Before you start
To use WhatsApp with Echo7, you first create a WhatsApp app in Meta’s developer platform. This gives you the details Echo7 needs to send and receive messages.
You’ll need:
- A Facebook or Meta account, registered as a developer.
- A WhatsApp-enabled device for sending test messages.
- A phone number for your assistant that is not registered in the WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business app. If it is, delete the WhatsApp account on that number first (Settings > Account > Delete account) – otherwise setup will fail.
Step 1: Create your Meta app
Log in to developers.facebook.com and click My apps.
Click Create an app, enter a name and email address, then click Next.
Choose the Connect with customers via WhatsApp use case.
Select or create a Business portfolio, review any requirements and click Create app.
Step 2: Set up the API and send a test message
In the app dashboard, open Use cases, click Customise and then Get started with the API.
Click Generate access token, choose your “From” number and enter a “To” number that will receive the test.
Make a note of the Phone number ID and WhatsApp Business account ID.
Click Send message, then reply to the message you receive to keep the conversation active.
Step 3: Configure the webhook
Click Configure Webhook.
Enter the callback URL https://n1.echo7.ai/wareceive. If you run Echo7 on your own on-premises server, use https://yourdomain/wareceive instead, replacing “yourdomain” with your server’s domain name.
Choose a password for the Verify token field and keep it safe – you’ll need it in Echo7.
Enable the Messages field so it shows as subscribed.
Step 4: Create a permanent access token
The test token expires quickly, so create a permanent one for everyday use.
Go to business.facebook.com/latest/settings and open System users.
Click + Add and create a new system user.
Select the user, click Assign resources, then give full control of your app (Manage App) and your WhatsApp account (Manage WhatsApp Business Account).
Click Generate Token and add the permissions business_management, whatsapp_business_messaging and whatsapp_business_management.
Copy the token and keep it safe.
Finally, in Basic App Settings, click Show next to the Secret Key and copy it.
Step 5: Add the details to Echo7
Open the WhatsApp configuration at the level you want to use – for example your manager settings – and enter:
| Echo7 field | Where it comes from |
|---|---|
| Secret Key | Basic App Settings in your Meta app. |
| Phone Number ID | The API setup page (Step 2). |
| Access Token | The permanent token you created (Step 4). |
| Access Token Verification Password | The Verify token you chose for the webhook (Step 3). |
Using WhatsApp for document processing?
- If your team will send photos, documents or voice notes for IDP, add their numbers under Operators and Phone Numbers on the assistant. Only registered numbers are processed.
- Set each operator’s language to help Echo7 understand their messages and voice notes.
Prefer a guided walkthrough? Book a training session and an Echo7 specialist will help your team set it up.
Book a training sessionWant to go deeper?
This guide covers the essentials. For detailed reference on every setting and feature, explore the full Echo7 Wiki.
Echo7 Wiki