WhatsApp is connected from the setup wizard through WhatsApp's own guided signup. You either bring a number you already control or take a number WhatsApp provides — both end in the same connected state, but they fail in different ways, and the setup receipt states which situation applies.
Bringing your own number
A number you bring must be verified by SMS or voice call during signup. If you don't finish verifying, the connection is still kept and completes on its own once you do — there is no need to return to the wizard.
If the number already has two-step verification switched on with a PIN that wasn't set through Yims.ai, the connection cannot complete. Turn two-step verification off for that number in WhatsApp Manager, then connect again — retrying without that change fails the same way every time.
Getting a number from WhatsApp
A number WhatsApp provides is created asynchronously and can take up to twenty-four hours to appear. Nothing is required from you while that happens; the business is messaged as soon as the number is live.
Display-name approval
A connected number cannot send any message until WhatsApp approves its display name — a review by WhatsApp, not a setting Yims.ai controls. While approval is pending the number receives messages normally but every reply is rejected, so customers can appear to be ignored and the dashboard link can't be delivered.
No action is needed. Approval usually lands within a day, and the business is messaged once it does, with a fresh dashboard link for admin owners in that same message. Waiting on approval and need access sooner? Connect your own verified number instead — it skips the display-name review.
Admin access and disconnecting
The phone number given during signup is registered as the business admin automatically. Anyone added afterwards joins as staff through an invitation rather than by repeating signup.
Disconnecting from the dashboard stops message delivery to Yims.ai only. It does not affect your WhatsApp Business account, the number's registration, or your use of that number in the WhatsApp Business app or any other tool. Reconnecting from the dashboard needs no repeat of verification.
Never send access tokens, app secrets, or any other provider credential to product support.