Summary
If you want to register a phone number for the WhatsApp Business API, the number must not be associated with an existing WhatsApp account. This guide explains how to delete a WhatsApp account linked to a phone number and what happens after the account is removed.
Instructions
Before registering a phone number for the WhatsApp Business API, you may need to delete the existing WhatsApp account associated with that number.
This applies to phone numbers currently registered with:
WhatsApp Messenger
Once a phone number is registered with the WhatsApp Business API, it cannot be used with the WhatsApp Messenger app while it remains connected to the WhatsApp Business API.
Note: If you are using Wati and want to switch your phone number back to the WhatsApp app after registering it with the WhatsApp Business API, you must first cancel your Wati subscription. Our support team will then help disconnect the number from the WhatsApp Business API. Once the disconnection is complete, you can register and use the number with the WhatsApp app again.
Before you begin
Keep the following points in mind:
You can use a phone number that is currently registered on WhatsApp Messenger or WhatsApp Business App for WhatsApp Business API registration.
The existing WhatsApp account must be deleted before the phone number can be registered with the WhatsApp Business API.
After a phone number is registered with the WhatsApp Business API, it cannot be used with the WhatsApp Messenger app or WhatsApp Business App.
A phone number can be migrated from a WhatsApp app account to the WhatsApp Business API, but it cannot be moved back afterward.
Tip: If your phone number is currently registered with the WhatsApp Business App and you want to connect it to Wati while continuing to use the WhatsApp Business App, you can do so by connecting your WhatsApp number to Wati through the WhatsApp Coexistence process.
Delete your WhatsApp account
To delete the WhatsApp account associated with your phone number:
Open WhatsApp on your device.
Navigate to Settings > Account > Delete my account.
Enter your phone number in full international format.
Select a reason for deleting the account.
Tap Delete my account to confirm.
What happens when you delete your WhatsApp account?
Deleting a WhatsApp account will:
Remove the account from WhatsApp.
Delete your message history.
Remove you from all WhatsApp groups.
Delete your WhatsApp backups.
Disable the QR code associated with the account.
Important
For the latest WhatsApp policies and requirements, refer to WhatsApp's official documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
WhatsApp Business API registration
1. Do I need to delete my existing WhatsApp account before registering for the WhatsApp Business API?
Yes. If the phone number is already associated with a WhatsApp account, the existing WhatsApp account must be deleted before the phone number can be registered with the WhatsApp Business API.
2. Can I use a phone number that is currently registered on WhatsApp Messenger for WhatsApp Business API registration?
Yes. A phone number currently registered on WhatsApp Messenger can be used for WhatsApp Business API registration after the existing WhatsApp account is deleted.
3. Can I use the WhatsApp Messenger app after registering a phone number with the WhatsApp Business API?
No. A phone number cannot be used with the WhatsApp Messenger app while it remains connected to the WhatsApp Business API.
Using Wati and WhatsApp
4. Can I switch a phone number from Wati back to the WhatsApp app?
Yes. If the phone number is connected to Wati through the WhatsApp Business API, you must first cancel the Wati subscription and have the number disconnected from the WhatsApp Business API. After the disconnection is complete, the phone number can be registered and used with the WhatsApp app again.
5. Can I continue using the WhatsApp Business App while connecting the same number to Wati?
Yes. If the phone number is registered with the WhatsApp Business App, you can connect the number to Wati through the WhatsApp Coexistence process and continue using the WhatsApp Business App .
Account deletion
6. What happens when I delete my WhatsApp account?
Deleting a WhatsApp account removes the account from WhatsApp, deletes message history, removes the user from all WhatsApp groups, deletes WhatsApp backups, and disables the QR code associated with the account.