There are a few prerequisites defined by Meta for you to use the WhatsApp Business API. You will see them when you select the option to create a new WhatsApp board within Drag. This article explains what there prerequisites are and how to put them in place before creating your first WhatsApp Shared Inbox in Drag.

1. Facebook Business Account

You need to have an existing Facebook Business Account and have access to the Facebook Business Manager.

If you don't have an account yet, you can create one by going to business.facebook.com and clicking Create an account.

Once your Facebook Business account is created, you will have access to a dashboard similar to the below.

2. Suitable phone number for WhatsApp

You need to make sire your phone number is suitable for WhatsApp Business API, with the following:

2.1 Cannot be linked to a personal WhatsApp account

If your number is already linked to a personal WhatsApp account, following these steps to delete it:

Open WhatsApp on your device.
Tap on Settings > Account > Delete my account.
Follow the prompts to delete the account.

2.2 Cannot be linked to a business WhatsApp account

According to Meta' regulations, you can only connect a phone number via WhatsApp Business API to 1 provider at a time. This means that the phone number you are connecting to Drag cannot be linked to the WhatsApp Business app or to another third-party tool. If your number is linked to either options, follow the steps below to unlink it:

Scenario 1: Your number is linked to the WhatsApp Business app

Unlink your WhatsApp number from the mobile business app to enable Drag to use the WhatsApp Business API on your behalf.

Note that you can only connect your number to either Drag WhatsApp shared inbox or the WhatsApp Business app. If you migrate your number to the Drag shared inbox, you will not be able to access that same phone number from the WhatsApp Business app.

Backup your previous chats. Refer to these Android and iOS guides to learn how.
Open the WhatsApp Business app.
Go to Settings > Account.
Select Delete my account and follow the steps.

Scenario 2: Your number is linked to another third-party tool (eg. another shared inbox app)

Unlink your WhatsApp number from the other provider to be able to link it to Drag.

Disconnect from the third-party application

Go to your Facebook Business account and click Settings > WhatsApp accounts.



Go to the Partners tab and select Manage.



Select Remove access.



Delete the WhatsApp number

Request a backup of your chats to your current provider, if needed.
Go to the WhatsApp manager > Phone numbers page and click on the bin icon next to the phone number in question.



Note the WhatsApp Business API does not include voice call functionality.

3. Facebook Developer Account

According to Meta' regulations, you must have a Facebook Developer account to have access to the WhatsApp Business API and grant access to DragApp to connect to it.

If you do not have a Developer account yet, click here to create one.

Once the prerequisites are in place, you are ready to create your WhatsApp shared inbox. Click here to learn how.

Still have questions? Our team will love to help at support@dragapp.com.

Updated on: 22/10/2024