Understand WhatsApp sender registration
Registering a WhatsApp sender is the first step to start using WhatsApp for business communication on the Infobip platform. You can complete this process using embedded signup, a Meta feature that simplifies the setup of your WhatsApp Business Account (WABA).
Sender registration is a self-service option available in the Infobip interface. It guides you through each step, helping you register your sender quickly and prepare your business for user communication on WhatsApp.
The WhatsApp sender registration is managed by Meta. However, if you encounter any issues, contact our Support (opens in a new tab).
WhatsApp Cloud Business
Infobip offers WhatsApp Cloud Business integrated with Meta's Cloud API.
The communication process is as follows:
- Your business initiates communication by sending a message to the Infobip platform.
- Infobip processes the message: verifies details, executes billing and routing, and forwards the message to the WhatsApp platform through Meta's Cloud API.
- WhatsApp delivers the message to the end user's device.
Effective July 1, 2024, Meta has discontinued registration of new senders as hosted senders. All new senders must be registered exclusively as Cloud senders.
Sender registration overview
To take full advantage of WhatsApp for business communication through Infobip solutions, follow these steps:
- Take note of all the prerequisites and specifications needed for a successful registration.
- Complete the sender registration to register your WhatsApp sender.
- Submit business verification. You do not need to have your business verified to start messaging your customers. However, note that remaining unverified may lead to account restrictions or blocks.
- Await Meta's review and approval of your display name. Your requested display name becomes eligible for review once your business becomes verified and qualifies for higher messaging limits.
- Request Official Business Account (OBA) status if you want the blue checkmark beside your display name, which signifies a verified and trusted business.
You can start messaging customers immediately after completing the sender registration process without needing to complete business verification or display name review. However, unverified businesses are subject to certain limitations and risk having their accounts restricted or blocked at any time.
Each step is explained in more detail in the sections below. Follow the guide to successfully register your WhatsApp sender and get your account ready for business communication! 
All Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) (opens in a new tab) must enroll as Tech Providers with Meta by December 31, 2025, to continue using and offering the WhatsApp channel. This requirement comes from Meta's updated Tech Provider program. For more information about the migration, refer to the Migrate from ISV to Tech Provider Program section.
Account types
A WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) is required to use the WhatsApp Business Platform for customer communication. It allows businesses to manage senders, message templates, and messaging limits. Each WABA can contain multiple phone numbers and supports different account types.
To create and manage a WABA, businesses must have a Meta business portfolio (opens in a new tab). A Meta business portfolio is a central account used to manage business assets across Meta platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Meta also uses your business portfolio to verify your business through business verification.
| Meta business portfolio | WhatsApp Business Account |
|---|---|
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Each WABA can contain multiple phone numbers and support different account types:
- Business account: The default account type for all registered businesses.
- Unverified business account: The business has not undergone business verification.
- Verified business account: The business has successfully completed the business verification process.
- Official Business Account (OBA): A verified account with a blue checkmark, signifying a notable brand.
Unverified business account
A business account is automatically assigned to all businesses using the WhatsApp Business Platform once they complete the sender registration process, allowing them to begin messaging their customers.
- The display name is not visible in most chat views, and only the phone number is shown.
- Users see the display name in small text next to the phone number in the contacts view.
- You can still communicate with customers but may face limitations in messaging and feature access.
- You can provide additional information, such as a website, address, and business hours, to enhance your profile.
- Send templated messages to up to 250 end users within any 24-hour period. This limit is calculated on a rolling basis, meaning messages sent more than 24 hours ago no longer count toward the limit.
- Register up to 2 WhatsApp senders. You can assign them to the same WABA or split them between the two WABAs.
Although you can start messaging your customers immediately once you complete the sender registration process, unverified businesses run the risk of having their accounts restricted or blocked.
Verified business account
A verified business account is an account that has completed the sender registration process and business verification and received approval for its display name.
- WhatsApp uses the business verification process to confirm your business as a legal entity.
- The display name is visible in the contacts view, increasing brand recognition.
- The account gains access to higher messaging limits.
- Verified business accounts start with a limit of 2 registered WhatsApp senders, which can increase to 20. If your business is verified or initiates 1,000 or more business-initiated conversations within a 30-day rolling period using high-quality templates, Meta may decide to raise your limit. However, this is at Meta's discretion. You can assign senders to the same WABA or split them between multiple WABAs.
Businesses that want the blue checkmark badge must also meet WhatsApp’s notability criteria (opens in a new tab) and request the Official Business Account (OBA) status.
Official Business Account (OBA)
A WhatsApp Official Business Account (OBA) is a verified and notable business account that WhatsApp recognizes as an authentic brand.
- OBAs feature a blue checkmark next to the display name in chat lists, chat screens, and contacts.
- The display name is always visible, even if the user has not saved the business in their contact list.
- This verification enhances credibility and brand trust.
Request an Official Business Account status
To qualify for an Official Business Account, a business must:
- Be notable, for example, representing a well-known or widely searched brand.
- Complete business verification to verify the business through WhatsApp.
How to request an Official Business Account:
- Businesses can request OBA verification through WhatsApp Manager after completing business verification and enabling 2FA.
- Requests must include supporting materials (for example, news articles from reputable sources) to demonstrate brand notability.
- WhatsApp does not guarantee approval; denied requests can only be resubmitted after 30 days.
For more details, refer to the Official Business Account guidelines (opens in a new tab).
Limitations of an Official Business Account limitations
- Not all verified businesses qualify for OBA status.
- OBAs are assigned at the phone number and display name level, so changing the display name after approval requires a new review.
- Having one OBA does not guarantee approval for other numbers under the same WABA.
If your business is located in Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Mexico, or the United Kingdom, end users can search and find your Official Business Account (OBA).
Limitations
Different WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) types have specific limitations on features such as messaging capacity, display name visibility, and verification status. Businesses using unverified accounts may face certain restrictions, while verified accounts and Official Business Accounts (OBAs) have greater flexibility and access to enhanced features. Understanding these limitations can help businesses choose the right path to verification and optimize their use of the WhatsApp Business Platform.
Use the table below to compare the limitations and capabilities of each WhatsApp account type.
| Feature | Unverified business account | Verified business account | Official Business Account (OBA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of notifications | 250 | Unlimited* | Unlimited* |
| Number of senders (phone numbers) | 2 | Up to 20** | Unlimited |
| Number of responses to inbound communications | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Display name | Only in contacts view | Yes*** | Yes*** |
| Verified badge | No | No | Yes |
| * depends on the message tier ** At Meta's discretion *** depends on the sender's location. Refer to Display name section | |||
Sender specifications
A WhatsApp sender refers to a phone number that serves as your identifier and an associated display name to represent your brand in customer interactions. To ensure compliance with WhatsApp policies, both must meet specific criteria before registration.
Phone number
You need a valid phone number to register a WhatsApp sender. This number serves as your business identifier and must meet the following criteria:
- Format: It must be in E.164 international format (opens in a new tab) and be reachable internationally.
- Verification: The number must be active during the registration process, meaning it must be able to receive a two-factor authentication (2FA) (opens in a new tab) code through SMS or voice call.
- Restrictions:
- Short codes (opens in a new tab) and toll-free numbers are not supported.
- Numbers under an IVR (Interactive Voice Response) (opens in a new tab) system cannot be registered using the sender registration process. Contact your Infobip account manager or Support (opens in a new tab) for assistance if your phone number is under IVR.
- If you wish to use a phone number already registered with any version of WhatsApp, you must first delete the associated account to enable its use for business purposes.
- Organizations with government affiliation: If your organization has a government affiliation, you will need additional approval from WhatsApp. Contact your Infobip account manager or Support (opens in a new tab) for guidance.
Display name
The display name is what customers see when interacting with your business on WhatsApp, appearing in contacts, chat headers, chat lists, and profiles.
You do not need to initiate a display name review to start messaging customers. However, the visibility and placement of your display name depend on the status of your account:
- Unverified business account: For accounts that have not completed business verification, the display name appears in small text next to the phone number in the contacts view but does not appear in the chat list or individual chats.
- Verified business account: Once business verification is completed and the display name is approved, it becomes visible in the chat list and individual chat threads, enhancing brand recognition.
- Official Business Account (OBA): The display name, accompanied by a blue checkmark badge, is prominently displayed in the chat list, chat screens, chat groups, and contacts view, fully replacing the phone number.
Senders in Columbia, Indonesia, Mexico: Your display name is always visible to the end user.
Your display name must meet the following requirements to get Meta's approval:
| Guideline | Example |
|---|---|
| Policy compliance | The name must adhere to the WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy (opens in a new tab).
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| Accurate representation | The name must reflect your business, service, product, or department. Avoid generic terms (for example, Fashion), geographic locations (for example, New York), terms implying verification (for example, Official), or names of Meta products (for example, Facebook).
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| Consistency with branding | The name must match your external branding, such as your website or marketing materials.
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| Clear association | The name must clearly relate to your legal business name. Use by [company name] if the relationship is not obvious. Do not use the legal name of an organization not mentioned on any external websites. For agencies, distributors, partners, or parent companies, ensure the relationship is evident on both business websites.
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These rules do not apply if a business or an organization already brands this way.
Display name rejection
A display name may be rejected if it does not meet WhatsApp guidelines, such as using special characters, generic terms, or unauthorized trademarks. You can check the status of the display name and the reason for rejection in Business Manager (opens in a new tab). To proceed, contact your Infobip account manager or Support (opens in a new tab) and provide a compliant display name for re-evaluation.