Messegy Developer Platform

WhatsApp Business API Prerequisite

<h4>Step 1: <strong>Create a WhatsApp Business Account</strong></h4>
<p>To use the WhatsApp Business API, you first need a <strong>WhatsApp Business Account</strong> (WABA). You can create it through the Facebook Business Manager.</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>Go to Facebook Business Manager:</strong> <a href="https://business.facebook.com/" target="_new">https://business.facebook.com/</a></li>
<li><strong>Set up a Business Manager account:</strong> Follow the instructions on the Business Manager site to create an account.</li>
<li><strong>Create a WhatsApp Business Account:</strong> You need to associate your Business Manager account with the WhatsApp Business Account.</li>
</ol>
<h4>Step 2: <strong>Get a Verified Phone Number</strong></h4>
<p>You need a phone number to use with the WhatsApp Business API. This number should:</p>
<ul>
<li>Not be used with any other WhatsApp account.</li>
<li>Be capable of receiving SMS or voice calls to verify the number.</li>
</ul>
<p>You can verify the phone number through the Business Manager or using the WhatsApp Business API interface.</p>
<h4>Step 3: <strong>Apply for WhatsApp API Access</strong></h4>
<ol>
<li><strong>Go to the Facebook Developer Portal:</strong> <a href="https://developers.facebook.com/" target="_new">https://developers.facebook.com/</a></li>
<li><strong>Create a Developer Account:</strong> You need a developer account to use the API.</li>
<li><strong>Submit the WhatsApp Business API request:</strong> You’ll need to submit a request to WhatsApp to use the API. This request includes the business information and the phone number you'll be using.</li>
</ol>
<h4>Step 4: <strong>Set Up the API Client</strong></h4>
<p>Once approved, you need to set up the WhatsApp Business API client on your server. The client is responsible for connecting to WhatsApp’s servers and processing messages.</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>Download the Docker container:</strong> The WhatsApp Business API is run via Docker containers. You will download the official Docker container from the Facebook Developer Portal.</li>
<li><strong>Run the Docker container:</strong> This will set up the API client, enabling you to send and receive WhatsApp messages programmatically.</li>
</ol>
<h4>Step 5: <strong>Get API Access Token</strong></h4>
<p>For authentication with WhatsApp’s API, you need to generate an <strong>access token</strong>.</p>
<ul>
<li>You can generate the token through the Facebook Developer Portal.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Step 6: <strong>Configure Webhooks</strong></h4>
<p>Set up a webhook to receive incoming messages and notifications from WhatsApp.</p>
<ol>
<li>Create a server endpoint to listen for incoming HTTP POST requests from WhatsApp.</li>
<li>Configure the webhook URL in the Facebook Developer Portal where WhatsApp will send the data.</li>
</ol>
<h4>Step 7: <strong>Test the API</strong></h4>
<p>Test the WhatsApp Business API by sending messages and receiving responses through the webhook.</p>
<ol>
<li>Send a test message using the API via a POST request.</li>
<li>Check the webhook for incoming messages and handle them as needed.</li>
</ol>

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