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A WhatsApp sender is a phone number registered with the WhatsApp Business API and connected to an AI assistant. Senders handle all inbound and outbound WhatsApp messaging for your account.

Number type options

When creating a sender, choose between two number types:

Platform numbers

Purchase a number through Intellixent. Verification is handled automatically using AI-assisted voice verification.Best for: Businesses that want a dedicated business line with automated setup.

External numbers

Use your own existing mobile number. You verify ownership by receiving an SMS or voice call with a 6-digit code.Best for: Businesses that want to use a number they already own.

Creating a sender

Navigate to WhatsApp SendersCreate Sender and select your number type to begin.

Platform number setup

Call interception during verification — During the verification step, ALL inbound calls to the selected number will be intercepted for up to 5 minutes. Your AI assistant will not answer calls during this time. Do not run verification on a production number that is actively receiving customer calls.
1

Pre-verify your number

  1. Select an available phone number (only “normal” type numbers not already used for WhatsApp are shown).
  2. Enter a Display Name for your business — this is what customers will see.
  3. Optionally add business profile information (about, description, address, category).
  4. Click Start Verification.
The system automatically verifies your number with Meta using AI-assisted voice verification. This typically takes 1–2 minutes.
2

Select your verified number

Once verification completes, your number appears in the “Verified Numbers Ready” section. Select it and click Continue to WhatsApp Connection.
3

Connect to WhatsApp Business

This step connects your verified number through Meta’s Embedded Signup flow.
Create a new account — In the Facebook signup popup, you must create a brand-new WhatsApp Business Account. Do not select an existing account — this will cause the integration to fail.
  1. When the Meta popup appears, click Add new number — do not enter a number manually.
  2. Select your pre-verified number from the dropdown.
  3. Complete the remaining steps in Facebook’s flow (business verification, permissions, etc.).
  4. You will be redirected back automatically when finished.

External number setup

Before you begin, make sure you have:
  • Your phone nearby to receive a verification code
  • SMS or calls enabled on the number
  • A number not currently registered with WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business app
  • A Facebook account to complete the setup
1

Enter your phone number

  1. Enter your number in international format (e.g., +1 555 123 4567).
  2. Enter a Display Name for your business.
  3. Click Continue.
Enter your number starting with + and your country code. Examples: +14155551234 (US), +447911123456 (UK), +4915112345678 (Germany).
2

Login with Facebook

Click Login with Facebook. A popup will open — make sure popups are allowed for this site.
3

Create a WhatsApp Business Account

Follow the prompts to create a new WhatsApp Business Account. Do not select an existing account.
4

Enter your phone number in Meta's flow

When prompted, enter the same number you provided in step 1.
5

Verify with SMS or voice call

You will receive a 6-digit code via SMS or voice call. Enter it to verify your number.
If you don’t receive an SMS within 60 seconds, choose the voice call option instead.
6

Complete setup

Grant the required permissions and close the popup when finished. You will be redirected automatically.

Troubleshooting external numbers

Wait 60 seconds, then switch to the voice call option. Make sure your phone has signal.
If this number is currently active on WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business app, you must delete that account first before using the number with WhatsApp Business API.
Make sure you are logged into the correct Facebook account, or try a different browser.

Sender status

StatusMeaning
OnlineFully operational. You can send and receive messages.
ConnectingBeing initialized. Usually resolves in a few seconds.
PendingAwaiting verification or Meta approval.
OfflineManually disabled. Messages cannot be sent or received.
SuspendedSuspended by Meta due to policy violations.
FailedSetup failed. Check the error message for details.

Sender configuration

Connect an AI assistant

Once your sender is online, link an AI assistant to handle incoming messages automatically:
  1. Edit your WhatsApp sender.
  2. Select an assistant from the dropdown.
  3. Enable the AI Enabled toggle.
  4. Save changes.
All incoming messages will be routed to your AI assistant.

Business profile

Customize how your business appears to customers in WhatsApp:
FieldDescription
Display NameYour business name shown in chats
AboutShort description (max 139 characters)
DescriptionDetailed description of your business
AddressBusiness address
Business CategoryIndustry category (Automotive, Medical, Retail, etc.)
LogoBusiness logo image
BannerBanner image for your profile
WebsitesLinks to your websites
Contact InformationAdditional email and phone contacts

Quality rating and messaging limits

Meta tracks your messaging quality and adjusts your daily limits based on how customers respond to your messages.

What affects your quality rating

  • Block rates (customers blocking your number)
  • Spam reports
  • Response rates
  • Customer feedback

Messaging tiers

TierDaily limitHow to reach it
Tier 1~250 messagesNew sender
Tier 21,000 messagesMaintain quality for 7 days
Tier 310,000 messagesConsistent high quality
Tier 4100,000+ messagesEnterprise-level quality
Focus on quality conversations before scaling. Send relevant, expected content to build your sender reputation.

Troubleshooting

Meta may have temporarily blocked requests. Wait a few minutes before retrying, or try a different phone number.
  1. Confirm you completed the Meta signup flow.
  2. Ensure you selected the correct pre-verified number.
  3. Contact support if the issue persists after a few minutes.
  1. Review the suspension reason in your sender details.
  2. Address any policy violations.
  3. Contact Meta support to submit an appeal.

Next steps