WhatsApp Platform: Phone Number Limits

This guide explains essential information on:

1. the Meta imposed limitations for phone numbers used on the WhatsApp Platform
2. how to increase these limits when required by your business

Phone Number Limits

Single API Usage: Each business phone number registered with WhatsApp can only be associated with one API at a time. To register your number with Vonage, the number must not be associated with another BSP. Additionally, the number can only be registered with the Cloud API or the On-Premises API for each number. By default, you will be registered with Cloud API. 

Initial Limit: Meta limits businesses to 2 business phone numbers across all WhatsApp Business Accounts (WABAs) during the initial registration period. This initial period will last until the Increasing Limit process starts.

Increasing the Limit:

Process

1. Verify your Business with Meta
2. Ensure your Display Name is approved 
3. Monitor your Phone Number Quality
4. Monitor your Message Quality

Meta monitors API usage and will automatically adjust the phone number limit when warranted. If an automatic limit increase is not granted, and your limit remains at 2, it's crucial to monitor your phone number and message quality.

How to Monitor Your Phone Number Quality? 

The phone number status is a measure of the quality of your phone number's messaging activity. 

Your phone number status can be Connected, Flagged, or Restricted.

Connected: You can send outgoing messages within your set messaging limit.

Flagged: This status occurs when your phone number's quality rating changes to Low and is on track to be downgraded to a lower message tier. You can't upgrade your messaging limit tier while the status is Flagged. If the quality rating improves to a high or medium quality by the 7th day, the status will return to Connected and your messaging limit tier will remain unaffected. If it does not improve, your status will return to Connected but your messaging limit will decrease to the next level.

Restricted: This status occurs when you reach your messaging limit, regardless of the quality rating. You can't send any outgoing messages until 24 hours have elapsed. You can still respond to any messages that customers initiate.

Your business phone number's status, quality rating, and messaging limits can be found in the WhatsApp Manager under the "Account tools" in the "Phone numbers" tab.

Proactive Improvement

After improving your quality scores in line with WhatsApp Business policies and ensuring a positive customer experience, Meta may automatically reassess your business for a limit increase.

Beyond 20 Numbers

Meta’s default phone number limit is 20 numbers. If your business requires more than 20 numbers, you can request an increase by opening a Support Ticket. In your ticket, please provide a clear explanation of why you need more than 20 numbers for your business operations. The final decision will be made by Meta.