What is WABA on TimelinesAI?
The WhatsApp Business API (WABA) is for businesses that need higher messaging
volume and template-based campaigns. Connecting a WABA number to TimelinesAI
lets you use an official API number directly inside TimelinesAI — reply from
the shared inbox, run broadcast campaigns with approved templates, collaborate
as a team, and sync conversations to your CRM.
New to WABA? Two companion guides go deeper on the two things you'll most
likely want to do with a WABA number:
CRM sync behavior for WABA numbers
WABA conversations sync to your connected CRM exactly the same way
QR-connected chats do — the same contact matching, activity logging, and
deal/lead behavior applies regardless of how the number is connected. For each
CRM (HubSpot, Pipedrive, Zoho, and Close), a WABA chat is treated like any
other chat: contacts are matched by phone number, so an existing record is
reused rather than duplicated.
For setup and behavior specific to your CRM, see:
Ways to connect a number:
TimelinesAI supports two onboarding paths to WABA:
Coexistence - keep using your existing WhatsApp Business App on the phone and connect the same number to the API at the same time. Best for SMBs who already operate the number on the App and don't want to lose chat history or stop using the phone interface.
Standard WABA - register a new or unused number directly to the API. The number can also not be used in the WhatsApp Business App once registered.
If you're already running a WhatsApp Business App, Coexistence is usually the right choice. See WhatsApp Coexistence: setup guide.
Prerequisites:
Before connecting a number, make sure:
Admin access to a Meta Business Portfolio
A verifiable business
A phone number that can receive an OTP for verification
Coexistence-specific prerequisites:
WhatsApp Business App version 2.24.17 or later
The number has been active in the WhatsApp Business App for at least 7 days
Meta determines final eligibility based on account age and messaging quality
WABA-to-WABA migration is not supported for numbers onboarded via Coexistence.
How to connect:
Open TimelinesAI > WABA accounts
Click Connect a new WABA account
Sign in with the Facebook profile that owns or has access to your Business Portfolio
Pick the connection type - Coexistence (existing WhatsApp Business App number) or a new WABA number
Follow the on-screen flow to select your Business Portfolio and the WhatsApp Business account
Enter the phone number and complete verification
Confirm details and finish
The activated number will appear in WABA accounts and is ready to send and receive messages.
For the full Coexistence walkthrough, see WhatsApp Coexistence: setup guide.
Seats and connection limits
WABA-connected numbers consume seats on your plan exactly like QR-connected WhatsApp numbers. The rule is simple:
One seat = one number, whether it's connected via QR or WABA. Seats cover both
connected numbers and team members.
If you downgrade to fewer seats than you have connected numbers, TimelinesAI
automatically disables the excess numbers (QR and WABA alike). A disabled WABA
number isn't deleted — nothing is lost. After you add seats back, re-enable the
number you want to use.
Limitations:
These apply when you onboard via Coexistence:
Throughput is fixed at 20 messages per second (vs the standard tier limit of 80 mps). See Meta's throughput documentation.
Broadcast Lists become read-only in the WhatsApp Business App. Use TimelinesAI Mass Messaging instead.
Disappearing messages, view-once media, and live location are disabled in 1:1 chats.
WhatsApp for Windows and WearOS are unsupported as companion devices.
You must open the WhatsApp Business App at least every 13–14 days to keep the connection active.
Group chats are not synced through the API.
All other linked devices are unlinked during onboarding and need to be re-linked after.
FAQ
Will I be charged for messages sent from the WhatsApp Business App?
Will I be charged for messages sent from the WhatsApp Business App?
No. Meta only bills API-initiated conversations. Messages sent from the App on the phone are free.
Can I switch back to App-only?
Can I switch back to App-only?
Yes. Open the WhatsApp Business App > Settings > Account > Business Platform > Disconnect. The number returns to App-only mode.
What happens if I don't open the App for 14 days?
What happens if I don't open the App for 14 days?
The associated WABA account may become inactive. You will need to redo the onboarding flow to restore the connection.
Can I migrate a Coexistence number to standard WABA later?
Can I migrate a Coexistence number to standard WABA later?
No, WABA-to-WABA migration is not supported for Coexistence numbers. If you need a standard WABA number, register a different number from scratch.
Will my chat history be preserved?
Will my chat history be preserved?
Existing 1:1 chat history stays on the phone. Once Coexistence is active, new 1:1 messages are mirrored into TimelinesAI. Group chats are not mirrored.