# Coexistence WhatsApp Coexistence allows businesses to onboard their **existing WhatsApp Business app account and phone number** to the **WhatsApp Business Platform**. This means that businesses can message at scale with the WhatsApp Business Platform, and can message individual users with the WhatsApp Business app. {% hint style="info" %} "WhatsApp Coexistence" may also be referred to as just "Coexistence", or "Coex", in our documentation. {% endhint %} ### Why Use WhatsApp Coexistence? By using WhatsApp Coexistence, businesses can enjoy the full capabilities of the WhatsApp Business Platform - such as API messaging, Meta Insights, Click-to-WhatsApp (CTWA) campaigns, and more - without losing their existing number, messaging history, or audience. This is ideal for businesses looking to scale their messaging strategies while maintaining their current setup. ### Key Benefits * Maintain access to the WhatsApp Business app while using the WhatsApp Business Platform. * Message at scale via the API while retaining one-to-one messaging in the app. * Simplifies migration for businesses already using WhatsApp Business App. ## How it works ### Communication Handling conversations between the WhatsApp Business app and the WhatsApp Business Platform is possible thanks to **message echoes:** * Messages sent via the API appear in the WhatsApp Business app automatically - no action required. * Messages sent via the WhatsApp Business app are sent to the phone number's webhook URL, via an `smb_message_echoes` event. This makes it possible to keep your WhatsApp Business Platform solution in sync with the WhatsApp Business app. ### Pricing All messages sent through the WhatsApp Business app remain free. Messages sent through the WhatsApp Cloud API are subject to WhatsApp Cloud API pricing. [WhatsApp Business Platform's per-message pricing structure is explained here.](https://docs.360dialog.com/docs/prices-plans-and-payments/free-vs-billed-messages) Template messages are still required to initiate conversations from the WhatsApp Business Platform. Service messages can only be sent within 24 hours of the customer's last incoming message (e.g., within a 24-hour customer service window). {% hint style="info" %} Users will also need a 360Dialog account and subscription plan, as WhatsApp Business Platform usage and fees are charged normally. {% endhint %} ### Linked devices Businesses can link up to four "companion" devices to their WhatsApp Business app (described as "[linked devices](https://faq.whatsapp.com/378279804439436/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2wCtUhMIoG1VO6mhMVxnM5qZxdKKDjFtvk4YpCNwhSJkGt11imnDaOig0_aem_JIFUbZ1WN9y9vercActG7Q)" in Meta Help Center). However, after onboarding to the WhatsApp Business Platform, all companion apps will be unlinked; you can re-link only supported devices after onboarding. * [WhatsApp for Windows](https://faq.whatsapp.com/1317564962315842/?cms_platform=windows-desktop\&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1gLC6waIwQKEQoEGKbjg1Oq5txm6UhdPaW9MJk7tl5zfmxi91acb2AbGw_aem_vEQZZFO6LlCvkD5nb6NX8g) and [WhatsApp for WearOS](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Ffaq.whatsapp.com%2F564431798835071%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3TYfj7mUed27k4ZOjGcgQO-Mapj7z_BYOqlWO6aUWVB1xeMm0xCHR_uqk_aem_xcqnRjqlXr4M_20TUJtC7g\&h=AT2NG1pwbUs22EOCRkHrvG6K_aFSINqj05GrvmYFcsCaqWHlqtC4XoaJFWb84a-ep6ZYIoh94EydtJalaOb1plLo-HV9IWVFNm9vXmQVzaildL8W5uS-s_qTki2HAW6S8EhH56zySyT7X9xSPhufKGA-qFY) are not supported. * Messages from unsupported companion devices will not trigger webhook events, so the business won't be able to mirror the message through the API. You can still use the App to respond to this message. Messages viewed on an unsupported companion device will show a placeholder text instructing users to check their primary device. While WhatsApp users can still message an onboarded business from an unsupported companion client, these messages will not trigger `smb_message_echoes` webhook events, meaning the business will be unable to mirror them in their app. ### Limitations WhatsApp Coexistence comes with some functional limitations: * **OBA not supported: Official Business Account (OBA / Blue badge)** is not supported for coexistence accounts. You may apply for [Meta Verified for Business](https://docs.360dialog.com/docs/resources/meta-business-verification/meta-verified-for-business) instead. * **Migration between WhatsApp Business accounts (WABAs) is not supported.** Following our migration guides will unfortunately not be of help. * **Display name is not automatically reviewed**. To initiate the display name review of COEX numbers, the business must first apply for [Meta Verified](https://docs.360dialog.com/docs/resources/meta-business-verification/meta-verified-for-business). {% hint style="info" %} Please refer to [Meta's feature comparison](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/embedded-signup/custom-flows/onboarding-business-app-users/#feature-comparison) to understand what features are supported on WhatsApp Business Platform and if there are changes in your WhatsApp Business app. {% endhint %} ### Geo Restrictions Some regions do not currently support onboarding WhatsApp Business app numbers to WhatsApp Business Platform. For the full list of restrictions and supported regions, see [Meta’s official documentation here](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/embedded-signup/custom-flows/onboarding-business-app-users/#unsupported-countries). {% hint style="danger" %} ### Important Notes * You can sync message history from the WhatsApp Business app to the WhatsApp Business Platform. * Do not uninstall the WhatsApp Business app - doing so will disconnect the account. * You must open the WhatsApp Business app at least once every 13 days to keep the account active. {% endhint %} {% hint style="warning" %} Chat **history sync** for **direct clients** (clients who do not have an integration partner) may require additional setup. [Please reach out to our support team before onboarding.](https://docs.360dialog.com/docs/support/get-support) {% endhint %} ### FAQ
Eligibility for WhatsApp Business Platform Access WhatsApp Business Platform is intended for businesses that are **already actively using the WhatsApp Business app and looking to scale their messaging capabilities**. Businesses with newly created WhatsApp Business app accounts are not immediately eligible for API access. Eligibility is determined based on factors such as account tenure and messaging quality to ensure a reliable and effective messaging experience. **Meta recommends businesses to use Coexistence only if they are already using the WhatsApp Business app consistently and can benefit from advanced API tools to scale operations.**
Are marketing messages sent from a Partner platform via WhatsApp Business Platform supported on the WhatsApp Business app? Yes, both the WhatsApp Business app and WhatsApp Business Platform support the same types of messages, including Marketing, Utility, Service, and Authentication messages.
Can a business using the Coexistence via WhatsApp Business Platform switch back to WhatsApp Business app with the same number? Yes. To disconnect your number from the WhatsApp Business Platform, go to **Settings > Account > Business Platform** and click the **Disconnect** button. ⚠️ **Important:** Please do not disconnect the app without first consulting our team to ensure you don’t lose any data and to understand the implications. * **Stop sending messages from your phone number?** You do not need to disconnect the number; simply stop sending messages. * **Remove access to the app?** This is not possible through the API.
Can a business use their WhatsApp Business Platform number to register on the WhatsApp Business app? No, this process only works for numbers registered in the app - it will not work the other way around. If the number is connected to the WhatsApp Business Platform, Coexistence Onboarding will not work.
Is this solution applicable to larger enterprises? Coexistence's primary use case is to assist SMBs that have not previously onboarded to the WhatsApp Business Platform. Coexistence is not specifically designed for larger enterprises.
Will businesses with Meta Verified blue badges on WhatsApp Business App maintain their verification when connecting to the WhatsApp Business Platform? Currently, the blue badge verification does not transfer between the WhatsApp Business app and WhatsApp Business Platform.
Can government entities use Coexistence? Yes, government accounts can use Coexistence.
Can we activate multiple Coexistence numbers under one Meta Business Manager? Yes. There is currently no stated limit on the number of Coexistence numbers that can be activated under a single Meta Business Manager.
## **Getting Started: Account Creation** You can onboard your WhatsApp Business account and phone number to the WhatsApp Business Platform following the guide below: {% content-ref url="../../hub/embedded-signup/coexistence-onboarding" %} [coexistence-onboarding](https://docs.360dialog.com/docs/hub/embedded-signup/coexistence-onboarding) {% endcontent-ref %} --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.360dialog.com/docs/resources/phone-numbers/coexistence.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.