How to Connect WhatsApp to OpenClaw

What Is an OpenClaw WhatsApp Bot?

An OpenClaw WhatsApp bot is a full AI agent that lives in your WhatsApp conversations. Unlike basic chatbots, it's powered by 20+ leading AI models — including Claude, GPT, Gemini, and DeepSeek — and extended with 3,200+ skills from ClawHub.

• Browse the web, manage files, answer questions, and perform real-world tasks
• Hold multi-turn conversations with full context
• Works in personal chats and group conversations
• Switch AI models on the fly without redeploying

Option 1: OpenClaw Launch (Recommended)

OpenClaw Launch supports WhatsApp via the @openclaw/whatsapp plugin. Connection is done through QR code pairing — no Meta Business API, no webhooks, no server setup needed.

1. Deploy an instance on OpenClaw Launch — choose your AI model and click Deploy.
2. In the post-deploy setup, select WhatsApp as your chat platform.
3. The WhatsApp plugin will be installed automatically. A QR code appears on screen.
4. Open WhatsApp on your phone, go to Linked Devices, and scan the QR code.
5. Once linked, the bot is live — send a message on WhatsApp and the AI responds.

Option 2: Self-Hosted (WhatsApp Business API)

If you're running OpenClaw on your own server and need the WhatsApp Business API (for a dedicated business number with webhooks), follow these steps:

Prerequisites

• A WhatsApp Business account via the Meta Business Platform
• A permanent access token and Phone Number ID from the WhatsApp API settings
• A self-hosted OpenClaw instance accessible over HTTPS

Configuration

1. Add the WhatsApp channel configuration under channels.whatsapp in your openclaw.json:
   • enabled: true
   • accessToken — your WhatsApp Business API access token
   • phoneNumberId — your registered phone number ID
   • webhookVerifyToken — a secret string you choose
2. Enable the WhatsApp plugin in plugins.entries:

   "plugins": {
     "entries": {
       "whatsapp": { "enabled": true }
     }
   }

3. In the Meta Business Platform, set the Callback URL to https://your-server.com/webhook/whatsapp and enter your verify token.
4. Subscribe to the messages webhook field and click Verify and Save.

Troubleshooting

QR Code Not Appearing (OpenClaw Launch)

• Make sure the instance is in running state before connecting WhatsApp.
• Try refreshing the page or restarting the instance from the dashboard.
• Check that you selected WhatsApp as the platform during setup.

Bot Not Replying

• Check that your AI model API key is valid — an expired or incorrect key prevents the bot from generating responses.
• For self-hosted: verify both channels.whatsapp.enabled and plugins.entries.whatsapp.enabled are true.
• Check your instance logs for error messages.

WhatsApp vs Telegram vs Discord

All three platforms work with the same OpenClaw AI agent — same models, same 3,200+ skills, same capabilities. The difference is in setup complexity and use case:

• WhatsApp — The most widely used messaging platform worldwide. Ideal if your users are already on WhatsApp. Requires Business API setup through Meta, which is more involved.
• Telegram — The easiest to set up. Create a bot with BotFather in 2 minutes, deploy on OpenClaw Launch in 10 seconds. Great for personal AI assistants. See the Telegram guide.
• Discord — Best for communities and teams. Discord bots are invite-only, making them safe for open DM access. See the Discord guide.

What's Next?

• Browse 3,200+ skills — Add web search, image generation, file management, and more to your WhatsApp bot
• Compare AI models — See pricing and capabilities for Claude, GPT, Gemini, DeepSeek, and more
• Browse tools — Explore real use cases for OpenClaw AI agents