How to Get WhatsApp Business API in India: Step-by-Step Setup (2026)

The WhatsApp Business API — officially the WhatsApp Business Platform — is hosted by Meta and used through a provider like Adswadi. With Meta's Embedded Signup you connect your number yourself in a few minutes, without filling in forms or waiting for someone to approve you.

What you need before you start

• A Facebook account to log in to Meta.
• A Meta business portfolio (earlier called Business Manager). If you don't have one, you can create it during setup.
• A phone number that can receive an OTP by SMS or voice call. Landlines work too, using the voice call option.
• Your business name and a website or social page that shows it — this helps your display name get approved.
• A payment method on your WhatsApp Business Account, so Meta can bill your template messages. You can connect first and add it before your first campaign.

Step-by-step: connect your number with Adswadi

1. Create your Adswadi account — every plan starts with a 7-day free trial.
2. Open Settings → WhatsApp and choose Connect with Facebook.
3. Log in to Facebook and pick your business portfolio, or create one.
4. Create a WhatsApp Business Account: enter your display name, business category and time zone.
5. Add your phone number and enter the OTP Meta sends to it.
6. That's it — Adswadi registers the number and starts receiving your messages automatically.
7. Add a payment method in Meta's WhatsApp Manager (under billing and payments) before you send paid templates.

Getting your display name approved

Your display name is what customers see at the top of the chat, and Meta reviews it. To avoid rejections:

• Use your real business or brand name, matching your website or signage.
• Don't use generic words on their own ("Best Shoes Sale") or the word "WhatsApp".
• Use normal capitalisation — no ALL CAPS unless it's an acronym — and no emojis or special characters.

Do you need business verification?

Not to get started. Unverified businesses can begin messaging right away, with a starting limit of 250 unique customers in a rolling 24 hours for messages you send first (templates). Replies to customers who message you don't count towards this limit.

Business verification is done in Meta's Security Center with documents that show your legal business name and address — such as your GST certificate or certificate of incorporation. Verification lifts you to higher limits and is needed if you later want a verified badge.

WhatsApp messaging limits explained

Since October 2025, messaging limits apply to your whole business portfolio rather than to each phone number. The tiers are:

To move from 250 to 2,000, complete business verification or build a track record of high-quality messages. After that, Meta raises your limit automatically as you use it — as long as your quality rating stays healthy. Adswadi paces broadcasts to your current tier, so a campaign never tries to send more than your number is allowed to.

Your first-week checklist

• Create your first message templates — our template approval guide shows what gets approved.
• Import contacts who have agreed to hear from you.
• Set up a welcome chatbot so no message goes unanswered — see how to build one without coding.
• Start with small, relevant broadcasts and watch your quality rating — here's why numbers get banned and how to avoid it.