> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.chatsyncs.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Which WhatsApp Connection Method Is Right for You with ChatSyncs?

> A decision guide to ChatSyncs' WhatsApp connection paths — Cloud API for a new number, Coexistence for an existing one, or manual connection with your own Meta app.

ChatSyncs offers a few different ways to connect a WhatsApp number. Two words come up a lot —
here's what they mean in plain terms before anything else:

* **Cloud API** — a brand-new number dedicated only to ChatSyncs. It stops working in the
  regular WhatsApp app once connected.
* **Coexistence** — your existing number keeps working in the WhatsApp Business App on your
  phone *and* in ChatSyncs, at the same time.

Picking the wrong path first is usually just extra clicks — but knowing the right one up front
saves the detour.

## Start with one question: is there already a number in use?

<Steps>
  <Step title="No — this is a brand-new number">
    Use [How to Connect Your Number to ChatSyncs](/learn/chatsyncs-setup-and-configuration/connect-your-number-to-chatsyncs) — a fresh number just
    for ChatSyncs. Fastest setup, no Meta app to create by hand. The only tradeoff: once
    connected, that number can no longer be used in the regular WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business
    app.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Yes — it's on the WhatsApp Business App, and I want to keep using both">
    Use [How to Connect Your WhatsApp Business App to ChatSyncs](/learn/chatsyncs-overview/connect-your-whatsapp-business-app-to-chatsyncs) — the number keeps working on the
    phone's Business App and in ChatSyncs at the same time. No downtime, no lost history.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Yes — it's on personal WhatsApp">
    Coexistence isn't available for personal accounts. Follow [How to Migrate from WhatsApp App
    to a ChatSyncs Business Account](/learn/chatsyncs-setup-and-configuration/migrate-from-whatsapp-app-to-a-chatsyncs-business-account) first.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Yes — it's already connected to another BSP or platform">
    See [What Is a BSP — and Can You Move to ChatSyncs From One?](/learn/chatsyncs-overview/what-is-a-bsp-and-can-you-move-to-chatsyncs-from-one) — the number and
    its history stay intact; only the connected platform changes.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Second question: Embedded or Manual?

Within the "brand-new number" and "already have a Meta app" cases, there's a second choice:

|                             | Embedded Signup                   | Manual / Alternative                                                 |
| --------------------------- | --------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Who talks to Meta           | ChatSyncs, automatically          | You, by hand                                                         |
| Setup effort                | A guided popup, fewer steps       | Create your own Meta app, copy credentials yourself                  |
| Visibility into credentials | Hidden — ChatSyncs handles it     | Full — you see the Business Account ID, access token, webhook config |
| When to use it              | Default choice for most customers | Embedded signup fails, or you want full control                      |

Start with [How to Connect Your Number to ChatSyncs](/learn/chatsyncs-setup-and-configuration/connect-your-number-to-chatsyncs); only fall back to [How to Connect Your WhatsApp Account Manually
(Alternative Method)](/learn/chatsyncs-setup-and-configuration/connect-your-whatsapp-account-manually-alternative-method-in-chatsyncs) if it won't work for the account.

## Frequently asked

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Will I lose my existing WhatsApp number if I connect it to ChatSyncs?">
    Not if it's on the WhatsApp Business App (use Coexistence) or already on another BSP (the
    number stays in Meta regardless). Only personal WhatsApp numbers require deleting the
    account first, since Coexistence doesn't support personal accounts.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What's the difference between Cloud API and Coexistence in Embedded Signup?">
    Cloud API connects a fresh virtual number dedicated to ChatSyncs. Coexistence keeps an
    existing WhatsApp Business App number working on the phone at the same time.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="When should I use manual connection instead of Embedded Signup?">
    When Embedded Signup fails for the account, or when you specifically want to see and control
    every credential (Business Account ID, access token, webhook setup) yourself.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I switch connection methods later?">
    Generally yes — the number and WABA stay owned by the Meta Business Portfolio, so changing
    how it's connected later doesn't mean starting over.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Gotchas & common mistakes

<Warning>
  * **A number already active elsewhere blocks a fresh Cloud API connection.** If it's on the
    Business App, personal WhatsApp, or another BSP, follow the matching path above first instead
    of retrying Embedded Signup.
  * **Coexistence only works with the WhatsApp Business App** — not regular (personal) WhatsApp.
</Warning>