> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.goghl.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# WhatsApp Setup

> Follow these simple steps to connect your WhatsApp account to your GoHighLevel CRM via GoGHL.ai so you can send and receive WhatsApp messages right inside your CRM conversations.

<Check>
  GoGHL.ai links your real WhatsApp number to your CRM. Every message you send from CRM goes out from your own WhatsApp, and every reply syncs straight back into your CRM conversations, no third-party numbers, no Business API approval.
</Check>

<Note>
  Already connected WhatsApp as a custom **SMS provider**? Switch it over with [Legacy WhatsApp Setup](/whatsapp/sms-provider-setup).
</Note>

***

## Full Setup Video[​](#full-setup-video "Direct link to Full Setup Video")

<iframe className="w-full aspect-video rounded-xl" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/J6GPSFy0MTY?modestbranding=1&rel=0" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen />

***

## What You Need Before Starting[​](#what-you-need-before-starting "Direct link to What You Need Before Starting")

* A [GoGHL.ai](https://app.goghl.ai/login) account (free 7-day trial, no card required)
* A GoHighLevel account with at least one sub-account / location
* The phone with your active WhatsApp account nearby, to scan a QR code

***

## Part 1: Connect Your CRM & Install the Marketplace App[​](#part-1-connect-your-crm--install-the-marketplace-app "Direct link to Part 1: Connect Your CRM & Install the Marketplace App")

First, connect your CRM and install the marketplace app so WhatsApp appears as a channel in your sub-account.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Register on GoGHL.ai">
    Visit [GoGHL.ai](https://app.goghl.ai/login) and create an account using your Google account or email. Once logged in, your **free trial** starts immediately (7 days free, no card required).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect Your HighLevel Account">
    Go to your dashboard and click the **Connect** button, then follow the onboarding to connect your sub-accounts.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/goghl/JZJa2MoUHOf9Nw9w/images/sms/assets/images/Blur_Connect-your-Highlevel-with-GoGhl-8ad0dbbd9621f06792166328f0ac14d6.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=JZJa2MoUHOf9Nw9w&q=85&s=3d06564bb836312c806b5a2007c54f24" alt="Connect your HighLevel account with GoGHL.ai" width="2850" height="1590" data-path="images/sms/assets/images/Blur_Connect-your-Highlevel-with-GoGhl-8ad0dbbd9621f06792166328f0ac14d6.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install the Marketplace App on Sub-Accounts">
    Install the marketplace app on your sub-accounts. If you're an **agency user**, choose **Install under all locations** and enable automatic installation for future locations.

    <Check>
      For an easier setup, click **Select All** to install on every sub-account at once.
    </Check>

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/goghl/JZJa2MoUHOf9Nw9w/images/sms/assets/images/sms-install-marketplace-app-f33cb17bc4015c05f516970ce500a7c2.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=JZJa2MoUHOf9Nw9w&q=85&s=cb21f82a8c69a2e7fa4d6b3e1799f0af" alt="Install the marketplace app under all locations" width="2878" height="1550" data-path="images/sms/assets/images/sms-install-marketplace-app-f33cb17bc4015c05f516970ce500a7c2.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pick the WhatsApp Channel">
    When asked which messaging channel to set up, choose **WhatsApp**.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/goghl/vzt4xop8mfhKGrG3/images/sms/assets/images/sms-pick-channel-89b87ce0a34b42bfe2d265ccf80ed658.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=vzt4xop8mfhKGrG3&q=85&s=60686292b89ee81b0ea625f26c170e29" alt="Pick a messaging channel" width="2870" height="1516" data-path="images/sms/assets/images/sms-pick-channel-89b87ce0a34b42bfe2d265ccf80ed658.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select the Sub-Account to Connect">
    Choose the location you want to connect. You can always connect more than one later.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/goghl/JZJa2MoUHOf9Nw9w/images/sms/assets/images/Select-sub-account-fd1f5b43d552e571910ed14f64d47573.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=JZJa2MoUHOf9Nw9w&q=85&s=c5ef529939352843f67301ad83056599" alt="Select sub-account" width="2840" height="1512" data-path="images/sms/assets/images/Select-sub-account-fd1f5b43d552e571910ed14f64d47573.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Part 2: Connect Your WhatsApp Number[​](#part-2-connect-your-whatsapp-number "Direct link to Part 2: Connect Your WhatsApp Number")

With the app installed, link your WhatsApp number by scanning a QR code, exactly like WhatsApp Web.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Connection Screen">
    Go to the **Message hub** tab in your sub-account (or open the [GoGHL.ai dashboard](https://app.goghl.ai/dashboard/)), then click **Connect** and wait for the QR code to appear.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/goghl/JZJa2MoUHOf9Nw9w/images/getting-started/assets/images/goghl-connect-whatsapp-ac884b9a1adaff649811f18733ecc005.gif?s=51f32d84c740c32868f61a5439abd0e4" alt="GoGHL.ai connect WhatsApp with QR code" width="1920" height="1031" data-path="images/getting-started/assets/images/goghl-connect-whatsapp-ac884b9a1adaff649811f18733ecc005.gif" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Scan the QR Code From Your Phone">
    On the phone with your WhatsApp account, open:

    `WhatsApp → Settings → Linked Devices → Link a Device → Scan QR`

    Point your camera at the QR code on screen.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/goghl/JZJa2MoUHOf9Nw9w/images/getting-started/assets/images/ghl-onboarding-mobile-qr-5986cd8480b478ec9fa25a4024a9af2f.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=JZJa2MoUHOf9Nw9w&q=85&s=ef82ad5d8d2992ebaf02175f337c9c4a" alt="Scan the QR code from WhatsApp on your phone" width="3860" height="2171" data-path="images/getting-started/assets/images/ghl-onboarding-mobile-qr-5986cd8480b478ec9fa25a4024a9af2f.jpg" />
    </Frame>

    <Note>
      These are iOS screenshots, the Android flow may vary slightly. Can't scan the QR code? Use [Log in with Phone Number](/whatsapp/link-with-phone-number) instead.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for Confirmation">
    Give it a few moments. You'll see a confirmation in your console once WhatsApp is connected, your number is now ready to use.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/goghl/JZJa2MoUHOf9Nw9w/images/getting-started/assets/images/goghl-wa-confirmation-36d58389a20eb4f439ca491330d978e2.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=JZJa2MoUHOf9Nw9w&q=85&s=4b78287c1b97dc0d141f88aa8d2b38f5" alt="GoGHL.ai WhatsApp connected confirmation" width="1920" height="1080" data-path="images/getting-started/assets/images/goghl-wa-confirmation-36d58389a20eb4f439ca491330d978e2.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Part 3: Send a Test Message[​](#part-3-send-a-test-message "Direct link to Part 3: Send a Test Message")

Let's confirm everything works end-to-end.

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Go to **Contacts → select a contact → Send Message**.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Choose **WhatsApp** from the message-type dropdown.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Type a quick test message and hit **Send**.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Confirm the message **sends successfully** and the **reply is received**, both should appear in your CRM Conversations.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/goghl/JZJa2MoUHOf9Nw9w/images/getting-started/assets/images/goghl-verify-setup-14e6c7703f5cafe21b344427fc3f4d5c.gif?s=211a031f1ed81aaeb5de623e7eeb397a" alt="Send a test WhatsApp message and verify the setup" width="1920" height="1038" data-path="images/getting-started/assets/images/goghl-verify-setup-14e6c7703f5cafe21b344427fc3f4d5c.gif" />
</Frame>

<Check>
  Hurray, you've completed the setup! Your WhatsApp number is now fully connected to your CRM.
</Check>

***

## Number Needs a Passkey?[​](#number-needs-a-passkey "Direct link to Number Needs a Passkey?")

Some numbers now require a **passkey** to link, so the usual QR scan won't connect them. If that's your number, follow the guided browser steps instead.

<CardGroup cols={1}>
  <Card title="Connect with a Passkey" icon="key" href="/whatsapp/connect-with-passkey">
    Link numbers that require a passkey using a short guided script in your browser when the QR scan won't connect.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Keep Your Number Safe[​](#keep-your-number-safe "Direct link to Keep Your Number Safe")

WhatsApp bans are the #1 reason numbers stop working. Before you start messaging at scale, set up protection:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Warm-up Strategy" icon="fire" href="/safety-and-protection/warmup-strategy">
    Gradually ramp up sending on a new number so WhatsApp trusts it.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Drip Mode" icon="droplet" href="/safety-and-protection/drip-mode">
    Pace your messages automatically to stay under the radar.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Residential Proxy" icon="shield-halved" href="/safety-and-protection/residential-proxy">
    Route traffic through a location-matched IP to reduce ban risk.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Multiple Instances" icon="layer-group" href="/multiple-instances/overview">
    Spread volume across several connected numbers per location.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Final Checklist[​](#final-checklist "Direct link to Final Checklist")

Keep your WhatsApp connection running reliably:

* Phone with the linked WhatsApp account stays **online** and charged
* You're following the [safety guidelines](/safety-and-protection/introduction) (warm-up, drip mode)
* Only **one** WhatsApp account is connected per instance
* The marketplace app is installed on the sub-account you're messaging from
* WhatsApp is selected as the **conversation provider** for the location

***

## Troubleshooting[​](#troubleshooting "Direct link to Troubleshooting")

If WhatsApp isn't connecting or messages aren't sending, work through these in order:

| Symptom                           | Fix                                                                                                   |
| --------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| QR code won't scan                | Refresh for a new code, or use [Log in with Phone Number](/whatsapp/link-with-phone-number)           |
| Disconnects shortly after linking | Keep the phone online; check [Disconnection Notifications](/whatsapp/disconnection-notifications)     |
| Messages not sending              | Confirm WhatsApp is the conversation provider and the app is installed on that sub-account            |
| Number got banned / restricted    | Review [Bans & Restrictions](/safety-and-protection/bans-and-restrictions) and enable safety features |
| Replies not reaching CRM          | Re-check the connection in the Message hub and reconnect if status isn't **Connected**                |

**Start messaging!** Your WhatsApp number is now a fully connected channel in your CRM.

***

## Support[​](#support "Direct link to Support")

If you need help with the setup or onboarding:

* WhatsApp Support: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/+12267248710?text=Hi%2C%20I%20need%20help%20with%20WhatsApp%20Setup.)
* Email: [**support@goghl.ai**](mailto:support@goghl.ai)