## Which method is right for you?

| Your situation                                                                                                                                         | Use                                                                                                     |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| You are on Chatwoot Cloud and connecting a **new number**                                                                                              | **Quick setup with Meta** (page 3)                                                                      |
| Your number is **in the WhatsApp Business app** and you want to keep using the app on your phone                                                       | **Quick setup with Meta** and choose to connect your existing app (page 3). This is called Coexistence. |
| Your number is **already on the WhatsApp Business Platform (API)**, you are a **tech provider** onboarding your own number, or you are **self-hosted** | **Manual setup** (page 4)                                                                               |
| You already send SMS or WhatsApp through **Twilio** and want to keep billing there                                                                     | **Twilio** (page 5). Note that campaigns and calling are not available with Twilio.                     |

Not sure which features you need? Check **Your connection method decides what you can use** in [WhatsApp in Chatwoot.](https://chatwoot.help/hc/user-guide/articles/1677832735-how-to-setup-a-whats_app-channel)

## Before you start (all methods)

* You are an **administrator** in Chatwoot.

* For WhatsApp Cloud API: you can sign in to Facebook with an account that is an **admin of the Meta business portfolio** that owns (or will own) the WhatsApp Business Account.

* Your number can receive a verification **SMS or voice call**. Landlines need voice verification. Numbers that answer with an automated phone menu (IVR) are not supported by Meta.

* You have your **business details** ready, and a display name that follows Meta's display name guidelines. See **Display name** in [Manage your WhatsApp number.](https://chatwoot.help/hc/user-guide/articles/1791472075-11-manage-your-whats_app-number)

## Can I switch methods later?

* **Quick setup to manual setup:** possible in some cases, without losing conversations. Chatwoot support checks eligibility first, and it is not available for numbers using Coexistence (the WhatsApp Business app). See [Move a Quick setup inbox to manual setup.](https://chatwoot.help/hc/user-guide/articles/1783938358-migrate-a-whats_app-embedded-signup-inbox-to-manual-setup)

* **Manual setup to Quick setup:** not available from the dashboard.

* **Between Twilio and WhatsApp Cloud API:** this means creating a new inbox. Conversations stay in the old inbox.

## Start

Go to **Settings › Inboxes › Add Inbox › WhatsApp**. You will see two choices:

* **WhatsApp Cloud:** Quick setup with Meta (or manual setup, via the link at the bottom of that screen)

* **Twilio**

![](https://app.chatwoot.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBCRS9SQUFjPSIsImV4cCI6bnVsbCwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--e9ac16e0da44c977798e07e2f0755730ba11f741/wa02-x2-provider-both.png)