---
title: "Can I use my existing WhatsApp number for the WhatsApp Business API?"
description: "Can you use your existing WhatsApp number for the Business API? Yes: delete the app account first, or keep the Business app through a coexistence partner."
canonical: "https://omnichannels.ai/answers/use-existing-number-whatsapp-api/"
language: "en"
updated: "2026-10-11"
publisher: "BroadNet Technologies"
brand: "OmniChannels.ai"
---

# Can I use my existing WhatsApp number for the WhatsApp Business API?

Canonical: https://omnichannels.ai/answers/use-existing-number-whatsapp-api/
Language: en
Publisher: OmniChannels.ai by BroadNet Technologies

**Short answer:** Usually, yes. Meta lets a WhatsApp Business app number join the Cloud API through Embedded Signup with coexistence, keeping the app working; we confirm during onboarding whether it is available for your account. Any other number on WhatsApp, including a personal one, must first be deleted from the app, losing its chat history. A new number that can receive an SMS or call also works.

## Option 1: delete the app account, then register

Meta states that numbers already in use with WhatsApp cannot be registered on the platform unless they are deleted first. Without partner onboarding, your existing message history is lost, so back it up first. Meta says the disconnected number may take up to 3 minutes to become available. This is the only route for a personal WhatsApp number: coexistence applies to WhatsApp Business app numbers only.

1. Back up your chat history in the app.
2. Delete the WhatsApp account for that number in the app settings.
3. Add the number in Embedded Signup and verify it with the SMS or voice code.
4. Register it on Cloud API; it can no longer be used in the app unless you deregister it.

## Option 2: keep the WhatsApp Business app (coexistence)

A partner that supports Business app number onboarding can connect your WhatsApp Business app account through Embedded Signup. Meta requires app version 2.24.17 or higher. You keep sending one-to-one messages from the app, and the partner can sync the last six months of one-to-one chat history.

- Group chats, broadcast lists and some app features are not supported on the API side.
- Meta fixes throughput for numbers used on both the app and Cloud API at 20 messages per second.
- Messages sent from the app are free and do not affect API pricing.
- Meta gives the partner 24 hours after onboarding to sync the history; otherwise onboarding is cancelled and has to be restarted.

## Which one to choose

Delete and register if the number will be run entirely from your software or inbox. Choose coexistence if staff still need the phone app. Ask your provider which route it supports before you delete anything. A new number that can receive an SMS or voice call for verification avoids both trade-offs.

## Official sources

- [Migrate an existing WhatsApp number to a business account — Meta for Developers](https://developers.facebook.com/documentation/business-messaging/whatsapp/solution-providers/migrate-existing-whatsapp-number-to-a-business-account/)
- [Onboard WhatsApp Business app users — Meta for Developers](https://developers.facebook.com/documentation/business-messaging/whatsapp/embedded-signup/onboarding-business-app-users)
- [Business phone numbers — Meta for Developers](https://developers.facebook.com/documentation/business-messaging/whatsapp/business-phone-numbers/phone-numbers)

## Related questions

- https://omnichannels.ai/answers/how-to-get-whatsapp-business-api/
- https://omnichannels.ai/answers/whatsapp-business-app-vs-api/
- https://omnichannels.ai/answers/switch-whatsapp-api-provider/
- https://omnichannels.ai/answers/whatsapp-api-multiple-agents/

Updated: 2026-10-11