How to Connect Appalix to WhatsApp Business

What you'll need

• An Appalix account on Core plan or above
• A Meta Business account verified and in Good Standing
• A phone number that isn't already registered on personal WhatsApp
• A Meta Developer app with WhatsApp enabled

Step 1 — Create a WhatsApp integration in Appalix

1. Go to Integrations → Add integration and choose WhatsApp.
2. Name the integration and select a bot. Leave credential fields empty for now.
3. Click Create integration, then open the setup page — note the webhook URL:

   https://api.appalix.ai/webhooks/whatsapp/{your-integration-id}

Step 2 — Set up WhatsApp in Meta Developer Console

1. Go to developers.facebook.com/apps and create a new app of type Business.
2. Add the WhatsApp product to your app.
3. Under WhatsApp → Getting Started, link your Meta Business account and add a phone number.
4. Copy the Temporary Access Token (valid 24 h) — or generate a System User permanent token for production use.
5. Note the Phone Number ID shown on the Getting Started page.

Step 3 — Configure the webhook

1. In the Meta app, go to WhatsApp → Configuration and click Edit next to Webhook.
2. Set Callback URL to your Appalix webhook URL from Step 1.
3. Set Verify Token to the verify token in your Appalix integration (found in the edit page).
4. Click Verify and save. Meta will call the URL to verify it.
5. Under Webhook fields, subscribe to messages.

Step 4 — Save credentials in Appalix

1. In Appalix, click Edit on the WhatsApp integration.
2. Paste the Phone Number ID, Access Token, and your chosen Verify Token.
3. Click Save changes.

Step 5 — Send a test message

1. Use the Meta WhatsApp test tool (Getting Started page) to send a message to your WhatsApp number.
2. Appalix should respond with your bot's reply within seconds.
3. The conversation appears in Appalix Conversations with platform WhatsApp.

In sandbox/test mode, only pre-registered test numbers can send messages. Submit your app and phone number for production approval to accept messages from anyone.

Tips & best practices

• Permanent access token — the temporary token expires after 24 hours. For production, create a System User in Meta Business Manager and generate a non-expiring token.
• Message templates — WhatsApp requires approved message templates for outbound (business-initiated) messages. For inbound replies within 24 hours of user contact, free-form text is fine.
• Human handoff via Twilio — in your integration handoff settings, configure a Twilio WhatsApp number so your team receives a WhatsApp alert when a customer requests a human agent.