Guide · WhatsApp Cloud · Chapter 1 of 3
WhatsApp Cloud API — Chapter 1: your number and your first message
Connect WhatsApp with Meta's official API · ~30 minutes · No prior experience
What you'll achieve (in this chapter 1): create/use your Meta App, add the WhatsApp product, get your WhatsApp Cloud credentials (Phone Number ID, WhatsApp Business Account ID and a token), andsend your first test message. Connecting to the assistant and going to production come in Chapter 2.
What you need before you start:
- A Facebook account and a Business portfolioin Meta Business. If you don't have one, Meta lets you create it along the way.
- A phone number that is NOT active today in the regular WhatsApp / WhatsApp Business app (Cloud API requires a dedicated number). To test you can use the test number Meta gives you.
- A desktop browser.
Cloud API vs. QR mode: with QR (unofficial) you keep your phone app but there's a block risk. With Cloud API (official) the number lives on Meta's servers: maximum stability, but the number is dedicated to the API. Choose based on your case (see the WhatsApp channel card).
Guide index
PART 1 · Create the App and add WhatsApp
1.1 Go to the portal and create (or reuse) your App
Go to https://developers.facebook.com → My Apps. If you already have an app (for example a Messenger one), use it. If not: Create App → Business type →name + email + your Business portfolio → Create App.
1.2 Add the WhatsApp product
In the app dashboard, Add product → WhatsApp → Set up. Meta will ask you to select (or create) your WhatsApp Business Account (WABA).
PART 2 · Your WhatsApp Cloud credentials
In WhatsApp → API Setup you'll see everything you need on a single screen:
2.1 Phone Number ID
Under "From", Meta gives you a test number and itsPhone number ID (a long number). That ID — not the phone number — is what the platform uses. Copy it.
2.2 WhatsApp Business Account ID (WABA ID)
On the same screen, WhatsApp Business Account ID. Copy it.
2.3 The token
Meta gives you a temporary 24-hour token to test right now. It works for Chapter 1. For production you'll need a permanent System User token (Chapter 2).
Heads up: if the button says "Generate token" and you see none listed, it's normal — generate it: the first token doesn't exist until you request it.
2.4 App Secret (for the webhook)
Just like Messenger/Instagram: App settings → Basic → App secret → Show. It's exactly 32 hexadecimal characters. You'll need it when connecting the webhook.
PART 3 · Your first test message
3.1 Add a recipient number
In API Setup → "To", add your own number on WhatsApp as a test recipient. Meta verifies it with a code that arrives by WhatsApp to the number you added — open it on that phone and paste the code. In test mode you can only send to numbers you add here.
3.2 Send the "Hello World"
Click Send message. Meta sends a hello_world template to your number.
3.3 Confirm receipt
End of chapter 1
You now have: Phone number ID, WABA ID, atoken and your App Secret, and you verified that Meta sends messages to your number.
Continue in Chapter 2: a permanent token (System User), connecting the webhook in 2 steps from the panel, and going to production (business verification and your own number).
1-MINUTE SUMMARY
| Step | Where | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Create/use Business app | developers.facebook.com | App ready |
| Add WhatsApp | Add product → WhatsApp → Set up | WABA selected |
| Phone Number ID | WhatsApp → API Setup → "From" | Phone number ID |
| WABA ID | API Setup | WhatsApp Business Account ID |
| Token | API Setup (temporary 24h) | Test token |
| App Secret | App settings → Basic → Show | App Secret (32 hex) |
| Recipient | API Setup → "To" | Your verified number |
| First message | Send message | hello_world received 🎉 |
Chapter 1 based on the real WhatsApp Cloud API setup process. Meta's interface changes frequently: if a screen doesn't match, look for the same labels in the equivalent section.