# Limitations & Restrictions of Co-Existence

Coexistence is a powerful way to combine the WhatsApp Business App with DoubleTick's automation capabilities. But before you get started, it is important to know what it does not support and what conditions need to be met.

Understanding these upfront will save you from surprises during setup and help you get the most out of your onboarding experience.

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

Coexistence is only compatible with the WhatsApp Business App. It does not work with personal WhatsApp accounts. You must have the WhatsApp Business App installed and active on your phone before you begin.

For companion devices, most are supported, but WhatsApp for Windows and WhatsApp for WearOS are not supported in a Coexistence setup.

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

Your WhatsApp Business display name must exactly match the name registered in your Facebook Business Manager. Meta verifies your business identity during onboarding, and even small differences in spelling, spacing, or formatting can cause delays or rejection. Double-check both before starting.

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

If you are using a number that is new to WhatsApp, it is recommended to use it actively for at least 7 days before onboarding. During this period, engage in real customer conversations and avoid sending bulk or promotional messages. This helps build trust with WhatsApp's systems and ensures a smoother onboarding experience.

#### <mark style="color:$primary;">**Chat Backup is Disabled**</mark>

Once Coexistence is enabled, Google Drive backups on Android and iCloud backups on iOS will no longer work in the usual way. Your message data is not lost — it is maintained and synced between the WhatsApp Business App and DoubleTick — but traditional phone backups will no longer apply.

#### <mark style="color:$primary;">**Existing API Numbers Require a Reset**</mark>

If your number is already connected to a WhatsApp Business API setup, it cannot be directly used for Coexistence. You will need to remove the number from Facebook Business Manager first. Once that is done, the number becomes compatible with the WhatsApp Business App and Coexistence can be enabled.

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

With Coexistence, your number is capped at 20 messages per second regardless of your account tier. This is lower than the throughput available on a pure Cloud API setup, which scales with your tier. For small to medium-sized campaigns and day-to-day customer communication, 20 messages per second is generally sufficient.

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

Some WhatsApp features are limited or disabled once Coexistence is enabled to ensure smooth synchronization between the app and the API.

| **Feature**               | **Status**                         | **What This Means**                                                                                                                         |
| ------------------------- | ---------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **View Once Messages**    | Disabled                           | You cannot send or receive view once messages after Coexistence is enabled.                                                                 |
| **Disappearing Messages** | Disabled                           | Disappearing messages are turned off for all 1:1 chats after onboarding.                                                                    |
| **Broadcast Lists**       | Restricted                         | New broadcast lists cannot be created. Existing lists become read-only.                                                                     |
| **Message Revoke**        | Supported on WhatsApp Business App | You can delete messages for everyone from the WhatsApp Business App in 1:1 chats. This is not supported on the API side through DoubleTick. |

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

Coexistence supports up to 4 companion devices linked to your WhatsApp Business App. However, all linked devices are automatically disconnected at the time of onboarding and need to be re-linked afterward. WhatsApp for Windows and WhatsApp for WearOS cannot be used as companion devices in a Coexistence setup.

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

Coexistence is currently available in India. If your business operates outside India, please check with your DoubleTick account manager to confirm availability for your region before proceeding.

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

Coexistence works best when you go in prepared. Knowing these limitations in advance means fewer surprises, a smoother setup, and a better experience for both your team and your customers. If you are unsure whether any of these restrictions affect your current setup, reach out to your DoubleTick account manager before you begin.


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