# Run Milvao on your own number with the WhatsApp Business Platform

> Milvao uses the official WhatsApp Business Platform, Meta's Cloud API, so members message a business number your community owns, in a WhatsApp Business Account under your own Meta business portfolio. The owner connects it in Settings with the account ID and a permanent token, or Milvao staff connect it with you during the pilot. Meta bills its message charges to your account directly.

Source: https://milvao.com/integrations/whatsapp-business-platform · Updated 2026-11-05

## Key takeaways

- The number belongs to your community, in your own WhatsApp Business Account, not to Milvao.
- Use a new number that isn't on the WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business app. It works with one platform at a time.
- Milvao needs the account ID and a permanent system user token. The token is encrypted and never shown again.
- Four message templates let Milvao write first, for example to offer a request outside the 24-hour window.
- A one-click Connect with Facebook option is planned, waiting for Meta's approval.

## What the WhatsApp Business Platform is

The WhatsApp Business Platform is Meta's way for businesses and software to send and receive WhatsApp messages programmatically, through the Cloud API. Meta's documentation describes business phone numbers used for sending and receiving, webhooks that deliver incoming messages and delivery updates to the business's server, and message templates that generally need approval and are the only messages a business can send outside the customer service window.

It is different from the WhatsApp Business app on a phone. A number on the platform is answered by software or a team, not from one handset, which is why Milvao asks for a number that isn't used in either app.

## Connect your number to the WhatsApp Business Platform

Setting it up takes about 30 minutes in Meta's business tools, then one click in Milvao. The Help Center has the full walkthrough in [Connect your WhatsApp number](https://milvao.com/help/team-and-settings/connect-your-whatsapp-number).

1. Choose a new number that isn't on WhatsApp or the WhatsApp Business app and can receive an SMS or voice call.
2. In Meta's Business settings, create a WhatsApp Business Account under your community's own business portfolio and verify the number.
3. Request access to Milvao's app ID in Business settings, under Apps. Milvao approves the request, usually within a working day.
4. Create a system user, assign it Milvao's app and your WhatsApp account, and generate a token that never expires with the two WhatsApp permissions.
5. Copy your WhatsApp Business Account ID from Business settings, under WhatsApp accounts.
6. In Milvao, open Settings, WhatsApp number, paste the ID and token, and click Check connection.

Check connection saves nothing until the token works and the number belongs to the account. After a passing check the number moves to Testing, Milvao staff confirm a reply reaches you, and then switch it to Active.

## What Milvao checks and stores

| Item | What Milvao does with it |
| --- | --- |
| WhatsApp Business Account ID | Stored to find your number and templates |
| Access token | Encrypted before it is stored, never shown again to you, your operators or Milvao staff |
| Phone number ID | Found by Milvao from your account, or chosen by you if there are several |
| Webhooks | Milvao subscribes so it receives your members' messages |
| Display name and templates | Checked and shown as approved, pending or rejected |

## Message templates Milvao uses

WhatsApp only lets a business start a conversation, or write more than 24 hours after a member's last message, with a template Meta has approved. Milvao submits four in the Utility category: Introduction offer, Contact disclosure, Request update and Profile link. The Help Center shows their exact wording. The [WhatsApp 24-hour window](https://milvao.com/glossary/whatsapp-24-hour-window) entry explains the rule.

## What it costs

Meta charges for some messages on your WhatsApp Business Account, per message, and bills them to the payment method you add in WhatsApp Manager. Those charges are separate from Milvao's plans. Milvao's own [pricing](https://milvao.com/pricing) is a 30-day pilot for ₹4,999, then Starter at ₹2,999 a month.

## Frequently asked questions

### Can I keep using the number in the WhatsApp Business app?

No. A number connected to Milvao works through Meta's Cloud API only, so use a new number for your community.

### Can I use a number that another platform already manages?

Not at the same time. A number works with one platform at a time, so connect a number that no other WhatsApp tool manages.

### Who can connect the number?

Only the workspace owner, in Settings, WhatsApp number. Operators can see its status but can't change it. During a pilot, Milvao staff can connect it with you.

### Does using the platform mean Meta approves Milvao?

Milvao uses the official WhatsApp Business Platform through its own Meta app, which your business grants access to. That is not a partnership with or endorsement by Meta or WhatsApp.

## Sources

- [Meta for Developers: About the WhatsApp Business Platform](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/cloud-api/overview) (checked 2026-11-05)
- [Meta for Developers: Template fundamentals](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/message-templates/guidelines) (checked 2026-11-05)
- [Meta for Developers: Pricing on the WhatsApp Business Platform](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/pricing) (checked 2026-11-05)

## Related pages

- [WhatsApp 24-hour window](https://milvao.com/glossary/whatsapp-24-hour-window)
- [Connect your WhatsApp number (Help Center)](https://milvao.com/help/team-and-settings/connect-your-whatsapp-number)
- [WhatsApp community management software](https://milvao.com/whatsapp-community-management-software)
- [Pricing](https://milvao.com/pricing)