Prerequisites
You will need these set up before you can start using your AVOXI Number(s) on WhatsApp:
- Set up a WhatsApp Business Account (WABA)
- Create a business portfolio at business.facebook.com
- Start the Business Verification Process
- This will raise your initial limits of 2 Numbers and 250 messages to 20 numbers and 2,000 messages
- Make sure your AVOXI number is not already used anywhere in WhatsApp
- Make sure your AVOXI number is set up and can take a direct incoming call from WhatsApp for a one-time password (number CANNOT go to an IVR while verifying the number in WhatsApp)
Your AVOXI numbers are capable of being imported into and using with WhatsApp, whether you want to use your number for sending WhatsApp messages or use it with Voice Calling in WhatsApp.
You will need to complete the following steps to get your number set up in WhatsApp:
- Create a Meta Developer app (type = Business) at developers.facebook.com
- Once created, add the WhatsApp product and link it to your business portfolio
- Add the phone number via WhatsApp → API Setup → Add phone number
- Enter your AVOXI phoen number and give it a display name (make sure your display name matches your business or brand)
- Verify by Voice Call - choose the phone call option and you will receive a call on that number which will provide a one-time password you need to enter into the developer app
- Make a Cloud API call to the Meta API following their instructions
- Adding and verifying the number will not complete registration, you need to complete this API call to set a 6-digit PIN during registration.
- Tools like Postman can help you accomplish this step
- Add a payment method in WhatsApp Manager
- Create message templates so you can send messages and submit them for approval
- Send a test message to your phone to verify the messages are sending correctly
Enabling Voice Calling in WhatsApp
Before Calling is enabled in WhatsApp you will likely need to exchange a couple thousand messages a month to enable Voice Calling (along with completing Business Verification). jYour meta app also must be in LIVE mode and have messaging permissions for that number.
This must be done before your AVOXI Number can be set up for Voice Calls in WhatsApp.
You will also want to set up a SIP URI (Inbound calls) and SIP Trunk (Outbound calls) using TLS in Genius for interfacing with WhatsApp. Follow Meta's instruction for the specific SIP address to hit in the SIP URI (e.g. wa.meta.vc)
Once Voice Calling is enabled in WhatsApp you will need to complete the following steps to enable Voice Calling with your AVOXI Number:
- Go to Account tools → Phone Numbers → Settings (gear icon) for the number → Calls tab
- Turn on Allow Voice Calls and Display Call Buttons settings
- You can choose to do this by API, if you prefer
- On the Calls tab go to SIP Set Up
- Retrieve the Meta-generated SIP Password via the Meta API following their instructions
- Enter this SIP password into Genius to ensure you can connect to WhatsApp
- Make a test call into the number and ensure it gets delivered via WhatsApp. You can also test out calling in WhatsApp via buttons in-app. Outbound calls require consent and should be tested as well
Additional WhatsApp restrictions may exist, such as no outbound calling in the US, Canada, Egypt, Vietnam, or Nigeria.
