eGrow supports two official ways to connect a WhatsApp number. Both are legal and approved by Meta β but they are not equal. This article explains both, compares them honestly, and tells you which one to choose.
Method 1: Direct API Linking (recommended)
Your number is registered directly on the WhatsApp Business API through eGrow. The number is not linked to any WhatsApp application β not on a phone, not WhatsApp Web. eGrow becomes your WhatsApp: you send and receive every message, run every automation and campaign, and manage every conversation from eGrow Web and the eGrow mobile app.
Why it is the best method
- Built for volume. Message confirmations, campaigns and automations run at full speed without the sending blocks that hit app-connected numbers.
- Stable connection. There is no phone that must stay online, no app session that expires, no QR code to re-scan. The connection does not drop.
- Your whole team on one number. Unlimited agents answer from eGrow at the same time, with assignment, notes and full history.
- Full automation power. Order confirmation flows, abandoned-cart messages, campaigns and templates all work with no app-imposed restrictions.
- Everything in one place. Inbox, orders, automations and reports live together β nothing happens outside eGrow, so nothing gets lost.
The only change to your habits: you answer customers from eGrow (web or mobile app) instead of the WhatsApp app β with a better toolset around every conversation.
Set it up: Step-by-step guide β connect your WhatsApp account in eGrow
Method 2: Coexistence (scan a QR code, keep the WhatsApp Business app)
Your number stays in the WhatsApp Business app on your phone, and you connect it to eGrow by scanning a QR code. It is official and completely legal β but it inherits every limit of the app, and in daily use it causes real problems:
- Sending blocks. When your automations or campaigns message many customers, WhatsApp frequently blocks sending on app-connected numbers. This is the number one cause of "my automation stopped working" support tickets.
- Campaign restrictions. Bulk sending and campaign features are heavily limited compared to a directly linked number.
- Frequent disconnections. The QR session drops β phone off, app update, battery saver, network change β and until someone notices and re-scans, messages silently stop.
- The phone stays a point of failure. The number lives in one device. Lost phone, broken phone, or someone answering from the app outside eGrow β and your history and automations are inconsistent.
- Split conversations. Messages answered in the app do not carry eGrow's assignment, automation triggers and tracking, so the team works half-blind.
How this method works: Step-by-step guide β linking the WhatsApp Business app number (with its limits)
Side-by-side comparison
| Direct API linking | Coexistence (QR) | |
|---|---|---|
| Legal / official | Yes | Yes |
| Connection stability | Always on, no phone needed | Drops when phone/app/session fails |
| High-volume sending | Full speed | Frequent blocks and limits |
| Campaigns | Fully supported | Restricted |
| Team access | Unlimited agents in eGrow | Tied to the app and its device limits |
| Automations | Reliable | Break when the session drops or sending is blocked |
| Where you work | eGrow Web + eGrow mobile app | Split between the app and eGrow |
Our clear recommendation
Use direct API linking. A dedicated number, fully linked to eGrow, with the WhatsApp app installed nowhere β this is the stable, scalable choice for confirmations, automations, campaigns and team work. Coexistence is legal and can help as a temporary bridge if you absolutely must keep the app for a short period, but almost every serious problem our support team sees on WhatsApp connections β blocked sends, dead automations, silent disconnections β comes from coexistence-connected numbers.
If your number is currently on coexistence, our team can help you migrate to direct linking β contact support from your eGrow account and we will do it with you.