Overview
Connect your WhatsApp Business number to the Elev8 platform using the Meta WhatsApp Cloud API to automate guest messages for your property listings directly from your Elev8 dashboard.
Create Meta System User
Navigate to System Users settings
Access the System Users section within your Meta Business Portfolio by going to business.facebook.com, opening your Business Portfolio, and clicking Settings in the left sidebar. Under Users, click System Users to view and manage existing system users.
Create new system user
Add a new system user account by clicking + Add on the System Users page. This opens a dialog to define the new system user's details.
Name system user and set role
Identify the system user and define its access level by entering a name (e.g., "Elev8") and setting the role to Employee in the dialog. Click Create system user to create the system user and list it in your Business Portfolio.
Create Meta App for WhatsApp
Navigate to Meta Developer Apps
Access your Meta Developer apps dashboard by going to developers.facebook.com and clicking My Apps in the top navigation. This displays your existing Meta apps and provides an option to create a new one.
Create new app
Begin the process of creating a new Meta app by clicking Create App on the Meta Developer Apps page. This starts a new app creation wizard.
Enter app details
Provide basic information for your new app by entering an App name (e.g., "elev8") and your App contact email. Click Next to set the app's name and contact email.
Select WhatsApp use case
Configure the app for WhatsApp Business Messaging by filtering by Business messaging on the left sidebar of the Use Cases screen. Select "Connect with customers through WhatsApp". Click Next to set up the app for WhatsApp integration.
Associate app with Business Portfolio
Link your new app to your Meta Business Portfolio by selecting your Business Portfolio from the dropdown on the Business screen. Click Next and complete any remaining steps to finish creating the app, ensuring it is associated with the correct business entity for proper permissions and management.
Assign Assets to System User
Select System User
Manage the permissions for the Elev8 system user by returning to Business Settings → Users → System Users. Select the Elev8 system user to view its details and assigned assets.
Assign App asset
Grant the system user access to the Meta App by clicking Apps on the left in the Select assets dialog. Choose the app created in Step 2 from the dropdown to add it to the list of assets the system user can manage.
Grant Full access to App
Provide the system user comprehensive control over the Meta App by setting the permission level to Full access. Enable the "Manage app" toggle. Click Assign assets to confirm the system user has the necessary permissions to manage the app, which is crucial for token generation.
Generate Permanent Access Token
Initiate token generation
Create a permanent access token for the Elev8 system user by selecting your Elev8 system user in Business Settings → System Users. Click Generate token to start the token generation wizard.
Select Meta App for token
Specify which app the token will grant access to by choosing the app created in Step 2 from the dropdown. Click Next to link the token to your WhatsApp Business app.
Set token expiration to Never
Ensure the access token remains valid indefinitely by setting Token expiration to "Never". This prevents service interruptions and removes the need for periodic renewal. Click Next to confirm.
Assign WhatsApp permissions
Grant the token the necessary permissions to manage and send WhatsApp messages by selecting both: whatsapp_business_management and whatsapp_business_messaging under Assign permissions. Click Generate token to configure the token with the required access rights for WhatsApp integration.
Copy generated token
Secure the newly generated access token for use in Elev8 by copying the token immediately. This is the only time it will be shown in full, and it is essential for connecting Elev8 to Meta.
Configure Webhook in Meta App
Navigate to WhatsApp Configuration
Access the webhook settings for your Meta App by opening your app in developers.facebook.com. Navigate to Use cases → Customize → Configuration to view the configuration options for setting up webhooks.
Enter Callback URL and Verify Token
Provide Meta with the destination for incoming WhatsApp messages and the verification method by pasting the Callback URL and Verify token received from Elev8 in Step 6 under the Webhook section. This configures the webhook with the necessary endpoints for Elev8.
Verify and save webhook settings
Confirm that Meta can successfully communicate with Elev8's webhook by clicking "Verify and save". This establishes and validates the webhook connection.
Subscribe to messages field
Ensure Meta sends notifications for incoming messages to Elev8 by subscribing to the messages webhook field after verification succeeds. This allows Elev8 to receive real-time updates for all WhatsApp messages.
Connect WhatsApp in Elev8
Open Elev8 WhatsApp settings
Access the WhatsApp integration section within your Elev8 dashboard by going to Settings → WhatsApp Business. This displays the interface to connect your WhatsApp Business number.
Initiate Meta connection
Begin the process of linking Elev8 with your Meta WhatsApp Cloud API by clicking "Connect with Meta". A dialog appears, providing the unique Callback URL and Verification Token required for Meta.
Provide API credentials
Authenticate Elev8 with your Meta WhatsApp Business Account by returning to Elev8 and clicking Next. On the credentials screen, enter the Access Token (generated in Step 4), your WABA ID, and your Phone Number ID. These IDs are found in the Meta App → WhatsApp → API Setup section. This provides Elev8 with the necessary credentials to interact with the WhatsApp Cloud API.
Verify First
You must verify the webhook in Meta (Step 5) before clicking 'Next' in Elev8 (Step 6). These steps require real-time communication, so complete Meta's verification first.
Connect WhatsApp account
Finalize the connection between your WhatsApp Business number and Elev8 by clicking Connect after entering all credentials. This links your WhatsApp account to Elev8, enabling message sending and receiving.
Assign property listings
Specify which Elev8 property listings will use this connected WhatsApp number by assigning the desired property listings on the next screen. Click Done to associate your WhatsApp number with the selected properties, enabling automated messaging for those listings.