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I have created an app on developers.facebook and I have enabled messaging from WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook. Now I want to create API for messaging. So should I go through the app or is there any other way? And what to do, what are the next steps?

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Meta Facebook WhatsApp Instagram Messenger API setup next steps 2024

Good question. Since you've already created the app on Meta for Developers and enabled messaging for all three platforms, you're on the right track. Here's a clear breakdown of the next steps:

You're in the Right Place — Stay on the App

Yes, your Meta developer app is the correct entry point for all three APIs. There's no separate platform to go through. Each channel (WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger) has its own API under the same app umbrella.

Next Steps by Platform

1. WhatsApp Business API (Cloud API)

This is the most commonly used for programmatic messaging.
Steps:
  1. In your app dashboard, go to WhatsApp → Getting Started
  2. Meta provides a test phone number and a temporary access token — use these to send your first test message immediately
  3. Add a real phone number (must not be registered on WhatsApp already) via WhatsApp → Phone Numbers
  4. Generate a Permanent System User Access Token:
    • Go to Business Settings → System Users
    • Create a system user, assign it to your app, and generate a token with whatsapp_business_messaging and whatsapp_business_management permissions
  5. Set up a Webhook to receive incoming messages:
    • Go to WhatsApp → Configuration → Webhook
    • Provide a publicly accessible HTTPS endpoint your server exposes
    • Subscribe to the messages field
  6. Send messages via the Cloud API: 
    POST https://graph.facebook.com/v19.0/{phone-number-id}/messages
Authorization: Bearer {access_token}
Docs: WhatsApp Cloud API Getting Started

2. Instagram Messaging API (Instagram Graph API)

Prerequisites: You need a Facebook Page connected to an Instagram Professional account (Business or Creator).
Steps:
  1. In your app dashboard, go to Instagram → Settings
  2. Connect the Instagram account to a Facebook Page
  3. Request the instagram_manage_messages permission (requires App Review for production)
  4. Set up a Webhook for instagram → subscribe to the messages field
  5. Use the Graph API to send messages: 
    POST https://graph.facebook.com/v19.0/me/messages
  6. For testing, you can message yourself (the Instagram account tied to the app) without App Review
Docs: Instagram Messaging API

3. Messenger API (Facebook Messenger)

Prerequisite: Linked Facebook Page.
Steps:
  1. In your app, go to Messenger → Settings
  2. Link a Facebook Page to your app
  3. Generate a Page Access Token for that page
  4. Set up a Webhook subscribed to the messages and messaging_postbacks fields
  5. Send messages via: 
    POST https://graph.facebook.com/v19.0/me/messages?access_token={page_access_token}
  6. For public use, request the pages_messaging permission via App Review
Docs: Messenger Platform Overview

Key Things to Do Across All Three

TaskWhy
Create a System User (Business Settings)For stable, long-lived access tokens (not tied to a personal account)
Set up WebhooksRequired to receive incoming messages
Use App ReviewRequired before going live with real users (not just test users)
Switch App to Live ModeYour app starts in Development mode — toggle to Live in the dashboard when ready
Configure PermissionsEach platform requires specific permissions; request them under App Review

App Mode: Development vs. Live

  • In Development mode, only app admins/testers/developers can interact with your bot
  • Switch to Live mode once you're ready for real users — this requires relevant permissions to be approved via App Review

Quick Summary

Your Meta App
├── WhatsApp → Cloud API → Webhook + Phone Number + System User Token
├── Instagram → Graph API → Connected Page + Webhook + App Review
└── Messenger → Graph API → Page Token + Webhook + App Review
All API calls go through https://graph.facebook.com/v{version}/... — same base URL, different endpoints per platform.
If you share what you're building (e.g., a chatbot, notification system, CRM integration), I can give more targeted advice on which flows and SDKs to use.
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