> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.blinkops.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # WhatsApp > WhatsApp is an internationally available freeware, cross-platform, centralized instant messaging and voice-over-IP service owned by American company Meta Platforms. It allows users to send text and voice messages, make voice and video calls, and share images, documents, user locations, and other content. ## Creating a WhatsApp connection[​](#creating-a-whatsapp-connection "Direct link to Creating a WhatsApp connection") To use the WhatsApp API, you must use a WhatsApp Business account. For more information, go to [Meta for developers](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/cloud-api/get-started) and follow the provided steps. To create the connection you need: * A WhatsApp Business app. Refer to [Meta's Create an App Page](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/development/create-an-app/) for details * An API token using one of the two methods below ### Obtaining the credentials[​](#obtaining-the-credentials "Direct link to Obtaining the credentials") #### Using a temporary 24-Hour token[​](#using-a-temporary-24-hour-token "Direct link to Using a temporary 24-Hour token") 1. Copy the token from **WhatsApp** > **Getting Started** (or Setup) panel. Untitled This is where the Phone number ID used in the **Send Text Message** action, and the **WhatsApp Business Account ID** used in the **List Phone Numbers** action can be found. #### Using a permanent token[​](#using-a-permanent-token "Direct link to Using a permanent token") 1. Go to [Facebook Developers Apps Panel](https://developers.facebook.com/apps). 2. Click on the Business name of your corresponding WhatsApp application: Untitled 3. Under the **System Users** tab, click **Add**. Untitled 4. Enter the details for the system user with an admin user role and click **Create System User**.You may have a limited amount of possible system users, depending on the WhatsApp business licensing. Untitled 5. Click **Add Assets** > select your WhatsApp app > Give the new user full app management control and save changes. Untitled 6. Click **Generate New Token** > select your app and give the token `whatsapp_business_messaging` and `whatsapp_business_management` permissions. Untitled Untitled 7. Copy the generated Access Token. Untitled ### Creating your connection[​](#creating-your-connection "Direct link to Creating your connection") 1. In the Blink platform, navigate to the **Connections** page > **Add connection**. A New Connection dialog box opens displaying icons of external service providers available. 2. Select the **WhatsApp** icon. A dialog box with name of the connection and connection methods appears. 3. (Optional) Edit the name of the connection. At a later stage you cannot edit the name. 4. Select **Access Token** as the method to create the connection. 5. Fill in the parameters: * The user access token 6. (Optional) Click **Test Connection** to test it. 7. Click **Create connection**. The new connection appears on the **Connections** page.