WhatsApp numbers
Connecting WhatsApp numbers
Connect a WhatsApp business number in Yanola and make it available as a Sender for an Agent Project.
What this guide covers
- Prepare the number and Meta business account before starting the connection.
- Complete the connection from the existing WhatsApp Numbers page.
- Confirm the number is active in the intended Agent Project before configuring messages.
Before you begin
Set aside about 10 minutes and use a computer where pop-up windows are allowed. You will move between Yanola and a Meta window, but you should finish in Yanola.
Yanola connects a phone number that already belongs to a WhatsApp Business Account you can manage. If the number is new to WhatsApp Business Platform, finish Meta's business and phone-number setup first.
| Have this ready | Why you need it |
|---|---|
Yanola access | Permission to open the intended Agent Project and manage its Phone Numbers page. |
Meta login | A personal Facebook login with access to the correct Meta business portfolio and WhatsApp Business Account. |
Business details | The legal or trading name, website, address, and other details Meta may ask you to confirm. |
Phone number | A number your business owns that can receive an SMS or voice call if Meta requests verification. |
Display name | The customer-facing business name submitted to Meta for review. |
Two-step verification PIN | The existing PIN if this WhatsApp number already has two-step verification enabled. |
Use Meta's supported migration or coexistence flow for a number that is already active in the WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business mobile app. Do not delete the mobile account simply to make the number appear in Yanola.
Understand where the number will live
An Agent Project is the Yanola workspace for one WhatsApp setup. After connection, the phone number appears in that project's Phone Numbers page and becomes a Sender—the number customers see in WhatsApp.
Choose the Agent Project carefully. The same Meta phone number cannot be connected to two Yanola Agent Projects at the same time.
| Item | Plain-language meaning |
|---|---|
Yanola Account | The organization that owns the subscription and shared Yanola Balance. |
Agent Project | The workspace containing this number, workflows, templates, and Developer Platform settings. |
Sender | The connected WhatsApp business number used to send and receive messages. |
WhatsApp Business Account | The Meta business asset that owns the phone number and approved templates. |
Open the Phone Numbers page
- Sign in to Yanola.
- Open Dashboard → Agents and choose the WhatsApp Agent Project that should own the number.
- Open Phone Numbers from that project's navigation.
- Check the existing list so you do not connect a duplicate or use the wrong project.
[PICTURE: yanola-whatsapp-numbers-page]Start the connection in Yanola
- Select Add number.
- Wait while Yanola checks how many numbers this Agent Project can hold.
- In the Add WhatsApp Number window, review the short checklist.
- Select Continue with Meta. Allow the pop-up if your browser asks.
- Keep the Yanola tab and dialog open while you complete the Meta window.
[PICTURE: yanola-add-whatsapp-number-dialog]Look for a blocked-pop-up icon in the browser address bar, allow pop-ups for Yanola, and select Continue with Meta again.
Choose the correct Meta business
Sign in with the Facebook profile that has access to the business that owns the WhatsApp number. A personal Facebook profile is only the login; the number remains a business asset.
- Confirm the Meta business portfolio shown in the window.
- Choose the WhatsApp Business Account that owns the number.
- If the expected business or account is missing, stop instead of choosing a similar name.
- Ask a Meta business administrator to grant your profile the required access, then restart from Yanola.
[PICTURE: meta-whatsapp-business-account-selection]Choose or verify the phone number
Select the business phone number you intend to connect. Check the country code and final digits carefully, especially when the business owns several similar numbers.
For a new number, Meta may ask for its customer-facing display name and send a verification code by SMS or voice call. Enter the code only in the Meta window. Yanola support will never ask you to send the code or two-step verification PIN in chat or email.
- Choose the intended phone number in Meta.
- If asked, select SMS or voice call and keep the phone line available.
- Enter the verification code before it expires.
- Enter the existing two-step verification PIN if Meta requests it.
- Review the display name and wait for any Meta review state shown on screen.
[PICTURE: meta-whatsapp-phone-number-verification]Approve the requested access
Meta shows the business access Yanola needs to find the WhatsApp Business Account, read its phone numbers and templates, and send messages for the connected number.
- Confirm that the business and WhatsApp account names are correct.
- Keep the requested WhatsApp business management and messaging access enabled.
- Finish the authorization instead of closing the pop-up midway.
- Do not copy an access token into Yanola; the connection flow handles authorization for you.
[PICTURE: meta-whatsapp-permissions-review]If Meta shows a business portfolio you do not recognize or no longer manage, cancel and check which Facebook profile is signed in.
Return to Yanola and confirm the result
After Meta finishes, the pop-up returns control to Yanola. Yanola shows a success message, closes the connection dialog, and refreshes the Phone Numbers list.
- Wait for WhatsApp number added successfully.
- Confirm the expected number and name appear in the table.
- Confirm Status shows active.
- Check the Developer API column only if your team uses the Developer Platform; Eligible means the number is allowed for that use.
- If more numbers appear than expected, disconnect the unintended entries before configuring workflows or sends.
[PICTURE: yanola-whatsapp-number-connected]Check shared message handling
One number can be used by Yanola workflows and developer webhooks at the same time. When both are active, one inbound customer message can be handled by both systems.
The Phone Numbers page shows a Shared inbound conversation behavior notice when this applies. Review the listed workflows and webhooks with your team before going live.
| Check | Ready when |
|---|---|
Status | The number is active. |
Developer API | Eligible if your team plans to use API sends; otherwise it may remain disabled. |
Templates | The Templates page can sync the expected approved templates. |
Workflows | Only the workflows intended for this number are active. |
Webhooks | Only the intended Live or Test endpoint subscriptions include this Sender. |
Test message | A controlled message reaches the expected phone and its final status appears in Yanola. |
Fix common connection problems
| What you see | What to do |
|---|---|
No Meta window | Allow pop-ups for Yanola and select Continue with Meta again. |
Wrong Facebook profile | Sign out in the Meta window, then sign in with the profile that manages the intended business. |
Business or WhatsApp account missing | Ask a Meta business administrator to grant your profile access; do not choose a different business as a shortcut. |
No phone numbers available | Confirm the number exists inside that WhatsApp Business Account and that Meta setup or migration is complete. |
Verification code does not arrive | Confirm the country code, phone service, and SMS/voice choice, then request a new code after Meta permits it. |
Number already belongs to another Agent Project | Disconnect it from the previous Yanola project before connecting it here. |
Number limit reached | Disconnect an unused number or ask Yanola support about the Agent Project's number limit. |
Connection window was closed | Start again from Add number; an unfinished authorization does not connect the number. |
Status is not active | Finish the Meta review or verification shown for the number, then reconnect or contact support if the state does not update. |