# "How to Connect WhatsApp Cloud API to On-Chat"

> "On-Chat connects to the WhatsApp Cloud API (Meta's hosted WhatsApp Business API) so your team can automate messaging, manage inbound conversations, and send template notifications without hosting your own WhatsApp gateway."

URL: https://on-chat.live/guides/how-to-connect-whatsapp-cloud-api-to-on-chat/
Last updated: 2026-11-14

## Introduction
WhatsApp Cloud API is Meta's cloud-hosted version of the WhatsApp Business API, allowing businesses to send and receive WhatsApp messages without managing their own server infrastructure. By connecting WhatsApp Cloud to On-Chat, your support team gets a fully managed, scalable WhatsApp inbox with automation, routing, and reporting built in.

**SEO Keywords:** WhatsApp Cloud API, Meta WhatsApp Cloud, WhatsApp Business Cloud API On-Chat, WhatsApp inbox automation, WhatsApp Cloud integration

## Prerequisites
Before you begin:
- An active **Meta Business Manager** account with admin access
- A **WhatsApp Business Account (WABA)** approved in Meta Business Manager
- A verified phone number added and approved in WhatsApp Manager
- A **System User Access Token** with `whatsapp_business_messaging` permission
- Admin access to your On-Chat workspace

## Step 1: Open On-Chat channel settings
In your On-Chat workspace go to **Settings → Channels → Add Channel** and select **WhatsApp Cloud** from the Social Network Channels section.

## Step 2: Enter your Phone Number ID and credentials
From your [Meta Business Manager](https://business.facebook.com), copy your **Phone Number ID** and **WhatsApp Business Account ID**. Paste these into the corresponding fields in On-Chat's WhatsApp Cloud channel setup.

## Step 3: Add your System User Access Token
Generate a permanent System User Access Token in Meta Business Manager (**Settings → System Users**). Grant it the `whatsapp_business_messaging` and `whatsapp_business_management` permissions. Paste the token into On-Chat.

## Step 4: Set up the webhook in Meta
On-Chat will show you a **Webhook URL** and a **Verify Token**. In the Meta Developer portal navigate to your app → **WhatsApp → Configuration → Webhook** and enter both. Click **Verify and Save**.

## Step 5: Subscribe to message events
Under the webhook settings in Meta, click **Manage** and subscribe to the **messages** field. This routes all inbound WhatsApp messages to On-Chat in real time.

## Step 6: Verify and activate in On-Chat
Return to On-Chat and click **Save Channel**. The channel status will show **Active** once the webhook handshake is confirmed.

## Step 7: Create your first inbox
Assign the WhatsApp Cloud channel to an On-Chat inbox. Configure working hours, auto-response messages, and assign agents or teams who will handle incoming conversations.

## Step 8: Test with a live message
Send a WhatsApp message to your business number from a personal phone. Confirm it arrives in your On-Chat inbox, then reply to verify outbound delivery.

## Best Practices
- Store your System User Access Token securely and rotate it periodically
- Pre-register message templates in Meta for proactive outreach beyond the 24-hour messaging window
- Use On-Chat labels to tag conversations by topic, urgency, or product line
- Enable read receipts to track when customers have seen your replies

## Keep reading

- [How to Build a WhatsApp Chatbot Without Code](https://on-chat.live/guides/how-to-build-a-whatsapp-chatbot/): A step-by-step tutorial for building a dynamic WhatsApp chatbot in a visual flow builder, from your first message to live data and agent handoff.
- [Chatbot Flow Design: 12 Best Practices](https://on-chat.live/guides/chatbot-flow-design-best-practices/): Practical rules for designing chatbot conversation flows that customers finish: branching, fallbacks, personalisation, handoff and testing.
- [Make Your Chatbot Dynamic with Webhooks](https://on-chat.live/guides/dynamic-chatbot-webhooks/): Connect your chatbot flows to live data. Learn how webhooks, expressions and splits turn a scripted bot into one that answers with real information.