Official versus unofficial: what actually differs
Many WhatsApp tools work by pairing a phone or an unofficial web session. They start faster and cost less, but they breach Meta's terms, and a ban is not a remote possibility. Barqia runs only on the official API — and here are the consequences of that honestly, in both directions.
What the unofficial route costs you
The number can be banned without warning, taking your customer history with it. There is no verified badge, no published sending tiers, and no support from Meta when something breaks. If the number goes, there is nobody to appeal to.
What the official route costs
We will not pretend it is free: templates need Meta's approval before they can be sent, Meta charges for template messages by category, and getting started requires verifying your business. Those are real constraints — and they are the price of your number not vanishing one morning.
Who each one suits
If WhatsApp is a side channel you are testing, the difference may not matter today. If your orders and your customer service run through it, you are building on a foundation — either one you own, or a borrowed one that can be pulled.
Common questions
- Can I migrate my current number?
- Yes, if it is not tied to a personal WhatsApp account; otherwise you must remove that link first or use another number.
- How long does template approval take?
- The review is Meta's and varies, often hours. A rejection comes with a stated reason, and you can edit and resubmit.
- Do I need a commercial registration?
- Meta's business verification requires documents proving the business exists. Barqia lets you upload them and follow their status from the dashboard.
- Do you offer unofficial numbers?
- No. The platform runs on the official API only, and that is not something we compromise on.