How to apply for a Twilio WhatsApp Account
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Each WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) ID account can only be tied to one Twilio Account SID.
This guide will take you through the process of applying for a WhatsApp account with Twilio. The entire process can take two to four weeks.
Prerequisites: What you need before applying
A Twilio account. You can create one here for free: Twilio Cloud Communications | Web Service API for building Voice and SMS Applications
A Twilio phone number. You can purchase one here; it will cost you a minimum of $1 per month, depending on your region Twilio Cloud Communications | Web Service API for building Voice and SMS Applications
A verified Facebook Business Manager ID. You can obtain this from your Facebook Business settings. (Please note: This is not the same as your Facebook page ID).If your Facebook Business ID is not verified, follow the following instructions to obtain verification. The process takes about one week: How to Get Verified on Facebook and Instagram | Meta Business Help Center fb.com)
Step 1: Request Access with Twilio
To apply for a new WhatsApp account, fill in this form on WhatsApp Tech Provider Program | Twilio :
You will need the following information for the form:
Your Twilio Account SID, which you can find in your main Twilio Cloud Communications | Web Service API for building Voice and SMS Applications
Your Facebook Business Manager ID. You can obtain this from your Facebook Business settings. (Please note: This is not the same as your Facebook page ID).
For "I wish to provision this account with a 3rd party vendor”, select No.
Step 2: Submit WhatsApp Business profile information
For this step, you'll need to make sure you have a Twilio number. You can purchase one: Twilio Cloud Communications | Web Service API for building Voice and SMS Applications
Once you have a number, navigate to Programmable Messaging → WhatsApp Senders: Twilio Cloud Communications | Web Service API for building Voice and SMS Applications
Click on “+” and add the number you wish to use, along with your WhatsApp profile information (name, address, logo, etc.) Please ensure that you follow the guidelines mentioned on-screen:
You may also apply for message templates on the same page. These will be submitted for review alongside your WhatsApp account.
Step 3: Approve Messaging Request in FB Business Manager
Once Twilio has submitted your profile for review to Facebook, you will receive an email and a message in your Facebook Business Manager to approve a “messaging on behalf of” request. This typically happens anywhere from 1 day to 1 week after submission.
You can view and approve this request through this link: https://business.facebook.com/settings/requests/received_requests
Or navigate to your Facebook Business Manager → Business Settings → Requests, as shown below:
Step 4: Twilio completes your account registration
Once step 3 is complete, Twilio will take over to process the rest of your application. After your account has been approved, Twilio will register your number, and they will send you a confirmation email.
Your account is now ready to be connected to CX platform.