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WhatsApp Coexistence Solution
Use WhatsApp Business App & API Together on One Number
Businesses today face a common challenge:
How do you scale WhatsApp conversations with automation without losing the simplicity and familiarity of the WhatsApp Business App?
Meta has addressed this challenge with WhatsApp Coexistence, a powerful feature that allows businesses to use the WhatsApp Business App and WhatsApp Business API simultaneously on the same phone number.
With Chat ON Desk’s WhatsApp Coexistence Solution, businesses can now combine:
- Manual, personal conversations via the WhatsApp Business App
- Automation, chatbots, broadcasts, and CRM integrations via the WhatsApp Cloud API
—all without migrating numbers, losing chat history, or disrupting daily operations.
What Is WhatsApp Coexistence?
WhatsApp Coexistence is an official Meta capability that allows a single WhatsApp Business number to be connected to both:
- The WhatsApp Business App (mobile)
- The WhatsApp Business Cloud API (via a Meta Partner like Chat ON Desk)
This means businesses no longer have to choose between:
- Human conversations OR
- Automation and integrations
They can now use both together.
Key Benefits of WhatsApp Coexistence
1. One Unified WhatsApp Number
No need to purchase or verify a new number for the API.
Your existing WhatsApp Business App number continues to work.
2. Zero Chat History Loss
Unlike traditional API onboarding, coexistence allows you to:
- Retain existing chats
- Preserve contacts
- Continue conversations seamlessly
3. Best of App + API Features
Use both worlds together:
WhatsApp Business App Features
- Voice & video calls
- Groups
- Product catalogs
- Quick replies
- Manual 1:1 chats
WhatsApp Business API Features
- Chatbots & AI automation
- Bulk broadcasts
- CRM & helpdesk integrations
- Analytics & reporting
- Multi-agent inbox
4. Scale Without Losing Personal Touch
Sales or support teams can continue replying from the app, while automation handles:
- FAQs
- Order updates
- Lead qualification
- Follow-ups
How WhatsApp Coexistence Works (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Start Setup via Chat ON Desk
The onboarding begins through Chat ON Desk’s Meta-approved WhatsApp onboarding flow. When you configure Embedded Signup for WhatsApp Business app phone numbers, a business customer who goes through the flow will be given the option to connect their existing WhatsApp Business app account to Cloud API.
If they choose this option and enter their WhatsApp Business app phone number.
Step 2: Embedded Signup & QR Linking
- Open your WhatsApp Business App
- A prompt appears to link your number
- Scan the QR code shown during setup
Step 3: Choose Chat Sync Preference
You can:
- Sync new incoming messages only
- Or allow limited history visibility (as per Meta rules)
Step 4: Coexistence Activated
Once connected:
- Messages sent from the app appear in Chat ON Desk
- Messages sent via API appear in the app
- Conversations are “echoed” across both systems
Who Should Use WhatsApp Coexistence?
This solution is ideal for:
- Businesses upgrading from WhatsApp Business App to API
- Teams that want automation without retraining staff
- Sales-driven organizations needing voice/video calls
- Support teams wanting CRM visibility + app simplicity
- Growing businesses that are not ready for full API-only workflows
WhatsApp Coexistence vs Standard WhatsApp Cloud API
Key Limitations of WhatsApp Coexistence (Important to Know)
While coexistence is powerful, it is not identical to a pure Cloud API setup.
1. Message Control Is Shared
- Messages can be sent from both app and API
- Full enforcement of conversation flows is harder than API-only
2. Limited Automation Dominance
- If a human replies from the app, automation pauses
- Best suited for assistive automation, not full replacement
3. Analytics Are Partial
- App-sent messages have limited reporting visibility
- API analytics remain fully trackable
4. No Advanced Template Governance
- App users can still send free-text messages
- Template discipline is harder compared to API-only numbers
5. Scaling Has Practical Limits
- Works best for small to mid-sized teams
- Enterprises may eventually move to full Cloud API
6. Linked Devices
Businesses can link up to four WhatsApp “companion” clients to their WhatsApp Business app account on other devices.
All companion clients are supported, except for WhatsApp for Windows and WhatsApp for WearOS.
Once a business customer onboards to Cloud API with an existing WhatsApp Business app account and number, all companion apps will be unlinked from the account, and the business can then re-link any supported companion apps.
WhatsApp users who use an unsupported companion client to message an onboarded business can do so, but the message will not trigger messages webhooks, so the business won’t be able to mirror the message in their own app.
Messages sent from an onboarded business (by any means) that are viewed in an unsupported companion device will appear with placeholder text, instructing the WhatsApp user to view the message in their primary device.
Summary:
WhatsApp Coexistence is perfect for transition and hybrid use, while Cloud API-only is better for large-scale, fully automated operations.
| Existing feature on the WhatsApp Business App | Changes AFTER onboarding to Cloud API | Supported on Cloud API? |
|---|---|---|
| Individual (1:1) chats | Message Edit/Revoke is no longer supported. | Supported All chat messages in the most recent 6 months can be synchronized. Messages are mirrored between Cloud API and the app. |
| Contacts | No change. | Supported All contacts with a WhatsApp number can be synchronized. |
| Group chats | No change. | Not supported Group chats will not be synchronized. |
| Disappearing messages | Disabled for all individual (1:1) chats | Not supported |
| View once messages | Disabled for all individual (1:1) chats | Not supported |
| Live location message | Disabled for all individual (1:1) chats | Not supported |
| Broadcast lists | Broadcast lists will be disabled. Cannot create new lists. Existing lists become read-only. | Not supported |
| Voice and video calls | No change. | Not supported |
| Business tools (catalog, orders, status) | No change. | Not supported |
| Messaging tools (greeting, away message, labels, etc.) | No change. | Not supported |
| Business profile (name, address, website) | No change. | Not supported |
| Channels | No change. | Not supported |
Why Choose Chat ON Desk for WhatsApp Coexistence?
Chat ON Desk is a Meta-badged WhatsApp Business Partner offering:
- Official WhatsApp Cloud API access
- Coexistence-ready onboarding
- AI chatbots & automation
- Multi-agent shared inbox
- CRM, Shopify, WooCommerce integrations
- Indian billing (INR support)
- Local onboarding & support
You get compliance, scalability, and flexibility—all in one platform.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes. It is an official Meta feature available through approved onboarding flows.
Yes. Voice and video calls remain available via the WhatsApp Business App.
No. Your existing chats remain on the device. New messages sync across systems.
Yes, via the WhatsApp API using approved templates.
It is best for small to mid-scale teams. Enterprises usually migrate to API-only setups.
Yes. You can later transition fully to Cloud API if required.
Final Thoughts: The Smart Way to Scale WhatsApp
WhatsApp Coexistence is not just a feature—it is a strategic bridge between manual communication and automation.
With Chat ON Desk’s WhatsApp Coexistence Solution, businesses can:
- Scale confidently
- Retain human touch
- Avoid operational disruption
- Unlock automation at their own pace
If you are currently using the WhatsApp Business App and want to upgrade without risk, coexistence is the smartest path forward.