# How to connect your WhatsApp number to the AI Agent

From the WhatsApp AI Agent's Connect screen, select **Connect now** and complete Meta's signup popup with a phone number that isn't already active on WhatsApp — the whole setup usually takes under 2 minutes and is free.

## Steps

1. Before starting, make sure your phone number is not currently active on WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business — remove it from that app first if it is.
2. Open the WhatsApp AI Agent app and select **Connect now**.
3. In the Meta popup, log in to Facebook, then select or create your Meta Business account and WhatsApp Business Account, and enter your phone number.
4. If prompted, select **Send Verification Code**, enter the 6-digit code you receive by SMS, and select **Verify & Connect**.
5. The first time you connect, you'll go through **Meet Your Team** to name and customize your 5 agents before reaching the Agents Dashboard.
6. Add a billing card to your WhatsApp Business Account in Meta — this is required before any message template can be sent.

## Common problems

- Popup closes before finishing → reopen **Connect now** and complete every step without closing the window early.
- "Setup returned no business account id" → retry the connection; make sure you completed the Meta Business account step, not just the Facebook login.
- A number can only be linked to one app at a time → if your number is already linked elsewhere, remove it from that Meta Business Manager connection first.
- Verification code never arrives → double-check the phone number, wait a minute, and select **Send Verification Code** again.
- No developer app needed → you don't need to create anything in Meta for Developers yourself; the signup flow handles this.

## Related
- [What is the WhatsApp AI Agent?](https://help.dropify.shop/en/whatsapp_ai_agent/what-is-the-whatsapp-ai-agent/)
- [Customize each agent's personality, tone, and language](https://help.dropify.shop/en/whatsapp_ai_agent/meet-your-team-agent-personality-and-language/)
- [WhatsApp agent settings: phone numbers and working hours](https://help.dropify.shop/en/whatsapp_ai_agent/settings-phone-numbers-and-working-hours/)
- [WhatsApp AI Agent troubleshooting](https://help.dropify.shop/en/whatsapp_ai_agent/whatsapp-agent-troubleshooting/)