WhatsApp Coexistence

No down time, no migration

iSlash AI Platform supports WhatsApp Coexistence, onboard your WhatsApp Business account to iSlash AI now:

https://islash.io/user-guide/onboarding-whatsapp-coexistence

Read in Chinese | 中文版面：

WhatsApp 共存模式 (Coexistence) | iSlash AIlearn.islash.io

API Solutions for WhatsApp Business APP Users

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.

Requirements for WhatsApp Coexistence

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

Link a Facebook Page to the WhatsApp Business App
WhatsApp Business App Version 2.24.17 or Newer

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.

https://developers.facebook.com/resources/API-solutions-for-WhatsApp-Business-App-users.pdfdevelopers.facebook.com

Chat Synchronization

Individual Chats

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.

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")