How to Switch From WhatsApp to WhatsApp Business

If customers already message your personal WhatsApp number, switching to the free WhatsApp Business app gives you a business profile, catalogue, quick replies and automatic messages — without changing your number.

Before you switch

• Back up your chats in WhatsApp's settings (to Google Drive on Android or iCloud on iPhone).
• Decide whether the number should be business-only. A number can only be used in one WhatsApp app at a time.
• Have your business details ready: name, category, address, opening hours, website and a logo.

Making the switch

1. Install WhatsApp Business from the App Store or Google Play.
2. Open it, agree to the terms and enter the same phone number.
3. When offered, allow the transfer of your existing chats and media.
4. Verify the number with the code you receive.
5. Set up your business profile and display name.

Your existing chats move with you. Moving back from Business to the personal app later is possible, but some business information won't transfer.

Set up the essentials

• Greeting message for first-time contacts.
• Away message outside opening hours.
• Quick replies for your most common answers.
• A catalogue of products or services.
• Labels to organise chats (new lead, order, paid, follow-up).

The Business app is the right start. The API is the right next step when one phone isn't enough.

When to move to the API

Once several people need to answer, you want automation and integrations, or you'd like to send opt-in campaigns at scale, the WhatsApp Business API is the natural upgrade. With coexistence, you can even keep using the Business app on the same number while adding the API.