# Connect the WhatsApp Business API (dedicated number)

> Connect a new or unused number to watsi through the official WhatsApp API (Cloud API). When to choose it, how to connect it and how it differs from Coexistence.

Source: https://docs.watsi.ai/en/whatsapp/business-api

**WhatsApp Business API** (also called Cloud API) connects a dedicated number to watsi through Meta's official API. The number lives in watsi, not on a phone: your whole team answers from the same place and you get every watsi feature, calls included. In exchange, the WhatsApp Business app stops working for that number, so it's best to use a new number or one you don't use in the app.

## When to choose it

Choose Cloud API if you're dedicating a new number to watsi and want every feature. If you already answer from the WhatsApp Business app and want to keep doing so, choose [WhatsApp Coexistence](/whatsapp/coexistence).

- **Pros**
    Every watsi feature, calls included. The number doesn't depend on your phone being on. Your
    whole team answers from the same place.
- **Cons**
    The WhatsApp Business app stops working for that number. There is no history to import. You need
    a new number, or one unused in the app.

## How to connect

### Choose Cloud API
    In the activation wizard, at the **Connect your WhatsApp!** step, select **Cloud API** ("A new
    number, for watsi only."). From **Integrations**, connect the **WhatsApp Business** card and
    choose **Connect with watsi only (Cloud API)**.
### Complete Meta's window
    Click **Connect WhatsApp**. In Meta's window, log in with your Facebook account, pick or create
    your business portfolio and follow the instructions to register the number.
### Confirm the connection
    When it's done you'll see **Connected number** with your number, and in Integrations it shows up
    as **WhatsApp Business API**.

> **Warning**
  The connection type is chosen once per number: it can't be switched to Coexistence from watsi
  afterwards.

If the connection fails, watsi tells you why and lets you **Retry connection**. The most common cases:

- **You closed Meta's window before finishing.** Try again.
- **That number is already connected to another WhatsApp Business account.** Release it there or use a different number.
- **Meta rejected the number's details.** Check that the number and the business are verified, then retry.

## Your previous history

A number connected through Cloud API brings no previous conversations into watsi. If you need to keep them, export them with **watsi Exportador de Chats**, the Chrome extension that reads your chats from WhatsApp Web and saves them to your computer.

## Disconnect

To disconnect the number, go to **Integrations**. Keep in mind that with Cloud API the number **is deregistered at Meta**: you stop sending and receiving on it, and reconnecting requires registering it again.

## Related

- [WhatsApp Coexistence](/whatsapp/coexistence)
    Keep the app on your phone on the same number.
- [Can my number get banned?](/whatsapp/number-safety)
    The 24-hour window, templates and good practices.

## FAQ

### Can I keep using the WhatsApp Business app with Cloud API?

No. When you connect a number through Cloud API, the WhatsApp Business app stops working for that number and your whole team answers from watsi. If you want to keep the app, use Coexistence.

### Are my previous conversations imported with Cloud API?

No. A number connected through Cloud API brings no history into watsi. If you need your previous chats, you can export them with the watsi Chrome extension.