Convert WhatsApp lets you connect an existing WhatsApp account by scanning a QR code. You do not need to create a Meta developer app or manually enter Meta credentials for this setup.
What you need before starting
Make sure you have:
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An active WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business account
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The phone containing that WhatsApp account
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Internet access on both the phone and computer
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Permission to manage channels in your Convert workspace
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Access to the phone’s Linked devices settings
Keep your phone and the Convert page open throughout the connection process.
Step 1: Open the WhatsApp channel
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Sign in to Convert.
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Open Settings.
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Select Channels.
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Find the Convert WhatsApp card.
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Select Connect WhatsApp.
Convert will prepare a secure QR code.
Step 2: Open Linked Devices on your phone
On iPhone
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Open WhatsApp.
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Select Settings.
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Select Linked Devices.
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Select Link a Device.
On Android
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Open WhatsApp.
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Select the three-dot menu.
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Select Linked Devices.
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Select Link a Device.
Your phone may ask you to confirm your identity using a PIN, fingerprint, or Face ID.
Step 3: Scan the QR code
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Point your phone’s camera at the QR code displayed in Convert.
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Keep the full QR code inside the scanning area.
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Wait while WhatsApp links the device.
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Keep the Convert page open until the connection is confirmed.
Each QR code is short-lived. If it expires, request a new code and scan it again.
Alternative: connect with a pairing code
If you cannot scan the QR code:
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Select Use pairing code in Convert.
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Enter the requested phone number in international format.
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Request the pairing code.
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Open WhatsApp’s Linked Devices section.
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Choose the option to link using a phone number or code.
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Enter the code displayed by Convert.
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Wait for the connection to complete.
Do not share the pairing code with anyone.
Step 4: Confirm the connection
Once connected, Convert will display the WhatsApp account and connection status.
Confirm that:
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The account status says Connected.
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The correct phone number is shown.
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The connection service is reachable.
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The connection time or session information appears.
If you connected the wrong WhatsApp account, disconnect it before connecting another number.
Step 5: Send an inbound test message
Before creating a campaign:
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Use another phone to send a WhatsApp message to the connected number.
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Keep the WhatsApp management page open in Convert.
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Find the Webhook Test section.
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Wait for the test message to appear.
If the message appears, Convert is receiving inbound WhatsApp events correctly.
Step 6: Add opted-in contacts
Only message customers who have agreed to receive WhatsApp communications from your business.
When adding or importing contacts:
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Use the full international country code.
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Remove unnecessary spaces or punctuation.
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Record how and when each customer opted in.
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Honour opt-out requests immediately.
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Do not upload purchased or scraped phone-number lists.
For a Nigerian number, use a format such as +2348012345678, not 08012345678.
Step 7: Create a test campaign
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Open Campaigns.
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Create a new campaign.
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Select WhatsApp as the channel.
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Choose a small test contact list.
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Write the message.
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Review the recipient count and message.
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Send or schedule the campaign.
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Confirm that the test recipients receive it.
Start with a small internal audience before sending to customers.
Step 8: Keep the connection active
To reduce disconnections:
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Keep WhatsApp active on the main phone.
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Keep the phone connected to the internet regularly.
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Do not remove Convert from WhatsApp’s Linked Devices list.
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Avoid repeatedly connecting and disconnecting the same account.
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Review the connection status before important campaigns.
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Reconnect promptly if WhatsApp logs the session out.
How to reconnect WhatsApp
If the connection becomes unavailable:
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Open Settings.
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Select Channels.
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Find Convert WhatsApp.
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Select Reconnect.
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Wait for Convert to restore the existing session.
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If a new QR code is requested, scan it through Linked Devices.
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Send another inbound test message.
How to disconnect WhatsApp
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Open the WhatsApp management page in Convert.
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Select Disconnect.
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Confirm the action.
Campaigns will stop using that connection until you reconnect it.
You can also remove the connection from WhatsApp by opening Linked Devices, selecting the connected device, and choosing Log out.
Final checklist
Before sending a live campaign, confirm that:
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The correct WhatsApp account is connected.
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Convert reports the account as connected.
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An inbound test message appears in Convert.
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Contact numbers use international format.
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Every recipient has given appropriate permission.
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Opt-out handling has been tested.
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A small test campaign was delivered successfully.
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The team knows how to check and restore the connection.
Common problems
The QR code expired
Request a new QR code and scan it immediately.
The phone will not scan the code
Increase the computer screen brightness, clean the phone camera, make sure the entire code is visible, and confirm that you selected Link a Device.
The wrong account was connected
Disconnect it in Convert and remove the session from WhatsApp’s Linked Devices list. Then connect the correct account.
Convert says the account is disconnected
Select Reconnect. If the stored session cannot be restored, scan a new QR code.
Messages are not appearing in the webhook test
Check that the sender messaged the exact connected number, both devices have internet access, and the connection status is healthy. Reconnect the account and test again if necessary.
A campaign cannot reach a contact
Confirm the phone number includes the country code, the recipient uses WhatsApp, the contact is eligible and opted in, and the Convert connection is active.