Put your WhatsApp Business number in a team inbox, no API needed
You can share a business WhatsApp number with your team without applying for the WhatsApp Business API. Open Linked Devices in the WhatsApp Business app, scan the QR code Timelines shows, and the number's chats appear in a shared inbox within minutes. Team members are free, and each channel is $9.99 a month.
- Scan a QR code in the WhatsApp Business app, no API application
- Keep using the app on your phone as usual
- Your profile and display name stay untouched
- 7 day free trial, no card needed
What you get once the number is connected
Everything below works on the number you already use with customers.
A shared list for the whole team
Assign chats, add internal notes and reply together from the web app or the mobile apps.
Several business numbers
Link more numbers to the same workspace. Each one is a $9.99 channel slot.
AI that drafts replies
AI suggests answers from your knowledge base for a teammate to edit and send, and summarizes long threads.
Other chats alongside
Telegram, Instagram, Messenger, phone and web chat can join the same inbox.
No profile edits
Your business profile, display name and settings stay as they are.
CRM logging
HubSpot and Zoho CRM log conversations on the matching contact, at $4.99 per Integration.
QR, Cloud API or a developer API: which route fits
There are three ways to put a business number into software, and they suit different jobs. Timelines uses the QR route.
QR link to the app. The number stays in the WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business app, and the inbox joins as a linked device. It suits teams that answer customers by hand and want to start today. It does not give you approved message templates or a verified business profile, and it relies on WhatsApp's linked device feature.
WhatsApp Business Platform (Cloud API). Meta's own documentation says it "enables you to programmatically message and call on WhatsApp", that you "must have a business portfolio to use the platform" and that "templates generally require approval before you can send them" (Meta's Cloud API overview). It suits businesses that need official access, template campaigns or software-driven messaging, and are ready for that setup.
Developer APIs from messaging providers. These wrap an official or unofficial connection in an API your own software calls. They suit engineering teams building a custom flow. Timelines is an inbox for people first; its API and webhooks let your tools follow and send messages on the number your team already answers.
If your main need is a shared inbox for a number you already use, the QR route is the short one. If you need official templates at scale, choose the Cloud API and follow WhatsApp's business messaging rules either way.
Connect the business number in three steps
No technical skills are needed.
Create the workspace
Sign up for the 7 day trial. No card is requested.
Scan the QR code
In the WhatsApp Business app, open Settings, then Linked Devices, and scan the code.
Start answering
Chats appear in the shared inbox. Invite teammates and assign conversations.
The cost, with the arithmetic
A business number is one channel slot at $9.99 per month. Teammates are free, however many. A business WhatsApp number, a Telegram account and a web chat widget make 3 slots, $29.97, and adding one Integration at $4.99 gives $34.96 a month. See the pricing page for slot changes and cancellation.
Questions about connecting a business WhatsApp number
One inbox for all your customer chats
WhatsApp, Telegram and phone
Link personal and Business app WhatsApp numbers and Telegram accounts with a QR code or a login code, and buy Voice numbers in the app. No API application is involved.
Instagram, Messenger and web chat
Add Instagram direct messages, Facebook Messenger and a web chat widget for your site, so a customer on any of them reaches the same team.
AI reply drafts and a knowledge base
AI suggests a reply that a teammate can edit and send, and agents can answer from your knowledge base. A person can take over any chat at any moment.
Ready to connect your business number?
Scan one code and your team can start answering. No card for the 7 day trial.