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Setup Guide ~10 minute setup

How to Set Up WhatsApp Business with Your Switchboard.uk Number

Use your Switchboard.uk business number with WhatsApp Business by verifying the number through a phone call.

This guide shows you how to prepare your extension, test your number, request the WhatsApp verification call and complete setup.

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Before You Start

Make sure your Switchboard.uk business number can receive inbound calls before you begin. You will need:

Access to your Switchboard.uk dashboard
Your assigned extension
The WhatsApp Business app
A phone available to answer the verification call
Any welcome message or IVR temporarily disabled during setup

Estimated setup time: around 10 minutes.

WhatsApp Business usually tries SMS verification first. Most virtual and landline-style business numbers do not receive SMS, so you will need to use the Call me option instead.

1
Step 1

Activate Your Switchboard.uk Extension

Log in to your Switchboard.uk dashboard using your email address and password. Once logged in:

  • Select your assigned extension.
  • Make sure your extension is active (shown as green in your Switchboard.uk dashboard).
  • Confirm the extension can receive inbound calls.
  • Temporarily remove any welcome message, IVR or auto-attendant from the number during setup.

Important: WhatsApp uses an automated verification call. If a welcome message or IVR answers before you do, the call may fail. You can restore your welcome message or IVR after setup is complete.

2
Step 2

Test Your Business Number

Before registering with WhatsApp Business, test your Switchboard.uk business number. Use another phone to call your business number. Check that:

  • The call reaches your active extension.
  • You can answer the call.
  • The audio is clear.
  • The call does not go straight to voicemail, IVR or a welcome message.

Once the test call works, you are ready to verify your number with WhatsApp Business.

3
Step 3

Register Your Number on WhatsApp Business

Download and open the WhatsApp Business app. When prompted:

  1. 1 Enter your Switchboard.uk business number.
  2. 2 Wait for the SMS verification option to time out.
  3. 3 Select Call me.
  4. 4 Answer the incoming verification call.
  5. 5 Listen to the six-digit verification code.
  6. 6 Enter the code into WhatsApp Business.

Your Switchboard.uk business number is now connected to WhatsApp Business. Customers can call your business number as normal or send you a WhatsApp message using the same number.

Recovering setup

If You Miss the Verification Call

Do not request the code again immediately. WhatsApp may apply a cooldown timer before you can request another verification call.

If you miss the call:

  1. 1 Wait for the timer in WhatsApp Business to finish.
  2. 2 Check that your extension is still active.
  3. 3 Make sure no IVR, welcome message or voicemail is answering first.
  4. 4 Select Call me again when the option becomes available.
  5. 5 Answer the call immediately.

If call recording is enabled on your Switchboard.uk account, you may be able to listen back to the verification call and retrieve the code if it was captured.

Troubleshooting

Common Setup Problems

WhatsApp only offers SMS verification

Wait for the SMS option to time out. Once it expires, WhatsApp should show the Call me option.

The verification call does not come through

Check that your Switchboard.uk number can receive inbound calls. Also make sure your extension is active and that no IVR, welcome message or voicemail is answering the call before you.

The verification call goes to voicemail

Temporarily turn off voicemail or change your call routing so the call reaches you live. WhatsApp needs the verification code to be heard and entered immediately.

The code has expired

Wait for the countdown timer in WhatsApp Business to finish, then request another verification call.

I already use WhatsApp Business on my mobile number

You can use WhatsApp Messenger on your personal mobile number and WhatsApp Business on your Switchboard.uk business number. This allows you to keep personal and business communication separate on the same phone.

Quick answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Switchboard.uk business numbers can be used with WhatsApp Business as long as the number can receive voice calls for verification.
No. For virtual and landline-style business numbers, use WhatsApp's Call me option.
No. You can usually use WhatsApp Messenger and WhatsApp Business on the same smartphone, provided each app uses a different number.
Yes. Your Switchboard.uk business number continues to handle phone calls as normal, while WhatsApp Business handles WhatsApp messages.
No. Phone calls are still handled by your Switchboard.uk phone system. WhatsApp only handles WhatsApp messages.
Yes. WhatsApp Business supports linked devices. After setup, you can link additional devices through the WhatsApp Business app.
The WhatsApp Business app is free to download and use. Your Switchboard.uk business number can be used for WhatsApp Business verification if it can receive inbound voice calls. Setup assistance may be available if required.
Your WhatsApp Business account is tied to the number. If the number is cancelled or deactivated, you may lose access to WhatsApp Business on that number. If you want to keep using the number elsewhere, speak to Switchboard.uk before cancelling.
Still stuck?

Need Help Setting Up WhatsApp Business?

If you are having trouble verifying your number, contact Switchboard.uk support. We can help you check your extension, call routing and number setup so the WhatsApp verification call can reach you.

Once setup is complete, your customers can continue calling your business number as normal or send you a WhatsApp message using that same number. Your phone calls remain handled by Switchboard.uk, while WhatsApp Business manages your WhatsApp conversations.

Need Help?

Contact Switchboard.uk support or start a free trial if you do not yet have a business number.

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