When migrating from WhatsApp BSP to the WhatsApp Cloud API, you can successfully transfer the following elements:

Phone number: The phone number currently associated with your business account will be migrated and re-registered to the Cloud API.

Approved message templates: Any high-quality, approved message templates previously in use with the BSP can be migrated, allowing you to continue sending messages without re-approval.

Phone number display name: The display name assigned to your phone number will remain the same after migration.

Quality rating: The quality rating of the phone number, which reflects customer satisfaction and message quality, will carry over to the Cloud API.

Messaging limits: Any existing messaging limits, including the number of messages your account is allowed to send daily, will be preserved.

Prerequisites

Ensure the following requirements are met before migrating your WhatsApp number:

• Meta Business Manager: Verify that you have admin-level access to your Meta Business Manager account.
• Business Verification: The Meta Business Manager must be verified. If your business is not yet verified, learn How to verify Meta Business Manager for WhatsApp API & Green Tick to get it verified.
• Display Name Approval: Make sure the display name associated with your account is approved in the existing BSP.
• Phone Number access: Have access to the phone number to receive a 6-digit verification code via SMS or call.

Migrating phone numbers to the WhatsApp Cloud API

This guide outlines the steps to migrate phone numbers to the WhatsApp Cloud API.

1. To release your phone number for migration, disable two-step verification. For detailed instructions, explore How to Disable Two-Step Verification for WhatsApp Number?.

2. Log in to Meta Developer Site: https://developers.facebook.com/

3. Create a Developer App:

   • Go to the My Apps tab.
     
     
     
     
   • Click Create App to develop a new app and set up WhatsApp.
     
     
     
     
   • This app must be created using the same Business Manager account from which you intend to migrate your WABA. Remember, you cannot migrate numbers between different Meta Business Manager accounts.

4. Configure phone number in Meta Developer Portal:
   • After completing the onboarding process, navigate to the API setup page.
     
     
     
     
   • On the right, select the Add phone number button.
     
     
     
     
5. Add a phone number:
   • Enter the exact WhatsApp Business display name associated with the number you’re migrating to the Cloud API.
   • Select your Timezone.
   • Choose a Category for your business and provide a Business Description (optional).
   • Click Next to begin the phone number verification process.
     
     
     
     
   • Enter the phone number that you want to migrate. Once you enter the number here, get your number verified with an OTP delivered by text message or phone call and click Next to proceed.
     
     
     
     
6. Click Confirm transfer to complete the migration process.
   
   
   
   
   • The verified phone number will appear in the “From” dropdown menu within the “Send and receive messages” section.
     
     
     
     
   • To set up a payment method for the destination WABA, click the Add payment method button.
     
     
     
     
   • Finally, set up webhooks for seamless integration. Learn How to Configure WhatsApp Webhooks in Meta, for webhook setup in Meta.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What details are migrated when moving from a WhatsApp BSP to the WhatsApp Cloud API?
   The phone number, approved message templates, phone number display name, quality rating, and existing messaging limits can be migrated to the WhatsApp Cloud API.

2. What are the prerequisites before migrating a WhatsApp number to the Cloud API?
   You must have admin access to the Meta Business Manager account, the business must be verified, the phone number display name must be approved, and you must have access to the phone number to receive the 6-digit verification code through SMS or call.

3. Why should two-step verification be disabled before migration?
   Two-step verification must be disabled to release the WhatsApp number for migration. If disabling two-step verification shows a false success or the number cannot be released, contact the current BSP support team to release the account.

4. Can a WhatsApp number be migrated to a different Meta Business Manager account?
   No. The developer app must be created using the same Meta Business Manager account from which the WhatsApp Business Account is being migrated. WhatsApp numbers cannot be migrated between different Meta Business Manager accounts.