Summary
Meta provides up to 2 free WhatsApp business phone numbers for businesses to test the WhatsApp Business platform. These numbers allow you to explore messaging features and understand how conversations work before connecting your own business number.
This guide explains how these free numbers work, their limitations, and what you need to know before using them in Wati.
Instructions
How free business phone numbers work
Free business phone numbers provided by Meta behave similarly to regular WhatsApp business numbers, but they are mainly intended for testing and evaluation purposes.
Here are some important characteristics of these numbers:
They use a US country code (+1)
They use a 555 area code
They are automatically verified by Meta
They cannot be migrated to another WhatsApp Business Account
They cannot be used outside the WhatsApp Business platform
They cannot be used for Click-to-WhatsApp (CTWA) ads or buttons
Because of these limitations, these numbers are best used for testing WhatsApp messaging features before moving to a real business number.
Here are some important points to keep in mind when using free business phone numbers:
Your display name must be reviewed and approved by Meta before you can start sending messages.
These numbers follow WhatsApp’s message-based pricing model.
Messaging activity using these numbers is still subject to WhatsApp quality rating monitoring.
Make sure you follow WhatsApp’s messaging guidelines to maintain a good quality rating.
When you can start using the number
Once your display name is approved, you can begin using the number to communicate with your customer on WhatsApp through Wati.
Keep in mind that these numbers are primarily meant for testing, so many businesses eventually switch to their own verified business phone number for production use.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Free WhatsApp business phone numbers
1. How many free WhatsApp business phone numbers does Meta provide?
Meta provides up to 2 free WhatsApp business phone numbers for businesses to test the WhatsApp Business platform.
2. What are Meta’s free WhatsApp business phone numbers used for?
Meta’s free WhatsApp business phone numbers are intended for testing and evaluation purposes. They allow businesses to explore WhatsApp messaging features and understand how conversations work before connecting their own business phone number.
Features and limitations
3. What are the main characteristics of Meta’s free WhatsApp business phone numbers?
Free WhatsApp business phone numbers have the following characteristics:
They use a US country code (+1)
They use a 555 area code
They are automatically verified by Meta
They cannot be migrated to another WhatsApp Business Account
They cannot be used outside the WhatsApp Business platform
They cannot be used for Click-to-WhatsApp (CTWA) ads or buttons
Usage requirements and messaging rules
4. Do free WhatsApp business phone numbers require display name approval before sending messages?
Yes. The display name must be reviewed and approved by Meta before the free WhatsApp business phone number can be used to send messages.
5. Are free WhatsApp business phone numbers affected by WhatsApp quality ratings?
Yes. Messaging activity using free WhatsApp business phone numbers is subject to WhatsApp quality rating monitoring.
Using the number
6. When can businesses start using a free WhatsApp business phone number?
Businesses can start using a free WhatsApp business phone number after the display name has been reviewed and approved by Meta.
7. Should businesses use free WhatsApp business phone numbers for long-term use?
Free WhatsApp business phone numbers are primarily meant for testing purposes, so many businesses eventually switch to their own verified business phone number for production use.
8. Does Click-to-WhatsApp ads (CTWA) work during the Wati trial?
Yes. Click-to-WhatsApp ads (CTWA) are supported during the Wati trial period.
The type of number connected to your account does not affect CTWA functionality. You can use either:
A Meta-provided WhatsApp number, or
Your own WhatsApp Business number
However, if you are using a Meta-provided number during the trial, you must run a Click-to-WhatsApp ad that directs users to that number.
When users click the ad and start a conversation:
The chat will appear in your Wati inbox
You will be able to see and respond to the incoming messages generated from the ad