Connecting WhatsApp step by step

Make sure you have read Before you connect WhatsApp first. Then, in ReminderApp, go to Settings and find the WhatsApp card.

In ReminderApp

1. Press Connect WhatsApp. A Meta window opens. If nothing appears, your browser blocked the popup. Allow popups for reminderapp.io and try again.

In the Meta window

1. Log in to Facebook with the account that manages your practice's business portfolio. If someone else is already logged in on this browser, log them out first.
2. Choose your business portfolio. Pick your practice if it is listed. If not, choose to create a new one and fill in your legal practice name, address, phone, email and website.
3. Choose a WhatsApp Business Account. Most practices create a new one here. Name it after your practice. Patients never see this name.
4. Enter your phone number and display name. Choose South Africa as the country. The display name is what patients see, so use your registered practice name.
5. Verify the number. Meta sends a code by text message or by phone call. Someone needs to be at that number to receive it.
6. Accept Meta's terms and press Finish. The window closes and you are back in ReminderApp.

Back in ReminderApp

1. The WhatsApp card now says Pending setup and asks for a six-digit PIN. Enter the PIN you chose, or the existing one if the number already had two-step verification, then press Finish setup. This can take up to a minute. Keep the page open.
2. The card changes to Connected and shows the number reminders will come from.

After connecting

• Message templates. ReminderApp sends its reminder wording to Meta for approval automatically. This usually takes a few minutes, sometimes up to a day. Until they are approved, reminders keep going by SMS. The WhatsApp card shows the approval status.
• Add a card for Meta. Follow the Billing link on the WhatsApp card and add a payment method. Without it, reminders stop once the free allowance is used.
• Display name review. Meta checks your display name in the background. If it is rejected, patients see your raw number until a new name is approved. See WhatsApp troubleshooting.
• Patient consent. WhatsApp reminders can only go to patients who have agreed to receive them. Record consent on each patient's record in ReminderApp. Patients who have not opted in continue to get SMS.

Sending your first reminder

Book a test appointment for yourself with your own mobile number, opt yourself in to WhatsApp, and confirm the reminder arrives from your practice name.