Two WhatsApp channels, three connection paths

Choose the connection path according to the number you have and how your team wants to work. Dealism currently provides two WhatsApp channels and three connection paths:

1. WABA — Coexistence: connect an eligible existing WhatsApp Business App number through Meta's official Cloud API while continuing to use the Business App on the primary phone.

2. WABA — dedicated API number: connect a new phone number that is not registered with WhatsApp and use it as an API-only business number.

3. Dealism Desktop QR: connect an existing WhatsApp Personal App or WhatsApp Business App account by scanning a QR code. The computer must remain awake, online, and running Dealism Desktop.

The right path affects the setup requirements, where people can reply, and whether the connection depends on a computer.

Requirements for Dealism Desktop QR

Choose Desktop when you use regular WhatsApp, want to connect a Business App account without preparing Meta business assets, or want the fastest way to test Dealism with an existing number.

• An active WhatsApp Personal App or WhatsApp Business App account on the phone.

• An available slot under WhatsApp → Linked Devices.

• Dealism Desktop installed on a supported computer: Apple Silicon with macOS 13 or later, or 64-bit Windows 10 or Windows 11. Intel Macs are not currently supported.

• A stable internet connection for the phone and computer.

• The computer kept awake and Dealism Desktop kept running while the connection is in use. Sleep, quitting the app, or losing the network can interrupt syncing and automatic handling.

• Access to complete fingerprint, Face ID, or device-passcode verification on the phone before scanning the QR code.

Desktop QR offers the quickest setup and substantially reduces the risk of an account restriction compared with older connection methods. The rest of the Dealism Desktop workspace remains available, and desktop notifications make new messages easier to notice. This is a linked-device connection, not WhatsApp Business API.

Requirements for WABA Coexistence

Choose Coexistence when you already use WhatsApp Business App and want to keep the same business number and phone workflow while adding Dealism and Meta's official Cloud API.

• A number currently active in WhatsApp Business App. A regular WhatsApp Messenger number must be moved to the free Business App first.

• The latest WhatsApp Business App installed on the primary phone.

• A Facebook account that can sign in to Meta.

• Administrator access to the relevant Meta Business Portfolio and WhatsApp Business Account, or permission to create them during Meta Embedded Signup.

• Basic business information such as the business name, website, and category. Meta may request additional verification.

• The existing six-digit two-step verification PIN if the number already uses one, or the ability to create and securely save a new PIN during setup.

• Access to the primary phone so WhatsApp Business App can scan Meta's QR code and approve the connection.

Coexistence availability is decided by Meta. Very new Business App accounts, numbers without normal usage history, or restricted accounts may not be offered this option. Keep using the Business App on the primary phone; Meta may disconnect Coexistence if the primary device stays inactive for a long period.

Requirements for a dedicated WABA number

Choose a dedicated WABA number when you want a stable, scalable official API connection and do not need to keep using that number in a phone WhatsApp app.

• A phone number that has not been registered with WhatsApp Messenger or WhatsApp Business App.

• The ability to receive an SMS or voice verification code on that number, using the correct international format.

• A Facebook account that can sign in to Meta.

• Administrator access to a Meta Business Portfolio, or permission to create one during onboarding.

• A business display name, website, category, and other brand details that are consistent with public business information.

• A six-digit two-step verification PIN that your business will store securely.

• Any Business Verification or payment details Meta requests for the account.

The number becomes an API-only number and cannot remain active in regular WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business App. The connection does not depend on a phone app or an always-on computer.

Current WABA limits and responsibilities

• Dealism currently supports one WABA and one sending number per account.

• Migration from another BSP or WABA provider is not supported in the current phase.

• Applicable messaging charges are billed by Meta to your Meta account; Dealism does not provide prepaid Meta credit.

• Dealism's current first-phase WABA capability focuses on receiving customer messages and replying within the 24-hour customer-service window after the customer starts a conversation.

• Template messages and bulk Campaigns are not part of the current WABA capability described here.

Before you connect

1. Confirm whether the number is Personal WhatsApp, an existing WhatsApp Business App number, or a new number that has never been registered with WhatsApp.

2. Choose Desktop QR, WABA Coexistence, or dedicated WABA based on how the number must work after setup.

3. Confirm that the person completing setup has access to the phone, phone number, Dealism account, Facebook account, and relevant Meta business assets.

4. Prepare the two-step verification PIN and any business information Meta may request.

5. Plan a test using a second WhatsApp number after the status changes to Connected.

Verify the connection

1. Open Channels and confirm that the selected WhatsApp channel shows Connected.

2. Send a new message from another WhatsApp number and confirm that it appears in Dealism Inbox with the correct contact and time.

3. Reply from Dealism and confirm that the other phone receives the message.

4. For WABA, review the WABA status, phone-number status, and latest sync time.

5. For Desktop, confirm that Dealism Desktop remains running and reconnects after a short network interruption. Keep the computer awake during normal use.

For the complete setup steps and decision table, see Connect WhatsApp to Dealism. If setup fails, see WhatsApp connection troubleshooting.