> ## 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.

# How to Migrate from WhatsApp App to a ChatSyncs Business Account

> Migrate your existing personal WhatsApp number to the WhatsApp Business API so it can be connected to ChatSyncs.

Want to use an existing WhatsApp number with ChatSyncs? What to do next depends on which app
that number is currently on:

* **Using the WhatsApp Business App?** You don't need to delete anything. Use **Coexistence** —
  the number keeps working in the Business App *and* on ChatSyncs, at the same time. See
  [How to Connect Your WhatsApp Business App to ChatSyncs](/learn/chatsyncs-overview/connect-your-whatsapp-business-app-to-chatsyncs) for the full guide.
* **Using regular (personal) WhatsApp?** Coexistence isn't available for personal accounts. The
  number has to be deleted from the personal app first, then connected to ChatSyncs fresh —
  follow the steps below.

## Back up your conversations

Before deleting, save the chat history:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open WhatsApp on your phone">
    Go to **Settings**, then tap **Chats**.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/chatsyncs/HNsP4MLygnS_qtAH/images/learn/migrate-existing-whatsapp-number/step-01-chats-settings.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=HNsP4MLygnS_qtAH&q=85&s=56c27c8b9add9e207fa3cda1994e1474" alt="WhatsApp Settings menu with Chats highlighted" width="581" height="1280" data-path="images/learn/migrate-existing-whatsapp-number/step-01-chats-settings.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Chat backup">
    In **Chats**, scroll down and tap **Chat backup**.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/chatsyncs/HNsP4MLygnS_qtAH/images/learn/migrate-existing-whatsapp-number/step-02-chat-backup-option.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=HNsP4MLygnS_qtAH&q=85&s=fdd1d75697cebd8790d57603dc8453e4" alt="WhatsApp Chats settings screen with Chat backup highlighted" width="581" height="1280" data-path="images/learn/migrate-existing-whatsapp-number/step-02-chat-backup-option.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Back up now">
    Tap **Back up** and wait for the backup to finish.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/chatsyncs/HNsP4MLygnS_qtAH/images/learn/migrate-existing-whatsapp-number/step-03-back-up-button.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=HNsP4MLygnS_qtAH&q=85&s=719e62b8ed3244fffd3690f758906fa5" alt="WhatsApp Chat backup screen with the Back up button highlighted" width="581" height="1280" data-path="images/learn/migrate-existing-whatsapp-number/step-03-back-up-button.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Delete the WhatsApp account

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Settings → Account">
    In WhatsApp, go to **Settings**, then tap **Account**.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/chatsyncs/HNsP4MLygnS_qtAH/images/learn/migrate-existing-whatsapp-number/step-04-account-settings.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=HNsP4MLygnS_qtAH&q=85&s=cc491196ff1ac6fe2023950dbdff5771" alt="WhatsApp Settings menu with Account highlighted" width="581" height="1280" data-path="images/learn/migrate-existing-whatsapp-number/step-04-account-settings.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Delete account">
    Tap the **⋮** menu, then **Delete account**, and confirm the phone number to complete the
    deletion.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/chatsyncs/HNsP4MLygnS_qtAH/images/learn/migrate-existing-whatsapp-number/step-05-delete-account.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=HNsP4MLygnS_qtAH&q=85&s=eb54525a6c633a3a19f558ea2a1636a7" alt="WhatsApp Account screen with the overflow menu open and Delete account highlighted" width="581" height="1280" data-path="images/learn/migrate-existing-whatsapp-number/step-05-delete-account.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>
</Steps>

The number becomes available for the API within about 3 minutes. Any messages sent to it during
this time are queued and delivered once it's connected.

## Connect to ChatSyncs

Once the number is deleted from personal WhatsApp, follow [How to Connect Your Number to
ChatSyncs](/learn/chatsyncs-setup-and-configuration/connect-your-number-to-chatsyncs) to connect it fresh — that's the only remaining
step once deletion is confirmed.

## Frequently asked

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Do I have to delete my WhatsApp account to use ChatSyncs?">
    Only if the number is on regular (personal) WhatsApp. If it's on the WhatsApp Business App,
    follow [How to Connect Your WhatsApp Business App to ChatSyncs](/learn/chatsyncs-overview/connect-your-whatsapp-business-app-to-chatsyncs) instead and keep the app running alongside
    ChatSyncs.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Will I lose my chat history when I delete my WhatsApp account?">
    Back it up first — **Settings → Chats → Chat backup → Back up** — before deleting. Deleting
    the account itself is required to free the number up for the Business API.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How long until I can connect the number after deleting it?">
    About 3 minutes. Any messages sent to the number in that window are queued and delivered
    once it's connected to ChatSyncs.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What's the difference between this and Coexistence?">
    Coexistence keeps the WhatsApp Business App active alongside the API — no deletion needed.
    This guide is for personal WhatsApp, which doesn't support Coexistence and requires deleting
    the account first.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Warning>
  Deleting a WhatsApp account removes its chat history from the app and can't be undone from that
  side — back up chats first if they matter.
</Warning>