1. Why Move to the WhatsApp Business API?

The current WhatsApp phone app—personal or Business—is a single-player game. It is meant for one person for one person, on one device, with no audit trail, no integrations, and no scale. You are able to share screens through the use of Whatsapp Web but there is no clear way to track who responded and quality of responses. Also, the integrations and synchronization can be unreliable.

By contrast, the WhatsApp Business API (WABA) is the more scalable play:

• Multi-agent inboxes: One number, many seats. Let your support, sales, or ops teams handle chats simultaneously, with proper attribution and accountability.
  
  
• Webhooks & CRM sync: Feed conversations into your backend. Trigger automations, update customer records, or route chats through your AI.
  
  
• Template messaging: Meta-approved outbound messages (e.g., reminders, promos, OTPs) with real-time tracking.
  
  
• Cost clarity: Starting 1 July 2025, Meta switches to per-message billing. The current 24-hour session model? Gone. Every template message—whether marketing, utility, or authentication—is a paid line item.

2. Before You Begin: A Quick Migration Checklist

Before jumping into the export and migration process, make sure you've locked down the essentials:

• You own the number and have full SIM/porting rights.
  
  
• You’ve backed up all chat data you’ll need—once migrated, the app history is gone.
  
  
• You’ve selected a Business Solution Provider (BSP) or decided to go direct via Meta Cloud API.
  
  
• You’ve prepared template messages and understand Meta’s approval requirements.
  
  
• You’ve informed your ops and comms teams about the cutover date—downtime is possible during migration.
  

The smoother the prep, the faster the switch.

3. What Follows the Number—and What Gets Left Behind

You’re not just flipping a switch. Migrating to the API is a full system move. Here's what happens:

✅ What Comes With You

• The phone number (yes, the exact one your customers know).
  
  
• The ability to receive messages and calls, now through your WABA provider.
  
  
• Your business profile, verified badge (if eligible), and broadcast potential.
  
  

❌ What You Leave Behind

• Chat history: Your old app messages don’t come along when you migrate. Meta doesn’t sync app data with the API. (unless you work with a provider that is able to help you export your WhatsApp App chats)
  
  
• App access: Once moved to the API, that number won’t work on the WhatsApp mobile app anymore—not even as a backup.
  
  
• Group chats: Groups linked to that number will go dark unless reconfigured.

4. How to Export and Decrypt WhatsApp Chat History

If your number is the company’s front line, you’ll want a record of everything it’s said. Here’s the safe way to export and decrypt chat data before moving to the API.

Option A: Manual Export (Per Chat)

Good for small-scale usage or selective exports.

• Open a chat in WhatsApp (on phone).
  
  
• Tap ⋮ > More > Export Chat.
  
  
• Choose to include media or not.
  
  
• Receive .txt files via email or cloud.
  
  

Caveat: You’ll get plaintext transcripts—no search, no timestamps, no attachments grouped. It’s more of a paper trail than a usable database.

Option B: Full Backup Decryption (Advanced)

For power users or legal-grade archiving.

• Use iTunes (for iPhone) or ADB (for Android) to create a local encrypted backup.
  
  
• Use tools like iPhone Backup Extractor or WhatsApp Viewer to pull out msgstore.db.crypt* files.
  
  
• Decrypt using key extraction methods specific to device type.
  
  

⚠️ Warning: This is not for the faint-hearted. Proceed only if you’re comfortable with file systems and key handling. Always test with dummy data first.

5. Deeper Dive: Template Messaging Done Right

You can’t just blast messages and hope Meta looks away. There are rules—and real value if you play it smart.

Message Categories

1. Utility: Receipts, service updates, order confirmations.
   
   
2. Authentication: OTPs and secure logins.
   
   
3. Marketing: Promos, sales, new launches (requires opt-in!).
   
   

Tips for Success

• Keep it short and clear—no 8-paragraph novels.
  
  
• Use variables smartly: personalize without going creepy.
  
  
• Localize and test message quality scores—Meta tracks engagement.

6. Migrating the Number to the WhatsApp Business API

There are three paths to API glory:

🛣️ The Hard Way (DIY via Meta)

• Register a Meta Business Manager account.
  
  
• Verify your business identity.
  
  
• Apply for WABA access.
  
  
• Choose a cloud or on-premise deployment.
  
  
• Build your integration stack or pay developers.
  
  

This works—if you're a developer with time to burn.

🔌 The Easy Way (Via BSPs)

WhatsApp’s Business Solution Providers (BSPs) streamline setup by handling technical tasks. D7 Networks is ideal for Asia-based businesses with competitive pricing and a developer-friendly approach. Twilio offers excellent support and a robust API for global messaging. For SMBs and SaaS, 360dialog provides quick onboarding and seamless Meta Cloud API integration. Enterprises may benefit from Vonage's strong analytics and cross-channel tools. MessageBird suits EU operations with advanced message flows and compliance readiness.

⚡ The Straight-Line Shortcut (via chatavocado)

If you're migrating a WhatsApp number for customer service, bookings, or lead gen, we’ve built a shortcut.

• Full chat export and backup (optional)
  
  
• Secure migration of your number to WABA
  
  
• Out-of-the-box inbox and AI routing
  
  
• Compliant template messaging for reactivation and campaigns
  
  
• Done-for-you policy setup and approval

Drop us a line at chatavocado.ai if you’re ready.

7. The chatavocado AI Agent - Your superhuman coworker

Think of it as an operations teammate that never sleeps and never forgets a follow-up.

Setup time: less than a week.
Code required: none.
Channels supported today: WhatsApp Business API, Facebook, Instagram, Line

Here’s what it does out of the box once your number is live on the WhatsApp Business API:

Calendar bookings

Customer says “Can I view next Tuesday at 3 pm?” Agent checks Google Calendar, picks the nearest 30-min slot, sends a confirmation link, and writes the event—guest email, reminders, Meet link—directly to your company calendar.

Lead qualification

New inquiry arrives. Agent asks two-three gating questions, tags the chat (e.g., “high-value lead”), and pushes details to your CRM or a Google Sheet.

AI triage & smart routing

Detects intent: support, sales, billing. Routes to the right queue or human rep; escalates if sentiment ≠ “happy”.

Template re-activation

At T + 23 h it nudges stalled prospects with a pre-approved template (“Still keen to book a demo tomorrow?”). Zero manual chasing.

Conversation highlights

Every closed thread gets a one-liner summary, auto-posted to your #customer-updates channel.

AI Analyst

Every week our AI analyst parses 100 % of your WhatsApp conversations, flags common friction points (slow replies, unclear pricing, repeat questions), and provides you a “next-actions” report with concrete fixes to boost conversion and customer happiness.