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Overview

By default, all your workers share a single Spinnable WhatsApp number, and you switch between them using commands like /firstname or /WorkerID. With a custom WhatsApp number, you can give a worker their own dedicated phone number. Anyone who messages that number talks directly to the worker — no commands needed, no switching. It’s like giving your worker their own phone.
This is optional. The default Spinnable WhatsApp number works great for most setups. A custom number is ideal when you want a worker to have a distinct WhatsApp presence — for example, a customer support worker with their own number that clients can save.
This guide is for setting up a dedicated custom WhatsApp number for a worker — it is not the fix for temporary issues with the shared Spinnable WhatsApp number.If you’re here because messages on the Spinnable-managed number are temporarily unreliable, please wait a few hours and try again. Do not connect your own number unless you intentionally want the worker to have a dedicated WhatsApp identity. See Troubleshooting: shared number temporarily unreliable for more.

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Before You Start

Use a secondary phone number — never your primary one.When you link a WhatsApp number to a worker, the worker takes over that number completely:
  • The worker’s name and profile picture will replace yours on that WhatsApp account
  • All incoming messages to that number will be handled by the worker, not you
  • The number becomes the worker’s identity on WhatsApp
This cannot be your personal WhatsApp — you would lose access to your own conversations.

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Step 1: Get a Phone Number

You need a phone number that:
  • ✅ Can receive SMS text messages or phone calls (for WhatsApp verification)
  • ✅ Is not already registered as your primary WhatsApp account
  • ✅ Works with WhatsApp (most numbers do)

Getting a WhatsApp Number

Not sure where to get a number? We’ve put together a detailed guide covering the best prepaid SIM cards, eSIMs, and dedicated services — plus what to avoid and how to set up your number for success.

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Step 2: Set Up WhatsApp on the Number

Before linking to your worker, you need to register this number on WhatsApp on your phone.
Already using WhatsApp on your main number? You don’t need to uninstall it. Download WhatsApp Business — it’s a separate app that lets you log into a second WhatsApp account on the same phone.If you’re already using both WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business, you’ll need a second device or to temporarily free up one of the apps.
Our recommendation: Before you start sending a high volume of messages through your worker, consider exchanging a few messages on the number first. This helps WhatsApp recognize it as a legitimate account. See Getting a WhatsApp Number for more details.
Once you have WhatsApp running on the new number, you’re ready to link it.
1

Navigate to your worker's Details

Open the worker you want to connect, and go to the Details section.
2

Click 'Link a custom WhatsApp number'

You’ll see the option to link a WhatsApp number. Click it to start the process.
3

Confirm the safety acknowledgment

You’ll be reminded that the worker will take over this WhatsApp account. Confirm that this is not your personal WhatsApp account to proceed.
4

Scan the QR code

A QR code will appear on screen. On your phone:
  1. Open WhatsApp on the new number
  2. Go to Settings → Linked Devices (iPhone) or Menu ⋮ → Linked Devices (Android)
  3. Tap Link a Device
  4. Point your phone’s camera at the QR code
5

Verify connection status

After scanning, the UI automatically checks the connection status. Once verified, the page confirms the linked phone number and direct messaging is ready. If connection verification fails, click Retry Connection or re-scan the QR code.

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What Happens After Linking

Once linked, the custom number works as the worker’s own WhatsApp identity:
  • Direct messaging — Anyone who messages the number talks directly to this worker. No /select commands needed.
  • Profile takeover — The WhatsApp account’s name and profile picture are updated to match the worker.
  • Priority contact — The custom number appears as the worker’s primary WhatsApp contact in the Spinnable interface, taking priority over the shared Spinnable number.

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Keeping the Connection Active

Keep WhatsApp open on your phone to maintain the connection.Your worker’s WhatsApp access is linked to the WhatsApp app on your device. If the app stays disconnected for too long, Meta may automatically unlink it — which means your worker would lose WhatsApp access until you reconnect.
To avoid interruptions:
  • Using WhatsApp Business for this? Keep the app installed — you can disable notifications so it doesn’t bother you, but don’t uninstall it.
  • Using a secondary phone? Keep it powered on and connected to the internet.
If the connection does get dropped, don’t worry — you can always re-link the number by scanning the QR code again from Worker → Details. But keeping the app active avoids the hassle.

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Help Keep Your Custom WhatsApp Number in Good Standing

Dedicated custom numbers only: The tips below apply specifically when you connect a dedicated custom WhatsApp number for a worker. They do not apply to the shared, Spinnable-managed WhatsApp number.
Maintaining your worker’s WhatsApp account health helps ensure reliable outreach and uninterrupted conversations. Because Meta monitors accounts for automated or spam-like behavior, following practical best practices reduces the risk of flags or restrictions on your dedicated number.
Disclaimer: The suggestions below are practical guidance to help maintain account health, not a guarantee against restrictions. Meta independently enforces its own policies and automated detection systems, and may apply restrictions or suspensions at its sole discretion regardless of these precautions.

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Practical Tips for Account Health

  • Save the number as a contact: Save your worker’s custom WhatsApp number in your phone’s address book.
  • Have recipients save the number: Where relevant, ask recipients or clients to save your worker’s number in their contacts before or during early interactions. Meta treats communication between mutual contacts as standard, high-trust messaging.
  • Maintain a good response rate: Keep outbound message volume balanced with incoming replies. High outbound volume with low response rates signals unsolicited spam to automated systems; aim to engage contacts who reply.
  • Limit external and cold outreach: Restrict unsolicited outreach to external contacts. Focus worker messaging on recipients who expect contact or have explicitly opted into receiving messages.
  • Pause external outreach after repeated disconnects: If your number experiences repeated connection drops or disconnects, stop external outreach for a period to let the account state stabilize before resuming messaging.
  • Avoid recipient blocks: Actively avoid actions that lead recipients to block or report your number. Respect user boundaries, provide opt-out options, and stop messaging unresponsive contacts.
  • Throttle sends rather than blasting multiple numbers: Pace message delivery gradually and throttle outbound sends across multiple numbers rather than broadcasting high-velocity message blasts.
  • Avoid repeatedly sending identical content: Refrain from sending duplicate or near-identical text messages across multiple conversations. Vary the content so messages sound natural and conversational.

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Unlinking a Number

If you need to disconnect the WhatsApp number from your worker:
  1. Go to Worker → Details
  2. Click Unlink next to the connected WhatsApp number
  3. Confirm the disconnection
The worker will no longer have access to that WhatsApp account, and the number will be free to use elsewhere.

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Next Steps

Communication Channels

Learn about all the ways to communicate with your workers

Security Best Practices

Best practices for managing worker communications