---
description: Learn how to migrate phone number from WhatsApp BSPs to WhatsApp Cloud API.
title: Phone Number Migration to WhatsApp Cloud API
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---

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4. Phone Number Migration to WhatsApp Cloud API

# Phone Number Migration to WhatsApp Cloud API

![Avatar](https://assets2-proxy.respond.io/ph8r57dk1q9w/4GvzCieeTBRY4TRJUbIr4y/b92428e6b049d23f546269180534f7ea/Ryan_Tan_Avatar.svg)

Joshua Lim

· 28 Aug 2025

3 min read

![How to Migrate Phone Number to WhatsApp Cloud API](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/BpXtZ-8zwHw/hqdefault.webp) 

## Benefits of Migrating to WhatsApp Cloud API

WhatsApp Cloud API is a new platform that offers businesses a direct connection to WhatsApp's infrastructure and it’s a self-service option as compared to going through WhatsApp partners (BSPs). Some benefits of using WhatsApp Cloud API are:

* a more cost-effective option.
* a more reliable and stable connection to the platform.
* the ability to build custom integrations that fit your specific business needs.
* a flexible and scalable solution for businesses of all sizes.

> Learn more about [WhatsApp Cloud API here](https://respond.io/help/whatsapp/whatsapp-cloud-api).

## What will be Migrated?

Note that the following elements can be migrated from the WhatsApp BSP to the WhatsApp Cloud API.

### Can be migrated

* Phone number associated with the account.
* Any previously approved high-quality message templates.
* Display name of the Phone number.
* Quality rating of the Phone number.
* Messaging limits.
* Official WABA status.

### Cannot be migrated

* Low-quality, rejected, or pending message templates.

## Pre-Migration Requirements: What to Prepare for Your Migration Setup

> Take note of phrases that will be frequently used throughout this document:  
> **\-Source WABA**: The WhatsApp BSP from which we are migrating.  
> \-**Destination WABA**: The WhatsApp Cloud API to which we are migrating.

### Pre-Migration Requirements Checklist:

* **Existing Meta Developer App:** If you do not have a developer app created, [click here to create your app in Meta Business Manager (MBM)](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/development/create-an-app/) and get started with WhatsApp Cloud API. This app must be created under the same business account (business ID) as the source WABA.
* **Business ID:** The Source and Destination WABAs must be associated with the same MBM or have the same business ID.
* **Business Verification:** The Business ID has to be verified. If your business is not yet verified, [follow these steps to get it verified](https://www.facebook.com/business/help/2058515294227817?id=180505742745347).
* **WABA Review Status**: The review status of the Source and Destination WABAs must be approved.
* **Payment** **Method:** A payment method must be configured for both the Source and Destination WABA. Ensure that the payment method is set up at both the source and the destination.
* **Two-Step Verification**: Two-step verification must be disabled on the phone number being migrated.

> When all of the above is checked and completed, the migration process can continue.

### Configuring Phone Numbers and WABA IDs

Meta has designed the WABA IDs to not be migratable. Due to certain limitations, a workaround has been implemented as a solution. For migration of phone numbers to occur, both source and destination WABA IDs must be under the same Meta business manager account. This means that migrating a phone number will only result in the transfer of that number between WABAs and will not allow for any other changes. To successfully migrate a phone number, the following steps must be carried out:

* **Add a new number to the destination WABA**: This will generate a new WABA ID for the number you wish to migrate to. You may skip this step if you have an existing WABA with a number that is no longer being used.

> Learn more about [connecting phone numbers to WhatsApp Cloud API here](https://respond.io/blog/whatsapp-cloud-api#toc-mobile-10).

* **Delete the new number from the destination WABA**: This will vacate a spot for a number to be added to the destination WABA. Alternatively, if you have an existing unused number, you can delete that number.

> Once the number is deleted, proceed to migrate the customer's current number to the new WhatsApp business.

## API Documentation for the Migration Process

> It is important to note that currently, these migration steps outlined in the API documentation can only be executed by a developer or someone with a similar technical background. However, we understand that this can be a limitation for some and we are working towards developing a more user-friendly and accessible solution in the future. Need help? Contact us [here](https://respond.io/contact)!

### Step 1: Begin Phone Number Migration

#### Callback URL:

`POST <https://graph.facebook.com/{version}/{wabaId}/phone\_numbers>`

| Name    | In   | Required | Type   | Description                     |
| ------- | ---- | -------- | ------ | ------------------------------- |
| version | path | True     | string | The API version.                |
| wabaId  | path | True     | string | The WhatsApp Cloud API WABA ID. |

> Go to [Business Manager > Business Settings > Accounts > WhatsApp Business Accounts](https://business.facebook.com/settings/whatsapp-business-accounts/) to find the ID of a WhatsApp Business Account. Select the account you want to use. A panel with account information, including the ID will appear.

#### Parameters

**Header**

`Authorization: Bearer {Access Token}`

> The System user generates your Access Token in the WhatsApp Business Accounts tab of the Business Manager. Read [this guide](https://web.facebook.com/business/help/503306463479099?id=2190812977867143&%5Frdc=1&%5Frdr) to learn how to access the system user and create or copy one.

![How to Generate Permanent Access Token for WhatsApp Cloud API](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/0wLWH2TjEVU/hqdefault.webp) 

**Body**

| Name                   | Type    | Description                                                                                                      |
| ---------------------- | ------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| cc                     | num     | Numerical country code for the phone number being registered.note: Plus (+) sign is not needed for country code. |
| phone\_number          | num     | Phone number being migrated, without the country code or plus symbol (+).                                        |
| migrate\_phone\_number | boolean | Set to true to migrate phone number.                                                                             |

**Status**

| Name   | Description |
| ------ | ----------- |
| 200 OK | Success.    |

**Response**

```
{  
    "id": "phoneNumberId"  
}
```

### Step 2: Request for Code (PIN) to Verify Phone Ownership

#### Callback URL

`POST <https://graph.facebook.com/{version}/{phoneNumberId}/request\_code>`

| Name          | In   | Required | Type   | Description                                                                                             |
| ------------- | ---- | -------- | ------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| version       | path | True     | string | The API version.                                                                                        |
| phoneNumberId | path | True     | string | This is the response returned in Step 1\. Copy and Paste the number into the callback URL in this step. |

#### Parameters

**Header**

`Authorization: Bearer {Access Token}`

**Body**

| Name         | Type | Description                                                                      |
| ------------ | ---- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| code\_method | enum | Method of receiving the registration code. Supported values: SMS and Voice.      |
| language     | enum | Language in which you want to receive the registration code. See language codes. |

**Status**

| Name   | Description |
| ------ | ----------- |
| 200 OK | Success.    |

**Response**

```
{  
    "success": true  
}
```

> The code has been sent to the phone number that is being migrated via the selected method (SMS or Voice).

### Step 3: Verify the Code

#### Callback URL

`POST: <https://graph.facebook.com/{version}/{phoneNumberId}/verify\_code>`

> The code (6-digit pin) received in the phone number from step 2 will be used to verify the ownership.

#### Parameters

**Header**

`Authorization: Bearer {Access Token}`

**Body**

| Name | Type | Description                                                 |
| ---- | ---- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| code | num  | 6-digit registration code received after completing Step 2. |

**Status**

| Name   | Description |
| ------ | ----------- |
| 200 OK | Success.    |

**Response**

```
{  
    "success": true  
}
```

> Confirms that the phone ownership is verified.

### Step 4: Register Phone Number

#### Callback URL

`POST <https://graph.facebook.com/{version}/{phoneNumberId}/register>`

#### Parameters

**Header**

`Authorization: Bearer {Access Token}`

**Body**

| Name               | Type | Description                                           |
| ------------------ | ---- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| messaging\_product | enum | Messaging service used. In this case, use "whatsapp". |
| pin                | num  | 6-digit registration code received after Step 2.      |

**Status**

| Name   | Description |
| ------ | ----------- |
| 200 OK | Success.    |

**Response**

```
{  
    "success": true  
}
```

> The phone number is successfully registered to the WhatsApp Cloud API WABA. You can now send messages to your destination WABA.

> WABA ID is not migrated. The newly migrated number will be associated with the WABA ID of the previously deleted number.

### Step 5: Check the Migrated Phone Number in Meta Developer App

A successful migration can be verified through the Meta Developer App. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to **WhatsApp** \> **Getting Started**
2. In the phone number dropdown list, confirm that the number is present and accurately reflected.
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## 

Related articles 👩‍💻

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* [Getting Ready for Inbound ConversationsLearn about conversation windows, sending message templates and setting up a simple entry point to manage WhatsApp messages from your customers. ](/help/whatsapp/getting-ready-for-inbound-conversations)
* [Getting Ready for Promotional MessagingLearn how to broadcast promotional messages using WhatsApp message templates. ](/help/whatsapp/getting-ready-for-promotional-messaging)
* [WhatsApp Official Business Account (Blue Tick)Learn how to get a WhatsApp Official Business Account. ](/help/whatsapp/whatsapp-official-business-account-blue-tick)

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