Phone Number Rules for WhatsApp Business API

Yes. You can register a phone number from any country, provided WhatsApp Business API services are supported for that country.

However, Wapzio cannot onboard or provide WhatsApp Business API services for phone numbers registered in: Crimea (+7978), Cuba (+53), Iran (+98), North Korea (+850), and Syria (+963), as these regions are restricted under WhatsApp's policies.

Additionally, WhatsApp users with phone numbers from these countries cannot send or receive messages from businesses using the WhatsApp Business API.

These restrictions are based on the WhatsApp phone number's country code, not the user's current physical location.

No. After a phone number has been registered with the WhatsApp Business API, it cannot be replaced or modified. If you wish to use a different phone number, a new WhatsApp Business API registration will be required.

No. A phone number already registered with the WhatsApp Business API cannot be used with the WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business mobile app.

If you want to register an existing WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business app number for the WhatsApp Business API, you must first permanently delete the WhatsApp account associated with that number — simply uninstalling the app is not enough.

Here's how to delete your WhatsApp Business App before applying for the API:

1. Open WhatsApp.

2. Tap More Options (three dots) > Settings > Account > Delete My Account.

3. Enter your phone number in full international format and tap DELETE MY ACCOUNT.

4. Select a reason for deleting your account from the dropdown.

5. Tap DELETE MY ACCOUNT.

Yes. The phone number can continue to be used for regular activities such as making and receiving calls, as well as sending and receiving SMS messages. The only restriction is that it cannot be registered or used with the WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business mobile app while associated with the WhatsApp Business API.

No. A single phone number can be linked to only one WhatsApp Business API account at a time. If a company requires multiple accounts for different teams or departments — Sales, Finance, Procurement, Customer Support — each account must be registered with a separate phone number.

Phone numbers connected to an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system may not be able to receive the WhatsApp Business API registration call directly, as the automated system cannot process the verification flow.

To complete registration, WhatsApp can provide one or two phone numbers from which the verification call will originate. These can be added to your allow list or call routing configuration, enabling the call to be forwarded to a designated employee or voicemail where the verification code can be received and recorded.

If creating an exception in your IVR tree is possible, add the phone number to your WhatsApp business account and open a Direct Support ticket asking for the registration call phone numbers, stating the phone number you are trying to register.