Connect WhatsApp
Connect your WhatsApp number to the AI agent through Meta, securely and without keeping your phone online
The WhatsApp connection happens through Meta, the owner of WhatsApp, with an official guided process. The connection lives on Meta's servers: once completed, your AI agent replies to customers 24/7. If you connect a new or dedicated number, you no longer need the phone. If you connect the number from your WhatsApp Business app, you keep using the app as always — and the agent replies in parallel.
The process takes roughly 3 to 10 minutes.
Before you start
Make sure you have:
- A computer (recommended): the Meta popup is designed for desktop screens; it works on a smartphone, but it's much less comfortable
- Popups enabled in your browser: the process opens a separate Meta window
- Your phone within reach: to receive the verification code via SMS or call (new number), or to copy the connection code in the WhatsApp Business app (number already active)
- A personal Facebook account: Meta uses it to identify you during authorization
You'll find the details of each requirement on the Prerequisites page.
Start the connection
- Go to WhatsApp in the dashboard sidebar
- Find the card of the agent you want to connect
- Click Connect WhatsApp
Choose your number's situation
Before opening the Meta popup, Leader24 asks you: "Which of these describes your number?". There are three options:
| Situation | What it means |
|---|---|
| Yes, on the WhatsApp Business app (recommended) | You keep the app active on your phone. The AI agent replies in parallel on the same number; individual chats from the last 6 months stay synced (group chats don't — details). During the process you'll copy a verification code into the app. |
| No, it's a new number or never used on WhatsApp | The simplest way: Meta verifies the number with a code via SMS or call. |
| Yes, on the personal WhatsApp app | Not recommended: it requires deleting the personal WhatsApp account, with irreversible loss of chats, media and groups. Leader24 offers you better alternatives directly in the process. |
Requirements for a new number
The number must be able to receive international SMS or calls, must not be behind an automated switchboard (IVR) and must not be currently in use on WhatsApp.
After choosing the option, click Continue with Facebook: the official Meta popup opens.
What you'll see in the Meta popup
Meta guides you screen by screen. There are four main phases (Meta may show you a few extra screens, such as the permissions summary: just follow the instructions).
1. Log in with Facebook
A login screen asks for your Facebook (or Meta Business Suite) credentials. If you're already logged in, it will just ask you to confirm with a click.
2. Select or create your business
Meta asks you to connect a Business Portfolio: if you already have one you select it from the list, otherwise you create it on the spot with your company's name and website.
3. Enter and verify the number
Choose whether to connect a new number (you receive a code via SMS or call) or the number already active on WhatsApp Business: in that case WhatsApp shows you a verification code to paste into the app, by tapping Connect → Connect to the Business Platform → Confirm.
4. Confirm the permissions
Meta shows you a final summary of what Leader24 will be able to do on your account. You click Confirm and the connection is complete.
Don't close the popup
Complete the process without interruptions: if you close the popup halfway through, you'll have to start over. Closing it on the last screen, after the final confirmation, is perfectly fine: the connection is already complete.
What about the phone?
It depends on how you connected the number.
New or dedicated number: the connection lives entirely on Meta's servers. The agent replies even with the phone turned off — you can forget about it.
Number already on the WhatsApp Business app: you keep using the app as always and individual chats from the last 6 months stay synced in both directions (group chats remain in the app only). The app must stay in use though: if the phone remains inactive for about 14 days, Meta disconnects the number and you'll have to reconnect it. The number remains yours in any case: Leader24 never owns it.
Connection status
On the WhatsApp page, each agent shows the status of its number:
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Active | The agent receives and replies to messages |
| Inactive | The configuration was created but the number is not activated yet: complete the connection |
| Error | There's a configuration problem: see troubleshooting |
| Not configured | The agent is not connected to a number yet |
After the connection
Once connected, the agent starts replying to messages right away. Recommended next steps:
- Send a test message to your number to check the replies
- Set up a custom welcome message
- Verify your business on Meta (recommended): it raises the proactive message limit from 250 to 2,000 customers per day and increases the trust of people writing to you
Each agent reply consumes 1 credit of your Leader24 plan, rechargeable from the billing settings.
Disconnecting the number
To unlink WhatsApp from an agent:
- Go to WhatsApp in the sidebar
- On the agent's card, click Disconnect
- Confirm the operation
After disconnecting, messages are no longer received. It may take a few minutes before the number becomes available again for a new connection on WhatsApp.