How to Use OpenClaw with WhatsApp?

WhatsApp integration connects OpenClaw to the world's most popular messaging app. There are two methods: WhatsApp Business API (official) and WhatsApp Web bridge (unofficial).

The WhatsApp Business API is the recommended method. It requires a Meta Business account and a phone number dedicated to the bot. Setup involves registering at business.facebook.com, verifying your business, and obtaining API access. The pairing process in OpenClaw handles the configuration.

The WhatsApp Web bridge method is simpler: OpenClaw connects through a WhatsApp Web session by scanning a QR code. No business account needed. However, this method is less stable and may break with WhatsApp updates.

WhatsApp supports: text messages, voice notes (transcribed with voice-transcribe skill), images, documents, and location sharing. Group chat support depends on the integration method.

Limitations: WhatsApp has stricter rate limits than Telegram. Business API has a 24-hour messaging window — the bot can only message users who have messaged first within the last 24 hours. Template messages (pre-approved by Meta) can be sent outside this window.

For personal use, the Web bridge method is easiest. For business, the official API ensures reliability and compliance.

# Official Business API
openclaw pair whatsapp --method business

# WhatsApp Web bridge
openclaw pair whatsapp --method web
# Scan the QR code shown in terminal