Changing Facebook app owner

[albertocv]

I have an off topic question.

I created an agent that gets messages from Whatsapp. Now I have to connect my client’s number and business account.

I thought the right way was to make him create an app and assign me as a developer. But I keep stumbling into authorization issues.

What’s the best practice?

[bridgewaretech]

@albertocv

I created an agent that gets messages from Whatsapp. Now I have to connect my client’s number and business account.

I thought the right way was to make him create an app and assign me as a developer. But I keep stumbling into authorization issues.

What’s the best practice?

Hi @albertocv

Meta expects businesses to own their own WhatsApp Business App (on the Meta for Developers platform), and then to optionally assign developers like you access.

Steps to Follow:

Client Creates the WhatsApp App (on Meta for Developers)

• Your client needs a Meta Business Account (MBA) at business.facebook.com.

• Then they go to (Meta for Business), create a new app, and choose “Business” type.

• This app will be associated with their business and used for the WhatsApp Business API.

Client Adds You as a Developer on Their App

• Inside the app’s settings (on Meta for Developers), they go to: Roles → Developers → Add Your Facebook Developer Account

• This allows you to develop and manage the app, but not own it.

You Connect the WhatsApp Business Number to the App

• In the WhatsApp > Getting Started section of the app, you can set up or link an existing phone number.

• You might need to go through number verification

• Make sure the number isn’t already linked to another WABA, or you’ll have to migrate it and it’s not an easy process from personal experience.

Client Approves WhatsApp Business Messaging

• Inside the Meta Business Suite, your client needs to go to: Settings → Business Settings → Requests. There, they approve the WhatsApp API permissions for the app.

[Muhammad_Bin_Zohaib]

Best practice is that the client should own the WhatsApp Business App under their own Meta Business Account. You (as developer) only get added as a developer role — you don’t transfer ownership.

Steps:

1. Client creates the app under their Meta Business Account.

2. They add you under Roles → Developers in the app’s settings.

3. The WhatsApp number gets linked to their app (make sure it’s not already tied to another WABA).

4. They approve the permissions in Business Settings → Requests.

This way, the client keeps ownership/control, and you can still build/manage without hitting ownership/authorization issues.

[albertocv]

Thanks, it’s exactly what I’ve been trying to do.

Unfortunately, when I try to edit the WA use case, I read this error message

“You need access to the NAME business account to view this page.”

The error remained even after he invited me to his business account.

I don’t know the situation of his business account, unfortunately.