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Setup Guide

Connect Your Own WhatsApp

Set up your AI sales agent on your own WhatsApp Business number. Customers will message your number directly without going through the AutoManus router.

Overview

By default, your AI agent runs on the shared AutoManus number (+1 650-605-3956). This is great for testing, but for production you'll want your own number so customers see your business identity.

Shared number

  • Customers see AutoManus number
  • Router asks which business
  • Good for testing

Your own number

  • Customers see your number
  • Direct connection to your agent
  • Professional for production

Prerequisites

  • A phone number for your business (see options below)
  • A Meta Business account (free to create during setup)
  • About 15 minutes

Phone number options

You need a phone number that is not currently registered with WhatsApp. Choose one of these options:

Option A: Buy a SIM card

Buy any prepaid SIM from a local shop or online. This is the simplest option.

  • UK: EE, Vodafone, Three, giffgaff (~£10)
  • US: T-Mobile, AT&T prepaid (~$10-20)
  • Any country: Any prepaid SIM works

You only need the SIM to receive the verification SMS/call once. After that, you can remove it.

Option B: Virtual number (Twilio)

Get a virtual phone number online. No physical SIM needed.

  1. Go to twilio.com/try-twilio and create an account
  2. Verify your email and personal phone (for account security)
  3. Go to Phone Numbers → Buy a Number
  4. Search for a number in your country with SMS capability
  5. Buy it (~$1.15/month for US, varies by country)
  6. Add funds to your account ($20 minimum)

Twilio numbers can receive SMS for WhatsApp verification. The number stays active as long as you pay monthly.

Note: If you want to use an existing number, you must first delete WhatsApp from the phone using that number.

Setup steps

1

Get a phone number

Buy a prepaid SIM or get a Twilio virtual number (see options above). Make sure the number is not currently registered with WhatsApp.

2

Set up WhatsApp Business in Meta

Go to Meta Business Suite → WhatsApp Accounts and:

  1. Log in with your Facebook account (use an existing account, not a brand new one)
  2. Create or select a Meta Business Account
  3. Click "Add" to create a WhatsApp Business Account
  4. Add your phone number and verify via SMS or voice call
Important: New Facebook accounts may be restricted from creating business accounts. Use an existing Facebook account if possible.
3

Connect to AutoManus

Once your WhatsApp Business Account is set up in Meta:

  1. Go to AutoManus → AI Agent → select your agent
  2. Click "Connect Your Own WhatsApp"
  3. Click "Continue with Facebook"
  4. Authorize AutoManus to access your WhatsApp Business Account
4

Done

After authorization, your WhatsApp account will show as "Connected" in AutoManus. Your AI agent is now live on your WhatsApp Business number.

Testing

From a different phone, send a WhatsApp message to your business number. Your AI agent should respond automatically. You can view the conversation in AutoManus under the WhatsApp section.

Costs

  • User-initiated conversations (customer messages first): Free for 24 hours
  • Business-initiated (you message first): ~$0.005-0.05 per conversation
  • Typical small business: $10-30/month

Troubleshooting

"Failed to create WhatsApp account"

This usually means AutoManus couldn't find a WhatsApp Business Account with a phone number in your Meta account.

Solution: Complete Step 2 first - set up your WhatsApp Business Account directly in Meta Business Suite, then return to AutoManus and connect.

"Can't create Meta Business Account"

New Facebook accounts are often restricted from creating business accounts (anti-spam measure).

Solution: Use an existing Facebook account instead of creating a new one. If you must use a new account, wait 24-48 hours before trying again.

"URL Blocked" or "Redirect URI not whitelisted"

This is a configuration issue on our end. Please contact support.

"Number already registered with WhatsApp"

Solution: Delete WhatsApp from the phone using that number, then try again. Or use a different number.

FAQ

Can I use my personal WhatsApp number?

Yes, but you'll lose access to personal WhatsApp on that number. We recommend a dedicated number.

What happens to my existing WhatsApp chats?

If you convert an existing number, your personal chats won't be accessible on that number anymore.

Can I switch back to personal WhatsApp?

Yes, but it requires contacting WhatsApp support and waiting 7+ days.

Do I need a Facebook account?

Yes. WhatsApp Business API is owned by Meta, so a Facebook account is required. We recommend using an existing account rather than creating a new one.

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