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WhatsApp Business API is Meta's programmatic way for a business to send and receive WhatsApp messages — part of the wider WhatsApp Business Platform. Instead of one person typing replies in the WhatsApp Business App, your systems and staff can send and receive messages through an API.
Meta's own hosted version of the API — Meta runs the messaging infrastructure, so nothing needs to be self-hosted. Darwinbark's platform connects directly to the Cloud API on your behalf.
The free consumer app is built for one person managing chats by hand. The API is built for a business that wants messaging wired into a dashboard, website, app or backend system.
Businesses that want to reply to customers from a shared dashboard, or send WhatsApp messages from their own software — without building the Meta integration themselves.
Everything below is live in the platform today — nothing on this list is a roadmap item.
Connect your own WhatsApp Business Account through Meta's official in-browser flow — not a shared or session-based number.
Your WhatsApp Business Account and phone number are checked directly against Meta's Graph API before your connection is trusted.
Send WhatsApp messages straight from your Darwinbark dashboard once your account is active.
Replies from your customers are received via webhook and logged automatically — visible in your dashboard.
A per-account API key to send WhatsApp messages from your own website, app or backend (curl, PHP, JavaScript — any HTTP client).
A live messages-used vs. plan-limit counter on your dashboard, shared across dashboard and API sends.
This is the exact flow above, in order.
Business name, email and password — skipped entirely if you're already logged in.
A 6-digit code is emailed to you to confirm you own the address. Not required if you're already logged in.
Opens Meta's Embedded Signup window without leaving this page.
Authenticate with Facebook/Meta and accept the requested permissions.
Choose your Meta Business Portfolio, WhatsApp Business Account and phone number — or create new ones, inside Meta's own flow.
Your WABA and phone number are checked against Meta's Graph API, the number is registered for Cloud API sending, and your webhook is subscribed.
A Darwinbark admin reviews and activates new accounts, typically within 24 hours — then dashboard and API access unlock.
Some requirements come from Darwinbark, some from Meta — kept separate so it's clear who to contact if something's missing.
Reply to customer conversations directly from the Darwinbark dashboard.
Trigger a WhatsApp message from your own store, booking system or backend via the REST API.
Call the API from your own website, app or internal tools with your account's API key.
Any script or system that can make an HTTP request can send your team a WhatsApp alert.
messages included when you connect
No setup fee. This is Darwinbark's own usage charge for the dashboard, API and account management — set and billed by Darwinbark, adjustable by Darwinbark admins.
This is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. Always check Meta's official WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy for the current, complete requirements.
WhatsApp Business API (part of Meta's WhatsApp Business Platform) lets a business send and receive WhatsApp messages programmatically. Darwinbark provides a self-serve platform on top of it — you connect your own WhatsApp Business Account and send messages from a dashboard or a REST API.
WhatsApp Cloud API is Meta's own hosted version of the WhatsApp Business API — Meta runs the messaging infrastructure, so you don't host anything yourself. Darwinbark's platform sends and receives messages through the Cloud API directly.
Embedded Signup is Meta's official in-browser flow for connecting a WhatsApp Business Account. You sign in with your Meta account, select or create your Meta Business Portfolio, WhatsApp Business Account and phone number, and authorize Darwinbark's app — without leaving this page.
You need one by the end of the flow, but not before you start — Meta's Embedded Signup lets you create a new WhatsApp Business Account during the connection step if you don't already have one.
The number needs to be available to register on the WhatsApp Business Platform, which generally means it isn't actively used in the consumer WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business apps. Meta verifies and registers the number as part of Embedded Signup — this is a Meta requirement, not a Darwinbark one.
A Meta window opens for you to sign in and authorize access. Once you finish, Darwinbark verifies your WhatsApp Business Account and phone number directly against Meta's Graph API, registers the number for Cloud API sending, and subscribes your webhook — then your account is queued for admin approval.
Yes — WhatsApp Business Accounts live inside a Meta Business Portfolio (formerly Business Manager). If you don't have one, Embedded Signup lets you create it during the connection step.
Yes. Once your account is active, Darwinbark issues a per-account API key you can use to send messages from your own website, app or backend via a REST endpoint, in addition to the dashboard.
Not to get started — replies sent within the 24-hour customer service window don't need a template. Business-initiated messages sent outside that window require a Meta-approved message template, which you currently manage directly in your Meta Business account; Darwinbark's dashboard doesn't create or submit templates for you.
Two separate charges can apply. Darwinbark includes a free message allowance and then bills a small per-message fee for platform usage. Separately, Meta bills per delivered template message outside the free service window, based on category and country — Darwinbark does not set or receive Meta's charges.
New accounts start in a pending state and a Darwinbark admin reviews and activates them, typically within 24 hours. You'll see your account status on the dashboard once it's live.
Filling in your details, verifying your email and completing Meta's Embedded Signup usually takes a few minutes. Admin approval to actually start sending is separate and typically completes within 24 hours.