WhatsApp Coexistence Explained
Coexistence is a connection mode that keeps your number active in the WhatsApp Business App and links it to Exabloom at the same time. You keep sending messages from your phone, and Exabloom receives and sends messages on the same number.
How it differs from the WhatsApp Business Platform (API)
A full WhatsApp Business Platform (API) migration moves your number entirely to the platform — the WhatsApp Business App stops working for that number. In Coexistence, both the app on your phone and the Exabloom integration stay active, at the cost of some restrictions listed below.
What changes on the WhatsApp Business App
Meta turns off the following features as soon as Coexistence is activated. These restrictions are enforced by WhatsApp, not by Exabloom.
| Feature | Status after Coexistence is enabled |
|---|---|
| Disappearing messages | Turned off |
| View-once messages | Turned off |
| Live location sharing | Turned off |
| Broadcast lists | Disabled (read-only) |
| Meta Verified badge | Removed on connection — re-verify via your Meta Business Profile |
| Previously linked devices | Unlinked — re-scan the QR code to reconnect them |
| WhatsApp for Windows and WearOS | Not supported — messages sent from these won't appear in Exabloom |
Group chats, voice and video calls, Status updates, Catalog, and Business Profile editing still work normally in the WhatsApp Business App. They are not accessible from Exabloom.
What Exabloom can and cannot do
Exabloom can:
- Receive all incoming 1-to-1 messages in real time
- Mirror messages you send from the WhatsApp Business App into your inbox
- Send replies on your behalf — from your team or from a workflow
- Send approved template messages outside the 24-hour service window
Exabloom cannot:
- Access group chats, Status updates, or voice/video calls
- Edit your business profile, catalog, or Away/Greeting messages
- Override Meta's 24-hour service window rule
- Receive messages sent from the WhatsApp for Windows or WearOS apps
Billing: free messages vs. platform messages
Messages sent from your phone are free. Messages sent through Exabloom are billed per Meta's conversation pricing.
| Sent from | Cost |
|---|---|
| WhatsApp Business App (your phone) | Free |
| Exabloom (team member or workflow) | Billed per Meta conversation pricing |
When a customer messages your business, Meta opens a 24-hour free service window. Inside the window, replies through Exabloom are unlimited. Outside the window, Exabloom can only re-engage the contact with an approved template message.
Availability
Coexistence is not available in Nigeria and South Africa due to WhatsApp Business App restrictions. Use the WhatsApp Business Platform (API) option in those regions.
Keeping the connection active
Meta disconnects the integration if the phone or a linked device is idle for too long:
| Trigger | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Primary phone WhatsApp Business App not opened | ~14 days |
| Linked devices not used | ~30 days |
If the integration disconnects, you can reconnect it yourself from Settings > Social Channels — click Connect next to Whatsapp Business and follow the same flow used for the first connection.
Disconnecting on purpose
Coexistence accounts cannot be disconnected from inside Exabloom. To disconnect, open the WhatsApp Business App and go to Settings > Account > Business Platforms, tap Exabloom, and follow the prompts.
Credit balances on a Coexistence account cannot be moved to the WhatsApp Business Platform (API). Disconnect and reconnect through the API flow before transferring or updating your credit line.
After disconnecting, you may need to wait up to 5 mins before the same phone number can be reconnected to Exabloom.