Let’s talk about something that should be simple… but totally isn’t: getting WhatsApp and SMS to actually work in HighLevel.
If you’ve ever transferred a number, hit send, and heard crickets—you’re not alone. 😅
I just sat in on a super insightful Zoom session led by Mario Aldayuz (Head of Partnerships at HL Pro Tools), and he broke it all down. No fluff—just straight fixes and real talk.
So if your SMS isn’t sending or your WhatsApp ghosts your clients… read this.
The Big Problem: You Can’t Just “Plug and Play”
I know, I know… HighLevel is supposed to be plug-and-play. But when it comes to WhatsApp and SMS numbers, there’s a bit more red tape.
Here’s the #1 issue I see over and over:
People move phone numbers around HighLevel accounts without registering them properly—and then wonder why nothing works.
Spoiler: It’s not a bug. It’s a setup issue.
And it’s super fixable if you follow the right steps.
Here’s What You Need to Know
1. Only HighLevel Support Can Unbind WhatsApp Numbers
If you’ve moved a number and it’s still bound to the old account, you’re stuck until HL support manually unbinds it. There’s no hack. No workaround. Just message support and get it done right.
2. A2P Registration = Not Optional
If you’re sending SMS messages in the U.S., your number needs to be A2P (Application-to-Person) registered.
This is a compliance thing—and it’s non-negotiable. If you skip this, you’ll run into:
🚫 Message delivery failures
🚫 “Number not authorized” errors
🚫 Lost leads from communication blackouts
🕒 Heads up: A2P registration takes a couple of days. Don’t wait until launch day to figure it out.
3. Test Everything Post-Transfer
After your number is moved, do a test run. Check:
✅ Outbound SMS
✅ Inbound replies
✅ WhatsApp message flow
✅ Any automations tied to those channels
Pro Tips from the HL Pro Tools Crew
Mario dropped a few gems on the call that are too good not to share:
🧩 Assign numbers to the correct sub-account before linking to workflows
📁 Document the A2P registration process for each client so you don’t lose track
💬 Use a dummy account to test new number setups before rolling out to clients
It’s the little things like this that separate the pros from the people constantly opening support tickets.
Why This Matters
Let’s be honest—communication is the backbone of your automation.
If your messages don’t send, you’re not just missing notifications. You’re:
❌ Losing sales
❌ Missing follow-ups
❌ Creating friction for your clients
And that’s not how we scale. So get your WhatsApp + SMS setup right the first time and your entire funnel flows smoother.
Cool Free Thing: My Testimonial Workflow
Before you can help businesses with your service, you’ve gotta earn trust.
And the fastest way to do that? ⭐️ Testimonials.
So here’s the deal: I’m giving away the exact Testimonial Workflow my team uses to collect, polish, and organize reviews like clockwork.
It’s plug-and-play. It’s fast. It works.
Want More Like This?
If you love the kind of behind-the-scenes stuff Mario shared on that Zoom call, you’ll love what we’re building over at hlprotools.com.
It’s packed with:
🔥 Prebuilt workflows
🔧 Advanced automations
📚 Templates you can actually use
Don’t reinvent the wheel. Just plug into the system that already works. 🚀
