Get started
Getting Started

Connect your first WhatsApp number in under 10 minutes

A step-by-step walkthrough of linking a WhatsApp number to SpeedWhat, whether you use the QR-based connection or the official Cloud API.

By The SpeedWhat Team 1 min read

Key takeaways

  • SpeedWhat supports two connection types: QR-based (unofficial) and the official Meta Cloud API.
  • QR connections are fastest to set up but carry more ban risk under heavy automated use.
  • The Cloud API requires a Meta Business account but is the safer choice for production campaigns.
On this page

Connecting a WhatsApp number to SpeedWhat is the first step toward automating your customer conversations. This guide walks through both connection methods SpeedWhat supports.

Choosing a connection type

SpeedWhat offers two ways to connect a number: a QR-based connection (similar to WhatsApp Web) and the official Meta Cloud API. Campaigns and bulk sending are only available on the official connection, since Meta rate-limits and reviews official traffic.

Connecting via QR code

From the Instances page, click New instance, choose QR connection, and scan the code with WhatsApp on your phone under Linked Devices. The instance status updates to Connected within a few seconds.

POST /api/v1/get-qr
X-API-Key: your_api_key

Connecting via the Cloud API

Official connections need a Meta Business app with WhatsApp added as a product. Once configured, SpeedWhat verifies the number automatically through Embedded Signup — no manual token copying required.

Keep a QR-connected number for low-volume support chats and reserve the Cloud API for anything that sends at scale.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a Facebook Business account?
Only for the official Cloud API connection. The QR-based connection works with any WhatsApp number.
Can I connect more than one number?
Yes — the number of instances you can connect depends on your plan's instance limit.
T
About the author

Product and engineering notes from the people building SpeedWhat.