Should You Use a New Number or Your Existing One?

Before connecting, you need to decide which WhatsApp number your agent will use. Both options work, but they have different implications.

Reasons to Use a Separate Number

  • Ban protection — WhatsApp occasionally bans numbers using unofficial API clients. A separate number means your personal WhatsApp stays safe if this happens.
  • Clean separation — your personal conversations stay on your personal number; agent interactions get their own space.
  • Sharing — you can give the agent's number to colleagues or family members so they can interact with it too.

Getting a Canadian Number

For a dedicated agent number in Canada, you can:

  • Get a prepaid SIM card from any carrier (Koodo, Public Mobile, Lucky Mobile offer inexpensive plans)
  • Use a VoIP service that supports WhatsApp verification (some do, some don't — test before committing)
  • Use a dual-SIM phone to register a second WhatsApp account

If you already understand what OpenClaw is and just want it working on WhatsApp, a prepaid SIM is the fastest path.

The Connection Process

Once you have OpenClaw installed (see our setup guide for the full process), connecting WhatsApp involves four steps:

Step 1: Start the OpenClaw Onboarding

Run the onboarding wizard from the terminal. When it asks which messaging channel to connect, select WhatsApp. The wizard will prepare the WhatsApp bridge component.

Step 2: Scan the QR Code

A QR code appears in your terminal. Open WhatsApp on your phone, go to Settings > Linked Devices > Link a Device, and scan the QR code. This is the same process as linking WhatsApp Web — your agent appears as a linked device.

Step 3: Wait for Confirmation

The terminal will show a confirmation message once the connection is established. This usually takes 10-30 seconds. Your agent is now connected and listening for messages.

Step 4: Send a Test Message

Send a message to your agent's WhatsApp number from another phone (or from the same phone if using your own number — just message yourself). You should receive a response within a few seconds.

What Happens When the Connection Drops

OpenClaw uses the Baileys library to maintain its WhatsApp connection. This connection can drop for several reasons:

  • The machine running OpenClaw restarts or loses internet
  • WhatsApp's servers have an outage
  • The linked device session expires (WhatsApp requires periodic re-authentication)
  • Too many linked devices are connected to the same number

When the connection drops, OpenClaw will attempt to automatically reconnect. If automatic reconnection fails, you may need to scan the QR code again. The openclaw reconnect whatsapp command triggers a fresh connection attempt from the terminal.

Using OpenClaw on WhatsApp Day-to-Day

Once connected, you interact with your agent exactly like texting a person. There are no special commands or syntax — just natural language.

Example Interactions

  • "Check my email for anything urgent" — the agent reads your inbox and summarizes important messages
  • "Draft a reply to the email from Sarah about the proposal" — the agent reads the thread and drafts a response
  • "What's on my calendar tomorrow?" — the agent checks your calendar and lists events
  • "Research the best restaurants in Vaughan for a client dinner" — the agent browses the web and sends you a summary
  • "Remind me to follow up with David on Thursday" — the agent sets a reminder and messages you on Thursday

Voice Notes

OpenClaw can process WhatsApp voice notes. Send a voice memo and the agent will transcribe it and act on the content. This is particularly useful for capturing tasks while driving or when you can't type — a feature that makes OpenClaw popular with real estate agents and other professionals who are frequently on the move.