Chat Integration
OpenClaw + WhatsApp
Send and receive messages via WhatsApp. QR pairing — no business API needed.
Category
Chat
Setup Time
~5 minutes
What you can do
- Personal & group chats
- Media sharing (images, voice, docs)
- Read receipts & typing indicators
- QR code pairing — no phone number API
Setup Guide
Prerequisites
- OpenClaw running (see our deployment guide)
- A phone with WhatsApp installed
- The phone must stay connected to the internet for the bridge to work
Configuration
Add the WhatsApp channel to your OpenClaw config:
# In your openclaw config
channels:
whatsapp:
enabled: true
# Optional: set a session name for multi-device
session_name: "openclaw"Or via environment variables in your docker-compose.yml:
environment:
- WHATSAPP_ENABLED=truePairing Steps
- Restart OpenClaw after enabling WhatsApp:
docker compose restart openclaw - Check the logs for the QR code:
docker compose logs openclaw | grep -A 20 "QR" - Open WhatsApp on your phone → Settings → Linked Devices → Link a Device
- Scan the QR code displayed in the terminal
- Wait for "WhatsApp connected" in the logs
Verification
Send a message to yourself or a test contact via WhatsApp. You should see it appear in OpenClaw's logs:
docker compose logs -f openclawTry sending a command like "What time is it?" and verify OpenClaw responds.
Common Issues
QR code expired: QR codes last about 60 seconds. If it expires, restart the container to generate a new one. See our QR expired troubleshooting page.
Phone disconnected: If your phone loses internet, the WhatsApp bridge drops. Make sure the phone stays connected and WhatsApp is not force-closed.
Multi-device: WhatsApp supports up to 4 linked devices. OpenClaw uses one linked device slot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does OpenClaw work with WhatsApp?
Yes — OpenClaw has a built-in WhatsApp integration using QR code pairing. No WhatsApp Business API needed. It's rated as Easy difficulty to set up and takes about 5 minutes.
Is the WhatsApp integration free?
Yes. The WhatsApp integration is free and included with OpenClaw. You only pay for hosting (~$7/mo) and AI API usage (~$3-10/mo).
How do I set up WhatsApp with OpenClaw?
Enable WhatsApp in your config, restart OpenClaw, scan the QR code from your phone's WhatsApp settings (Linked Devices), and you're connected. Follow the setup guide above for detailed steps.
Do I need a WhatsApp Business API account?
No. OpenClaw uses WhatsApp's linked device feature, the same one you use to access WhatsApp Web. This means no business verification, no API costs, and no phone number requirements.
Can OpenClaw send and receive media on WhatsApp?
Yes. OpenClaw can send and receive images, voice messages, documents, and other media files through WhatsApp.
Ready to set up WhatsApp?
Follow our free guide to deploy OpenClaw and connect WhatsApp in minutes.
Official docs: https://docs.openclaw.ai/channels