> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://knowledge.flowella.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# WhatsApp Co-existence: Use Your Business App with Flowella

> Connect your existing WhatsApp Business App number to Flowella so you can keep using the app for 1:1 chats while Flowella handles automation at scale.

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.

## 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.

## 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.

## 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

## 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:

| Feature               | After co-existence                                                                                                         |
| --------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Message throughput    | Fixed at **20 messages per second (mps)**                                                                                  |
| Chat history sync     | Up to **6 months** of 1:1 history (optional)                                                                               |
| Group chats           | Unchanged in the app; not available in Flowella                                                                            |
| Disappearing messages | Turned off for all 1:1 chats                                                                                               |
| View once messages    | Disabled for all 1:1 chats                                                                                                 |
| Live location         | Disabled for all 1:1 chats                                                                                                 |
| Broadcast lists       | Disabled; existing lists become read-only                                                                                  |
| Voice/video calls     | Still work in the app; not supported by Cloud API                                                                          |
| Linked devices        | Companion clients are unlinked after onboarding; some can be re-linked (WhatsApp for Windows and WearOS are not supported) |

<Tip>
  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.
</Tip>

## Setup: Connect your WhatsApp Business App number to Flowella

<Steps>
  <Step title="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**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.

    <Warning>
      This choice cannot be changed later without fully disconnecting and redoing the onboarding process. Take a moment to decide before proceeding.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="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).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm connection to the Business Platform">
    Tap **Connect to the Business Platform** when prompted in the WhatsApp Business App.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Complete the Embedded Signup flow in Flowella">
    Return to your browser and finish Meta's Embedded Signup steps. Once complete, Flowella finalises the setup.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.

    <Note>
      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.
    </Note>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What gets synchronised?

| Data                             | Synchronised?                                                                 |
| -------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Contacts                         | Yes. 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 chats                      | No. Group chats remain in the WhatsApp Business App only                      |
| Media in older messages          | Partial. Meta may send media asset details separately and not for older media |

## 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.

## 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.

## 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.

## FAQs

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can I keep using the WhatsApp Business App after connecting to Flowella?">
    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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do I have to share chat history?">
    No. You can choose "Don't share chats" during setup. In that case, Flowella will only have access to new messages received after onboarding.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Will group chats appear in Flowella?">
    No. Group chats remain in the WhatsApp Business App only and are not synchronised to Flowella.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I use co-existence if I already use the WhatsApp API with another tool?">
    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.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Related

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Phone numbers" icon="phone" href="/meta/phone-numbers">
    How a number becomes a WhatsApp Business Platform sender.
  </Card>

  <Card title="WhatsApp Business Account" icon="briefcase" href="/meta/whatsapp-business-account">
    The WABA your number lives in and the rules around moving it.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Setup sequence" icon="list-ordered" href="/meta/setup-sequence">
    The right order for connecting Meta when co-existence is in play.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Multi-channel" icon="layers" href="/essentials/multi-channel">
    Run more than one WhatsApp sender from a single Flowella org.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>