WhatsApp Business API Knowledge Base & FAQ
Direct, factual answers to the most important questions about WhatsApp Business API pricing, compliance, bulk broadcasts, and team collaboration in India.
Direct Answer: What is the most important thing to know about WhatsApp API?
The most important distinction is that WhatsApp Business API is Meta's official enterprise cloud infrastructure, which separates software platform tools from Meta's per-message fees. It allows businesses to send broadcast campaigns to tens of thousands of contacts, collaborate in a shared multi-agent inbox, and automate workflows with 100% legal compliance in India.
Legality
100% Official Meta
Incoming Messages
Always free
Wapi Fee
₹999 / Month Flat
Wapi Markup
₹0 / Message
General & Fundamentals
Is the WhatsApp Business API free?
No. Unlike the consumer WhatsApp Business App, the API involves Meta's per-message charges (Marketing ~₹0.86, Utility ~₹0.115 per delivered message in India) and a software platform subscription. Messages your customers send you are free. From 1 October 2026 Meta also charges for your replies inside the 24-hour customer service window.
Can I use WhatsApp Business API without coding?
Yes. Wapi provides a complete, visual web interface. You can connect your number in 15 minutes using Meta Embedded Signup, upload contact lists via CSV, compose approved message templates, and chat in a shared inbox with zero coding required.
Can I use my existing WhatsApp phone number?
Yes. You can use any mobile, landline, or 1800 toll-free number. If the number is currently registered on the regular WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business App, you must first delete that consumer account to migrate it to the official Meta Cloud API.
What is the difference between WhatsApp Business App and API?
The WhatsApp Business App is a free mobile tool for sole proprietors limited to 4 linked devices and manual typing. The WhatsApp Business API is a scalable cloud infrastructure supporting unlimited agents, bulk broadcasts, automated chatbots, and CRM integrations, with far lower ban risk than unofficial bulk-sending tools as long as you message people who opted in.
Is WhatsApp Business API legal in India?
Yes, 100%. It is Meta's officially authorized business messaging solution in India and is fully compliant with the Indian IT Act and TRAI messaging standards.
Pricing & Billing
How does Wapi's 'Zero Markup' model work?
Most legacy providers add a 15 to 25 paise surcharge on top of Meta's rates. Wapi charges ₹0 markup. Meta bills your conversation costs directly to your attached credit/debit card at wholesale rates, while you pay Wapi an unbeatable flat ₹999/mo subscription for unlimited platform access.
Can I claim GST Input Tax Credit on WhatsApp messaging charges?
Yes. When you enter your Indian company GSTIN in Meta Business Manager, Meta issues an official tax invoice with 18% GST, enabling your business to claim 100% Input Tax Credit (ITC).
What are the 4 WhatsApp message categories?
1) Marketing (~₹0.86 per message in India): promotional offers and sales; 2) Utility (~₹0.115): transactional order and shipping alerts; 3) Authentication (~₹0.115): OTP codes; 4) Service: your replies within 24 hours of a customer's message, billed per message by Meta from 1 October 2026.
Broadcasts & Compliance
Will my phone number get banned for sending bulk broadcasts?
Not on the official WhatsApp Business API. As long as you use Meta-approved templates and honor opt-out requests (STOP/UNSUBSCRIBE), your number will never be banned. Unofficial bulk-sender Chrome extensions, by contrast, result in immediate bans.
Do recipients have to save my business phone number to receive messages?
No. API broadcasts deliver directly to the customer's lock screen regardless of whether they have saved your business phone number in their address book.
How does WhatsApp opt-in and opt-out work?
Businesses must obtain prior opt-in consent (via website checkout, SMS, or forms). Wapi automatically detects standard opt-out keywords (STOP, CANCEL, UNSUBSCRIBE) from inbound messages and instantly flags the contact as 'opted_out' to exclude them from future broadcasts.
What are WhatsApp daily messaging tiers?
Meta assigns a daily sending limit: Tier 250, Tier 1,000, Tier 10,000, Tier 100,000, and Unlimited unique contacts per 24 hours. Your tier automatically upgrades as you maintain a High/Green quality rating and consistently reach your limit.
Team Collaboration & Features
How many agents can use the Wapi shared inbox simultaneously?
Unlimited. Wapi does not charge per-seat fees. Your entire customer support and sales team can log in simultaneously from their web browsers to manage conversations on a single business number.
What happens when the 24-hour service window closes?
Meta locks free-form replies after 24 hours of customer inactivity. Inside Wapi's inbox, an agent can send an approved Template message (such as an appointment or order update) to re-open the window upon customer reply.
Can I receive audio voice notes and images in Wapi?
Yes. Wapi's inbox natively streams inbound audio voice notes with playback controls, previews high-resolution images, and displays PDF document attachments.
Still have questions?
Our technical onboarding specialists are ready to guide your team through Meta verification.