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.
1. Works Only with WhatsApp Business App
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
2. Business Name Must Match Exactly
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
3. Warm-Up Period for New Numbers
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
4. Chat Backup Limitations
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
5. Downgrade Required for Existing API Numbers
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
6. Fixed Message Throughput
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
7. Feature Restrictions
To ensure smooth synchronization between the app and API, some WhatsApp features are limited or disabled.
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
8. Companion Device Limitations
Co-Existence supports up to 4 companion devices.
However:
WhatsApp Desktop (Windows) is not supported
WearOS devices are not supported
Geographical Limitations
Co-Existence is currently not available for certain countries and regions.
Unsupported Countries
Australia, Japan, Nigeria, Philippines, Russia, South Korea, South Africa, Turkey
Unsupported Regions
European Economic Area (EEA), European Union (EU), United Kingdom (UK)
Important Note
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
Final Takeaway
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.
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