Connect your school's WhatsApp number
Pay the one-time WhatsApp API integration, then connect the school's own WhatsApp Business number through Meta's sign-up.
To send on the WhatsApp Business API, the school connects its own WhatsApp Business Account and number to the School ERP. You do this with Connect WhatsApp, which opens Meta's own sign-up in a window: you sign in to the school's Meta business account, pick or create the WhatsApp Business Account and number, and the connection lands in the ERP. There are no codes or keys to copy. The account and number stay the school's own.
Before you start#
- You need a School ERP role that can update Communication. This is normally the school administrator.
- How it sends must be set to Business API — sent by the school's gateway in General Settings › WhatsApp Configuration. See Click to send or Business API.
- A Meta (Facebook) login for the person who manages the school's business on Meta, or be ready to create a Meta business account during sign-up.
- The phone number to use, able to receive an SMS or call for Meta's check.
- The number's six-digit WhatsApp two-step verification PIN if it already has one. For a new number, choose a six-digit PIN and keep it safely.
- Allow pop-up windows for the ERP in your browser.
Step 1: Pay the integration charge#
The WhatsApp API integration is a one-time charge on the school's licence.
- Open General Settings › WhatsApp Configuration. The status shows Not connected, and the note says the integration is Not bought yet.
- Select Get WhatsApp API. The panel Get the WhatsApp API for this school opens.
- Check the price and GST, then select Continue to secure payment. JPRAXC's secure checkout opens in a new tab.
- Pay there.
When the payment is confirmed, the panel says The WhatsApp API integration is paid for this school. and Connect WhatsApp becomes available. WhatsApp's own usage charges are set by Meta and, as the ERP notes, billed by Meta to the school; check the arrangement in your quotation.
Step 2: Connect the number#
- In General Settings › WhatsApp Configuration, type the number's six-digit PIN in WhatsApp two-step verification PIN. This is not the SMS code; it is used only to register the number and is not saved with the settings.
- Select Connect WhatsApp. A window opens with Meta's sign-up, and the status changes to Connecting.
- In the window, sign in with the Meta login that manages the school's business.
- Choose the school's business, or create one.
- Choose the WhatsApp Business Account and phone number, or create them. Meta checks the number, usually with a code sent to it by SMS or a call.
- Complete the display name and other details Meta asks for, and finish.
- Return to the ERP. When the connection is complete, the status shows Connected and a message confirms it.
The page now shows the Business name, WhatsApp number, WhatsApp Business Account ID, Phone number ID, Connected on and what was Granted.
Step 3: Test and save#
- Select Test WhatsApp connection. The ERP checks the number with Meta and tells you the result.
- Under Sent without being asked, choose Yes for each automatic message that should go on WhatsApp, and choose the Language of every message.
- Select Save WhatsApp configuration.
Next, set a template for parents who have not written in the last 24 hours: see Message templates and Meta approval.
Reconnect or disconnect#
- Reconnect WhatsApp runs Meta's sign-up again, for example after a change in the school's Meta account.
- Disconnect WhatsApp stops the ERP sending for the school. Confirm the question. The school's WhatsApp Business Account and number are not deleted at Meta, and past messages stay on record in the ERP.
Good to know#
- The connection status can read Connected, Connecting, Attention required, Disconnected or Not connected.
- Meta may review the display name and may ask you to verify the business in Meta's own tools. Follow Meta's requests there.
- The profile picture of the WhatsApp number is changed in Meta's WhatsApp Manager. The rest of the business profile can be edited from the WhatsApp desk; see The WhatsApp desk.
- Advanced API configuration, below the connection card, is for authorised administrators and developers. Normal set-up uses Connect WhatsApp only.
Troubleshooting#
| What you see | What to do |
|---|---|
| Connect WhatsApp cannot be selected | Pay the integration charge first with Get WhatsApp API. |
| Enter the six-digit WhatsApp two-step verification PIN before connecting. | Type the number's PIN, or choose a new six-digit PIN for a new number. |
| No window opens | Your browser blocked the pop-up. Allow pop-ups for the ERP; the sign-up may also open in a new tab. |
| Meta's signup was closed before it finished. Nothing changed — Connect WhatsApp resumes it any time. | Select Connect WhatsApp again and complete every step in the window. |
| Status shows Attention required | Select Test WhatsApp connection. If it still fails, select Reconnect WhatsApp, or contact JPRAXC support. |
| Meta will not accept the number | The number may already be in use on WhatsApp, or not be eligible. Contact JPRAXC support before changing anything on the number. |
