Connect WhatsApp
One click on “Connect WhatsApp” opens a Meta window. There you choose your business, your WhatsApp account and your number – missing something (a Meta business, a WhatsApp account)? Meta creates it for you in this window. The-Y does the rest. You stay the owner of your account; Meta bills you directly.
- Try WhatsApp in the CRM in the demo — with sample conversations, templates and the Meta hub, all simulated.
- If you know your way around Meta: Advanced: your own Meta app (manual setup with your own Meta app).
- Questions? Write to us at office@the-y.at.
- A personal Facebook account you use (or want to use) to manage your business on Meta.
- A phone number that can receive SMS or calls – landlines work too. Either a number that is not registered in any WhatsApp app, or your number from the WhatsApp Business app that you want to keep.
- The admin role in the CRM (permission “manage settings”). Takes about 5–10 minutes.
Two ways – pick one
📱 Keep the WhatsApp Business app
Already chatting with the WhatsApp Business app on your phone? Choose “Connect WhatsApp Business app (keep app)”. Messages also arrive in the CRM, replies sent from the phone show up there too, and up to 180 days of history are imported.
✨ New number
The number isn't registered in any WhatsApp app? Choose “Connect new number”. Ideal for a dedicated support number or a landline.
What you see and choose in each Meta window
In the CRM: Settings → Channels → WhatsApp → “Connect WhatsApp”. The same guide can be expanded right next to the button.
Log in
Log in with your personal Facebook account and confirm “Continue as …”.
Get started
Meta briefly shows what The-Y CRM may do (manage your WhatsApp account, send messages). Click “Get started” or “Continue”.
Choose or create your business
Choose your Meta business (business portfolio). None yet? “Create a business” – company name, email, country.
Choose or create a WhatsApp account
Choose your WhatsApp Business account or “Create a new WhatsApp Business account”. Way A: choose “Connect existing WhatsApp Business app” here.
Profile: display name and category
The display name is what customers see in WhatsApp. It must match your business (e.g. your company name as on your website).
Enter the phone number
Enter the number. Way A: your WhatsApp Business app shows a notice or a QR code to scan – there you also decide whether your chat history is shared.
Verification code
Way B: choose SMS or phone call. Meta sends a 6-digit code – type it into the window.
Confirm – done
Review the permissions and click “Confirm”. The window closes and the CRM shows “Connected ✓”. The-Y sets up receiving and registers the number automatically.
After connecting, The-Y sets up an access that doesn't expire – if Meta allows it. If not, Meta issues an access with an expiry date (usually 60 days). The channel view then shows how long it's valid, and you get a notice in the CRM plus an email with a “Reconnect now” button 14, 7 and 1 day before. Reconnecting takes a minute – number, conversations and templates are kept.
Common problems and solutions
Meta says onboarding customers isn't possible at the moment
That's not down to you or your account: Meta only lets customers connect through our app once our app has been approved. Until then you can try WhatsApp in the CRM in the demo or connect manually with your own Meta app.
Meta says: “This number is already registered with WhatsApp”
The number is still active in a WhatsApp app. Either use Way A (keep the WhatsApp Business app) – or delete it in the app under Settings → Account → “Delete account” (back up your chats first), wait a few minutes and use Way B. A personal WhatsApp number must be deleted this way or switched to WhatsApp Business first.
Error because of a two-step PIN
The number already has a 6-digit PIN (e.g. from a previous provider). Turn off two-step verification in WhatsApp Manager → Phone numbers → number → Settings → Two-step verification or ask your previous provider for the PIN, then connect again.
The display name is still under review or was rejected
Meta reviews every display name, usually within 1–2 business days. Until then sending may be limited. If rejected: adjust the name so it clearly matches your business and resubmit.
Templates or campaigns are not sent – payment method missing
Messages you start yourself (templates, campaigns) are billed by Meta directly to you. Add a card in WhatsApp Manager → Settings → Payment methods. Replies to customer messages within 24 hours are free according to Meta.
Why can I only message 250 people per day?
Without a verified business, Meta allows new numbers about 250 business-initiated conversations per 24 hours. Verify your business (Meta business portfolio → Security Center → Business verification) – the limit then rises step by step.
The Meta window does not open
Your browser is probably blocking pop-ups. Allow pop-ups for crm.the-y.at (icon on the right of the address bar), turn off ad blockers there and allow cookies from facebook.com. Otherwise try Chrome or Edge.
What error messages mean
The CRM automatically turns Meta errors into a sentence with the next step and shows the code in small print. The most common:
| Code | Meaning | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| 131047 | 24-hour window closed | Send an approved template |
| 131049 | Meta holds back marketing (per-person limit) | Try again in 24 h at the earliest |
| 131030 | Recipient not allowed (test mode) | Connect your real number |
| 131031 | Account locked/restricted or wrong PIN | WhatsApp Manager → account quality |
| 132000 | Placeholders don't match the template | Give every placeholder a value |
| 133010 | Number not registered | Connect again |
| 190 | Connection expired | Reconnect |
| 200 / 100 | Permission missing / value rejected | Connect again, allow all permissions |
Privacy: revoking access
If you delete the WhatsApp channel in the CRM (Settings → Channels), The-Y ends its app subscription to your WhatsApp account and removes its access. Your WhatsApp account, your number and your billing with Meta stay unchanged with you.
Stuck somewhere?
In the CRM, click “We'll help you” next to “Connect WhatsApp”. We receive the last error and the account details (never passwords or access keys), look at the connection and get back to you by email – often with exact click-by-click instructions.