> ## 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.

# Set Up Your Meta Business Account for WhatsApp

> Create your business portfolio, add your number, and get production-ready access — the new Meta UI.

<Frame>
  <iframe className="w-full aspect-video rounded-xl" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7PL_akhc9I0" title="Production-ready WhatsApp setup — new Meta UI walkthrough" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowFullScreen />
</Frame>

This is the Meta side of getting started — the part where most people get stuck because the
dashboard recently changed. Follow it once and your WhatsApp number is production-ready.

## The big concept: Business Portfolio

Think of your **Business Portfolio** as the central building everything hangs off —
Instagram, WhatsApp, ad accounts, and developer apps all live inside one portfolio so they
can work together. Create this first; nothing connects without it.

## Set it up

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create your Business Portfolio">
    At `business.facebook.com` — this is the hub for everything that follows.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a Meta app">
    In the new UI, go to **Business Messaging → "Connect with customers through WhatsApp"**
    (this replaces the old "Other" option path).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add your phone number">
    It must not already be active on any WhatsApp app. Verify it with the OTP, then set your
    display name.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Generate a permanent access token">
    The temporary developer token expires in \~1 hour and is not safe for production. Create
    a **System User** in `business.facebook.com` (Settings → System User) and generate a
    token with the WhatsApp Business Messaging permission. See
    [Access tokens](/meta-api/concepts/access-tokens) for the full walkthrough.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm business verification status">
    You can start without it (250 unique customers/day); verify later to raise limits.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Don't use the temporary token you see in the developer dashboard for anything real — it
  dies in about an hour. Always use the **System User permanent token** for a live setup.
</Warning>

<Tip>
  The phone number must be completely free of any existing WhatsApp account. If it's been
  used before, remove WhatsApp from it first, then add it here — this is the #1 thing that
  blocks beginners at the number step.
</Tip>

## About the webhook & "going live" parts

The video continues into webhooks, going live, and sending messages via code/n8n. With
**ChatSyncs you don't have to do any of that by hand** — connecting your number does the
webhook and live-mode wiring for you. Those developer steps are covered separately in the
Advanced module if you ever want to drive the API directly.

## What's next

Your Meta account is ready. Head to **Getting Started** to
[connect this number to ChatSyncs](/learn/connect-whatsapp-embedded) and send your first message.