2 months after disconnecting. Continue using the WhatsApp Business App actively during this period.
Old WABA account still exists in Meta Business Manager Even after disconnecting in meetergo, the WABA account may still exist in Meta Business Manager and block the number. → Solution: Go to business.facebook.com → Business settings → WhatsApp accounts and delete the old WABA account completely. Wait at least 5–10 minutes afterwards.
Minimum messaging volume not reached Meta requires the WhatsApp Business App to have reached a certain messaging volume before Coexistence becomes available. The exact threshold is not publicly disclosed. → Solution: Use the WhatsApp Business App actively for at least 2–4 weeks with real customer conversations before trying again.
WhatsApp Business App not up to date The app must be updated to version 2.24.17 or newer. → Solution: Update the app through the App Store / Google Play.
Number active in Business App for less than 7 days Meta requires at least 7 days of active use in the WhatsApp Business App. → Solution: Wait until the number has been active for at least 7 days.

If your number was previously connected to a WhatsApp Business API (whether through meetergo, Superchat, or another provider), the 1–2 month cooldown period is the most likely cause. Disconnecting and reconnecting will not help — it only extends the waiting period.

My number is not accepted (no QR code)

Make sure the WhatsApp Business App on your phone is updated to version 2.24.17 or newer
Your number must have been active in the Business App for at least 7 days
Check that you entered the number with the correct country code
Make sure the number is registered in the WhatsApp Business App (not the regular WhatsApp app)

The QR code doesn't appear

Make sure you entered the number correctly in the popup
Try a different browser (Chrome is recommended)
Temporarily disable popup blockers

SMS/call verification shown instead of QR code

If you're offered SMS or voice call verification instead of a QR code, the setup process has not detected Coexistence mode. This typically happens when one of the prerequisites above is not met (previous API usage, insufficient activity, outdated app version).

The connection drops

Check your internet connection on both devices (computer and smartphone)
Make sure you're signed in with the correct Facebook account in the Meta popup
Try the process again

I have a different issue

Send us a screenshot of the step where you're stuck — we're happy to help. Contact us at meetergo Support.

FAQ

Will I lose my WhatsApp chats?

No. Your existing chats remain in the WhatsApp Business App. Optionally, you can share up to 6 months of chat history with the API when connecting.

Can I still chat manually via the app?

Yes, absolutely. The app works exactly as before. Coexistence means both run in parallel.

Can I still make phone calls?

Yes. The phone function of your number is not affected by the API connection.

Does this work with a number I recently switched from personal to Business?

Yes, as long as the number has been active in the WhatsApp Business App for at least 7 days.

My number is currently with another provider (e.g. Superchat). Can I switch directly?

Yes! You can switch without any waiting period via a direct number migration. See the section Switching from another provider above.

I previously connected a number via meetergo/Superchat and then disconnected it. Can I use Coexistence now?

Not immediately. Meta enforces a cooldown period of 1–2 months after a previous API registration. During this time, you need to actively use the number in the WhatsApp Business App. After the cooldown, you can try the Coexistence setup again. This is why we always recommend trying a direct migration first, before disconnecting your number.