WhatsApp Business API
Last updated: February 16, 2026
The WhatsApp Business API is Meta's official interface for businesses and developers to programmatically send and receive messages on WhatsApp. Unlike the consumer WhatsApp app, the Business API enables automated conversations at scale, making it a powerful channel for deploying AI assistants to WhatsApp's massive user base.
Why It Matters
WhatsApp is the world's most widely used messaging platform, with over 2 billion users across 180 countries. For many users, especially outside North America, WhatsApp is the primary communication tool. Connecting an AI assistant to WhatsApp through the Business API means reaching users on the platform they already trust and use daily, with no additional app installs required.
How It Works
The WhatsApp Business API operates through the Meta Cloud API or an on-premises deployment. Most AI assistant integrations use the Cloud API, which is hosted by Meta and accessed via RESTful endpoints. Setup begins in the Meta Developer Portal, where you create a business app, configure a phone number, and obtain access credentials including a phone number ID and a permanent access token.
Incoming messages are delivered to your server via webhooks. When a user sends a message, Meta posts the event payload to your registered callback URL. Your AI gateway processes the message, generates a response, and sends it back through the API. WhatsApp enforces a 24-hour messaging window: you can respond freely within 24 hours of the user's last message, but initiating conversations outside this window requires pre-approved message templates.
In Practice
When adding WhatsApp as a channel for your AI assistant, provide the phone number ID, access token, and a webhook verify token. The gateway registers the webhook URL with Meta and begins receiving messages. Be aware of WhatsApp's rate limits and message template requirements for production deployments at scale.