WhatsApp Business API Coexistence
In today's fast-paced digital landscape, businesses are increasingly turning to messaging platforms like WhatsApp to enhance customer engagement. The WhatsApp Business API offers powerful tools for scaling communications, but what if you already use the WhatsApp Business App? That's where Coexistence comes in. This feature allows you to seamlessly integrate the API with your existing app setup, enabling efficient, at-scale messaging without disrupting your day-to-day operations. Below, we'll break down everything you need to know about WhatsApp Business API Coexistence, tailored for business owners and managers—no technical jargon required.
What is Coexistence?
Coexistence is a feature of the WhatsApp Business API that lets businesses use their existing WhatsApp Business App account and phone number alongside the API. Essentially, it bridges the gap between personal, one-on-one interactions via the app and automated, high-volume messaging through the API. This means you can handle casual customer chats on your phone while leveraging automation for broader campaigns or support. Messaging history syncs between the two, ensuring a unified experience. It's ideal for growing businesses that want to scale without starting from scratch.
How It Works
Coexistence operates through a straightforward onboarding process:
- Enter Your Details: During setup (often called Embedded Signup), provide your WhatsApp Business App phone number.
- Verify Ownership: Receive a verification code from a connected Facebook Business Account and confirm it in the app.
- Share Data: Opt to share your chat history and contacts for synchronization.
- Complete Integration: The system assigns necessary IDs and tokens, allowing your provider to connect the API without re-registering the number.
- Ongoing Sync: New messages from the app are mirrored to the API, and vice versa, keeping everything in harmony.
This setup ensures you can send messages at scale via the API while still using the app for quick responses. Synchronization typically completes within 24 hours.
Requirements
To enable Coexistence, your business must meet these criteria:
- Use the WhatsApp Business App version 2.24.17 or later.
- Have a supported country code for your phone number (see unsupported countries below).
- Partner with a WhatsApp Solution Provider or Tech Provider for API access.
- Ensure your system can handle incoming notifications (webhooks) for real-time updates.
- Use a setup that supports session logging for secure connections.
These ensure compatibility and security, making the transition smooth for your team.
Limitations
While powerful, Coexistence has some boundaries:
- Messaging throughput is capped at 20 messages per second for shared numbers, which is sufficient for most businesses but may require planning for high-volume periods.
- Certain app features, like disappearing messages or broadcast lists, become limited or read-only after integration.
- If you've previously shared credit lines with other partners, you might encounter setup errors—resolvable through support channels.
- Group chats and calls remain app-only and aren't synced to the API.
Understanding these helps set realistic expectations for your workflow.
Unsupported Countries
Coexistence isn't available everywhere due to regional restrictions. Specifically, phone numbers from the following countries are not supported for this feature:
- Nigeria
- South Africa
Additionally, the WhatsApp Business API in general has broader restrictions. Businesses cannot send or receive messages to/from these regions:
- Crimea (+7978)
- Cuba (+53)
- Iran (+98)
- North Korea (+850)
- Syria (+963)
If your business operates in these areas, explore alternative messaging solutions or check for updates from Meta.
Pricing
Pricing for the WhatsApp Business API under Coexistence is straightforward but varies by usage:
- App Messages: Remain completely free, as they always have been.
- API Messages: Charged on a per-message basis, depending on the recipient's location and message category (e.g., marketing, utility, authentication, or service).
- Free Service Messages: Within the 24-hour customer service window (triggered by a user message), service responses are free.
- Per-Message Rates: As of July 1, 2025, Meta shifted to Per-Message Pricing (PMP). Rates start as low as $0.005–$0.010 per message, with tiers for volume discounts. For example, marketing messages might cost more than utility ones. You get 1,000 free service conversations monthly.
- Provider Fees: Your API partner may add fees ($50–$500/month depending on the plan), so factor that in.
Check Meta's official rate cards for country-specific pricing, and note that updates can occur quarterly (January, April, July, October).
Customer Service Window
The customer service window is a key perk of the WhatsApp Business API. It's a rolling 24-hour period that starts whenever a customer messages your business. During this time:
- You can send unlimited service messages (e.g., responses to inquiries) at no charge.
- Outside the window, you're limited to approved template messages, which incur fees.
- In Coexistence, this applies to API-sent messages; app messages are always free but don't extend the window for API use.
This encourages timely responses and helps manage costs effectively.
Feature Comparison
Coexistence blends the best of the WhatsApp Business App and API, but some features shift. Here's a comparison:
| Feature | WhatsApp Business App (Before Integration) | After Coexistence (App + API) | Supported on API? |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-on-One Chats | Fully supported | Edit/revoke disabled; last 6 months synced | Yes (mirrored) |
| Contacts | Fully supported | No changes; all synced | Yes |
| Group Chats | Fully supported | No changes | No (not synced) |
| Disappearing Messages | Supported | Disabled for one-on-one | No |
| View Once Messages | Supported | Disabled | No |
| Live Location | Supported | Disabled | No |
| Broadcast Lists | Supported | Becomes read-only | No |
| Voice/Video Calls | Supported | No changes | No |
| Business Tools (Catalog, Orders) | Supported | No changes | No |
| Messaging Tools (Greetings, Quick Replies) | Supported | No changes | No |
| Business Profile | Supported | No changes | No |
| Channels | Supported | No changes | No |
The API excels in automation and scale, while the app handles personal touches.
Linked Devices
You can link up to 4 companion devices to your WhatsApp Business App:
- Supported: Most mobile companions (e.g., tablets, secondary phones).
- Unsupported: WhatsApp for Windows and WearOS.
After Coexistence setup, all links temporarily disconnect, but you can re-link supported ones. Messages from unsupported devices won't sync to the API and may show placeholders.
Synchronizing Data/Contacts
Data sync is automatic post-onboarding:
- Contacts and chat history transfer within 24 hours.
- All WhatsApp contacts sync to the API for seamless use.
- If sync fails, you'll need to offboard and retry.
This ensures your team has access to the same information across platforms.
Message History Synchronization
To start history sync:
- After onboarding, trigger it via your provider's system (or API call if managed internally).
- It covers up to 180 days of history, divided into phases (0-1 day, 1-90 days, 90-180 days).
- Media from the last 14 days syncs separately.
Only one sync per setup; re-sync requires offboarding.
Messaging History Shared
If you opt to share:
- History webhooks deliver chats in batches.
- Ensures continuity for customer service.
Messaging History Not Shared
If declined:
- An error notification appears.
- No history syncs, starting fresh on the API.
Sharing is recommended for a smooth experience.
Mirror New Messages
New messages sent via the app (or supported devices) are automatically mirrored to the API through "echo" notifications. This keeps threads updated in real-time, allowing your team to view and respond from either platform.
Reporting Conversation Activity
For campaigns like Click to WhatsApp ads:
- Track conversions and leads via Meta's Conversions API.
- Report on behalf of customers to measure ROI.
This helps optimize marketing efforts.
Offboarding Business Customers
To disconnect:
- Go to WhatsApp Business App > Settings > Account > Business Platform > Disconnect Account.
- This triggers a removal event, freeing the number for app-only use.
- You can't deregister via API while Coexistence is active.
Plan this carefully to avoid data loss.
Errors
Common issues include:
- Error 131060: Often from unsupported devices—check and relink in the app.
- Credit Line Errors: Occur when switching providers; follow Meta's support guide.
- Sync Failures: Must resolve within 24 hours or offboard/re-onboard.
- Missed Notifications: Ensure your setup subscribes to all relevant updates (history, contacts, echoes).
If errors persist, contact your API provider or Meta support.
Coexistence empowers businesses to grow their WhatsApp presence efficiently. By combining the app's simplicity with the API's power, you can deliver better customer experiences and drive results. For more on integrating this with tools like chat platforms, explore official Meta resources or consult a provider.