> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://wamoca.gitbook.io/wamoca-docs-en/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://wamoca.gitbook.io/wamoca-docs-en/what-you-should-know-about-whatsapp-business/phone-numbers.md).

# Phone numbers

A WhatsApp Business (WABA) account **requires a valid and specific company phone number**. The following describes the requirements and characteristics of business phone numbers, how to register phone numbers and how to manage registered numbers.

## Phone number registration requirements

Business telephone numbers must meet the following requirements in order to be eligible for registration: 

* Be owned by you
* Have a country and area code (short codes are not supported)
* Be able to receive voice calls or SMS (we send you a message to verify ownership)

 

Numbers that are already being used in the WhatsApp Messenger app or the WhatsApp Business app **cannot be registered** unless they are first removed from those apps.

## How to remove a phone number to register on Whatsapp Business?

If you want to use a phone number in WhatsApp Business which is already being used in the WhatsApp Messenger application or in the WhatsApp Business app, **you must remove the phone number from these applications.**

To do this:

1. Open WhatsApp.
2. Tap the “more options” icon > Settings > Account > Delete my account.
3. Enter the phone number and tap on “Delete account”.
4. From the drop-down menu, select the reason why you want to delete your account
5. Tap “Delete account”.

If you delete your account, the following will happen: 

* Your WhatsApp account and all your devices will be deleted
* Your message history will be deleted
* You will be removed from all your WhatsApp groups
* Your Google account backup will be deleted
* If you manage or follow a channel, you will be removed from it, but any updates you have made or other interactions in the channel, such as reactions or votes in polls, will not be removed
* Channels you have created will be removed if there are no other administrators.

## Can the same number be used for Wamoca and a regular WhatsApp account?

No, **you cannot use the same number for both accounts**. When you associate a phone number to Wamoca, you will no longer be able to use that same number with a normal WhatsApp account.

But if you want, you can use the number you have in WhatsApp Business or normal WhatsApp for Wamoca. Only that to do so, **you will have to definitely delete the account** (explained in the previous step).