# How to turn the WhatsApp Business app into WhatsApp API (WABA)
To integrate WhatsApp into SprintHub, it is necessary to use **WhatsApp Business API (WABA)** — which is the professional model used for automations, sending structured messages, and multi-agent support.\
If today you use the **WhatsApp Business App**, it will be necessary **to migrate to a WABA account**.
Below is the complete step-by-step guide:
***
### ✅ 1. Understand the difference between WhatsApp Business App and WhatsApp API
| Feature | WhatsApp | WhatsApp Business | WABA (Official WhatsApp API) |
| ------------------------------- | ------------------------------------- | --------------------------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| **Target audience** | General users | Small and medium-sized businesses | Large businesses |
| **Mobile app** | Yes | Yes | No (requires platform integration) |
| **Business profile** | No | Yes | Yes |
| **Product catalog** | No | Yes | Yes |
| **Automatic messages** | Limited | Yes | Yes |
| **Labels** | No | Yes | Yes |
| **Business statistics** | Basic | Advanced | Advanced with segmentation |
| **Automation** | No | Limited | Extensive (chatbots, message sequences) |
| **Integration with CRM/ERP** | Possible, but Business is recommended | Integrated with SprintHub | Integrated with SprintHub |
| **Data analysis** | Simple | Advanced | Detailed and segmented |
| **Support for multiple agents** | Limited | Yes | Unlimited |
| **Cost** | Free | Free | Paid (plans vary according to need) |
***
### ✅ 2. What you need to activate a WABA
Before starting the migration, prepare:
* ✔ A **Business account in Facebook/Meta Business Manager**
* ✔ A **connected Facebook page** (optional, but recommended)
* ✔ Phone number **that will receive the WhatsApp API**
* **Important:** this number CANNOT be active in the WhatsApp App
* ✔ Company document (for cases where Meta requests verification)
***
### ⚠️ Important about the number:
If the number is being used in **WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business App**, you must:
#### ➜ **Remove the number from the app before activating it on the API**
1. Open WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business
2. Go to: **Settings > Account > Delete account**
3. Confirm
4. Uninstall the app
📌 *This does not delete contacts; it only removes the number link.*
***
### ✅ 3. Choose where to activate your WABA account
#### 🔹 **Activate directly through Meta (free Cloud API)**
For those who want to use the **official Meta Cloud API**.
Steps:
1. Access: **business.facebook.com**
2. Go to **Business Settings > Accounts > WhatsApp Accounts**
3. Click **Add**
4. Follow the flow to register the number
***
### ✅ 4. Migrate the number from WhatsApp App to WhatsApp API
After choosing the provider:
1. Make sure the number **is not active in the WhatsApp App**
2. Start the activation process through the provider or Meta
3. You will receive a **SMS code or call**
4. Confirm the code
5. The number is now officially a **WABA**
***
### ⚠️ Important questions
#### **Can I use the same number in WhatsApp App and WhatsApp API?**
❌ No.\
The API only works by itself — if you install WhatsApp on the phone, it will disconnect from the API.
#### **Do I lose my old conversations?**
Yes. Conversations from the app do not migrate to the API (because they are different technologies).
#### Does the Business Manager (BM) need to be verified?
Yes.\
Meta's Business Manager **needs to go through the verification process**, which is done by sending **official company documents**.
If you do not know whether your BM is already verified, you can check directly in the account settings, as indicated below.
***
### Step-by-step to access Meta Business Manager and start verification
#### 1. Access Business Manager
* Go to the link: [business.facebook.com](https://business.facebook.com/)
* Log in with the Facebook profile that is **BM administrator**
***
#### 2. Open Business Settings
* In the lower-left corner of the screen, click **⚙️ Business Settings**
***
#### 3. Go to Company Information
* In the left side menu, click on:\
**Business Info** (or *Business Info*)
***
#### 4. Check the verification status
* Locate the section **Company verification status**
* You will see one of the options:
* **Verified** ✅
* **Not verified** or **Verify company** ⚠️
***
#### 5. Start the verification process
* Click **Verify company**
* Fill in the requested details, such as:
* Legal company name
* Address
* Phone
* Website (if any)
***
#### 6. Submit company documents
Meta may request documents such as:
* Articles of incorporation or bylaws
* CNPJ
* Proof of address
* Document proving your relationship with the company
📌 **Important:** the document details must match the information registered in BM.
***
#### 7. Wait for Meta's review
* The review period may vary
* The verification status will be available on the same screen as **Business Info**
***
### Important to know
* BM verification is mandatory for some features, such as:
* API integrations
* WhatsApp Business Platform
* Increased sending limits
* If verification is refused, it is possible **to correct the information and resubmit the documents**
***
### 🎯 Quick summary
1. Remove the number from WhatsApp App
2. Activate the number in a **WABA account** via BSP or Meta
3. Get token / credentials
4. Configure it inside SprintHub
5. Use the number 100% integrated, professional, and omnichannel
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