> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://knowledge.bitbybit.studio/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Choose your WhatsApp Catalog source

> Choose whether WhatsApp Catalog syncs from WhatsApp Cloud API or WhatsApp Business App (Coex) when both are connected.

Use this page when your products can sync through more than one WhatsApp connection.

## Overview

WhatsApp Catalog supports two channel types:

* **WhatsApp Cloud API**
* **WhatsApp Business App** (connected via Coexistence (Coex))

To prevent duplicate catalog data in Meta, the system enforces **exclusivity**: only one channel can be the active Primary Catalog Source at a time. The Products page shows a persistent banner indicating the current state and lets you switch sources at any time.

## Before you start

* Open [Products](https://app.bitbybit.studio/products).
* Make sure at least one WhatsApp channel is connected in **Integrations**.
* Make sure your **Meta Business Account (MBA)** is linked — the catalog toggle cannot turn ON without it.

## What the banner tells you

A notification banner always appears at the top of the Products table. It changes based on your connection state.

| Banner                                            | When it appears                                              | Action available    |
| ------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------- |
| **Orange** — "Connect WhatsApp to enable catalog" | No WhatsApp channel connected                                | **Connect Channel** |
| **Green** — "Catalog active."                     | One channel connected and catalog is ON                      | None                |
| **Blue** — "Catalog Source: \[Channel Name]"      | Two channels connected and catalog is ON                     | **Switch Channel**  |
| *Hidden*                                          | One channel connected but catalog has not been turned ON yet | None                |

## First-time setup with two channels connected

If you have both WhatsApp Cloud API and Coexistence (Coex) connected and have not yet activated a catalog:

1. Open **Products**.
2. Toggle any product **ON** for WhatsApp Catalog (or click **Add products to WhatsApp Catalog**).
3. The **Enable WhatsApp Catalog** modal opens — no channel is pre-selected.
4. Choose the channel to use as your Primary Catalog Source.
5. Confirm. The system activates the catalog on that channel.
6. The banner updates to **Blue**, showing your active source and a **Switch Channel** option.

If you close the modal without selecting a channel, the product toggle returns to **OFF**.

## Switch your active catalog channel

If you already have an active catalog and want to move it to the other channel:

1. On **Products**, find the **Blue** banner at the top.
2. Click **Switch Channel**.
3. The **Select Active Catalog Channel** modal opens. Your current channel is pre-selected with a **Current** badge.
4. Choose the other channel.
5. Confirm. The system deactivates the catalog on the old channel, then activates it on the new one.
6. The banner updates to reflect the new source.

## First-time setup with one channel

If only one WhatsApp channel is connected:

1. Toggle any product **ON** for WhatsApp Catalog.
2. If your MBA is not yet linked, you are prompted to connect it before continuing.
3. The catalog activates on your single connected channel automatically.
4. The banner turns **Green**.

## If no WhatsApp channel is connected

If no channel is connected when you try to toggle a product ON, a redirect modal appears pointing you to **Integrations**. After connecting a channel, return to Products — the **Orange** banner will be shown.

## Scenario reference

| Scenario                   | System state                                        | What happens                                                      |
| -------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |
| New user                   | No WA channel connected                             | Redirected to Integrations; Orange banner on return               |
| Single channel, no catalog | 1 channel connected, catalog OFF                    | Catalog activates on that channel; Green banner                   |
| Dual channel, no catalog   | 2 channels connected, catalog OFF                   | Enable Catalog modal (no pre-selection); Blue banner after choice |
| Switching                  | 2 channels connected, catalog ON                    | Choose Channel modal (current pre-selected); Blue banner updated  |
| Legacy                     | Both channels connected before this feature shipped | Enable Catalog modal forced to establish Primary Source           |

## Important notes

* **MBA is required.** Even if a channel is connected, the catalog toggle cannot turn ON until your Meta Business Account is linked.
* **Closing the modal cancels the action.** If you close the Enable Catalog modal without choosing a channel, the product toggle returns to OFF.
* **The banner persists.** Once a primary channel is set, the banner remains visible as a permanent way to switch sources — except on the single-channel Green state.
* **Switching deactivates the old channel first.** To prevent duplicate catalog data in Meta, the system always deactivates the old channel before activating the new one.

## Related

* [Understand Commerce products and WhatsApp Catalog](/bitchat/commerce-products-overview)
* [Add products and show them in WhatsApp Catalog](/bitchat/how-to-add-a-product-to-your-whatsapp-catalog)
* [Connect WhatsApp Business App with Coexistence](/bitchat/how-to-create-and-connect-bitbybit-using-meta-coexistance)
* [Coexistence vs WhatsApp API](/bitchat/coexistence-vs-whatsapp-api)