If you are new to WhatsApp, we recommend you start by using the Twilio Sandbox for WhatsApp to become familiar with WhatsApp-specific concepts and how to send and receive WhatsApp messages using the Twilio Programmable Messaging API. You may also use one of the language-specific WhatsApp Quickstarts using the Twilio Sandbox. Normal fees apply to the Twilio Sandbox for WhatsApp, however, it is against Twilio's fair usage policy to use the Twilio Sandbox for production workloads, as it is shared among Twilio customers.
Once you are familiar with WhatsApp and Twilio's APIs, then you should continue by registering a phone number on WhatsApp, which Twilio calls a WhatsApp Sender. This will allow you to send and receive WhatsApp messages with your own branded profile and without having to use a "join" code every 72 hours.
Review Meta's WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy and Commerce policy to determine if your business is allowed on the WhatsApp Business Platform.
Note that the WhatsApp Sender Registration process is different for direct customers registering WhatsApp Senders for their own brand or company and Independent Software Vendors (ISV), who are using Twilio's APIs to power their software product and would like to allow their own customers to send and receive WhatsApp messages using the customer's own brand.
If you are unsure which one applies to you, review Am I a direct customer or an ISV? to learn more.
In order to register a WhatsApp Sender for your own business, use the WhatsApp Self Sign-up guide and get started in the Twilio Console by navigating to Messaging > Senders > WhatsApp Senders.
As an ISV, Meta now requires that your customers use their Meta Business Portfolio to create their WhatsApp Business Accounts themselves in order to register WhatsApp Senders using their brand. Refer to the WhatsApp Tech Provider Program for details on how to allow your clients to do so directly within your website or app.
The only officially supported path by Meta to onboard your customers to WhatsApp is through the WhatsApp Tech Provider Program.
Using WhatsApp Self Sign-up in the Twilio Console as an ISV to onboard your customers to WhatsApp is not officially supported by Meta. From Meta's perspective, it looks like your customer is using Twilio directly. If used, this may make transitioning those customers to the WhatsApp Tech Provider process more difficult in the future.
Not sure if you're an ISV? Review Am I a direct customer or an ISV? to learn more.