---
title: "WhatsApp coexistence"
description: "Use the same number in the WhatsApp Business app and Bird. Compare coexistence limits and costs, and identify messages sent from the app."
canonical: "https://bird.com/docs/guides/whatsapp/coexistence"
---

# WhatsApp coexistence

Coexistence connects your WhatsApp Business app number to Bird. You keep using the app to message customers and use the same number for API sends, automations, and your team's [Conversations inbox](/docs/guides/whatsapp/conversations).

## When to use coexistence

Use coexistence if your team already works in the WhatsApp Business app and needs to keep replying from it after connecting to Bird. For example, staff can answer customers from the app as you add automated order updates through the API.

If you do not need the Business app, use [standard number setup](/docs/guides/whatsapp/numbers/connect). Coexistence requires an existing Business app account and limits API throughput.

## Limits and app changes

Coexistence numbers have a fixed API throughput of **20 messages per second**, as specified in [Meta's coexistence limitations](https://developers.facebook.com/documentation/business-messaging/whatsapp/embedded-signup/onboarding-business-app-users#limitations). If you need higher throughput, use a number connected without coexistence.

One-to-one messages sync between the app and Bird. During connection, you can also choose to share existing chat history. Some app features change:

- Group chats stay in the app and do not sync to Bird.
- Broadcast lists become read-only, and you cannot create new ones in the app.
- Disappearing messages and view-once messages are disabled for one-to-one chats.
- Linked devices disconnect during setup. You can reconnect supported devices afterwards.

See Meta's [feature comparison](https://developers.facebook.com/documentation/business-messaging/whatsapp/embedded-signup/onboarding-business-app-users#feature-comparison) and [linked-device support](https://developers.facebook.com/documentation/business-messaging/whatsapp/embedded-signup/onboarding-business-app-users#linked-devices) before connecting.

## Cost

Connecting a coexistence number has no additional charge.

Messages you send from the WhatsApp Business app remain free under [Meta's coexistence pricing](https://developers.facebook.com/documentation/business-messaging/whatsapp/embedded-signup/onboarding-business-app-users#pricing). Bird does not charge for recording those messages.

Messages you send through Bird follow the [WhatsApp messaging rates](/pricing/whatsapp). See [Cost and billing](/docs/guides/whatsapp/sending-whatsapp#cost-and-billing) for how charges apply.

## Messages sent from the app

<div className="grid items-start gap-6 xl:grid-cols-2">
<div>

When you send a message from the WhatsApp Business app, Bird records it as an outbound message with `origin: business_app_echo`. The `from` address is your business number, and `to` is the customer.

Use `origin` to distinguish an app reply from a message sent through Bird. Sending from the app does not pause automated replies in Bird.

The [message API](/docs/api/reference/get-whatsapp-message) returns the full record. This abbreviated example shows the direction, addresses, and origin; `...` marks omitted fields.

</div>
<div className="min-w-0 [&>div]:mt-0">

```text
{
  "direction": "outbound",
  "from": {
    "phone_number": "+14155550100"
  },
  "to": {
    "phone_number": "+14155550101"
  },
  ...
  "origin": "business_app_echo"
}
```

</div>
</div>

## Next steps

- [Connect your WhatsApp Business app number](/docs/guides/whatsapp/coexistence/connect).
- [Manage WhatsApp conversations](/docs/guides/whatsapp/conversations).

## Related resources

- [Connecting WhatsApp to Bird: from buying a number to a live channel](/learn/whatsapp/connecting-whatsapp-to-bird) (video)
- [What is the 24-hour customer service window on WhatsApp?](/explained/whatsapp/what-is-the-24-hour-customer-service-window) (answer)
- [WhatsApp message builder](/tools/whatsapp-message-builder) (tool)
- [WhatsApp](/whatsapp-api) (product)

[Get an implementation brief](/learn/workspace?topic=whatsapp)