WhatsApp Coexistence

WhatsApp Coexistence is a mode that lets businesses run the WhatsApp Business App and the WhatsApp Business API in parallel on the same phone number. Both sides share the chat history and can reply. Introduced by Meta, globally available since November 2025.

What is WhatsApp Coexistence?

WhatsApp Coexistence is an official mode introduced by Meta and globally available since November 2025. It allows businesses to operate the WhatsApp Business App on a smartphone and the WhatsApp Business API through a professional platform like SendSeven simultaneously on a single phone number.

Before Coexistence, businesses had to choose: keep the app or move to the API. With Coexistence, both sides see the same chat history, both can reply, and both stay in real-time sync. Owners keep typing from the familiar app while teams work in parallel from a professional inbox.

How does Coexistence work technically?

Activation happens once during Meta's Embedded Signup flow. The user selects the option that the phone number is already in use with the Business App, scans a QR code with the app, and optionally consents to importing contacts and chat history.

After activation, sync runs both ways through so-called echo messages: when the owner types from the app, the message flows to the API platform via webhook. When the platform sends, the message also appears in the app. Up to 6 months of existing chat history and all contacts transfer at activation; full sync may take up to 24 hours.

Benefits for SMBs

  • Soft API migration – Owners keep their familiar app, the team gets a professional inbox
  • No phone number migration – Existing number stays; customers don't need to change anything
  • Parallel use – AI replies, team inbox, and marketing campaigns run alongside the app
  • Reversible – Coexistence can be disconnected anytime from the Business App settings
  • App messages are free – Messages sent from the app do not trigger any Meta fee

Limitations to know

Coexistence comes with trade-offs. Meta disables a few Business App features so both sides work together cleanly:

  • Disappearing messages, view-once media, and live location are disabled in the app
  • Broadcast lists from the app are no longer available (replaced by professional campaigns)
  • Message editing and revoke in the app no longer work
  • Group chats remain usable in the app but are not visible inside the API platform
  • The Business App must be opened regularly (Meta recommends at least every 14 days), otherwise the Coexistence link can become inactive

Practical example

A bakery with 4 employees has built 800 WhatsApp contacts on the owner's phone using the Business App. With Coexistence, they connect the number to SendSeven on top: the owner keeps replying from the app in the morning, the sales team handles requests during the day from the SendSeven desktop inbox, and an AI bot covers evenings and weekends with answers to common questions. Marketing campaigns (e.g., "New seasonal breads from Monday") go to all opt-in contacts via the campaigns feature. One number, three reply sources, no data loss.

Coexistence on SendSeven

SendSeven supports Coexistence through Meta's official Embedded Signup. Setup time: a few minutes. Plans start at €49/month (Basic); API Only at €9/channel. App messages remain free; API messages at transparent rates. 14-day free trial, no credit card. Full setup steps in our developer guide.