---
title: "How to Connect a New Phone Number"
description: "This guide walks you through connecting a new phone number to Chatfuel via WhatsApp."
canonical_url: https://chatfuel.com/docs/whatsapp/how-to-connect-a-new-phone-number
markdown_url: https://chatfuel.com/docs/whatsapp/how-to-connect-a-new-phone-number.md
last_updated: 2026-07-03
lang: en
site: https://chatfuel.com/docs
llms_txt: https://chatfuel.com/llms.txt
---

# How to Connect a New Phone Number

This guide walks you through connecting a new phone number to Chatfuel via WhatsApp.

This guide walks you through connecting a new phone number to Chatfuel via WhatsApp. If you want to connect a number that's already in use with the WhatsApp Business App, see [Connect WhatsApp Business App Number to Chatfuel](https://chatfuel.com/docs/whatsapp/connect-whatsapp-business-app-number) instead.

> **Note:** Connecting a number is one of the few steps the AI Co-Worker can't complete for you — it requires authorizing with Meta in your own account. The Co-Worker can take you straight to the right page: just ask.

> Make sure you have all the required permissions before beginning this process. See the WhatsApp permission checklist.

## Step-by-step setup [#step-by-step-setup]

1. Go to [panel.chatfuel.com](https://panel.chatfuel.com) and open **Settings** in the left sidebar.

2. Click **Add number** in the WhatsApp section.

3. You'll see an authentication screen. Log in to your Facebook account and click **Continue**.

4. Click **Continue** to authorize Chatfuel to connect with your WhatsApp Business account.

5. On this screen you need to:
   * Select your existing business portfolio or create a new one. This is your Meta Business account where all your business tools live.
   * Select **Create a WhatsApp Business account** to connect a new phone number. This option allows you to link a number that's not currently in use in WhatsApp Business.
   * Click **Next** to continue.

6. If you selected **Create a Business Portfolio** in the previous step, fill out all business information. Even if some fields are marked as optional, it's best to complete them for smoother account verification. Click **Next** when done.

7. Fill in all required business information for your new WhatsApp account. Provide the [display name](https://chatfuel.com/docs/whatsapp/how-to-change-whatsapp-display-name) that appears in WhatsApp chat headers and your business catalog. Click **Next**.

   Meta reviews your display name and may restrict your account if it violates their naming policy. Use your real business name, avoid excessive punctuation or special characters, and don't include "WhatsApp" or "Meta" in the name.

8. Choose **Add a new number**, enter your phone number, and pick a verification method (text message or phone call). Click **Next**.

9. Enter the verification code you received and click **Next**.

10. Review what Chatfuel will be able to access and do with your WhatsApp Business account, then click **Confirm**.

11. You'll see a success message: **"Your account is connected to Chatfuel"**. Click **Finish** to complete the connection.

Your WhatsApp number now appears in Settings. Next, [activate AI on your WhatsApp channel](https://chatfuel.com/docs/whatsapp/how-to-activate-ai-in-whatsapp) to start automating conversations.

If the number doesn't appear or you run into errors during setup, check our [troubleshooting guide for phone connection issues](https://chatfuel.com/docs/whatsapp/troubleshooting-phone-connection-issues).