Connect your WhatsApp API number with the self-serve setup wizard

You can connect your WhatsApp API number to DelightChat yourself with the setup wizard. The wizard you see depends on when your DelightChat account was created. This article covers both wizards.

Which wizard will I see?

Accounts created on or after 9 September 2026 see the Meta sign-up wizard. You sign in with Facebook in a pop-up window. This is Path A below.

Accounts created before 9 September 2026 see the Gupshup wizard. You create a Gupshup account and link an app. This is Path B below.

The first three steps look the same in both wizards. If the wizard you see does not match your account, contact support.

Before you start

1. Have a paid DelightChat plan. WhatsApp API needs a paid plan. On a free plan, DelightChat shows "WhatsApp API requires a paid plan." and the [Next] button stays disabled.
2. Have a verified Meta Business Manager. Meta can block your number if you send marketing messages from an unverified Business Manager. Verification can take a few days, so start it early.
3. Choose a number that you control. It must be a real mobile or landline number that can receive an SMS or a phone call. A number cannot be on the WhatsApp app and on WhatsApp API at the same time.
4. Path B only: have an email address you will keep. You use it to create your Gupshup account.

Here's how: start the wizard (both wizards)

1. Open Settings and go to [Support Channels]. Click [Add New Channel], then click [Add] next to [WhatsApp API]. The page "Complete your WhatsApp API setup" opens. A row of steps at the top shows where you are. A [Guide] tab next to [Settings] shows the setup guide.
2. Basic Info: choose your [Brand]. This is the brand in DelightChat that the support channel belongs to. In Path B, also enter the [WhatsApp API Phone Number]. Click [Next].
3. Business Manager: the page "Check your Meta Business Manager verification" asks what your Business Manager says. To check, log in to Meta Business Manager, go to Settings > Business Info, and look at Business verification. Then choose [Verified], [In review], [Ineligible] or [Rejected].

If you choose [In review], [Ineligible] or [Rejected], the wizard stops and shows what to do next. For [Ineligible], follow our article on fixing the Ineligible status. For [Rejected], check the reason in Meta's Security Centre and appeal or resubmit. When your Business Manager shows Verified, come back and click [My Business Manager is verified now]. DelightChat saves your progress.

The next step is Your number. It looks different in each wizard. Go on with Path A or Path B below.

Path A: Meta sign-up wizard (accounts created on or after 9 September 2026)

Step 3, Your number. The page "How do you want to set up your WhatsApp number?" has two choices: [Connect a phone number] and [Use a username (new number)].

1. [Connect a phone number]: use a mobile or landline number you own. You verify it during sign-up. The wizard then asks how the number is used now: [WhatsApp (the personal app)], [WhatsApp Business app], [WhatsApp API] with another provider, or [None of the above]. Answer honestly. If the number is still in use somewhere else when DelightChat registers it, setup fails and you must start again.
2. [Use a username (new number)]: WhatsApp gives you a new virtual +1 (555) number. You do not need a number of your own. This number cannot be moved to another WhatsApp provider later.

If your number is on the WhatsApp app, you must delete that WhatsApp account first. This deletes the chat history for good. Meta does not let you restore it or import it into DelightChat. You can export your contacts and upload them in DelightChat under Customer Segments. After you delete the account, wait about 3 minutes before you continue.

If your number is with another WhatsApp API provider, turn off two-step verification there first. Then tick the box "I confirm two-step verification is turned off" and click [Continue]. See our article on disabling two-step verification.

1. Step 4, Connect: click [Connect WhatsApp]. A Meta sign-up pop-up opens. Sign in with the Facebook account that is an admin of your business. Choose or create your Meta Business, enter the WhatsApp number, and verify it with the code Meta sends. If you move a number from another provider, type the number in and choose "Create a new WhatsApp Business account". Do not pick an existing one. If you close the pop-up by mistake, click [Connect WhatsApp] again.
2. Step 5, Provisioning: the page "Setting up your WhatsApp number" shows DelightChat checking access, verifying the number, connecting it for messages and registering it. Then Meta reviews your display name, which usually takes a few minutes. You can wait on this page or refresh it. DelightChat continues where it stopped.

If the page shows "Verify your number in WhatsApp Manager", open WhatsApp Manager, verify the number, then click [Retry setup]. If it shows "Verify your business on Meta first", finish Business Verification on Meta, then click [I've verified, retry setup]. You do not need to connect your number again. If Meta rejects your display name, enter a new name on the same page. See our article on the WhatsApp display name.

1. Step 6, Payment Method: WhatsApp bills conversations through Meta. Open WhatsApp Manager and add a payment method in the billing or payment settings. You can do this now or later. This step does not block go-live. Click [Continue].
2. Step 7, Test message: enter a number in full international format, for example +919000000000, and click [Send test message]. The test goes to your contact number by default. This step is optional. Click [Continue to go-live] when you are ready.
3. Step 8, Go live: click [Go live]. DelightChat switches on the WhatsApp channel and takes you to the channel settings. There you set up your WhatsApp business profile and connect your store.

Path B: Gupshup wizard (accounts created before 9 September 2026)

Step 3, Your number. The page "Is this number currently on WhatsApp?" asks how the number is used now. Choose [WhatsApp (the personal app)], [WhatsApp Business app], [WhatsApp API] or [None of the above]. The delete-account and two-step verification notes in Path A apply here in the same way.

1. Gupshup account: the wizard explains that Gupshup is DelightChat's official Business Service Provider for WhatsApp API. Sign up with your email at gupshup.io and verify your email. When Gupshup asks how you found them, choose "Referred by an ISV / Partner". Fill in your company details. If you already have a Gupshup account, you can use it. Click [I've created my Gupshup account - continue].
2. Create app: DelightChat shows an app name for you. Copy it exactly. In your Gupshup dashboard, click "Create new app", paste the name, submit, then go to the dashboard. The name must match exactly. If it does not, support must connect your number by hand. Click [I've created the app - continue].
3. Link app: in Gupshup, add DelightChat as a partner on your app with Partner ID 539. Then copy the App ID and create an API key in the same app. In DelightChat, enter the [Gupshup App ID] and [Gupshup API Key], then click [Verify and link app]. When the credentials are verified, click [Continue to go live]. Keep the API key private.
4. Go live: in your Gupshup dashboard, click the WhatsApp section at the top, then click "Begin Go Live" for the app you created. Choose the option that matches where your number is registered now. Select your region and click Next. Enter your contact details and complete the verification. Click "Continue with Facebook" and follow the steps. Always choose to create a new WhatsApp Business Account, even if you move from another provider. Use your own business name, email and number. Allow browser pop-ups and keep both windows open until the flow ends. Meta sends a one-time code to your number. Your number goes live only after you enter it. Then click [I've completed go-live in Gupshup].
5. Waiting for Meta and Gupshup: the page "Almost there - we're waiting on Meta and Gupshup" usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. You do not need to do anything. The page updates by itself. If it takes more than a day, contact support.
6. Live: the page "Your number is live on WhatsApp API" opens. Recharge your Gupshup wallet before you send messages. Meta's per-conversation charges come out of this wallet, and the number cannot send messages on an empty balance. In Gupshup, go to Wallet and add funds.

After your number is live

Send yourself a test message. Message your WhatsApp number from your own phone and check that it arrives in your DelightChat inbox. Connect your Shopify store to the number under Store Integration, because automations such as Abandoned Cart need it. Once a number is connected to an integration, you cannot change it. In Path B, if you have not connected a store, DelightChat asks "Connect your store first?" and you can click [Connect store] or [Skip for now].

Frequently asked questions

Why does my colleague at another company see a different wizard?

DelightChat chooses the wizard by the date your account was created. Accounts created on or after 9 September 2026 see the Meta sign-up wizard. Older accounts see the Gupshup wizard.

Will I lose my chats when I move my number from the WhatsApp app?

Yes. You must delete the WhatsApp account on that number, and Meta deletes the chat history with it. You cannot import this history into DelightChat. You can export your contacts and upload them under Customer Segments. If you do not want to lose the data, use a different number for WhatsApp API.

Can I keep using the WhatsApp Business app on the same number?

No. When the number is on WhatsApp API, the app stops working for that number. You send and receive all messages in DelightChat.

Can I use a virtual number from Twilio or Exotel?

We do not recommend it. Meta often fails to send the verification code to virtual numbers. Numbers that do get through are more likely to be flagged later. Use a SIM or a landline that you control.

Do my message templates move with my number?

No. Templates do not move across providers. You create them again in DelightChat after your number is live.

Who charges me for WhatsApp conversations?

In Path A, Meta bills conversations through the payment method you add in WhatsApp Manager. In Path B, conversation charges come from your Gupshup wallet, and the DelightChat subscription is a separate charge. See our article on Meta pricing for the rates.

I closed the page. Do I lose my progress?

No. DelightChat saves your progress, and the wizard resumes where you stopped.

I am stuck on a step. Who can help?

Click "I'm stuck - contact support" at the bottom of the step.