# Connect WhatsApp

> You connect your WhatsApp Business number per assistant under Settings → Integrations; the app on your phone keeps working, and the assistant replies with what it knows on the phone.

https://scoco.ai/en/docs/connect-whatsapp/

Customers message you on WhatsApp, and your assistant replies with the same knowledge as on the phone. When you are done, your WhatsApp Business number is connected to an assistant, and you know what Meta asks while connecting, what it costs and how to disconnect again.

## Before you connect

**The number belongs to one assistant.** Each assistant has at most one WhatsApp number. The **WhatsApp** card is under **Settings › Integrations**, in each assistant's section. If the **Communication** card still lists **WhatsApp Business** as **Planned** instead, WhatsApp is not enabled for your account yet.

**You need a Facebook account.** Meta signs you in in a window of its own. Use your personal account, not one several people share: whoever signs in there later manages your business's WhatsApp account at Meta.

**Which number?**

- Your number already runs in the WhatsApp Business app: **Connect your WhatsApp Business number**. The app keeps working, and you still see every message on your phone. Meta requires version 2.24.17 of the app or later.
- Your number is signed in to the regular WhatsApp app: switch to the WhatsApp Business app first. The regular app cannot be connected.
- The number is signed in to no WhatsApp app: **Connect a number without the app**. You then reply in scoco.
- You want to use one of your scoco numbers: see [Use a scoco number](#scoco-number).

## Connect your WhatsApp Business number

Keep the phone with the WhatsApp Business app at hand: unlocked, with the app open.

1. In the assistant's **WhatsApp** card, click **Connect your WhatsApp Business number**. If scoco states the price, confirm with **Connect for a fee**.
2. Meta opens a window of its own. Sign in with your Facebook account. If Facebook asks whether it may use cookies for the sign-in, agree; otherwise the sign-in ends there.
3. Meta names LuminaByte GmbH, the company behind scoco, as the partner. Enter your WhatsApp Business number. Meta recognises it and shows the profile from your app. Confirm it.
4. Choose your business's business portfolio, or create one.
5. Scan the QR code Meta shows from inside the WhatsApp Business app. Meta also sends the link to it as a WhatsApp message to your number.
6. Confirm your business details and WhatsApp's terms.
7. Complete the window's last step. The card now shows **Connected** and **With the WhatsApp Business app — you see every message on your phone too.**

Keep the app open for a few minutes afterwards while WhatsApp syncs the connection. scoco does not take over old chats.

> **Note:**
>
> In the last step, Meta offers two checkboxes that share data about your conversations with Meta, for example for advertising. scoco needs neither. Meta may also say there that LuminaByte GmbH has to verify your business first. The assistant replies straight away all the same.

## A payment method at Meta

WhatsApp bills its message fees directly to your business, not through scoco. Meta requires a payment method in your WhatsApp account for this. You can add it in the last step of Meta's window, or later through **Open WhatsApp Manager** in the **WhatsApp** card.

## What changes on your phone

- **When you reply in the app yourself, the assistant stays out of that chat.** The chat then says your team has taken it over. More under [Answer WhatsApp chats](https://scoco.ai/en/docs/whatsapp-chats/).
- **Linked devices are signed out.** Sign WhatsApp Web and WhatsApp on your computer back in afterwards. Meta does not support WhatsApp for Windows in this mode.
- **Open the app regularly.** If it stays closed for about two weeks, WhatsApp disconnects the number. The card then shows **Disconnected**. Open the app and connect again.

## How the assistant replies on WhatsApp

What the assistant does on WhatsApp is set under **Assistants › Behaviour**, in the **WhatsApp** card:

- **Accept WhatsApp messages** turns WhatsApp on for this assistant.
- **The assistant replies by itself**: when off, messages only land in the **Inbox**, and your team replies. A good start for the first week.
- **Book appointments over WhatsApp** uses the same times and rules as on the phone and needs a [connected calendar](https://scoco.ai/en/docs/connect-calendar/).
- **Have photos described**: the assistant has photos described and can respond to them. It always transcribes voice messages.
- **First message** comes before the first reply of every conversation and says that an AI is writing. The EU AI Act requires this.

When the assistant is **Paused**, it does not reply on WhatsApp at all; see [Assistant status](https://scoco.ai/en/docs/assistant-status/).

## Cost

Each connected number is a paid add-on with conversations included. You find the price per number and how many conversations are included under [Plans](https://scoco.ai/en/docs/plans/#terms). scoco also states both in the **Book the WhatsApp assistant** window, before you connect. How many you have used this month is under **Settings › Billing**. Once the included conversations are used up, the assistant keeps replying. WhatsApp's own fees are billed by Meta directly to your business.

## Use a scoco number

Instead of your own number, one of your scoco numbers can be the WhatsApp number. WhatsApp confirms it with a call, and scoco answers that call.

1. Choose the number in the **WhatsApp** card and click **Connect this scoco number**.
2. Click **Open Meta's window** and add the number there as a new phone number.
3. Choose confirmation by call. The code appears in the card. Type it into Meta's window.

## Disconnect

1. In the **WhatsApp** card, click **Disconnect**.
2. Confirm with **Yes, disconnect**.

New WhatsApp messages then no longer reach scoco, and billing for this number ends. Existing conversations stay in the **Inbox**. Your WhatsApp account at Meta and the WhatsApp Business app remain.

## Common problems

**The connection was cancelled in Meta's window.** You closed the window or declined the sign-in, for example the cookies. Nothing was connected. Start again.

**Meta's window does not open.** An ad or pop-up blocker is often the cause. Allow pop-ups for app.scoco.ai and try again.

**Meta asks for a code by text or call instead of showing your profile.** Meta did not recognise the number as a WhatsApp Business app number. Check that it is signed in to the WhatsApp Business app and that the app is up to date. Go back in Meta's window instead of requesting a code.

**The card shows “Disconnected”.** WhatsApp ended the connection, usually because the app was not opened for about two weeks. Open the app and click **Reconnect**.

**The assistant does not reply.** Under **Assistants › Behaviour**, check that **Accept WhatsApp messages** and **The assistant replies by itself** are on, whether the assistant is paused, and whether your WhatsApp account has a payment method.

_Last checked: 3 November 2026_