Beginner guide · Phone number

Which phone number can I use for the WhatsApp API?

The phone number is the one thing every WhatsApp Business API setup needs. Here are Meta's rules for it in simple words — mobile or landline, a number already on WhatsApp, how many numbers you can add, and the display name and PIN that come with it.

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Last updated: 5 November 2026

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Quick answer

Any normal number you own that can get a code by SMS or call

Meta says the number must be owned by you, have a country and area code (short codes are not supported) and be able to receive SMS or voice calls for the verification code. Landlines and toll-free numbers can work with the voice-call code. A number already on WhatsApp must be deleted from it first — or, if it is on the WhatsApp Business app, connected with coexistence.

Meta's phone number rules

Meta's rules

Which numbers work and which don't

Type of number	Can I use it?	What to know
Mobile number you own		Verify it with the code Meta sends by SMS or voice call.
Landline (fixed line)		Choose the voice-call code — Meta lists SMS codes as not recommended for landlines.
Toll-free (freephone) number		Choose the voice-call code — Meta lists SMS codes as not recommended for toll-free numbers.
Number behind an IVR menu	Only in some cases	It must accept calls from international numbers and pass the call to a real person — Meta's registration call can't press menu options.
Short code (e.g. a 5-digit SMS code)	—	Meta needs a full number with a country and area code.
Number banned on WhatsApp	Not until unbanned	It first has to be unbanned through WhatsApp's appeal process.
Number on the regular WhatsApp app	After deleting it	A number already in use with WhatsApp must be deleted from the app first.
Number on the WhatsApp Business app		Delete it from the app first, or keep using the app too with coexistence. App and API on one number →

Source: Meta for Developers — Business phone numbers; Lead Pattern Help Center — Connect WhatsApp.

How many numbers can I add? Meta says a new business portfolio can register up to 2 business phone numbers. Once your business is verified, or reaches a messaging limit of 2,000, Meta automatically raises the cap to 20. Keep in mind that the messaging limit is shared by all numbers in the same portfolio. [Messaging limits →](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/messaging-limits)

The display name goes with the number Every number needs a display name — the business name customers see on your WhatsApp Business profile. You give it when you register the number, and Meta reviews it against its display-name guidelines. A rejected name can be edited and resubmitted.

The two-step verification PIN Meta requires a two-step verification PIN when you register the number. You need this PIN again to change it or to delete the number from the platform, and it can only be switched off in WhatsApp Manager. Store it somewhere safe. [Forgot the PIN or got a registration error? →](/guides/whatsapp-number-registration-errors)

Changing or removing a number later - Only an admin of the business portfolio can delete a business phone number. - Meta won't let you delete a number that sent paid messages in the last 30 days. - A number can be moved from one WhatsApp Business Account to another.

In Lead Pattern

Connecting your number takes 4 steps

Lead Pattern connects through Meta's own Embedded Signup popup. Keep the phone (or the landline) next to you for the code.

Start WhatsApp setup

On the Home dashboard choose Connect with WhatsApp — or Connect Existing WhatsApp Business App to keep using a number that's already on the WhatsApp Business app.

Log in to Meta and pick your business

Add and verify the number

Enter the business phone number and verify it with the code Meta sends.

Finish and return

When Meta confirms, the popup closes and Lead Pattern links the number to your workspace.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use my personal mobile number for the WhatsApp Business API?+

Meta's rule is that the number must be owned by you and able to receive an SMS or call. If it is active on the regular WhatsApp app, it must be deleted from that app first — you then can't use it for personal WhatsApp chats.

Can I use a landline for the WhatsApp Business API?+

Yes. Choose the voice-call option for the verification code — Meta lists SMS codes as not recommended for landlines.

Can I use a toll-free number?+

Yes, if it can receive Meta's verification call. Meta lists the voice-call code as standard for toll-free numbers.

Can I keep using my number on the WhatsApp Business app?+

Yes, with coexistence: choose Connect Existing WhatsApp Business App on the Lead Pattern Home dashboard and Meta's popup walks you through it. How coexistence works →

How many WhatsApp numbers can one business have on the API?+

Meta allows up to 2 registered numbers for a new business portfolio, raised automatically to 20 once the business is verified or reaches a 2,000 messaging limit.

Keep reading

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Which phone number can I use for the WhatsApp API?

Which numbers work and which don't

The display name goes with the number Every number needs a display name — the business name customers see on your WhatsApp Business profile. You give it when you register the number, and Meta reviews it against its display-name guidelines. A rejected name can be edited and resubmitted.

Changing or removing a number later - Only an admin of the business portfolio can delete a business phone number. - Meta won't let you delete a number that sent paid messages in the last 30 days. - A number can be moved from one WhatsApp Business Account to another.

Connecting your number takes 4 steps

Start WhatsApp setup

Log in to Meta and pick your business

Add and verify the number

Finish and return

Frequently asked questions

Related beginner guides

WhatsApp Business API for beginners

Who can get the API?

App and API on one number

Documents needed

Meta business verification

Setup checklist

Move an app number to the API

WhatsApp app vs API

Get the official WhatsApp Business API — free setup, 14-day trial.

Which phone number can I use for the WhatsApp API?

Which numbers work and which don't

The display name goes with the number Every number needs a **display name** — the business name customers see on your WhatsApp Business profile. You give it when you register the number, and Meta reviews it against its display-name guidelines. A rejected name can be edited and resubmitted.

Changing or removing a number later - Only an admin of the business portfolio can delete a business phone number. - Meta won't let you delete a number that sent paid messages in the last 30 days. - A number can be moved from one WhatsApp Business Account to another.

Connecting your number takes 4 steps

Start WhatsApp setup

Log in to Meta and pick your business

Add and verify the number

Finish and return

Frequently asked questions

Related beginner guides

WhatsApp Business API for beginners

Who can get the API?

App and API on one number

Documents needed

Meta business verification

Setup checklist

Move an app number to the API

WhatsApp app vs API

Get the official WhatsApp Business API — free setup, 14-day trial.

The display name goes with the number Every number needs a display name — the business name customers see on your WhatsApp Business profile. You give it when you register the number, and Meta reviews it against its display-name guidelines. A rejected name can be edited and resubmitted.