Log in to Meta for Developers

Go to developers.facebook.com/apps and click Login in the top-right corner. Sign in with your personal Facebook account. If this is your first time, you will be asked to complete the developer registration: accept the terms and verify your account by email or SMS.

Create a new Meta App

In the dashboard, click Create App. Fill in the required fields: App name, for example “WinSender MyBusiness”, and App contact email.

Select the WhatsApp use case

In the Use cases section, filter by “Business messaging” and select Connect with customers with WhatsApp. Then choose your Business Portfolio and click Go to Dashboard.

Complete the app settings

Before continuing, Meta requires you to complete the app’s basic settings. Go to App Settings → Basic and fill in at least:

• Privacy Policy URL – the URL of your policy, for example a page on your website
• Terms of Service URL – the URL of your terms
• App Icon – a 1024×1024px icon

Open the API Setup panel

From the left menu, go to Use cases → Customize, or directly to WhatsApp → API Setup. This is the central API configuration panel.

On this screen you will see the test number provided by Meta, which can be used immediately for free with up to 5 contacts, your Phone Number ID, and your WhatsApp Business Account ID (WABA ID). Write them down: you will need them later.

Add a payment method REQUIRED

Still inside the API Setup section, click Add Payment Method and enter your card details. This unlocks the ability to send messages beyond the test sandbox.

Register your real phone number

Click Add Phone Number in the API Setup panel. Enter the number with the international prefix, for example +39 3XX XXXXXXX, and choose the verification method: SMS or voice call. Enter the code you receive to complete verification.

You can immediately send a test message using the Send message button in the panel to make sure everything works correctly.

⭐ Create a System User in Meta Business Manager

Step 1: Go to Meta Business Settings → Users → System Users. Click + Add.

Step 2: In the window that appears, choose a name, for example “WinSender Bot”, set the role to Admin, and click Create system user.

Step 3: Click Add assets → Apps tab → select the app you created → enable Full control → Add assets.

Step 4: Go back to Add assets → WhatsApp Accounts tab → select your WABA → enable Full control → Add assets.

⭐ Generate the Permanent Token

From the System Users page in Business Settings, find the user you created and click Generate new token.

In the popup that appears:

1. Select your App from the dropdown menu
2. Set the expiration to Never
3. Select the permissions:
   • whatsapp_business_messaging
   • whatsapp_business_management
4. Click Generate token

Configure WinSender

Open WinSender on your PC, go to SETTINGS, and enter the four values collected in the previous steps:

Click APPLY SETTINGS. If no error message appears, the connection has been completed successfully. 🎉

📅 July 2025 change: from conversation-based pricing to per-message pricing

Since July 1, 2025, Meta has moved away from the old system that charged a fee for each 24-hour conversation window. Now each individual template message sent is billed separately, based on its category and the recipient’s country. Free-form messages and Utility templates sent during an active service window remain free.

🆓 What remains free

• Free-form replies, including text, images, and audio, sent within 24 hours of the customer’s last message
• Utility templates sent during an active Customer Service Window
• All messages within 72 hours after a conversation started from a Click-to-WhatsApp ad

The token expires: what happens?

The temporary token from the API Setup panel expires every 24 hours. If you use it in WinSender, the software will stop working. That is why it is mandatory to use the permanent token generated through a System User, as explained in Steps 8-9 of this guide.

Can I use my personal mobile number?

Yes, but only if it is not already registered on WhatsApp. If it is, you must first delete that account from the mobile app, wait a few minutes, and then proceed with API registration.

How many messages can I send per day?

The initial limit is 1,000 unique contacts per day, also known as Tier 1. As you send messages and complete business verification, the limit increases automatically: Tier 2, 10,000 per day; Tier 3, 100,000 per day; and eventually unlimited.

Is it mandatory to add a credit card?

Yes. Since 2024, Meta requires a payment method in order to use real phone numbers and leave the sandbox. Nothing is charged until you exceed the free allowance, but the card must be added to unlock full access.

Does the official API really prevent bans?

Yes. Unlike unofficial methods that simulate WhatsApp Web, the Cloud API uses Meta’s official servers, eliminating the risk of bans caused by automation. However, you must still comply with the WhatsApp Business policies: no spam and explicit opt-in from contacts.