Question

Can I move my approved WhatsApp Number to Twilio?

Product

Programmable Messaging

Answer

Yes, you can!

If you signed up for WhatsApp using the standard WhatsApp mobile app or the WhatsApp Business App for small businesses, it may be possible to use the same number for WhatsApp on Twilio.

In addition, WhatsApp permits sender transfers between WhatsApp Business Accounts (WABAs), so if you signed up for WhatsApp using the WhatsApp Business API outside of Twilio (either directly with WhatsApp, or through a different Business Solution Provider (BSP)), you can move that existing WhatsApp Business number and any templates that are rated high quality by Meta to the Twilio platform. See below for details.

Moving an existing WhatsApp mobile or small business app number to Twilio

If your number was activated for WhatsApp using one of the WhatsApp mobile apps, and not the Business API, you can transfer that number to Twilio through the Self Sign-up flow. For more information, see here. Note that you will not be able to continue using the mobile app after transferring your number to Twilio.

Move an existing WhatsApp Business API number and templates from an external WABA to Twilio

If you signed up for WhatsApp using the WhatsApp Business API outside of Twilio, either directly with WhatsApp or through a different BSP, then you can use our Self Sign Up flow to migrate your WhatsApp Sender to Twilio along with approved, high quality templates already existing on your WABA.

Notice: If you have been using the older Guided Onboarding flow to onboard WhatsApp Senders to Twilio, it is now possible to upgrade to Self Sign Up through the Twilio Console. See more information here. Once you’ve upgraded, you will be able to move your external WhatsApp Senders to Twilio following the steps below.

Upon migration, the transferred number retains its display name, messaging limit tier, quality rating, and Official Business Account status. Templates are initially granted the same status as the original templates, but will be re-checked by Meta to ensure they are correctly categorised according to their guidelines. This may result in some duplicated templates having their status set to “Rejected”. Template quality ratings are not duplicated. All duplicated templates will start with an UNKNOWN rating. This rating will remain for the first 24 hours, after which a new rating will be generated if sufficient data is available.

To migrate your number using the Self Sign Up flow, you will need to ensure:

1. Your Meta Business Account has a verified status
2. Your existing WABA has a status of approved
3. Your existing WABA has a valid payment method attached (in Payment Settings).
4. Your business phone number has two-step verification disabled.
   1. If you own your WABA then you can use the WhatsApp Manager to disable two-step verification on your number yourself, otherwise you must ask your current Solution Provider to disable it for you.

See here for how to initiate the Self Sign Up flow in the Twilio Console. During the Self Sign Up flow, you will need to create a new WABA on Twilio. Do not select WABAs that have been created outside of Twilio.