Used by over 2 billion users worldwide, WhatsApp Business supports vacation rental businesses of all sizes. OwnerRez's WhatsApp Business integration lets you connect directly with your guests in the OwnerRez Inbox. However, this integration does not support group messages.
OwnerRez's integration with WhatsApp Business is designed for ad-hoc guest communication and currently does not support group messages, or OwnerRez template and trigger features.
If you haven't already, be sure to review our Messaging Overview support article. See WhatsApp pricing as of October 1, 2026.
- Account Types
- Phone Numbers
- Setup & Connecting
- Verify Your Business (recommended)
- What's Next
- Emoji Reactions
- Troubleshooting
Account Types
You can connect OwnerRez's WhatsApp integration in the following ways.
- Option 1: Use your existing WhatsApp Business account to connect it to OwnerRez and continue using both your WhatsApp Business mobile app and OwnerRez simultaneously.
- If you'd prefer to use the WhatsApp Business mobile app alongside OwnerRez, we recommend downloading the app and setting up your account there first, then connecting to OwnerRez.
- Option 2: You don't have a WhatsApp Business account - connect using a number you own
- You can create a new WhatsApp Business account directly during the OwnerRez connection - no need to set up the WhatsApp Business app separately, and it will result in WhatsApp communication only being routed through the OwnerRez inbox. You will not be able to use the WhatsApp Business app alongside OwnerRez.
- During the connection flow, you may use an existing number. If you want to switch your WhatsApp number, it could be offered, but it isn't available to everyone. Note that your message history may or may not transfer; we've seen both. Read the screen carefully. Using a new number avoids this uncertainty.
- Option 3: You don't have a WhatsApp Business Account or a number you own to use for connection purposes
- During the connection flow, users with existing Meta Business profiles are often presented with a "Display Name Only" option. If you choose this, Meta will assign you a virtual number rather than using one you own. This option is not offered to everyone. If you are presented with this option and choose it, your WhatsApp conversations will only be accessible through OwnerRez, as with Option 2 above.
If you have a consumer WhatsApp account, you can convert it to a WhatsApp Business account prior to connecting to the OwnerRez WhatsApp connection by following the instructions in WhatsApp's Help Center article, How to move your WhatsApp Messenger account to the WhatsApp Business app.
Phone Numbers
You can use your regular business phone number or an OwnerRez SMS number to connect to WhatsApp.
- If using your regular business phone number, you can receive verification codes via text or call.
- Verification codes via text message are not available for OwnerRez SMS numbers. If using your OwnerRez SMS number, follow these instructions.
- Configure call forwarding in your SMS settings.
- Download and install the WhatsApp Business App on your phone.
- Then, verify it using your OwnerRez SMS phone number by selecting the "Call with code" option during account verification and answering the call before it goes to voicemail.
Setup & Connecting
Before attempting to connect WhatsApp in OwnerRez:
- Log in to your Facebook/WhatsApp accounts in another browser tab or app.
- Disconnect any other third-party messaging software that you have connected to WhatsApp.
In OwnerRez, navigate to Settings > Messaging > WhatsApp > Connect WhatsApp.
Connect your WhatsApp account to OwnerRez by clicking Continue.
In the WhatsApp Business account dropdown list, select one of the following.
- Create a new WhatsApp Business account. If creating a new WhatsApp business account, you may need to enter more information about your business (e.g., Name, Country, Website, etc.).
- Connect your existing WhatsApp Business account by clicking on Connect a WhatsApp Business App.
Complete your business profile by entering your business name, country, business website, and clicking Next.
Enter your business phone number and click Next.
Click Next on the "Enter your WhatsApp Business phone number" page.
Confirm your phone number and/or select your timezone.
- New WhatsApp Business account users will continue their connection only in OwnerRez.
- Existing WhatsApp Business accounts can use their WhatsApp Business app to scan the QR code.
If using your WhatsApp Business app, connect to OwnerRez by clicking OK.
If using the WhatsApp Business app, decide whether to share all or none of the chat history, then tap Confirm.
If using the WhatsApp Business app, tap on Connect to the Business Platform.
If you are using the WhatsApp Business app, you may need to rescan a QR code to complete the connection.
Review what you'll share with OwnerRez and click Confirm.
Connecting your WhatsApp Business account may take a few moments. When your account is connected, click the Add Payment Method button, and complete that process.
Your WhatsApp Business account connection will be initiated, pending, and under review by WhatsApp.
Before you can begin messaging on WhatsApp, OwnerRez will need to verify your business and/or system message template. You will receive an email at the email address associated with your Facebook account, with the subject line of "Your WhatsApp message template state has been changed," when this is complete.
Verify Your Business (recommended)
OwnerRez recommends that hosts verify their business with Meta Business Suite to ensure that they can access more WhatsApp business capabilities. Verify your business by following the instructions in the How to verify your business in Meta Business Suite help center article.
What's Next
Depending on your chat history selection during the connection process, older WhatsApp contacts and messages, as well as contact information from before OwnerRez was connected, will be automatically pulled into the Inbox. However, OwnerRez guest contact information is not synced with your WhatsApp contact list, so you may not be able to respond in the Inbox until your business is fully verified by Meta, which can take 12-24 hours.
Most users with existing WhatsApp Business accounts can engage in guest conversations in both the WhatsApp app and the OwnerRez Inbox. In contrast, those who create a new WhatsApp Business account through OwnerRez may be limited to communicating with guests within the OwnerRez Inbox, much like SMS messaging.
You can also connect your WhatsApp Business account to your Facebook account. For instructions, see Meta's How to add a WhatsApp Business account to a Facebook Page Help Center article.
Emoji Reactions
Hosts can react to WhatsApp messages in the Inbox by hovering over a message to add a reaction. Reactions can only be added within the 24-hour window after the guest's last message.
Troubleshooting
For troubleshooting, see our WhatsApp Common Issues & Questions support article.