WhatsApp Coexistence

🤖 Explain with AI

4Geeks is a Meta Business Partner (Verified Tech Provider). This partnership allows us to offer advanced integration features, such as WhatsApp Coexistence, ensuring a professional and reliable experience for your business.

What is WhatsApp Coexistence?¶

WhatsApp Coexistence is a Meta feature that allows businesses to use the WhatsApp Business App (on a mobile phone) and the WhatsApp Cloud API (integrated with 4Geeks AI Agents) simultaneously on the same phone number.

Previously, businesses had to choose between the app and the API. With Coexistence, you get the best of both worlds: the simplicity of the mobile app and the power of AI automation.

Benefits¶

• Hybrid Communication: Maintain a personal touch by responding manually to customers via the mobile app, while 4Geeks AI Agents handle automated flows, lead qualification, and 24/7 support via the API.
• Data Continuity: Synchronize up to 6 months of chat history and all your contacts between the app and the API in real-time.
• Seamless Scalability: Upgrade to the power of AI without losing your current conversations or needing a new phone number.
• No Downtime: Transitioning to 4Geeks AI Agents happens instantly without interrupting your current customer service.

Risks and Considerations¶

• Message Throughput: Coexistence mode has a fixed throughput (typically 5 to 20 messages per second), which is lower than a pure API-only setup.
• App Activity: You must open the WhatsApp Business App at least once every 14 days to keep the API connection active.
• Feature Limitations: Some features like Group Chats and Broadcast Lists are not synchronized through the API. Voice and video calls are only available through the mobile app.
• Meta Pricing: While messages sent directly from the app are free, interactions handled via the AI Agent (API) are subject to Meta’s conversation-based pricing.

How to use Coexistence with 4Geeks¶

As a Meta Partner, 4Geeks simplifies the connection process through our platform. Note: By default, all WhatsApp agents created on 4Geeks use the WhatsApp Coexistence feature, allowing your AI and human team to seamlessly share the same number.

Follow these steps to connect your existing WhatsApp Business number to your 4Geeks AI Agent without losing access to your app:

Initiate Connection in 4Geeks

Navigate to the AI Agent setup page in your 4Geeks dashboard and select the option to connect a WhatsApp number. Please keep in mind that the Coexistence option is selected by default to connect your existing WhatsApp Business app account to the Cloud API.

Here you need to login with your Facebook account.

Enter Phone Number & Get Verification Code

Enter the phone number currently active on your WhatsApp Business App. The 4Geeks setup screen will generate a unique verification code for you to copy.

Check your WhatsApp Business App

Open the WhatsApp Business App on your phone. You will receive an automated message from the official Facebook Business Account instructing you to connect.

Connect to the Business Platform

In the chat with the Facebook Business Account, tap the Connect or Connect to the Business Platform button to continue the onboarding process.

Confirm History Sync

You will be asked to grant permissions. Tap the Confirm button in the app to allow 4Geeks to synchronize your chat history and contacts. (Note: Sharing history allows your AI Agent to have context of past conversations up to the last 6 months).

Enter the Verification Code

You will be prompted to paste the verification code you copied from the 4Geeks dashboard in Step 2. Paste the code and submit.

Go Live & Synchronization

Once the code is verified, complete the remainder of the setup flow on 4Geeks.

Behind the scenes, 4Geeks will automatically synchronize your contacts and past messaging history. Your setup is now complete! Your AI Agent will actively handle inquiries while you retain the ability to step in manually via your WhatsApp Business App.

Limitations¶

While using Coexistence, your WhatsApp Business App and 4Geeks AI Agent will mirror messages, but some app features will behave differently:

• Group Chats: Not supported by the Cloud API and will not be synchronized.
• Disappearing / View Once Messages: These features will be turned off and disabled for all individual (1:1) chats.
• Broadcast Lists: You will not be able to create new broadcast lists, and existing ones will become read-only.
• Live Location: Disabled for 1:1 chats.

(Features like Business Tools, Voice/Video calls, and Linked Devices will continue to function normally in your app but are not handled by the AI).

Still questions? Ask the community.