WhatsApp Cloud API
Kronos connects to the official WhatsApp Business Platform from Meta. Here is how the connection works, what Meta charges per message, and how the 24-hour reply window interacts with message templates.
1. You need a dedicated phone number
The phone number you use with the WhatsApp Cloud API cannot be in use with the regular WhatsApp Business mobile app at the same time. If the number you want to connect is already registered there, you have two options:
- Delete the existing WhatsApp Business account on that number first, then return here to connect, OR
- Use a different, dedicated phone number (recommended)
If a number is still registered in the WhatsApp Business mobile app when you try to connect it to Kronos, Meta returns an error during activation.
2. Meta charges per message
The WhatsApp Business Platform has per-message costs billed directly by Meta (not by Kronos). Pricing depends on the message category and the recipient's country.
Reference rates for Mexico (+52)
| Message type | USD | MXN |
|---|---|---|
| Marketing message | ~$0.041 | ~$0.72 |
| Utility message | ~$0.013 | ~$0.23 |
| Authentication (OTP) | ~$0.010 | ~$0.18 |
| Service reply (within 24h) | Free | Free |
| Incoming messages | Free | Free |
LATAM reference rates (USD)
| Country | Marketing | Utility | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina (+54) | ~$0.058 | ~$0.016 | ~$0.012 |
| Brazil (+55) | ~$0.062 | ~$0.035 | ~$0.023 |
| Colombia (+57) | ~$0.029 | ~$0.009 | ~$0.006 |
| Chile (+56) | ~$0.055 | ~$0.020 | ~$0.015 |
| Peru (+51) | ~$0.037 | ~$0.012 | ~$0.008 |
| Uruguay (+598) | ~$0.040 | ~$0.015 | ~$0.010 |
Kronos does not charge for WhatsApp messages. Billing is managed directly between you and Meta.
3. The 24-hour window & message templates
When a customer sends you a message, a 24-hour service window opens. During that window you can reply with any free-form message. Once the window closes, to re-engage the customer (or to send the first message in any new conversation), you — or your AI agents and workflows — must send a pre-approved message template.
You can create, submit for review, and manage templates in Kronos from Settings → Inboxes → [your WhatsApp inbox] → Templates. Submission to Meta is automatic. You can also manage templates directly in Meta Business Suite.