Can I connect my existing WhatsApp Business number to a shared inbox without losing my chats?

Yes. With WhatsApp Coexistence you connect your existing number to Yapp while keeping the WhatsApp Business app on your phone. Your number, your app and your chats stay — messages sync both ways, and the setup can import your last 6 months of chat history.

Do I have to delete my number from the WhatsApp Business app to use a team inbox?

No longer. Coexistence lets the same number run on the WhatsApp Business app and the Cloud API (which Yapp uses) at the same time. You only need to move the number off the app if you specifically choose the old migrate path instead of Coexistence.

Why do I get error #3441034 'not eligible to register or migrate'?

That error means the flow is trying to register your number as new, but it's already active on WhatsApp. Make sure you chose 'Connect my existing WhatsApp number', then pick 'Enter a new phone number' (not an existing account from the list). If it persists, a leftover WhatsApp Business Account from an earlier attempt is holding the number — remove it in WhatsApp Manager, wait at least an hour, and try again.

← All guides

Connect your existing WhatsApp number (keep your app & chats)

Guide · 7 min read

Already chatting to customers on the WhatsApp Business app? You don't have to give that up to get a shared team inbox. Coexistence lets the same number run on the app and in Yapp at the same time — you keep your number, your app and your chats. This guide shows you exactly how, and how to fix the two errors people hit most.

1.The short version

When you connect through "Connect my existing WhatsApp number," Yapp uses WhatsApp Coexistence. That means:

You keep your number — the one your customers already know.
You keep using the WhatsApp Business app on your phone; messages sync both ways with Yapp.
Your chats stay, and the setup can even import your last 6 months of history.
You connect by scanning a QR code — no SMS code, no deleting anything.

On a Pro plan? We'll do this with you as part of your free onboarding. You don't have to figure it out alone — just reach out.

2.Which option is right for you?

Yapp's connect screen has two buttons. Pick based on where your number is today:

Connect my existing WhatsApp number — for a number already on the WhatsApp Business app. This is Coexistence (most people). ✅
Set up a new number — only for a number that isn't on WhatsApp yet (a fresh SIM or spare line).

If your number is on the standard WhatsApp app (not Business), install the free WhatsApp Business app first and set your number up there, then come back and use Coexistence. New to Meta's terms — Business Portfolio, WABA, display name? Our Meta & WhatsApp Business setup guide explains them all.

3.Before you begin

✅ Your number is on the WhatsApp Business app (not standard WhatsApp, and not only linked to a Facebook Page).
✅ The app is up to date (version 2.24.17 or newer).
✅ You've never connected this number to another WhatsApp tool, chatbot or CRM (if you have, disconnect it there first — see section 5).

4.Step-by-step

In Yapp, go to Settings and click "Connect my existing WhatsApp number."
A secure Meta window opens and asks for your number. Open the dropdown and choose "Enter a new phone number" — don't pick an existing account/business name from the list. Type your number and click Next.
Meta shows your business details to confirm → Next.
You'll see a QR code headed "Import contacts and chat history."
On your phone, open the WhatsApp Business app and either tap Connect on the message from the official Meta Business Account, or go to Menu / Settings → Account → Business Platform. Choose to share your chat history and enter the access code shown.
Done — your number stays on the app, and new messages now also land in your Yapp inbox. Send a test message to your number to see it arrive.

What success looks like: the business-details screen, then the QR code. If you instead land on a "verify by SMS / phone call" screen, you're in the wrong flow — see section 5.

5.If something goes wrong

Error #3441034 — "This phone number is not eligible to register or migrate."
Meta is trying to register your number as new, but it's already active on WhatsApp. Fix it:

Make sure you clicked "Connect my existing WhatsApp number" (not "Set up a new number").
On the phone-number screen, choose "Enter a new phone number" — not an existing account from the dropdown. Selecting a leftover account from an earlier attempt is the usual cause.
Still stuck? A leftover WhatsApp Business Account from a previous attempt is holding your number. In business.facebook.com → WhatsApp Manager, remove the number from that leftover account, wait at least an hour (Meta needs time to release it), then try again. This doesn't touch your app or chats.

Error #2655115 — "This account type doesn't support partner sharing."
Your number is tied to another WhatsApp provider. If you've ever connected it to another tool/CRM, disconnect it there first (and remove the old app under Business Settings → WhatsApp Accounts). Leave your Facebook Page's WhatsApp "Connect" option untouched — connect only through Yapp.

I get the SMS verification screen instead of the QR code.
Meta didn't recognise your number as a Business-app number. Confirm you clicked "Connect my existing number," chose "Enter a new phone number," and that your number really is on the WhatsApp Business app (up to date). If all three are true, clear the leftover account as above.

6.Your chats are safe, and you stay in control

Your conversations live on your WhatsApp Business app and in Yapp — never inside Meta's business settings. Connecting, disconnecting or re-doing the setup never deletes them. And it's your WhatsApp account: you can disconnect Yapp anytime in Settings → Disconnect, or remove our access from your Meta Business settings. We never lock you in — more in our Privacy Policy.

Next step: see how billing works in our WhatsApp costs & billing guide, or start free and connect your number today. Stuck? Email hello@yapp.co.za with your Session ID and we'll sort it.