Imagine the following situation: your company has been using WhatsApp Business on your phone for years. You have hundreds of conversations, important contacts, a relationship built with each customer.
Then you discover that the WhatsApp API allows you to automate customer service, send mass messages, and integrate with your CRM. Perfect, right?
But until recently, migrating to the API meant losing everything: history, contacts, phone number. A complete restart from zero.
That’s where WhatsApp Coexistence comes in. Let’s understand how this new feature from Meta completely changes the game.
Key Points of WhatsApp Coexistence
- Allows you to use the WhatsApp Business App and the WhatsApp Cloud API at the same time, on the same number.
- You keep your current number, contacts, and up to 6 months of conversation history.
- Messages are synced between the app on your phone and the automation platform.
- Messages sent through the app remain free; through the API, they follow Meta’s pricing table.
- Ideal for companies that want to scale without losing the personal touch in sales.
- Some app features are disabled, such as disappearing messages and broadcast lists.
The Problem Coexistence Solves
Before this update, companies had to choose between two completely separate worlds:
Path 1: WhatsApp Business App — Great for personal conversations, easy to use, works directly on your phone. But limited when you need to serve many people at the same time or automate processes.
Path 2: WhatsApp Business API — Powerful for automation, chatbots, system integration. But it required a new number, and goodbye conversation history.
This forced choice created a huge headache. Companies that built relationships through the app were stuck, unable to evolve to automation without losing everything they had already achieved.
With Coexistence, you no longer have to choose. You can have both worlds working together, on the same number, with synced conversations. It’s the best of both sides.
So, What is WhatsApp Coexistence?
WhatsApp Coexistence is an official Meta update launched in 2024 that allows businesses to use the WhatsApp Business API alongside the WhatsApp Business app they already use on their phone.
In practice, this means you can:
- Continue responding to customers directly through the app on your phone
- At the same time, use an automation platform connected to the API to send campaigns, chatbots, and integrations
- All with the same phone number
- Without losing contacts or old conversations
Messages are mirrored: what you send through the app appears on the API platform, and vice versa. Your team can follow everything in one place, while you maintain the freedom to use your phone for more personal conversations when needed.
Who is Coexistence For?
This feature was designed especially for some company profiles:
Consultative Sales Teams
If you sell products or services that require conversation, explanation, and relationship, Coexistence is perfect. Your salesperson can continue using the app on their phone for that closer service, while the company uses the API for campaigns and automated follow-ups.
Small and Medium Businesses in Growth
SMBs that have been using WhatsApp Business for years and want to take the next step without starting from scratch. You preserve all the history and can start using automation gradually.
High-Value-Per-Customer Businesses
When each customer matters a lot, you can’t afford to lose conversation history or change numbers. Real estate agencies, consultancies, clinics, schools — all these segments benefit enormously.
Companies with Multiple Agents
Coexistence allows the team to manage conversations on a centralized platform, while still being able to use the app on their phone when needed. Ideal for those with sales or support teams.
How It Works in Practice
The Coexistence activation process is relatively simple and takes no more than a few minutes. Here’s how it works:
1. You need an active WhatsApp Business account
Coexistence only works if you already have a number registered in the WhatsApp Business app. If you’re still using regular WhatsApp, you first need to migrate to the Business version.
2. Connect through a partner platform
You’ll use Meta’s Embedded Signup process, usually through a solution provider (BSP) like Bevits itself or other WhatsApp automation platforms.
3. Scan a QR Code
During the process, you’ll scan a QR code with your WhatsApp Business to authorize the connection. It’s similar to connecting WhatsApp Web.
4. Choose to sync history
You’ll have the option to share up to 6 months of conversation history to the API platform. This allows your team to see all the context of previous conversations.
5. Done!
From that moment on, your WhatsApp Business on your phone continues working normally, but now it’s also connected to the API. Messages are synced in real-time between the two environments.
What Gets Synced (and What Doesn’t)
It’s important to understand exactly what happens when you activate Coexistence. Not everything works the same way:
| Feature | What happens in the App | Syncs with API? |
|---|---|---|
| Individual conversations (1:1) | Work normally | Yes, bidirectional |
| Contacts | No changes | Yes, unidirectional (app -> API) |
| Message history | Keeps complete | Up to 6 months |
| Group conversations | Work normally | No |
| Disappearing messages | Disabled | No |
| View-once media | Disabled | No |
| Live location | Disabled | No |
| Broadcast lists | Existing ones become read-only | No |
| Voice/video calls | Work normally | No |
| Catalog and orders | Work normally | No |
| Edit/revoke messages | Disabled | No |
Understanding Costs and Sessions
A point that generates many questions is about pricing. Coexistence has an interesting billing logic:
Messages through the App: Free
Everything you send and receive directly through the WhatsApp Business app on your phone remains free. This doesn’t change.
Messages through the API: Charged
Messages sent through the automation platform (API) follow Meta’s pricing table. It works through 24-hour sessions, and the value varies according to the type of conversation (service, marketing, utility, or authentication).
Independent Sessions
App and API sessions work separately. This means:
- If a customer sends a message and you reply through the app → free
- If the customer sends a message and you reply through the API → opens a paid session on the API
- If you start a conversation through the API → you need to send an approved template and pay for the session
- If a session is already open through the API and you reply through the app → still free in the app
The tip here is to use the app for individual and one-off conversations, and the API for automations and mass sends. This way you optimize costs.
Real Benefits of Coexistence
Let’s go beyond the obvious and understand why this feature is so relevant for businesses:
1. No Interruption in Service
Migration to API was always a tense moment because it meant being “offline” for a while. With Coexistence, you activate the API and continue serving normally through the app while you configure the automation platform.
2. History and Context
When a customer gets in touch, you know what they bought before, what the last problem was, how the past conversation went. That context is gold for sales and support. Losing it would be a huge setback.
3. Gradual Scalability
You don’t need to change everything at once. You can start using just some automations through the API while keeping the main flow in the app. As you gain confidence and understand the tool, you expand your usage.
4. Team Can Work Together
With messages synced on a central platform, multiple team members can follow and respond to conversations. Meanwhile, the owner or main salesperson keeps the app on their phone for situations that require a personal touch.
5. Mass Campaigns Without Changing Numbers
You can send messages to hundreds or thousands of contacts using the API, all through the same number your customers already know and trust.
Important Limitations
No solution is perfect, and it’s important to know Coexistence’s limitations:
- Disabled features: Disappearing messages, view-once media, live location, and creation of new broadcast lists are disabled.
- Groups don’t sync: Group conversations remain only in the app and don’t appear in the API platform.
- Linked devices: After activating, all linked devices are disconnected and you need to reconnect. WhatsApp for Windows and WearOS are not supported.
- Verification badge: If you had the blue verification badge in the app, it’s not automatically transferred to the API. You need to request it again.
- Need to open the app periodically: You must open WhatsApp Business on your phone at least once every 13 days to keep the account active.
- Geographic restrictions: Some regions don’t yet support Coexistence. Check Meta’s documentation for availability.
Precautions When Using Coexistence
To make the most of this feature, some precautions are important:
Don’t Uninstall the App
If you uninstall WhatsApp Business from your phone, the account will be disconnected and you’ll lose the configuration. Keep the app installed and open it at least every two weeks.
Use a Reliable Platform
Coexistence works through Meta-approved solution providers (BSPs). Choose a reliable platform that offers adequate support and respects WhatsApp’s policies.
Respect Message Policies
Even with automation, you still need to follow Meta’s rules: contact opt-in, approved templates to start conversations, message quality. Abusing the system can result in restrictions or banning.
Don’t Switch Between Modes Too Much
Activating and deactivating Coexistence repeatedly is not recommended. It can cause cooldowns and eligibility issues. Decide on the configuration and stick with it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the WhatsApp Business App and API at the same time?
Yes! That’s exactly what Coexistence allows. You keep the app on your phone working normally while using an automation platform connected to the API, all on the same number.
Will I lose my contacts and old conversations?
No. Your contacts are synced and you can bring up to 6 months of conversation history to the API platform. The complete history remains in the app.
How much does it cost to use Coexistence?
Messages sent through the app remain free. Messages sent through the API follow Meta’s pricing table, which charges per conversation session. You’ll also need a subscription to the automation platform you choose.
Can I activate Coexistence on a new number?
Yes, but the number first needs to have an active WhatsApp Business account. If it’s a new number, create the account in the app and “warm it up” for a few days (3-5 days) by sending messages normally before activating Coexistence.
What if I already use the API on another number?
Coexistence is for numbers that are in the Business app and want to add the API. If your number is already on the API, you can’t use Coexistence on it. But you can use multiple numbers on the same automation platform.
Are group conversations synced?
No. Group conversations remain only in the WhatsApp Business app and don’t appear in the API platform. If groups are important for your business, you continue managing them through the app.
Can I go back to using just the app afterward?
Yes. You can disconnect the number from the API through WhatsApp Business settings (Settings > Account > Business Platform > Disconnect). But consult your provider first to avoid data loss.
Can I use multiple numbers with Coexistence?
Yes! Most automation platforms allow connecting multiple numbers. You can have some numbers configured with Coexistence and others connected traditionally on the same account.
Can large companies use Coexistence?
Coexistence was designed primarily for small and medium businesses that already use the WhatsApp Business App. Larger companies usually already use the API traditionally, but nothing prevents using Coexistence if it makes sense for the use case.
What happens if I don't open the app for a long time?
You need to open WhatsApp Business on your phone at least once every 13 days. If you go too long without opening, the account may be disconnected. A good practice is to create a reminder to check the app weekly.
Conclusion: Is Coexistence Worth Using?
If you already use the WhatsApp Business App and are thinking about evolving to automation, the answer is: yes, it’s definitely worth it.
WhatsApp Coexistence solves a real problem that was holding back thousands of companies. Now you can have the best of both worlds: the convenience of the app on your phone for personal conversations and the power of the API to scale your service and sales.
Of course, there are limitations. You lose some app features and need to adapt to a new way of working. But the benefits outweigh these disadvantages for most use cases.
The important thing is to choose a reliable automation platform, understand the rules and limitations, and make the transition gradually. You don’t need to change everything at once — start small, test, and expand as you gain confidence.
WhatsApp Coexistence is not just a technical update. It’s a paradigm shift that allows small and medium businesses to compete on equal footing with big players, without giving up the close relationship that sets them apart.