Connecting a brand-new WhatsApp number
Use this option only if the number is not on WhatsApp at all — for example a new SIM you've never used for WhatsApp. It's entirely self-serve from your dashboard, with no Meta Business Manager and no developer setup.
First: is this number already on WhatsApp?
If you already use WhatsApp or the WhatsApp Business app on this number, don't use this option. Choose "Use my existing WhatsApp number" instead — you keep your chats and your app exactly as they are. See Connecting your existing WhatsApp number.
Here's why. A number registered this way works through Respondly only — it can't also be used in the WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business app. To register a number that's already on WhatsApp, its WhatsApp account must first be deleted (Settings → Account → Delete Account on the phone), which erases its chats. In practice the verification code often never arrives for a number that's still active on WhatsApp — this is the most common reason people get stuck.
The steps
- From your dashboard's Connect WhatsApp screen, choose "Register a brand-new number" (~2 minutes).
- Tick the box confirming the number is not currently used on WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business.
- Enter your number in international format (e.g.
+91 98765 43210). - Enter the 6-digit code sent to that number by SMS. If the SMS doesn't arrive, request a voice call.
- Done — leads who message that number now get instant AI responses.
If the code doesn't arrive, see WhatsApp verification code not received.