> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.izap.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Number restricted, locked or in review by Meta

> What to do when Meta puts a WhatsApp number in review, restricts or bans it soon after connecting to iZap, and how to complete your Meta business profile to lower the risk.

Sometimes Meta puts a number "in review", restricts it or bans it within
minutes of connecting it, before iZap has sent a single message. This is a
decision made by Meta, and only Meta can reverse it. This guide shows how to
recognize it, how to appeal, and how to complete your business profile in Meta
Business Suite to lower the risk.

> [!NOTE]
>
> Meta doesn't publish the rules behind these decisions, so no step here
> guarantees your number won't be restricted. A complete, verified business
> profile gives Meta more to trust and strengthens your appeal if a review
> happens.

## How to recognize it

* The WhatsApp Business app shows **account in review** or **This account
  can't use WhatsApp**, usually with a **Request review** button.
* In Meta Business Suite, the WhatsApp account's **Account status** shows
  **Review in Progress**.
* iZap shows the number as connected, but nothing arrives or messages fail
  with error 131031 (**Business Account locked**).
* Access comes back for a few minutes and then locks again.

## Complete your business profile in Meta

Do these steps in order in Meta Business Suite. Use real data that matches your
business's official records.

**1. Fill in the business info**

Open **Settings** → **Business info**. Under **Business details**, click
**Edit** and fill in the **Legal business name**, **Address**,
**Business phone** and **Website**. Empty fields show as "No name", "No
address", "No phone" and "No website".

![Meta Business Settings, Business info page, with the Legal business name, Address, Business phone and Website fields empty and underlined in red.](https://mintcdn.com/izap-docs/DTtZfpti1Ui9UuRR/images/meta-business-info-empty.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=DTtZfpti1Ui9UuRR\&q=85\&s=808131e820a2d1b57660a341a2c356a7)

**2. Complete the WhatsApp account details**

Open **Settings** → **Accounts** → **WhatsApp accounts**, select your
account and stay on the **Summary** tab. Click **Edit** and fill in the
**Address**, **Currency** and **Time Zone**.

![Summary tab of a WhatsApp account in Meta Business Settings, with Address, Currency and Time Zone empty, the Edit button and the Start verification link highlighted, status Review in Progress and no payment method.](https://mintcdn.com/izap-docs/DTtZfpti1Ui9UuRR/images/meta-whatsapp-account-summary.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=DTtZfpti1Ui9UuRR\&q=85\&s=5ea41f961c99dbc11d0b3abb0f943c1b)

**3. Add a payment method**

On the same **Summary** tab, under **Payment method**, click **Payment
Settings** and add a card. See the last step of the
[connection guide](/en/guide-meta-trainer-connection.md).

**4. Start Business Verification**

On the Summary tab, click **Start verification** next to **Business
verification**, or open the **Business Verification** card in the Security
Center. Choose the use case **Verify my business to build trust or meet
regulatory requirements**, click **Start verification** and enter your
legal business details exactly as they appear in your official documents.
Meta may ask for supporting documents.

![Business Verification card in Meta, showing Eligible for verification and the highlighted Start verification button.](https://mintcdn.com/izap-docs/DTtZfpti1Ui9UuRR/images/meta-business-verification-start.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=DTtZfpti1Ui9UuRR\&q=85\&s=05ea70c9b1c647d0489e48c890c7625e)

**5. Use a business display name**

The display name must represent your business, such as your brand name. Meta
rejects names that look like a personal name. If yours was rejected, edit
it in WhatsApp Manager and submit a business name.

> [!TIP]
>
> Verification can take days, and some labels differ by country or account.
> Don't wait for it to finish to complete the other steps.

## If your number is already restricted

**1. Open Business Support Home**

Go to [business.facebook.com/business-support-home](https://business.facebook.com/business-support-home)
and select the affected business. Meta shows the violation or restriction
there.

**2. Request a review**

Click **Request review** on the restriction, or on the button shown in the
WhatsApp Business app.

**3. Explain your situation**

Be short and factual. Say that:

* You are a real business, and give its name and website.
* You only have two-way conversations with customers who already know you.
* You don't send bulk or unsolicited messages.
* The restriction appeared right after you connected the number, before you
  sent any messages.

Only Meta can lift a restriction. iZap can't speed it up or remove it. The
review can take from hours to several days. Meta notifies you when the status
changes.

## What not to do

* Don't uninstall the WhatsApp Business app or delete the WhatsApp account.
* Don't disconnect the number to "speed up" the review. It doesn't help.
* Your conversation history imported into iZap is kept.
* Don't submit review requests over and over. One clear request is enough.

### Numbers that also use the WhatsApp Business app

If the number uses the WhatsApp Business app together with iZap (coexistence),
wait until the number works again. Then, if you no longer want it on the API,
disconnect it in the app: **Settings** → **Account** → **Business Platform** →
**Disconnect account**.

In iZap, **Deregister number** only revokes iZap's access. For these numbers,
Meta refuses to deregister them through the API. See
[Manage your numbers](/en/manage-whatsapp-numbers.md).

## Avoid new restrictions

* Reply with free-form messages only within 24 hours of the customer's last
  message.
* To start a conversation, use an approved message template.
* Don't send bulk broadcasts from a freshly connected number. Start with small
  volumes to people who expect to hear from you.

More on this in
[Why a message wasn't delivered](/en/why-message-not-delivered.md).

## Number shown as "Ineligible" in Meta signup

In the **Add your WhatsApp phone number** step of Meta signup, the number shows
up disabled in the **Phone** list, with an **Ineligible** badge and the message
**This number can't be shared with this app**. This happens when the WhatsApp
Business app is integrated with the Meta Business Suite Inbox: while that
integration is active, Meta won't let the number be shared with any provider,
iZap included.

![Add your WhatsApp phone number step in Meta signup, with the number disabled, the Ineligible badge and the message This number can't be shared with this app.](https://mintcdn.com/izap-docs/rc6bsnGCfx2fHjmq/images/meta-onboarding-number-ineligible.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=rc6bsnGCfx2fHjmq\&q=85\&s=c67b91ea4deb57b401433cd62c42b9e4)

**1. Confirm the cause in Meta Business Suite**

Open **Settings** → **Accounts** → **WhatsApp accounts**, select the
account and open the **Partners** tab. If the **Assign partner** button is
disabled with the message "This account can't be shared with a partner
because it uses Inbox", the Inbox integration is the cause.

**2. Disconnect the integration in the app**

In the WhatsApp Business app, open **Settings** → **Account** →
**Business Platform** and disconnect the Meta integration.

**3. Connect the number to iZap again**

Redo the connection following the
[connection guide](/en/guide-meta-trainer-connection.md). The number now shows
up as available for coexistence.

> [!WARNING]
>
> After disconnecting, you can no longer handle this number from the Meta
> Business Suite Inbox.

## Contact support

If the restriction continues, write to [support@izap.ai](mailto:support@izap.ai)
with the number (with country code), a screenshot of the status or error, and
the time you connected it.


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