How to purchase a phone number and connect it to WhatsApp for your AI agent

This guide explains how to purchase a phone number directly inside AskHandle, activate it for WhatsApp, and connect it to an AI agent as a communication channel. Once the setup is complete and the flow is published, customers or guests can message the WhatsApp number and receive responses from your AI agent.

You do not need to create or manage a separate provider account to complete this setup. AskHandle guides you through the number purchase, WhatsApp activation, and AI agent connection from inside the platform.

Before you start

Before setting up WhatsApp, make sure you have:

Access to your AskHandle account
An AI agent or flow you want to connect to WhatsApp
Access to the Facebook or Meta account that manages your business
Permission to create or connect a Meta business portfolio, if needed
A valid payment method for purchasing the phone number
An email address where you can receive the WhatsApp verification code during setup

You may also want to prepare your business name, business category, and basic business details before starting the WhatsApp activation process.

Step 1: Open your AI agent

You do not need to configure every node before purchasing the number. For this setup, focus on the WhatsApp node.

Step 2: Open the WhatsApp setup

Inside the flow builder, click the WhatsApp node.

You can also access the same setup from the main menu by going to WhatsApp Numbers.

This opens the WhatsApp setup area, where you can check whether a phone number is already connected to your AI agent and continue with the number setup.

Step 3: Go to Phone Numbers

From the WhatsApp node, click Go to phone numbers.

This opens the area where you can get or connect a phone number for WhatsApp.

AskHandle gives you several options:

Purchase a new phone number
Connect an existing number that is already available through a supported provider setup
Transfer an existing number from another carrier or provider

For most new setups, the easiest option is to purchase a new phone number directly in AskHandle.

Step 4: Choose to browse available numbers

To purchase a new number, click Browse numbers.

You will see a list of available phone numbers that can be purchased and used for WhatsApp.

Each phone number is purchased separately, so make sure you select the number you want to use for your AI agent.

Step 5: Select the number you want to purchase

Review the available numbers and choose the number you want.

When you find the number you want to use, click Buy.

A confirmation step may appear. Review the number carefully, then click Buy again to continue.

Step 6: Complete the payment

After confirming the number, you will be redirected to the checkout page.

Enter your payment details and complete the purchase.

Once the payment is complete, you will be redirected back to AskHandle.

At this point, the phone number has been purchased and belongs to your AskHandle setup.

Step 7: Activate the number for WhatsApp

After purchasing the phone number, the next step is to activate it for WhatsApp.

On the phone numbers page, find the number you just purchased and click Activate.

This starts the WhatsApp activation process.

Step 8: Enter the email address for the verification code

During activation, you will be asked where the verification code should be sent.

Enter the email address where you want to receive the code.

Make sure you can access this inbox during setup, because you will need the code to complete the WhatsApp activation.

Step 9: Continue to the Meta/Facebook setup window

After entering the email address, continue with the setup.

A Meta or Facebook window will open. This is required to connect the number to WhatsApp Business.

Follow the instructions in the Meta/Facebook window and click Continue when prompted.

Step 10: Select or create a business portfolio

Meta may ask you to select an existing business portfolio or create a new one.

If you already have a business portfolio, select it.

If you do not have one, create a new business portfolio by following the steps shown in the Meta/Facebook window.

Use the correct business name and business details. This information should represent the business, property, or brand that customers will contact on WhatsApp.

Step 11: Create or select the WhatsApp business account

Next, create or select the WhatsApp business account that will be connected to this phone number.

You may be asked to enter basic information such as:

Business name
Business category
Business website, if required
Country or region

Use accurate business information. This helps make sure the WhatsApp number is connected to the correct business identity.

Step 12: Enter the phone number you purchased

When prompted to add a phone number, enter the phone number you just purchased in AskHandle.

Make sure the number is entered correctly, including the country code.

After entering the number, continue to the next step.

Step 13: Choose text message verification

When Meta asks how you want to verify the number, choose Text message.

Continue to request the verification code.

The verification code will be sent to the email address shown in the AskHandle setup process and in the popup window in your right corner.

Step 14: Enter the verification code

Check the email inbox or the popup window and find the verification code.

Enter the code in the Meta/Facebook setup window.

After entering the code, click Next or continue to confirm the verification.

Do not include real verification codes in screenshots, help articles, support messages, or public documentation.

Step 15: Confirm the WhatsApp connection

After the code is accepted, Meta will ask you to confirm the setup.

Review the information and confirm the connection.

Once confirmed, the phone number will be connected to WhatsApp Business.

Step 16: Return to AskHandle

After the Meta/Facebook setup is complete, AskHandle will continue configuring the WhatsApp connection in the background.

This may take a short time, roughly a minute or two. Wait until the setup is complete before moving to the next step.

Step 17: Assign the WhatsApp number to an AI agent

Once the WhatsApp setup is complete, choose which AI agent should use this WhatsApp number.

You may see a list of available AI agents or flows in your AskHandle account.

Select the AI agent you want to connect to the number.

For example, if you purchased the number for a vacation rental assistant, select your vacation rental AI agent.

Step 18: Review the AI agent setup

Before publishing, open the AI agent and review its setup.

Make sure the agent has the right instructions, knowledge, and behavior for the WhatsApp conversations it will handle.

For a vacation rental AI agent, this may include information such as:

Check-in instructions
Check-out time
Wi-Fi details
Parking information
House rules
Local recommendations
Emergency contacts
Late checkout policy
When to notify a human or hand off the conversation

For a customer support AI agent, this may include information such as:

Product or service details
Pricing information
Support policies
Common questions
Contact forms or lead capture steps
Escalation rules

Step 19: Confirm the WhatsApp node is connected

Go back to the WhatsApp node in the flow builder.

The node should now show that the phone number is connected.

This means the WhatsApp channel is ready to be used by the selected AI agent.

Step 20: Publish the flow

Once the number is connected and the AI agent setup is ready, publish the flow.

Click Publish.

You may be asked to name the published version or confirm the publish action.

After publishing, the WhatsApp number is live.

Step 21: Test the WhatsApp number

After publishing, send a test WhatsApp message to the phone number.

For example, you can send:

“Hi, what is the Wi-Fi password?”

or:

“Can I check out later?”

Check that:

The message reaches the correct AI agent
The AI agent responds on WhatsApp
The response is accurate
The flow behaves the way you expect
Any human handoff or escalation rules work correctly

Once you have tested the setup, you can start sharing the WhatsApp number with customers or guests.

You can add the number to:

Your website
Booking confirmation emails
Guest instructions
Customer support pages
QR codes
Printed materials
Email signatures
Property welcome guides

Make it clear that customers can message the number on WhatsApp for help.

Using an existing number instead of buying a new one

If you already have a phone number, you may be able to connect or transfer it instead of buying a new one.

AskHandle supports different number setup options, including:

Connecting an existing supported number
Transferring a number from another carrier or provider
Purchasing a new number directly in AskHandle

If you use an existing number, make sure you have permission to use it and that it can be connected to WhatsApp Business. Some existing numbers may require additional verification or transfer steps.

For most new customers, purchasing a new number inside AskHandle is the simplest option.

Important notes

You do not need to create a separate provider account to purchase and activate the number through AskHandle.
Each phone number is purchased separately.
The number must be activated for WhatsApp before it can be used by the AI agent.
Meta/Facebook setup is required to connect the number to WhatsApp Business.
Keep verification codes, payment details, business IDs, API keys, and account credentials private.
Always test the WhatsApp number before sharing it with customers.
The AI agent must be published before customers can receive live responses.

Troubleshooting

I do not see a connected number in the WhatsApp node

Go to Phone Numbers and check whether the number has been purchased and activated. If the number was purchased but not activated, click Activate and complete the WhatsApp setup.

I purchased the number, but WhatsApp is not active yet

Purchasing the number and activating it for WhatsApp are two separate steps. After purchase, click Activate and complete the Meta/Facebook setup.

I did not receive the verification code

Check the email address selected during setup. Also check spam or junk folders. If needed, restart the activation process and make sure the correct email address is entered.

The Meta/Facebook window asks for a business portfolio

Select an existing business portfolio if you have one. If not, create a new one by following the instructions in the Meta/Facebook window.

The AI agent is not responding on WhatsApp

Make sure the flow is published and the WhatsApp number is assigned to the correct AI agent. Also check that the WhatsApp node shows the number as connected.

The AI agent gives the wrong answer

Update the AI agent instructions, knowledge, or flow logic in AskHandle. Then publish the updated flow and test again.