Coexistence allows you to use the WhatsApp Business App and the Cloud API (via seven) on the same phone number at the same time. This means your team can continue using the Business App on a phone while also leveraging the API for automated messaging and integrations.
Activating Coexistence
When you connect your WhatsApp number through the seven dashboard, you are prompted to select a mode:
- Full Migration - the number is fully migrated to the Cloud API; the WhatsApp Business App can no longer be used with this number.
- Coexistence - both the Business App and the Cloud API operate in parallel on the same number.
Select Coexistence during the Embedded Signup flow if you want to keep using the Business App alongside seven.
Echo Messages
In Coexistence mode, messages sent from the WhatsApp Business App are synced to the Cloud API as echo messages. This means that messages your team sends via the Business App will also appear in the seven dashboard and can be captured through webhooks, giving you a unified view of all conversations.
Importing Chat History and Contacts
When you connect in Coexistence mode, the WhatsApp Business App asks whether you want to share your chat history and contacts with seven. If you approve, seven imports them automatically right after the connection:
- Chat history: your individual chats of the 180 days before the connection. Group chats are not included. Media is only imported for the last 14 days, older media appears as a placeholder.
- Contacts: your address book from the Business App. The contacts are stored in a contact group "WhatsApp Business App" with your number. Later changes to the address book in the app are synced continuously.
Imported messages appear in your conversations and in the journal. They are not charged and do not trigger webhooks. You can follow the progress in the overview of your WhatsApp connection in the dashboard.
The import is only possible once, right after connecting. If you declined the sharing or want to start the import later, disconnect the Business Platform in the WhatsApp Business App and connect the number again in the dashboard.
Restrictions
Using Coexistence comes with certain limitations compared to Full Migration. The following WhatsApp Business App features are disabled when Coexistence is active:
- Message revoke (unsend/delete for everyone)
- Disappearing messages
- View once media
- Live location sharing
- Broadcast lists
- Message editing
These features are disabled because the Cloud API cannot fully synchronize them.
Throughput Limit
In Coexistence mode, the maximum message throughput is reduced:
- Coexistence: 20 messages per second (MPS)
- Full Migration: 80 messages per second (MPS)
If you require higher throughput, consider switching to Full Migration.
Business App Activity Requirement
To keep Coexistence active, the WhatsApp Business App must be opened at least once every 14 days. If the app is not opened within this period, the Coexistence link may become inactive, and messages may no longer sync correctly.
Country Availability
Coexistence is not available in all countries. As of now:
- Available: Germany, EU member states, and several other regions
- Not available: Switzerland, Australia, Japan, and some other countries
Check Meta's official documentation for the most current list of supported countries.
Existing Connections
If you have already connected your WhatsApp number to seven in Full Migration mode and want to switch to Coexistence (or vice versa), you must disconnect and reconnect the number through the seven dashboard. The mode is selected during the Embedded Signup flow and cannot be changed after the connection is established without reconnecting.