> ## 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.

# Fix the "phone number is already linked" message when connecting WhatsApp

> Resolve the Meta error that says your phone number is already linked to an existing WhatsApp account when connecting WhatsApp Cloud API to bitbybit, by releasing the number and reconnecting.

When you connect a phone number to WhatsApp Cloud API through bitbybit, Meta may show a message that the phone number is already linked to an existing WhatsApp account. This message comes from Meta's signup flow, not from bitbybit. It means the number is currently registered somewhere else, and Meta will not attach it to a new WhatsApp Cloud API account until it is released.

## Before you start

* Confirm you control the phone number and can receive its SMS or calls for verification.
* Know where the number might currently be in use: the WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business app on a phone, or another WhatsApp Cloud API account (for example, a previous provider or another workspace).

## Step 1: Find where the number is registered

* If the number is active in the **WhatsApp** or **WhatsApp Business** app on a phone, the app registration is what blocks the connection.
* If the number was previously connected to WhatsApp Cloud API elsewhere (another platform, agency, or workspace), it is attached to a WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) in Meta Business Manager.

## Step 2: Keep the app? Use Coexistence instead

If the number is active in the **WhatsApp Business App** and you want to keep using the app, do not delete anything. Meta Coexistence runs the Business App and the Cloud API on the same number at the same time, preserving your chat history.

* Follow [Connect WhatsApp Business App with Coexistence](/bitcrm/how-to-create-and-connect-whatsapp-coex-with-bitbybit) instead of the release steps below.

## Step 3: Release the number (only if you do not want Coexistence)

* If the number is registered in the WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business app and you do **not** want to keep the app:
  * Open the app on the phone that uses this number.
  * Delete the account from inside the app (Settings > Account > Delete account). This releases the number from the app registration.
* If the number is attached to another WhatsApp Cloud API account:
  * Ask the owner of that Meta Business Manager to remove the number from their WhatsApp Business Account in [Meta WhatsApp Manager](https://business.facebook.com/wa/manage/).
  * If you own that Business Manager, remove or deregister the number there yourself.

<Warning>
  Deleting a WhatsApp account removes its on-phone chat history for that number. Back up anything you need before deleting — and if you want to keep the app at all, use the Coexistence path above instead of deleting.
</Warning>

## Step 4: Reconnect in bitbybit

* Go to [Integrations](https://app.bitbybit.studio/integrations) and start the WhatsApp Cloud API connection again.
* Complete Meta's signup with the released number. See [How to create and connect WhatsApp Cloud API with bitbybit](/bitchat/how-to-create-and-connect-whatsapp-cloud-api-with-bitbybit) for the full flow.

## Still blocked?

If Meta still reports the number as linked after you released it, email [help@bitbybit.studio](mailto:help@bitbybit.studio) with:

* Your Company ID ([where to find it](/settings/how-to-get-company-id))
* The phone number you are connecting
* A screenshot of the message

Our team can check the number's status with Meta from our side.