API Solutions for WhatsApp Business APP Users

(formerly “Coexistence”)

WhatsApp Coexistence

WhatsApp Coexistence is Meta’s latest enhancement that allows a single phone number to be used simultaneously on both the WhatsApp Business App and the WhatsApp Cloud API. This means businesses can keep using their familiar mobile app while unlocking automation and omnichannel capabilities through iSlash AI, without needing a new number or undergoing migrations.

Message Pricing

• Messages sent via the WhatsApp Business App remain free.

• Messages sent via the Cloud API (through iSlash AI) will follow Meta’s API pricing.

This gives businesses full flexibility: use the app for simple replies at no cost, and to use iSlash AI’s automation only where it brings value.

Individual Chat Synchronization

What will sync for :

• Up to 6 months of recent 1:1 chat history can be synchronized when Coexistence is enabled.

• Messages sent and received will be mirrored between:

  • iSlash AI (Cloud API)

  • WhatsApp Business app

Limitations:

• Messages cannot be edited or revoked from the WhatsApp Business app once Coexistence is active.

• Only 1:1 chats are included; older history beyond 6 months is not imported.

Group Chats

• Group chats are not synchronized between app and API in most Coexistence implementations today.

• This is because most providers do not support Group Chat Cloud API.

• However: iSlash AI supports Groups API (where available), which may allow enhanced group chat capabilities compared to other BSPs; but syncing existing app-based groups is still not guaranteed under Meta’s Coexistence rules.

App Functions Disabled Under Coexistence

When your number switches to Coexistence, the following WhatsApp Business app features become disabled:

• Disappearing messages

• View-once messages

• Live location messages

• Broadcast lists (Note: API broadcast via iSlash AI remains available)

These changes occur because API-mode and app-mode handle message retention differently.

Meta Verified Status May Be Lost

If your WhatsApp Business app number currently has Meta Verified status, connecting it to WhatsApp Coexistence may cause the badge to be lost.

Businesses relying heavily on Meta Verified should evaluate the impact before enabling Coexistence.

Requirements for WhatsApp Coexistence

To qualify for Coexistence, your WhatsApp Business App setup must meet Meta’s rules:

1. Link a Facebook Page to the WhatsApp Business App

2. WhatsApp Business App Version 2.24.17 or Newer

Should You Enable WhatsApp Coexistence?

WhatsApp Coexistence is an excellent transitional solution for businesses that want to:

• Keep using their existing WhatsApp Business App

• Avoid downtime or risk of chat history loss

• Activate iSlash AI’s automation, CRM, and AI features immediately

• Scale gradually without committing to a full API migration on Day 1

It removes the biggest barriers to upgrading while allowing SMEs to try automation safely, with minimal disruption to daily operations.

WhatsApp Business API Is Still the Better Long-Term Solution

While Coexistence provides convenience, the WhatsApp Business API offers the full power and stability needed for high-growth operations:

1. Full Feature Availability

API-only features such as:

• Advanced automation

• Unlimited broadcast audiences

• AI agents with high message throughput

• Team inbox & multi-agent handling

• Group APIs

• Webhooks & integrations

are optimized, faster, and more reliable under a full API setup.

2. No App-Based Limitations

With API-only setup:

• No disabled WhatsApp app features

• No split behaviour between App vs API

• No risk of syncing delays

3. Best Choice for Medium to Large Teams

As soon as a business manages:

• 50 daily conversations

…the App + API hybrid model becomes limiting, and a pure API environment provides higher-speed performance and better message reliability.

4. Designed for Scaling

WhatsApp Business API supports:

• Higher messaging throughput

• Large customer databases

• Advanced routing and segmentation

• Auditable communication flows

• Enterprise-grade compliance

This makes it the best long-term foundation for growing brands, even those starting small.

Enabling Seamless Onboarding

WhatsApp Coexistence enables a gradual, low-risk transition from manual, app-based messaging to a more robust API-based system.

• Coexistence = best for activation, testing, convenience, and risk-free transition

• WhatsApp Business API = best for long-term growth, stability, and enterprise-level scaling

Together, they create the perfect upgrade journey, starting simple, growing powerful, all on the same WhatsApp number with iSlash AI.

Full Details on Meta Docs: Onboarding WhatsApp Business app users (aka "Coexistence")

At iSlash AI, we’re actively developing the WhatsApp Coexistence so you can leverage both the simplicity of WhatsApp Business App and the power of Cloud API without compromise.