It is important to distinguish between a number currently active on WhatsApp Messenger and a number active on WhatsApp Business.
WhatsApp Classic #
If your number is currently associated with a personal WhatsApp account, it cannot be used simultaneously on both the WhatsApp app and the Spoki platform.
To connect it to Spoki through the official WhatsApp APIs, you must manually delete the existing WhatsApp account. Simply uninstalling the app is not sufficient.
This step is required because WhatsApp only allows one active account per phone number.
WhatsApp Business #
Meta has introduced a feature called Coexistence for WhatsApp Business, which allows a phone number already registered on the WhatsApp Business app to be connected to the WhatsApp APIs and therefore to the Spoki platform as well.
If you want to use a number that is already active on WhatsApp Business with Spoki, simply select the WhatsApp Business number activation option during the onboarding process.
What happens with Coexistence? #
With Coexistence, you can:
- Connect the same WhatsApp Business number to Spoki through the WhatsApp APIs
- Continue using the WhatsApp Business app on your smartphone
- Use automations, chatbots, campaigns, CRM integrations, and centralized conversation management through Spoki
- Continue receiving messages from customers on the same phone number
- View messages from both the WhatsApp Business app and Spoki
In short, your phone number remains the same, but it is also connected to the Spoki platform.
Limitations of this activation method #
By enabling Coexistence, some native features of the WhatsApp Business app may change or become unavailable.
Broadcast Lists #
Native WhatsApp Business broadcast lists will no longer be available.
To send communications to multiple contacts, you will need to use the WhatsApp campaign features available in Spoki.
Automatic Messages #
Some native WhatsApp Business automation features may no longer be available, including:
- Greeting messages
- Away messages
- Quick replies
These features can instead be managed through Spoki’s automation tools.
Labels #
WhatsApp Business labels may no longer be available or synchronized with Spoki.
To organize and segment contacts, you can use the tagging system available within the Spoki platform.
Disappearing Messages and Live Location #
Disappearing (ephemeral) messages may be disabled after connecting your number to the platform.
Live location sharing messages will also be disabled for all one-to-one chats, including within your WhatsApp Business app.
Chat History and Contacts #
Coexistence does not require you to delete your WhatsApp Business account.
Depending on the configuration, contacts and conversations may be synchronized with the platform. The duration and completeness of the synchronization process may vary depending on the amount of data associated with the account and the activation process.
Calls, Groups, and Status Updates #
Traditional WhatsApp groups, status updates, and calls are generally not synchronized or managed through the WhatsApp APIs and therefore cannot be controlled from Spoki.
However, you can take advantage of advanced platform features such as WhatsApp Calls and Spoki Voice, which allow you to manage calls and voice communications directly from within Spoki.
Linked Devices #
After activation, you may need to reconnect certain devices, such as WhatsApp Web or desktop applications.
For additional information, please refer to the official Meta documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions #
Will I lose my phone number? #
No. You will continue using the same phone number.
Do I need to delete WhatsApp Business? #
No. Coexistence allows you to continue using the WhatsApp Business app.
Will my customers notice any difference? #
No. They will continue messaging the same phone number as always.
Can I continue using WhatsApp Business on my phone? #
Yes. This is one of the main advantages of Coexistence.
Can I continue using broadcast lists in the app? #
No. Native WhatsApp Business broadcast lists will no longer be available. To send messages to multiple contacts, you will need to use the campaign tools available in Spoki.
Can I use groups and channels through Spoki? #
No. Groups and channels are not supported through the WhatsApp APIs. However, nothing changes within your WhatsApp Business app, where you can continue using and managing them as usual.
