WABA Integration is currently in Beta. To request access, contact our support team via in-app chat or email at [email protected]
What is WABA on TimelinesAI?
The WhatsApp Business API (WABA) is Meta's official channel for businesses that need higher messaging volume, template-based outbound campaigns, and a richer set of automation and CRM features than the WhatsApp Business App alone provides.
With TimelinesAI's WABA integration you can:
Use a phone number on the official WhatsApp Business API directly inside TimelinesAI
Send template-based broadcasts and mass messaging campaigns
Sync conversations with your CRM (HubSpot, Pipedrive, Zoho, Salesforce, monday.com, and others)
Automate replies and route chats across your team
Two 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 cannot also 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:
WABA Beta is enabled in your TimelinesAI workspace (request via support)
You have admin access to a Meta Business Portfolio (Business Manager)
Your business is verifiable by Meta (legal name, website, business email)
The phone number you plan to register can receive SMS or voice OTP (for standard WABA), or is currently active in the WhatsApp Business App (for Coexistence)
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
Coexistence is not available in Nigeria and South Africa
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.
Known 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?
- No. Meta only bills API-initiated conversations. Messages sent from the App on the phone are free.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?
- The associated WABA account may become inactive. You will need to redo the onboarding flow to restore the connection.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.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.