#Official #WhatsApp Business API with Permanent Token & n8n Integration

The default WhatsApp API token expires every 1 hours, which means your automations break daily. This guide shows you how to create a permanent token that never expires and integrate it seamlessly with n8n for 24/7 automation. PFA screenshot for refrance

🔑 Part 1: Creating a Permanent Access Token

Step 1: Access Meta Business Settings

Go to business.facebook.com

Select your Business Account from the top-left dropdown

Click the Settings (gear icon) in the top right

Step 2: Create a System User

System users are special accounts that can generate permanent tokens.

In Business Settings, navigate to Users → System Users

Click Add button

Enter a name (e.g., "WhatsApp API Bot")

CRITICAL: Set role to Admin (not Employee - this won't work!)

Click Create System User

Step 3: Assign App Access to System User

Find your newly created system user in the list

Click Add Assets

Go to the Apps tab

Select your WhatsApp Meta App

Grant Full Control permission

Click Save Changes

Step 4: Assign WhatsApp Account Access

Still on the System Users page, find your system user

Click Add Assets again

Go to WhatsApp Accounts tab

Select your WhatsApp Business Account

Grant Full Control permission

Click Save Changes

Step 5: Generate the Permanent Token

On the System Users page, find your system user

Click Generate New Token button

In the popup:

Select your WhatsApp App from dropdown

Check these permissions:

✅ whatsapp_business_management

✅ whatsapp_business_messaging

(Optional) Also add:

catalog_management

business_management

Click Generate Token

IMPORTANT: Copy and save this token immediately in a secure location (password manager recommended)

This token will NEVER expire unless you manually revoke it

Step 6: Verify Your Token

Test your token using curl or any API testing tool:

bashcurl -X GET \

"https://graph.facebook.com/v18.0/YOUR_PHONE_NUMBER_ID" \

-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_PERMANENT_TOKEN"

If you get a successful response, your token is working! 🎉

🔗 Part 2: Setting Up n8n Integration

Step 1: Get Required Credentials

You'll need these pieces of information from Meta:

From WhatsApp API Setup:

Go to Meta Developer Portal → Your App → WhatsApp → API Setup
Copy: Phone Number ID (from the "From" dropdown) WhatsApp Business Account ID (shown in the API Setup page)

From App Settings:

3. Go to App Settings → Basic

4. Copy:

App ID (this is your Client ID)
App Secret (click "Show" and enter your password)

Step 2: Configure WhatsApp Node in n8n

For Sending Messages (WhatsApp Business Cloud Node):

In n8n, add a WhatsApp Business Cloud node to your workflow
Click on Credentials → Create New
Select WhatsApp API
Enter: Access Token: Your permanent token from Part 1 Business Account ID: From Meta WhatsApp API Setup

For Receiving Messages (WhatsApp Trigger Node):

Add a WhatsApp Trigger node
Click Credentials → Create New
Select WhatsApp OAuth2 API
Enter: Client ID: Your App ID Client Secret: Your App Secret Business Account ID: Same as above

Step 3: Set Up Webhooks for Incoming Messages