# Connect your WhatsApp number

Connect your WhatsApp number to Bird. These short examples use a pre-verified US number and a new WhatsApp Business Account.

Start on the [Numbers](https://bird.com/dashboard/w/whatsapp/numbers) page with a number your workspace holds at Bird and a Meta login that can manage your business.

<WhatsAppSignupStep
  image="/images/docs/dashboard-whatsapp-number-select.png"
  alt="The New number dialog with a number held by the workspace selected."
  number={1}
>

## Select your number in Bird

Choose **New number**, select your number from the **Number** list, then select **Connect this number**.

</WhatsAppSignupStep>

<WhatsAppSignupStep
  image="/images/docs/dashboard-whatsapp-number-verifying.png"
  alt="Bird verifying the selected number with WhatsApp, with a Continue in background button."
  number={2}
>

## Wait for verification

Bird receives Meta's verification code for you. You can select **Continue in background** and follow progress in the numbers list.

</WhatsAppSignupStep>

<WhatsAppSignupStep
  image="/images/docs/dashboard-whatsapp-number-verified.png"
  alt="The verified number ready for Finish setting up in Bird."
  number={3}
>

## Open Meta's setup

When the number is **Pre-verified**, give it a name and select **Finish setting up**. Sign in to Meta when prompted.

</WhatsAppSignupStep>

<WhatsAppSignupStep step="welcome" number={4}>

## Continue with Meta

Select **Continue** to start connecting your business to Bird.

</WhatsAppSignupStep>

<WhatsAppSignupStep step="phone" number={5}>

## Choose your number

Open the number list and select your pre-verified number, then **Next**. You do not need another SMS code.

</WhatsAppSignupStep>

<WhatsAppSignupStep step="assets" number={6}>

## Create a business portfolio

Select **Create a Business portfolio**. Keep **Create a WhatsApp Business account** selected, then select **Next**. If you already have a portfolio, you can choose it instead.

</WhatsAppSignupStep>

<WhatsAppSignupStep step="business" number={7}>

## Add your business details

Enter your business name and email, then choose a category and country. Add your website, or indicate that you do not have one. Check the time zone, then select **Next**.

</WhatsAppSignupStep>

<WhatsAppSignupStep step="review" number={8}>

## Review access

Review the permissions Bird requests, then select **Confirm**.

</WhatsAppSignupStep>

<WhatsAppSignupStep step="connected" number={9}>

## Return to Bird

Select **Continue to feature setup** to finish Meta's setup and return to Bird.

</WhatsAppSignupStep>

<WhatsAppSignupStep
  image="/images/docs/dashboard-whatsapp-numbers.png"
  alt="The WhatsApp numbers list in Bird showing a Connected number."
  number={10}
>

## Wait for Connected

Back in **Numbers**, wait for **Connected** before sending. **Pending** means Bird is still registering the number with Meta.

</WhatsAppSignupStep>

<WhatsAppSignupStep
  image="/images/docs/dashboard-whatsapp-number-detail.png"
  alt="A connected WhatsApp number's detail page with its status and sending limits."
  number={11}
>

## Check your number

Open the connected number to check its status and sending limits. Use **Business profile** to review what recipients see.

</WhatsAppSignupStep>

<span id="what-a-numbers-status-means" />

If setup stops, [check the number's status and how to
retry](/docs/guides/whatsapp/numbers/managing#check-connection-status).

<span id="bird-managed-numbers" />

<span id="your-own-number" />

<span id="verification-on-a-number-bird-holds" />

For other number options, see [Default numbers](/docs/guides/whatsapp/numbers/default) and [your own
numbers](/docs/guides/whatsapp/numbers/managing#number-options).

<span id="what-a-connected-number-shows" />

<span id="the-business-account-behind-a-number" />

<span id="read-your-numbers-from-the-api" />

<span id="inbound-messages" />

<span id="next-steps" />

[Manage your numbers](/docs/guides/whatsapp/numbers/managing) covers profiles, business accounts,
API reads, and inbound messages. Ready to send? [Send a WhatsApp
message](/docs/guides/whatsapp/sending-whatsapp).

## Related resources

- [Connecting WhatsApp to Bird: from buying a number to a live channel](/learn/whatsapp/connecting-whatsapp-to-bird) (video)
- [Connect WhatsApp](/whatsapp-api) (product)
- [Build your first integration](/learn/paths/integration) (course)

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