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WhatsApp Alternative lets you connect a WhatsApp number by scanning a QR code, the same way WhatsApp Web links a device. There is no Meta Business Account, no embedded signup, and no template approval — you link a number in seconds and start sending on the whatsapp_alt channel.
WhatsApp Alternative is a gated feature. It must be enabled for your team before the whatsapp_alt channel and the /v1/whatsapp-alt/* endpoints become available. Contact Zavu to enable it. It is not available with test-mode API keys.

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When to use it

No Business Account

You want to message from a number that isn’t set up on the WhatsApp Business Platform (Cloud API).

Fast onboarding

You need a client’s number live in seconds — scan a QR instead of running embedded signup.

Personal / existing numbers

The number already uses the regular WhatsApp app and you want to automate it without migrating to a WABA.

Two-way conversations

Inbound and outbound texts, media, reactions, and groups, delivered through the same webhooks as every other channel.

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How it differs from official WhatsApp

Official WhatsApp (Cloud API)WhatsApp Alternative
ConnectionMeta embedded signup (WABA)Scan a QR code (like WhatsApp Web)
Setup timeMinutes to hoursSeconds
TemplatesRequired outside the 24h windowNot used
24-hour windowEnforced by MetaNot enforced
EgressMeta’s serversZavu residential proxy or your own device
Best forScale, compliance, marketingQuick links, existing numbers, conversations
WhatsApp Alternative connects through the same channel the WhatsApp mobile app uses. To keep a linked number healthy, all of its traffic egresses through an in-country residential IP (never a datacenter IP) and the number always appears from the same exit. Sending unsolicited or high-volume marketing from an unofficial link risks the number being blocked by WhatsApp. Use it for consented, conversational messaging. For large marketing sends, use the official WhatsApp channel.

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How it works

1

Create a session

Call the API to start a session. Zavu spins up a linked-device connection and generates a QR code. See Sessions.
2

Scan the QR

Open WhatsApp on the phone → Linked devices → Link a device, and scan the QR. The session moves to ready.
3

Link the session to a sender

Attach the session to one of your senders. That sender’s whatsapp_alt traffic now routes through the linked number.
4

Send and receive

Send with channel: "whatsapp_alt" and receive inbound messages via your sender webhook. See Sending & Receiving.

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Egress: keeping the number active

Every WhatsApp Alternative number reaches WhatsApp through an egress — an in-country residential IP. You choose between the managed Zavu residential proxy and your own Android egress device, and Zavu can automatically fall back between them so the number stays active. See Egress & Fallback.

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Connecting clients via invitations

If you’re a partner onboarding clients, you can send a QR-link invitation instead of driving the session API yourself — set connectionType: "whatsapp_alt" when creating a partner invitation. The client scans the QR and the resulting sender lands in your project.

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Next steps

Sessions

Create a session, get the QR, link it to a sender.

Egress & Fallback

Zavu proxy vs. your own device, per-GB billing, automatic fallback.

Sending & Receiving

Send on the whatsapp_alt channel and handle inbound webhooks.

Groups

Receive and identify group messages and their author.

Stories & Status

Receive contacts’ status/story updates as opt-in events.

Partner Invitations

Onboard client numbers with a QR-link invitation.