> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.protodesk.io/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Connect WhatsApp through Meta > Connect an eligible WhatsApp Cloud API number, finish setup, and recover an interrupted authorization. Connect your business number through Meta so your team can handle supported WhatsApp conversations in **Threads**. New connections are available only in workspaces where WhatsApp signup is enabled. If you see **New connections are coming soon**, contact [Protodesk support](mailto:support@protodesk.io) about availability. ## Before you start You need an Owner or Admin role in Protodesk, access to the business that owns the WhatsApp account in Meta, and an eligible number you control. | Your number | What to do | | - | - | | A separate, unused number | Use the Meta flow to set it up for WhatsApp Cloud API. Complete the verification Meta requests. | | An existing Cloud API number managed in Meta | Sign in with access to its owning business. Meta shows the eligible accounts and numbers you can select. | | A number used in regular WhatsApp | It cannot connect through this flow while registered to your personal account. Use a separate unused number. | | A number used in the WhatsApp Business mobile app | Keeping the app active alongside Protodesk requires coexistence, which this flow does not support yet. | | A number connected through another provider | Provider migration is not supported in this flow yet. Keep the existing service connected and ask support about your options. | You do not need to delete your personal WhatsApp account. Existing chat history is not imported. ## Connect the number 1. Confirm the intended workspace in the workspace switcher. 2. Open **Channels → WhatsApp** and select **Connect**. 3. Wait for the secure connection to prepare, then select **Continue with Meta**. 4. In the Meta window, choose the business, WhatsApp account, and eligible number. Review the requested access and complete any number verification. 5. Return to Protodesk and wait for **Setup saved**. 6. Review the account's payment method and any outstanding requirements in [WhatsApp Manager](https://business.facebook.com/wa/manage/home/). 7. Select **Open inbox** and [verify an incoming message and text reply](/guides/reply-to-whatsapp-messages). If the Meta window does not open, allow the popup for the Protodesk dashboard and try again. Finish in the same signed-in workspace where you started. ## What “Setup saved” means Protodesk has saved the connection setup. The page can show the number, business name, and **Last message received**. This status does not confirm that Meta access remains valid or that messages can be delivered. Check both incoming and outgoing delivery. A missing last-message time means no incoming message has been recorded for the setup. ## Finish or recover setup | What you see | Next step | | - | - | | Authorization saved and **Retry setup** | The admin who started the flow can retry the remaining setup using the saved authorization. | | Expired or invalid authorization | Start a fresh **Connect** or **Reconnect** flow. | | **Reconnect** | Choose the same number as the saved connection. Reconnection does not replace it with another number. | | Number already registered to WhatsApp | Check the number options above. Do not delete an account just to complete a test. | | Account or number missing in Meta | Check that you signed in with access to the business that owns the asset and that the number is eligible. | | **Couldn’t load your connection** | Select **Try again**. This loading error does not itself change your saved connection. | You can cancel an in-progress authorization before setup is saved. Cancelling leaves the existing saved setup unchanged. ## Current limits This connection flow does not offer number replacement, a Disconnect button, provider transfers, or WhatsApp Business app coexistence. Ask support before changing an existing production connection. Message sending has separate limits: [WhatsApp replies](/guides/reply-to-whatsapp-messages) currently support text within the reply window, with no template sending, attachments, or scheduled WhatsApp replies. This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.