Connecting WhatsApp links your WhatsApp Business Account to Community, so you can message Members on WhatsApp. You authorize the connection in Community, log in to Meta, choose your business account and enter a display name. Meta then reviews the display name, and the connection shows as Authorized once it is approved.
For what WhatsApp in Community is, see WhatsApp in Community. For how many Members you can start conversations with each day, see WhatsApp message limits.
Who this applies to: Leaders who are eligible for WhatsApp in Community. For eligibility, see WhatsApp in Community. You need Owner or Admin access to your Community account, Admin access to your Meta Business Manager, and a Verified Meta Business Account.
What is the WhatsApp connection?
The WhatsApp connection is the link between your WhatsApp Business Account and your Community account. You make it by authorizing Community in Meta's WhatsApp signup flow, where you give Community the permissions it needs to connect your account.
Meta has to approve your WhatsApp Business display name before the connection is complete. Until it does, the connection shows as Pending in Community. After approval, it shows as Authorized.
Why should I use the WhatsApp connection?
The connection is how you give Community access to your WhatsApp Business Account. It is the first step in using WhatsApp in Community.
How do I use it?
Checking your business details before you connect
Make sure you have all four of these before you start:
- Check your business details in Business Manager for accuracy.
⚠️ Make sure your Legal Business Name and Website are valid and up to date. - A Verified Meta Business Account
- Admin access to your Meta Business Manager
- Owner or Admin access to your Community account
To learn more or start onboarding, contact your Account Manager or support at yourfriends@community.com.
Authorizing WhatsApp in Community
- In Community, go to Settings > Integrations.
- Find the WhatsApp Integration.
- Click Authorize.
Connecting your WhatsApp Business Account
Authorizing opens Meta's WhatsApp signup flow.
- Log in with a Facebook account that has access to Meta Business Manager.
- Your personal Facebook Profile information, such as name, photo, and data, will not be utilized by Community.
- This login is solely to confirm your permissions.
- Grant the permissions Community asks for.
- In the first dropdown, select your Verified Meta Business Account.
- Select Create a new WhatsApp Business profile.
- 🚨 IMPORTANT: When indicating your WhatsApp Business Display Name in the following step, if your Verified Meta Business Account matches your leader name, enter that name here. If your Verified Meta Business Account does not match your leader name, you must format it as Verified Meta Business Account Name - Community Leader Name.
- Click Continue
Checking your connection status
After you click Continue, the connection shows as Pending. Meta confirms your display name, and you are notified once it is approved. When the connection succeeds, the status changes from Pending to Authorized. To check it, go to Settings > Integrations.
Updating your WhatsApp profile photo
You cannot update your WhatsApp profile photo from the Community Dashboard.
To update it in the WhatsApp Business app:
- Open the WhatsApp Business app on your phone.
- Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
- Tap Settings.
- Tap Business tools. On some devices this is Business Profile.
- Tap Edit profile, or Business Profile.
- Tap your current profile picture or the camera icon next to it.
- Tap Upload Photo to choose an image from your gallery, or Take Photo to take a new one.
- Adjust the photo and tap Done.
- Click Save.
Members see the new photo when they view your WhatsApp Business profile.
Applying for the Business Verification Badge
After you connect, you can apply for the Business Verification Badge in your WhatsApp Account in Meta Business Manager.
Common questions
Why is my WhatsApp connection still Pending?
Most likely Meta has not yet confirmed your display name. After you click Continue in the signup flow, your request goes to Meta for approval, and the status changes to Authorized when the connection succeeds. For where to check the status, see Checking your connection status.
Can I update my WhatsApp profile photo from the Community Dashboard?
No. See Updating your WhatsApp profile photo for where to make the change.
Does Community use my personal Facebook information?
No. You log in with a Facebook account that has access to Meta Business Manager, but Community does not use your personal Facebook profile information, such as your name, photo and data. The login only confirms your permissions.