> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs-next.gallabox.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# WhatsApp Coexistence
> Available on all Gallabox plans.
> **Who can use this?**
>
> * Gallabox users with **channel management permissions**.
> * Roles: Owners and Admins
> * Plans: Available on all Gallabox plans.
Co-existence must be enabled for your workspace by Gallabox support before you begin. [Contact support](mailto:support@gallabox.com).
Co-existence is **not enabled by default**. You must contact Gallabox support before starting the setup — the feature must be activated on your workspace first. Do not start the standard connection flow if you want Co-existence.
## Plan Availability
Available on all Gallabox plans.
## What is Co-existence?
Co-existence (also called **Embedded Signup**) lets you use the **WhatsApp Business App** on your phone **and** Gallabox on the **same phone number** at the same time.
* **WhatsApp Business App** — continue personal, 1:1 conversations from your phone
* **Gallabox** — run shared inbox, automation, campaigns, and AI agents for your team
Both work on the same phone number. Messages are synced between both.
## Why Use Co-existence?
Before Co-existence, businesses had to choose:
* **WhatsApp Business App** — simple and free, but limited for teams and automation
* **WhatsApp Business API** — powerful, but conversations moved to the platform's inbox
Co-existence removes this trade-off — the app and Gallabox stay in sync on the same number. It's best suited for:
* **Founder-led sales** — you handle high-touch deals from the app; your team manages follow-ups and bulk campaigns in Gallabox
* **Support teams scaling up** — support moves into Gallabox with assignments, SLAs, and AI agents, while you can still respond from your phone when needed
* **Gradual migration** — test Cloud API features first, then decide if you want to go fully API-first later
## How Co-existence Works
When you enable Co-existence:
1. Your team gets a **shared inbox** in Gallabox — with assignments, tags, bot flows, broadcasts, and AI agents
2. You (and your team members) can still reply from the **WhatsApp Business App** on your phones
3. **1:1 chat history** (up to 6 months) can be synced into Gallabox if you choose
4. New messages are **mirrored between both** — what you send from the app appears in Gallabox, and vice versa
### What changes on the WhatsApp Business App
After Co-existence is enabled, some features are **no longer available** on the app:
| Feature | What happens after Co-existence |
| -------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| Edit messages | No longer supported |
| Delete/revoke messages | No longer supported |
| Disappearing messages | Automatically turned off for all 1:1 chats |
| View once media | Disabled for all 1:1 chats |
| Live location sharing | Disabled for all 1:1 chats |
| Broadcast lists | Cannot create new lists; existing lists become read-only |
| Group chats | Not synced to Gallabox — stay on the phone only |
| Voice and video calls | Not available via Cloud API |
| Catalog, orders, WhatsApp Status | No change — these stay on the app |
### What you can do in Gallabox after Co-existence
| | From Gallabox |
| ------------ | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| Shared inbox | All team members see conversations |
| Automation | Bot flows, AI agents, sequences, broadcasts |
| Routing | Auto-assign conversations to teams or agents |
| Campaigns | Send broadcast campaigns (WhatsApp API pricing applies) |
| Analytics | Full conversation and campaign reporting |
### What stays the same on the WhatsApp Business App
* 1:1 conversations continue as normal on the phone
* WhatsApp Business App features (catalog, quick replies, labels, Status) remain in the app
* Group chats stay on the phone only
## Requirements
Before enabling Co-existence, make sure you have:
1. **WhatsApp Business App** version **2.24.17 or higher** installed on your phone
2. A phone number from a **supported country** (Co-existence is not available for Nigeria or South Africa)
3. The number **not already connected to another WhatsApp API provider** — if it is, that connection must be disconnected first
4. **Gallabox Co-existence enabled** for your workspace (contact support)
## How to Set Up
Co-existence is set up in four stages. Make sure support has enabled Co-existence for your workspace before starting.
Email [support@gallabox.com](mailto:support@gallabox.com) with:
* Your WhatsApp Business App phone number
* A note that you want to enable Co-existence
Gallabox will verify your eligibility and activate the feature on your workspace.
The Gallabox team will confirm:
* Your number is on the WhatsApp Business App (not already on Cloud API)
* Your country is supported
* No existing credit-line or partner conflicts on your number
Once eligible, complete the onboarding through Gallabox:
1. Start the connection flow in Gallabox and choose to connect your existing WhatsApp Business App number.
2. A **verification code** will appear on screen — copy it.
3. On your phone, open the **WhatsApp Business App**. You'll receive a message from **Facebook Business Account** with a prompt to connect.
4. If you don't see the message, go to **Menu (or Settings) → Account → Connect to Business Platform**.
5. Choose whether to share up to **6 months of chat history** with Gallabox.
This decision **cannot be changed later**. If you want to change it, you must disconnect and reconnect — and history sharing will not be available again on reconnect.
6. Enter the verification code and tap **Connect to the Business Platform**.
Chat history sync can take a few minutes depending on your message history size and internet speed. Keep the WhatsApp Business App open during this time.
Once connected:
* Chats and contacts begin syncing into Gallabox
* Your team can work from the Gallabox shared inbox
* You can continue replying from the WhatsApp Business App
## Linked Devices After Setup
After connecting, all **linked companion devices** (WhatsApp Web, WhatsApp on tablet, etc.) will be **automatically unlinked**. This is a Meta security requirement during Cloud API onboarding.
You can re-link them after setup is complete.
## Keeping Co-existence Active
The connection between your WhatsApp Business App and Gallabox must stay active. Meta can automatically remove Gallabox from your WhatsApp Business Account in these situations:
| Reason | What happens |
| ---------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Number offline for 14+ days** | Your WhatsApp Business App is inactive or unreachable — Meta severs the connection automatically |
| **Device change or app reinstall** | Switching phones, resetting, or reinstalling the app can break the connection |
| **Compliance or integrity issues** | Policy violations or low trust score on your account |
If Gallabox stops receiving messages or your shared inbox goes silent, your Co-existence connection may have been broken. [Contact Gallabox support](mailto:support@gallabox.com) to confirm and re-onboard.
### Best practices to avoid unexpected disconnections
1. **Keep the WhatsApp Business App active** — open and use it regularly. Avoid leaving the number dormant for more than a few days.
2. **Avoid frequent device changes** — if you need to change phones, contact Gallabox support first.
3. **Stay compliant with Meta's policies** — messaging practices, business profile, and account standing all affect the connection.
## How to Disconnect
To stop using Co-existence:
1. Open the **WhatsApp Business App** on your phone.
2. Go to **Settings → Account → Business Platform → Disconnect Account**.
3. Confirm disconnection.
This removes Gallabox from your WhatsApp Business Account. Your WhatsApp Business App continues working normally.
If you need help disconnecting, [contact Gallabox support](mailto:support@gallabox.com).
## FAQs
No — if you approved history sharing during onboarding, up to 6 months of recent 1:1 chats are synced into Gallabox. Chats older than 6 months are not synced. If you did not approve history sharing, no chats are imported.
Yes. The WhatsApp Business App continues to work normally for 1:1 conversations. You can reply from the app or from Gallabox — both are synced.
No. Group chats remain only in the WhatsApp Business App and are not synced to Gallabox.
No. It continues to work alongside Gallabox. You have both — the app on your phone and the shared inbox in Gallabox.
Messages sent from the **WhatsApp Business App** are free. Messages sent through **Gallabox** follow WhatsApp Cloud API per-message pricing. See [message credits](/pricing-and-billing/message-credits) for rates.
Existing credit-line or partner connections can block Co-existence setup. Gallabox support will help resolve this during the eligibility check.
Meta automatically unlinks companion devices (WhatsApp Web, tablet, etc.) during Cloud API onboarding for security and compatibility. Re-link them after setup is complete.