> ## 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.
# Meta Developer Account Setup
> How to create a Meta developer account, create a WhatsApp app with its business portfolio, and get a test phone number with a Phone Number ID. Use when a customer asks how to get started with the WhatsApp Cloud API, where to create their app, or how to find their test number and IDs in the Meta dashboard.
The one-time setup process to get a Meta developer account, create a WhatsApp Business app and
its business portfolio, and obtain a test phone number — the starting point before any API
calls can be made.
## Setup steps
Go to `developers.facebook.com` and sign in or create an account.
Click **My Apps** → **Create App**.
Give it an **App name** and an **App contact email**, then continue.
On the Use Cases step, select **Connect with customers through WhatsApp**.
The app must be attached to a business portfolio. If none exists yet, create one with a
portfolio name and your contact info.
On the Overview step, confirm the app details, use case, and business portfolio, then click
**Create app**.
From the app dashboard, open **Customize the Connect with customers through WhatsApp use
case**.
Under **Quickstart**, click **Start using the API** — this opens the API Setup screen.
Under "Select phone numbers" you'll see a **test number** already provided by Meta. This is
free to use for 90 days. On the same screen you'll find your **Phone Number ID** and your
**WhatsApp Business Account ID (WABA ID)** — copy and save both.
You now have everything you need to make your first API call.
## Walkthrough screenshots
## Frequently asked
Create a Meta developer account at developers.facebook.com, create a new app, select the
WhatsApp use case, connect a business portfolio (creating one if you don't have one), and
finish creating the app. Meta gives you a free test number automatically.
No — if you don't have one yet, the app creation flow lets you create a business portfolio
on the spot, right at the "Business" step.
In the Meta developer dashboard → your app → WhatsApp → API Setup. Both IDs are shown
next to the test number.
Yes. Meta provides a test number for free for 90 days. You can send free test messages to
up to 5 verified phone numbers during that period.
No. A personal Meta account is enough to create a developer app and get a test number for
learning and development.
## Gotchas & common mistakes
* **Test number limit:** The Meta test number can only message up to 5 verified recipient
numbers. Add recipient numbers in the API Setup screen first.
* **90-day limit:** Test numbers are free for 90 days, then need renewal.
* **Business portfolio verification is optional at this stage** — Meta will offer to verify the
new portfolio immediately, but you can choose "Verify later" and still finish the rest of the
setup.
* **App vs account:** The Meta developer *app* is not the same as the WABA. The app is the
developer container; the WABA is the WhatsApp business account inside it. See the
[glossary](/meta-api/concepts/whatsapp-api-glossary).