# Limitations & Restrictions of Co-Existence

Co-Existence is designed to bring together the power of the WhatsApp Business App and DoubleTick. However, before getting started, it is important to understand a few limitations and conditions.

Knowing these upfront will help you avoid setup issues and ensure a smooth onboarding experience.

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#### <mark style="color:$primary;">**1. Works Only with WhatsApp Business App**</mark>

Co-Existence works exclusively with the **WhatsApp Business App**.

* Personal WhatsApp accounts are not supported
* You must have the WhatsApp Business App installed and active

In addition:

* WhatsApp Web (browser version) is supported
* WhatsApp Desktop applications (such as Windows app) are not supported

***

#### <mark style="color:$primary;">**2. Business Name Must Match Exactly**</mark>

Your WhatsApp Business display name must exactly match your **Facebook Business Manager name**.

This is important because:

* Meta verifies your business identity during onboarding
* Even small mismatches can lead to delays or rejection

Make sure:

* Spelling, spacing, and formatting are identical in both places

***

#### <mark style="color:$primary;">**3. Warm-Up Period for New Numbers**</mark>

If you are using a new number, it must be actively used for at least **7 days before onboarding**.

During this period:

* Engage in real customer conversations
* Avoid bulk or promotional messaging

This helps:

* Build trust with WhatsApp systems
* Ensure a smoother Co-Existence activation

***

#### <mark style="color:$primary;">**4. Chat Backup Limitations**</mark>

Once Co-Existence is enabled, traditional backups via:

* Google Drive (Android)
* iCloud (iOS)

will no longer function in the usual way.

However:

* Your data remains safe
* DoubleTick maintains and syncs your message history across the app and API

***

#### <mark style="color:$primary;">**5. Downgrade Required for Existing API Numbers**</mark>

If your number is already connected to the WhatsApp Business API, it cannot be used directly for Co-Existence.

You will need to:

* Delete the number from Facebook Business Manager

This step ensures:

* The number becomes compatible with the WhatsApp Business App
* Co-Existence can be enabled successfully

***

#### <mark style="color:$primary;">**6. Fixed Message Throughput**</mark>

With Co-Existence, your number will have a sending limit of:

* **20 messages per second (MPS)**

While this is lower than standard API throughput, it is well-suited for:

* Small to medium-sized campaigns
* Day-to-day customer communication

***

#### <mark style="color:$primary;">**7. Feature Restrictions**</mark>

To ensure smooth synchronization between the app and API, some WhatsApp features are limited or disabled.

| Feature                 | Status        | Explanation                                               |
| ----------------------- | ------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| View Once Messages      | Not Supported | Cannot send or receive one-time view messages             |
| Disappearing Messages   | Limited       | Not supported in 1:1 chats                                |
| Broadcast Lists         | Restricted    | New lists cannot be created; existing lists are read-only |
| Message Delete / Revoke | Not Supported | Messages cannot be deleted after sending                  |

***

#### <mark style="color:$primary;">**8. Companion Device Limitations**</mark>

Co-Existence supports up to **4 companion devices**.

However:

* WhatsApp Desktop (Windows) is not supported
* WearOS devices are not supported

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#### <mark style="color:$primary;">**Geographical Limitations**</mark>

Co-Existence is currently not available for certain countries and regions.

**Unsupported Countries**

<mark style="color:$primary;">**Australia, Japan, Nigeria, Philippines, Russia, South Korea, South Africa, Turkey**</mark>

**Unsupported Regions**

<mark style="color:$primary;">**European Economic Area (EEA), European Union (EU), United Kingdom (UK)**</mark>

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#### <mark style="color:$primary;">**Important Note**</mark>

If your business operates in any of the unsupported regions:

* You will need a WhatsApp Business API number from a supported country
* Only then can you proceed with DoubleTick or enable Co-Existence

***

#### <mark style="color:$primary;">**Final Takeaway**</mark>

Co-Existence is a powerful feature, but understanding these limitations ensures you use it effectively from day one.

By aligning with these requirements, you can avoid delays, ensure compliance, and get the most out of your setup.