# Using a phone number already in use with WhatsApp App
{% hint style="success" %}
Access to the WhatsApp Business API with Coexistence is only available to businesses actively using the WhatsApp Business App. Eligibility is determined by Meta based on account tenure and messaging quality history.
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π **Use Your Existing WhatsApp Number with Cloud API β No Need to Delete Your App!** π±π¬
### **About** Coexistence **Onboarding**
You can create a WABA with a phone number that is already registered in the WhatsApp Business App (Android or iPhone) without deleting the existing account.
Once onboarded, you can send messages at scale using the WhatsApp Business API while maintaining one-on-one messaging in the WhatsApp Business App. Messages send and received via API will be available in the App and vice-versa.
See more details below:
### **Key Benefits**
* Maintain access to the WhatsApp Business App while using the WhatsApp Business API.
* Message at scale via the API while retaining one-to-one messaging in the app.
* Simplifies migration for businesses already using WhatsApp Business App.
{% hint style="warning" %}
**Important:** Do not uninstall the WhatsApp Business App after onboarding. This will disconnect the number from the platform.
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### L**imitations & Restrictions**
* Coexistence is not compatible with APIs that are not officially supported. So, if thatβs your use case, please know that those will be deactivated and 360Dialog cannot offer support for unofficial products.
* WhatsApp Business account phone numbers with country codes from the following locations **are not Supported:**
| Countries |
| ------------------------------ |
| |
| |
### Linked devices
Businesses can link up to four "companion" devices to their WhatsApp Business App (described as "[linked devices](https://faq.whatsapp.com/378279804439436/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2wCtUhMIoG1VO6mhMVxnM5qZxdKKDjFtvk4YpCNwhSJkGt11imnDaOig0_aem_JIFUbZ1WN9y9vercActG7Q)" in Meta Help Center).
However, after onboarding to Cloud API, all companion apps will be unlinked, you can re-link only supported devices after onboarding.
* [WhatsApp for Windows](https://faq.whatsapp.com/1317564962315842/?cms_platform=windows-desktop\&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1gLC6waIwQKEQoEGKbjg1Oq5txm6UhdPaW9MJk7tl5zfmxi91acb2AbGw_aem_vEQZZFO6LlCvkD5nb6NX8g) and [WhatsApp for WearOS](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Ffaq.whatsapp.com%2F564431798835071%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3TYfj7mUed27k4ZOjGcgQO-Mapj7z_BYOqlWO6aUWVB1xeMm0xCHR_uqk_aem_xcqnRjqlXr4M_20TUJtC7g\&h=AT2NG1pwbUs22EOCRkHrvG6K_aFSINqj05GrvmYFcsCaqWHlqtC4XoaJFWb84a-ep6ZYIoh94EydtJalaOb1plLo-HV9IWVFNm9vXmQVzaildL8W5uS-s_qTki2HAW6S8EhH56zySyT7X9xSPhufKGA-qFY) are not supported.
* Messages from unsupported companion devices will not trigger webhooks, so the business won't be able to mirror the message through the API. You can still use the App to respond to this message.
{% hint style="info" %}
Messages viewed on an unsupported companion device will display a **placeholder text** directing users to check their primary device.
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### Feature comparison
The following table describes features available to business customers who have been onboarded to Cloud API, as well as any changes to WhatsApp Business app functionality post-onboarding.
| **Feature** | **Existing Feature on WhatsApp Business App** | **Changes After Coexistence Onboarding** | **Availability in the API** |
| ------------------------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Individual (1:1) Chats** | Supported | Message Edit/Revoke is no longer supported.
6 months of chat history can be synchronized.
| Supported. Messages are mirrored between Cloud API and the App. |
| **Contacts** | No change | No change | Supported. WhatsApp contacts can be synchronized. |
| **Group Chats** | No change | Not supported | Group chats will not be synchronized. |
| **Phone Number Hiding Chats** | No change | Not supported | Not supported. |
| **Disappearing Messages** | Supported | Will be turned off for all individual (1:1) chats | Not supported. |
| **View Once Message** | Supported | Disabled for all individual (1:1) chats | Not supported. |
| **Live Location Message** | Supported | Disabled for all individual (1:1) chats | Not supported. See API docs for sending location messages. |
| **Broadcast Lists** | Supported | Will be disabled. Existing lists become read-only. | Not supported. |
| **Voice and Video Calls** | Supported | No change | Not supported. |
| **Business Tools (Catalog, Orders, Status)** | Supported | No change | Not supported. See API docs for catalog usage. |
| **Messaging Tools (Templates, Greetings, etc.)** | Supported | No change | Not supported. Configure via Rapidbott Dashboard/WhatsApp manager. |
| **Business Profile (Name, Address, etc.)** | Supported | No change | Not supported. Configure via Rapidbott Dashboard/WhatsApp manager. |
| **Channels** | Supported | No change | Not supported. |
### FAQs
Eligibility for WhatsApp Business API Access
While the WhatsApp Business API is now accessible for App numbers, it is intended for businesses that are **already actively using the WhatsApp Business App and looking to scale their messaging capabilities**. Businesses with newly created Business App accounts are not immediately eligible for API access.
Eligibility is determined based on factors such as account tenure and messaging quality to ensure a reliable and effective messaging experience. **Meta recommends businesses to use Coexistence only if they are already using the WhatsApp Business App consistently and can benefit from advanced API tools to scale operations.**
Can a business use their WhatsApp API number to register on the WhatsApp Business App?
No, this process only works for numbers registered in the App. If the number is connected to the WhatsApp API, this CoExistence Onboarding won't work.
Is this solution applicable to larger enterprises?
The primary use case is to assist SMBs that have not previously onboarded to the WhatsApp Business API. The solution is not specifically designed for larger enterprises.
Will businesses with Meta Verified blue badges on WhatsApp Business App maintain their verification when connecting to the WhatsApp Business API?
Currently, the blue badge verification does not transfer between the WhatsApp Business App and Cloud API. You will need to go through the OBA process.
Are marketing messages sent from the Rapidbott platform via Cloud API supported on the WhatsApp Business App?
Yes, both the WhatsApp Business App and Cloud API support the same types of messages, including Marketing, Utility, Service, and Authentication messages.
### **Getting Started: Account Creation**
To onboard an existing number to the WhatsApp Business API, see our documentation below:
{% content-ref url="/pages/DlhmIWNPrtJliHpdX5GS" %}
[Step-by-Step Coexistence Onboarding](/help-center/platform/whatsapp-channel/connect-with-whatsapp-cloud-api/step-by-step-coexistence-onboarding.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}
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