Skip to main content

QR Codes and Short Links | Developer Documentation

Create a WhatsApp chat link and QR code for a ChatArchitect number

  1. Use the business phone number already connected to ChatArchitect. If you manage several numbers, check the right number in its WhatsApp Business Account.
  2. Write the number in full international format using digits only: no plus sign, spaces, brackets, dashes or domestic trunk prefix. For example, 15551234567 becomes https://wa.me/15551234567.
  3. To put a draft message in the chat field, add URL-encoded text: https://wa.me/15551234567?text=Hello%2C%20I%20need%20help. WhatsApp fills the field; the customer must tap Send. Keep the message short and avoid personal data in the link.
  4. Open the link on a test phone. Confirm that it opens the intended business chat, send a test message and check that it reaches the connected ChatArchitect integration.

The number and optional draft text are part of the shared URL. If you change either, publish a new link and replace old materials. See WhatsApp's click-to-chat instructions for the link format.

Make and test a QR code

  1. Encode the exact tested link in a QR code with a tool that creates a QR image from a URL. You do not need a Meta API token for this.
  2. Scan the code with a phone's regular camera and check the destination before opening it. WhatsApp's in-app QR scanner is intended for official WhatsApp QR codes and may not read a generic URL code.
  3. Print the readable wa.me link or another contact method beside the code. Test the final printed size on more than one phone before distributing it.

A QR image that contains the wa.me URL is different from a QR code managed by Meta. If you change the URL, you must replace the static image. This guide does not assume that Meta-managed QR codes or editable short links are available in your account.

If the chat or prompt does not appear

Check the digits and confirm that the number is still connected. A prefilled wa.me message can hide ice breakers; test without ?text= if you want to show them. If the chat opens but your test message does not reach the integration, contact ChatArchitect support with the number and the time of the test. Do not send a one-time code or access token.

No comments to display

Back to top