# WhatsApp

## Getting started with WhatsApp

Ready to engage with your customers on WhatsApp? Let's set things in motion!

### **Step one: What you need**

* A personal Facebook account for Meta Business Manager.
* Your company’s legal name.
* Your company's display name, which customers will see.
* Your business website URL.
* Business email address.
* Company phone number (used for sending WhatsApp messages).
* Access to the phone number (for verification if using your own).

### **Step two: Install WhatsApp**

1. Purchase or select a [phone number](/applications/channels/channels/supported-channels/numbers/quickstarts/find-and-buy-a-new-number.md) from 'Manage Channels'.
2. Link or create your Meta Business Manager and WhatsApp Business account with Bird.
3. Select or set up your WhatsApp Business Profile.

{% hint style="info" %}
Read our step-by-step [WhatsApp installation guide](/applications/channels/channels/supported-channels/whatsapp/quickstarts/install-whatsapp.md).
{% endhint %}

### **Step three: Business Verification**

Ensure full access by [verifying your business](/applications/channels/channels/supported-channels/whatsapp/concepts/accounts-and-verification-levels/meta-business-account-verification-for-whatsapp.md). Different features are available  based on your verification status.

### **Step four: Use WhatsApp**

* Engage in two-way conversations.
* Use rich features like sending images and files.
* Send messages via Inbox, Flows, or Campaigns.
* Keep in mind the [24-hour Customer Care Window](/applications/channels/channels/supported-channels/whatsapp/concepts/whatsapps-customer-care-window.md).


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# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.bird.com/applications/channels/channels/supported-channels/whatsapp.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.