> ## 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.

# Create and manage a WhatsApp Business Account (WABA)

> Create a WhatsApp Business Account inside your Meta business portfolio, attach phone numbers, and understand the asset structure that Flowella connects to.

A **WhatsApp Business Account (WABA)** is the container that holds your WhatsApp-specific assets inside Meta's wider business structure. It is not the same as the WhatsApp Business app on your phone, and it is not the same as your business portfolio. Specifically, a WABA holds:

* One or more **phone numbers** registered to use WhatsApp
* The **business profile** (display name, logo, about text, business hours) for each number
* **Message templates** approved by Meta
* **Messaging limits** and quality ratings tracked per phone number
* **Payment settings** for WhatsApp Business Platform charges

Flowella connects to one or more WABAs through Meta's Embedded Signup. Each connected WABA appears as a channel in your Flowella org.

## When you need to create a new WABA

Most teams need exactly one WABA. Create more only when you have a clear reason:

* **Different legal entities** — if you operate multiple businesses under separate companies, each needs its own WABA in its own business portfolio
* **Strict separation between markets** — some teams keep a separate WABA per country to simplify reporting and tax accounting
* **Sandbox environment** — a separate WABA for testing avoids polluting your production analytics

If you're tempted to create a WABA per brand or per product, look at multiple **phone numbers within one WABA** first. That gets you per-number display names and templates without splitting your portfolio in two.

## Create a WABA

The smoothest path is to create it via Flowella's Embedded Signup flow during onboarding. Meta's flow handles WABA creation, phone number addition, and Flowella's connection in one sequence.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Start onboarding in Flowella">
    In Flowella, begin the Meta connection by clicking **Connect WhatsApp Business**. Meta's Embedded Signup launches in a popup.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose 'Create a new WhatsApp Business Account'">
    Pick this option when Meta asks. (Choose **Use existing** instead if you already have a WABA in your portfolio that you want to attach.)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Fill in the WABA details">
    Provide:

    * **WABA name** — internal label only, not customer-facing. "Acme Marketing WhatsApp" is fine.
    * **Timezone** — affects reporting and message-window calculations.
    * **Currency** — the currency Meta will bill you in for WhatsApp charges. **This cannot be changed later**, so pick the one you want invoices in.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add the first phone number">
    Either:

    * **Use an existing number** that isn't currently on the WhatsApp app or another API provider. See [Phone numbers](/meta/phone-numbers) for eligibility.
    * **Pick a Meta-provided number** — actually, Meta no longer provides numbers; you bring your own.

    Verify the number via SMS or voice call when prompted.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set the display name">
    The display name is what customers see in WhatsApp instead of the raw phone number. Meta reviews it for 1–3 business days. See [Display name & profile](/meta/profile-setup) for the naming rules.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Finish Embedded Signup">
    Meta returns you to Flowella, which records the WABA and phone number as a connected channel.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Find your WABA ID

You'll sometimes need the WABA ID for Meta support tickets or troubleshooting. It's a 15- or 16-digit number distinct from your business portfolio ID.

To find it:

1. Go to **Meta Business Suite → Settings → Accounts → WhatsApp accounts**.
2. Click the WABA name.
3. The ID appears in the details panel that opens on the right ("ID: 123456789012345").

In Flowella, the same ID is shown in **Settings → Meta** next to each connected WABA.

## Add a phone number to an existing WABA

WABAs can hold up to 25 phone numbers each. To add another:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open WhatsApp Manager">
    In Meta Business Suite, go to **WhatsApp Manager → Phone numbers → Add phone number**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the new number">
    The number must be eligible (see [Phone numbers](/meta/phone-numbers)).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify by SMS or voice">
    Receive the 6-digit code and enter it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set a display name">
    Each phone number has its own display name, profile, and templates. The display name must be approved by Meta before the number can send under the business name.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Refresh in Flowella">
    Back in Flowella, open **Settings → Meta** and click **Refresh channels**. The new number appears as an additional channel under the same WABA.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Migrate a WABA between portfolios

Moving a WABA from one business portfolio to another is possible but slow:

1. Both portfolios must be **business-verified**.
2. The source portfolio admin initiates the request via Meta Business Suite.
3. Meta reviews the request, which can take 1–2 weeks.
4. After approval, the WABA moves to the destination portfolio. Phone numbers, templates, and messaging limits travel with it.

This is the path for company acquisitions, agency-to-client handovers, or restructuring exercises. For a same-portfolio WABA reorganisation, no migration is needed.

## What sits inside a WABA vs at the portfolio level

| Asset                  | Lives in     | Notes                                                        |
| ---------------------- | ------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Phone numbers          | WABA         | Up to 25 per WABA                                            |
| Message templates      | WABA         | Submitted per WABA; not shared across WABAs                  |
| Display names          | Phone number | Each number has its own display name, reviewed independently |
| Business profile       | Phone number | Per-number logo, description, business hours                 |
| Quality rating         | Phone number | Green/Yellow/Red, tracked per number                         |
| Messaging limits       | Phone number | Tier 1–4, see [Messaging limits](/meta/messaging-limits)     |
| Payment method         | WABA         | See [Meta payment method](/meta/payment-method)              |
| Business verification  | Portfolio    | Verifying one portfolio covers all WABAs in it               |
| Ad accounts (for CTWA) | Portfolio    | Separate from WhatsApp billing                               |

## Related guides

* [Business portfolio](/meta/business-portfolio) — the parent container the WABA sits inside
* [Phone numbers](/meta/phone-numbers) — eligibility for the numbers you attach
* [Display name & profile](/meta/profile-setup) — the customer-facing name on each number
* [Messaging limits](/meta/messaging-limits) — how Tier 1–4 work and how to graduate
* [Meta payment method](/meta/payment-method) — the card Meta bills against