## Which method is right for you?

| Your situation                                                                                                                                                                                 | Use                                                                                                                                                                                              |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| You are connecting a **new number** on Chatwoot Cloud, or on a self-hosted installation that has Quick setup configured                                                                           | **[Quick setup with Meta](https://www.chatwoot.com/hc/user-guide/articles/1752129193-how-to-use-whatsapp-embedded-signup)**                                                                      |
| Your number is **in the WhatsApp Business app** and you want to keep using the app on your phone                                                                                               | **[Quick setup with Meta](https://www.chatwoot.com/hc/user-guide/articles/1752129193-how-to-use-whatsapp-embedded-signup)** and choose to connect your existing app. This is called Coexistence. |
| Your number is **already on the WhatsApp Business Platform (API)**, you are a **tech provider** onboarding your own number, or you are **self-hosted** without Quick setup configured            | **[Manual setup](https://www.chatwoot.com/hc/user-guide/articles/1756799850-how-to-setup-a-whats_app-channel-manual-flow)**                                                                      |
| You already send SMS or WhatsApp through **Twilio** and want to keep billing there | **[Twilio](https://www.chatwoot.com/hc/user-guide/articles/1742910590-how-to-set-up-a-whats_app-channel-with-twilio)**. Note that campaigns and calling are not available with Twilio.           |

Not sure which features you need? Check **Your connection method decides what you can use** in [WhatsApp in Chatwoot](https://www.chatwoot.com/hc/user-guide/articles/1677832735-how-to-setup-a-whats_app-channel).

## Before you start (all methods)

* You are an **administrator** in Chatwoot.

* For WhatsApp Cloud API: you can sign in to Facebook with an account that is an **admin of the Meta business portfolio** that owns (or will own) the WhatsApp Business Account.

* Your number can receive a verification **SMS or voice call**. Landlines need voice verification. Numbers that answer with an automated phone menu (IVR) are not supported by Meta.

* You have your **business details** ready, and a display name that follows Meta's display name guidelines. See **Display name** in [Manage your WhatsApp number](https://www.chatwoot.com/hc/user-guide/articles/1791472075-11-manage-your-whats_app-number).

## Can I switch methods later?

* **Quick setup to manual setup:** possible in some cases, without losing conversations. Chatwoot support checks eligibility first, and it is not available for numbers using Coexistence (the WhatsApp Business app). See [Move a Quick setup inbox to manual setup](https://www.chatwoot.com/hc/user-guide/articles/1783938358-migrate-a-whats_app-embedded-signup-inbox-to-manual-setup).

* **Manual setup to Quick setup:** not available from the dashboard.

* **Between Twilio and WhatsApp Cloud API:** this means creating a new inbox. Conversations stay in the old inbox.

## Start

Go to **Settings › Inboxes › Add Inbox › WhatsApp**. You will see two choices:

* **WhatsApp Cloud:** Quick setup with Meta (or manual setup, via the link at the bottom of that screen)

* [**Twilio**](https://www.chatwoot.com/hc/user-guide/articles/1742910590-how-to-set-up-a-whats_app-channel-with-twilio)

![](https://app.chatwoot.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBCRS9SQUFjPSIsImV4cCI6bnVsbCwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--e9ac16e0da44c977798e07e2f0755730ba11f741/wa02-x2-provider-both.png)