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Co-existence lets you connect your existing WhatsApp Business App number to Flowella without giving up your current number or replacing it. Once enabled, you can continue sending and receiving 1:1 messages in the WhatsApp Business App while Flowella powers automation at scale, including Flows, forms, HubSpot submissions, templates, and workflow triggers.

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What is co-existence?

When you enable co-existence, your WhatsApp Business App account and number are connected to the WhatsApp Business Platform (Cloud API). From that point:
  • You can continue sending and receiving 1:1 messages in the WhatsApp Business App.
  • Flowella can also send and receive messages via the Cloud API.
  • 1:1 message history stays in sync between the WhatsApp Business App and Flowella, subject to the sharing choice you make during setup.

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When to use co-existence

Use co-existence if you:
  • Already have a WhatsApp Business App number that customers know and trust
  • Want to add automation without changing your number
  • Still want staff to use the WhatsApp Business App for quick, human replies
Do not use co-existence if your number is already connected to a WhatsApp API provider (for example, Superchat, Twilio, or any other BSP tool). A phone number can only be connected to one API provider at a time. In that case, you will need to either use a new number for Flowella, or migrate the existing number to Flowella by disconnecting it from the current provider first.

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Requirements and eligibility

To connect an existing WhatsApp Business App number, Meta requires:
  • WhatsApp Business App version 2.24.17 or higher
  • Your phone number’s country code must be supported. Nigeria and South Africa are not currently supported.
  • Access to the WhatsApp Business App on the device that owns the number
  • The right permissions in your Meta Business settings to complete the Embedded Signup flow

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What changes after enabling co-existence?

Co-existence is designed to keep the WhatsApp Business App fully usable, but some features change to stay compatible with the Business Platform:
FeatureAfter co-existence
Message throughputFixed at 20 messages per second (mps)
Chat history syncUp to 6 months of 1:1 history (optional)
Group chatsUnchanged in the app; not available in Flowella
Disappearing messagesTurned off for all 1:1 chats
View once messagesDisabled for all 1:1 chats
Live locationDisabled for all 1:1 chats
Broadcast listsDisabled; existing lists become read-only
Voice/video callsStill work in the app; not supported by Cloud API
Linked devicesCompanion clients are unlinked after onboarding; some can be re-linked (WhatsApp for Windows and WearOS are not supported)
If messages stop appearing in Flowella, check whether staff are using unsupported companion devices such as WhatsApp for Windows. Messages sent from those devices may not trigger API webhooks.

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Setup: Connect your WhatsApp Business App number to Flowella

1

Start in Flowella

In Flowella, begin connecting WhatsApp. This launches Meta Embedded Signup. When you see the setup choice screen, select Connect your existing WhatsApp Business App.
2

Flowella generates a verification code

Meta will ask you to verify that you own the WhatsApp Business App number. Flowella displays a verification code and the steps to follow. Keep this screen open.
3

Open the WhatsApp Business App and find the Meta message

On your phone, open the WhatsApp Business App and look for a message from the official Facebook Business account. Tap Connect.If you do not see the message, go to Settings → Account → Business Platform and select Connect to the Business Platform.
4

Choose whether to share chat history

You will be prompted to decide whether to share existing chat history with Flowella.
  • Share chats: Flowella can sync up to 6 months of 1:1 messages.
  • Don’t share chats: Flowella starts from new conversations only.
This choice cannot be changed later without fully disconnecting and redoing the onboarding process. Take a moment to decide before proceeding.
5

Enter the verification code

Enter the verification code shown in Flowella into the WhatsApp Business App (or scan the QR code if that option is offered).
6

Confirm connection to the Business Platform

Tap Connect to the Business Platform when prompted in the WhatsApp Business App.
7

Complete the Embedded Signup flow in Flowella

Return to your browser and finish Meta’s Embedded Signup steps. Once complete, Flowella finalises the setup.
8

Allow time for synchronisation

After onboarding, Flowella synchronises contacts and, if you chose to share, chat history. Keep the WhatsApp Business App open during synchronisation. This can take several minutes depending on the size of your chat history and your connection speed.
Meta requires synchronisation to begin within 24 hours of completing onboarding. Flowella initiates this automatically, so it is best to complete all steps in one sitting without closing the app.

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What gets synchronised?

DataSynchronised?
ContactsYes. WhatsApp contacts can be synced to appear in Flowella
1:1 chat history (last 6 months)Yes, if you chose “Share chats” during setup
Group chatsNo. Group chats remain in the WhatsApp Business App only
Media in older messagesPartial. Meta may send media asset details separately and not for older media

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Pricing and messaging rules

  • Messages sent via the WhatsApp Business App remain free, as per Meta’s standard rules.
  • Messages sent via Flowella (Cloud API) are subject to Cloud API pricing.
A customer service window is opened when a WhatsApp user messages your business after you are onboarded to Cloud API. If a user messaged you just before onboarding, you may only be able to reply with a template message until a new customer service window opens.

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Disconnecting (offboarding)

If you want to stop using Flowella with a co-existence number:
  1. Open the WhatsApp Business App.
  2. Go to Settings → Account → Business Platform → Disconnect Account.
Once disconnected, Flowella can no longer send or receive messages for that number.

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Troubleshooting

I did not receive the message from Facebook Business
  • Ensure WhatsApp Business App is updated to version 2.24.17 or higher.
  • Go to Settings → Account → Business Platform and try connecting from there directly.
  • Check your internet connection and that notifications are enabled.
The verification code does not work
  • Restart the connection from Flowella to generate a new code.
  • Avoid copying extra spaces when pasting the code.
  • Try the QR code option if it is available.
I get an error when switching from another provider If you previously used another partner and still share a credit line with them, Meta may block switching until that is resolved. Contact Flowella support and share the error details. Some messages do not appear in Flowella This can happen when staff use unsupported companion devices such as WhatsApp for Windows. Ask them to reply from the primary device or a supported companion app.

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FAQs

Yes. That is the purpose of co-existence. Your team can continue using the WhatsApp Business App for 1:1 chats while Flowella handles automation.
No. You can choose “Don’t share chats” during setup. In that case, Flowella will only have access to new messages received after onboarding.
No. Group chats remain in the WhatsApp Business App only and are not synchronised to Flowella.
Not on the same phone number at the same time. You will need to either use a new number for Flowella, or migrate the number away from your current provider before connecting it to Flowella.

Phone numbers

How a number becomes a WhatsApp Business Platform sender.

WhatsApp Business Account

The WABA your number lives in and the rules around moving it.

Setup sequence

The right order for connecting Meta when co-existence is in play.

Multi-channel

Run more than one WhatsApp sender from a single Flowella org.
Last modified on May 24, 2026