Connect Your WhatsApp Device
Video Walkthrough
What Is a Device?
A "device" in ReplyLa is your WhatsApp Business connection. Think of it like plugging your WhatsApp number into ReplyLa so the AI can read and reply to messages on your behalf. You need at least one connected device before your chatbot can work.
Before You Start
- You have a ReplyLa account (completed Step 1).
- You have a WhatsApp Business number ready to use.
Choose Your Connection Type
This is the most important decision before connecting. ReplyLa supports two connection types - Cloud API and Meta Coexistence. Read the comparison carefully before you choose.
| Cloud API | Meta Coexistence | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | New dedicated business numbers | Existing WhatsApp Business numbers |
| Official status | ✅ Official Meta/WhatsApp API | ✅ Official Meta feature (Linked Devices) |
| Use WhatsApp app on phone | ❌ No - fully managed by ReplyLa | ⚠️ View only - cannot reply |
| Reply from WhatsApp app | ❌ Not applicable | ❌ Must NOT reply from the app |
| All replies via | ReplyLa Inbox | ReplyLa Inbox (mandatory) |
| Risk of ban | None | ⚠️ Risk if you reply from WhatsApp app |
| Message templates required | Yes (for outbound/broadcast) | Yes (for outbound/broadcast) |
| Reliability | High | Moderate |
| Speed | Up to 80 messages/sec | Up to 20 messages/sec |
| Recommended | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes, if you need to keep your number |
Cloud API (Recommended)
Cloud API connects your number to WhatsApp's official API, provided and approved by Meta (the company behind WhatsApp). This is the most stable, professional, and compliant way to use ReplyLa.
How it works: Your number is registered on Meta's official platform. All incoming and outgoing messages are routed through ReplyLa. You manage everything from the ReplyLa Inbox - there is no separate WhatsApp app.
Best for: New business numbers, or businesses that want a clean, professional, fully-automated setup.
Meta Coexistence
Meta Coexistence is an official Meta feature (also known as Linked Devices) that lets you connect your existing WhatsApp Business number to ReplyLa while keeping it active on your phone.
How it works: Meta officially supports running WhatsApp on multiple linked devices simultaneously. ReplyLa connects as one of those linked devices. Your number stays active and you can still open WhatsApp Business on your phone - but there are strict rules you must follow to avoid issues.
- You can view conversations in the WhatsApp Business app, but you cannot reply from it.
- If you reply from the WhatsApp Business app, ReplyLa Inbox will not see that message. This creates gaps in your conversation history and your AI will lose context.
- All replies must go through ReplyLa Inbox only. This applies to your entire team.
- Using the WhatsApp Business app to reply while on Meta Coexistence goes against WhatsApp's terms of service and carries a real risk of your number being banned by WhatsApp.
How To Connect Your Device
- Click Device Manager on the left sidebar.
- Click the Create Device button.
- Fill in the details:
- Device Name - Give it a recognisable name (e.g., "My Shop WhatsApp" or "Business Line 1").
- Connection Type - Choose Cloud API or Meta Coexistence based on the comparison above.
- Click Create Device.
- Follow the on-screen instructions:
- Cloud API: You'll go through Meta's Embedded Signup. Log in with your Facebook Business account and verify your business phone number.
- Meta Coexistence: You'll scan a QR code using your WhatsApp Business app to link the number.
- Once connected, your device status will change to Connected (green).
Device Status
| Status | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Connected (green) | Everything is working. Your chatbot can send and receive messages. |
| Pending (yellow) | The connection is being set up. Wait a few moments. |
| Disconnected (red) | Something went wrong. Try reconnecting or check your WhatsApp account. |
Common Questions
For most people, Meta Coexistence is the easiest path - you can just use your existing WhatsApp Business number, no migration needed. Just make sure your whole team follows the rule of only replying from the ReplyLa Inbox.
If you're planning to run heavy broadcast campaigns through Blaster, we recommend Cloud API instead. It supports up to 80 messages/sec - around 4x faster than Meta Coexistence (20 messages/sec) - so large blasts go out much quicker.
Yes, but the number must first be fully detached from any WhatsApp Business app:
- On the phone using that number, open the WhatsApp Business app → Settings → Account → Delete my account. Just uninstalling the app is not enough - the account must be deleted from inside the app.
- Wait a few days before re-registering the number on Cloud API. Meta needs this cooldown to release the number on their side.
- Once the wait period is over, create a new device in ReplyLa using Cloud API and go through the official Meta registration with that number.
Note: chat history from the Coexistence setup will not carry over to the Cloud API device.