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A Photon SMS number receives text messages for your project. If you also want to use that number for WhatsApp Business, connect it through Photon rather than registering it with another provider. For short-code limits, OTP filtering by line type, and guidance on third-party account registration, read SMS best practices. To send SMS to US numbers, a number needs an approved 10DLC campaign. If a review rejects your campaign, follow Fix a rejected 10DLC campaign.
WhatsApp Business registration on Photon SMS numbers is reserved for Photon connections. You cannot register a Photon SMS number for WhatsApp Business with another provider. WhatsApp Business registration codes are not shown in the number’s SMS messaging history.

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WhatsApp Business codes are not ordinary SMS messages

When Meta sends a WhatsApp Business registration one-time passcode (OTP) to a Photon SMS number, Photon handles it separately from ordinary messages. The code does not appear in the SMS Inbox, message-history API responses, or inbound SMS message events delivered to your application. This is intentional: the code is reserved for setting up a WhatsApp Business connection through Photon. Its absence from SMS history does not, by itself, indicate an SMS delivery failure. Do not poll SMS history or wait for a message webhook to retrieve it. This exception does not mean that every SMS containing a verification code is hidden. General OTP filtering has been removed from Photon SMS numbers; the WhatsApp Business registration-code reservation remains.

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Use the number for WhatsApp Business through Photon

In your project’s WhatsApp Business page, choose Use a Photon SMS number. Photon handles verification during setup. If Meta’s signup window asks you to enter an SMS code, the Photon setup panel displays it there, not in SMS history. Follow the WhatsApp Business connection guide for the supported setup flow. Receiving or viewing a code during that flow does not make the number available for registration with another WhatsApp provider. If you need to use another WhatsApp provider, use a number obtained independently of Photon and follow that provider’s number requirements.