# Omnichannel Messaging - FAQ

Use this page to resolve the questions that come up most often when you connect messaging channels to Cloud Voice, including custom SMS providers and WhatsApp channel setup. Omnichannel Messaging lets agents handle text conversations from several channels (such as SMS and WhatsApp) inside one interface.

## What if my SMS provider isn't on the supported list?

You aren't limited to the SMS (Short Message Service) providers that Cloud Voice supports out of the box. If your provider isn't on that list, connect it through a custom SMS trunk instead. Cloud Voice exposes an open SMS API (application programming interface), along with full documentation, so you can build the integration against your own provider's service.

For step-by-step instructions, see [Integrate an SMS Service Using the SMS API](/pbx/contact-center-guide/integrate-sms-service-with-cloud-voice-using-sms-api/).

:::note
A trunk is the connection Cloud Voice uses to hand messages off to an outside carrier. A custom SMS trunk lets you route texts through any provider that can talk to the SMS API, even one that isn't preconfigured in Cloud Voice.
:::

## How many Meta apps or WhatsApp channels can I create from one Meta Developer account?

A single Meta Developer account is all you need. From that one account you can create as many Meta apps as you want for WhatsApp channel integration, and Cloud Voice places no limit on the number of WhatsApp channels you configure.

:::note
A WhatsApp channel is one connected WhatsApp Business number that agents handle inside Omnichannel Messaging. Each channel is backed by a Meta app you create in the Meta for Developers portal.
:::

## What should I do if my WhatsApp phone number shows a "Pending" status?

![The WhatsApp phone number listed with a Pending status indicator](/images/pbx/pending-number.png)

A **Pending** status means the number isn't live yet: it can't send or receive WhatsApp messages until the status becomes **Connected**. A Pending status on a WhatsApp Business number usually points to one of the following:

- The verification steps haven't been fully completed.
- The access token has expired or is no longer valid.
- The account or the phone number is misconfigured.

Generating a fresh access token and reconnecting the account to your Meta app clears the status in most cases. Follow the procedure below.

:::caution
An expired or invalid access token is the most common cause of a stuck Pending status. If a number that used to work drops back to Pending, regenerate its access token first before troubleshooting anything else.
:::

**Prerequisites**

You have already created a Meta app for WhatsApp on the Meta for Developers portal.

**Procedure**

1. Sign in to the [Meta for Developers portal](https://developers.facebook.com) and open the app you created.

2. Go to **WhatsApp > API Setup > Send and receive messages**, then choose the pending phone number from the **From** drop-down list.

   ![The API Setup page with the pending number selected in the From drop-down](/images/pbx/select-pending-number.png)

3. In the **Access Token** section, click **Generate access token**.

   ![The Access Token section with the Generate access token button](/images/pbx/pending-number-token.png)

4. In the pop-up window, complete these steps:

   a. Click **Continue** to proceed with your WhatsApp account.

   :::note
   If you're prompted to reconnect to the app, click **Edit previous settings**.
   :::

   
   ![Cloud Voice, the reconnect prompt with the Edit previous settings option](/images/pbx/pending-number-previous-setting.png)

   b. Select **Opt in to all current and future WhatsApp accounts**, then click **Continue**.

   :::tip
   Opting in to all current and future accounts means any WhatsApp number you add later connects automatically, so you won't have to repeat this reconnection step each time.
   :::

   
   ![Cloud Voice, the opt-in selection for current and future WhatsApp accounts](/images/pbx/pending-number-opt.png)

   c. Review the request, then click **Save**. The window confirms that your account is now connected to the Meta app.

   d. Click **Got it** to close the pop-up window.

**Result**

- The new access token is generated successfully.

  ![The confirmation showing a newly generated access token](/images/pbx/pending-number-new-token.png)

- Return to the **Phone Numbers** dashboard on the [Meta Business Suite portal](https://business.facebook.com/) (**Account > WhatsApp accounts > WhatsApp Manager > Account tools > Phone numbers**). Your number's status now reads **Connected**.

  ![The Phone Numbers dashboard showing the number status changed to Connected](/images/pbx/pending-number-resolved.png)