Phone Number rules to apply for WhatsApp Business API

Are international Phone Numbers accepted for WhatsApp Business API?

Yes. The phone number could be of any country given that Facebook allows WhatsApp Business API to work in those countries. The countries that WhatsApp excludes from communicating are Crimea (+7978), Cuba (+53), Iran (+98), North Korea (+850) and Syria (+963).

WhatsApp does not allow businesses in these countries to take advantage of WhatsApp Business API. Likewise, WhatsApp end-users with numbers from these countries will not be able to send or receive messages from businesses on WhatsApp. This restriction is based on the user’s WhatsApp number, not their current location.

Can I change the phone number anytime for my WhatsApp Business API?

No. Once a number is registered on WhatsApp Business API, that number can’t be changed. You’ll have to apply for a new WhatsApp Business API if you need to change the number.

Can I register the WhatsApp Business API number on the WhatsApp Apps?

No, the number which is active on WhatsApp Business API can not be registered on WhatsApp Apps. Also, if a number is already registered on WhatsApp Apps and you want to get the WhatsApp Business API on the same number, then the WhatsApp account must be deleted from that number. Deleting the app is not mandatory, the account must be deleted.

Here is How you can Delete your Whatsapp Business App before Applying for the API:

1. Open WhatsApp

2. Tap More Options (three dots) > Settings > Account > Delete My Account

3. Enter your phone number in full international format and tap DELETE MY ACCOUNT

4. Select a reason for why you’re deleting your account in the dropdown

5. Tap DELETE MY ACCOUNT

Can the API number be used for normal functionalities?

Yes, the number can be used for making calls, sending and receiving SMS etc. It’s only that WhatsApp Apps can not be registered on this number.

Can I use multiple WhatsApp Business API clients on a single phone number?

No, a single number can get access to a single WhatsApp Business API client only. The company can procure multiple WhatsApp Business API clients in the name of different departments within the company such as Finance, Procurement, Sales, Customer Support etc. on different phone numbers.

Can 1-800 and toll-free numbers be used for WhatsApp Business API?

These types of numbers are usually behind an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system, which a WhatsApp registration call cannot navigate. Instead, WhatsApp is able to share with you 1 to 2 phone numbers that the registration phone call will come from.

You can use this information to create an allow list for those numbers so that you can redirect the registration call to an employee or mailbox where the registration code will be captured.

If creating an exception in your IVR tree is something that you can do, add the phone number to your WhatsApp business account and open a Direct Support ticket asking for the registration call phone numbers and stating the phone number you are trying to register in the ticket.