# Phone Numbers DM Champ uses phone numbers to send and receive messages over WhatsApp and SMS. You can buy numbers directly through DM Champ (powered by Twilio), connect your existing WhatsApp Business account, or link a WhatsApp Web session via QR code. To manage your phone numbers, open **Phone Numbers** from the left sidebar. *** ## Buying a Phone Number DM Champ lets you purchase phone numbers powered by **Twilio**. ### Step-by-Step 1. Open **Phone Numbers** from the left sidebar. 2. Click **Buy Number**. 3. Choose the **country** for your number. 4. Browse available numbers and select one. 5. Click **Buy** to complete the purchase. The number is immediately added to your account and ready to use for SMS. For WhatsApp, additional setup is required (see below). ### Available Number Search When searching for numbers, you can filter by: * **Country** - Select the country where you need a number. * **Number type** - Local, toll-free, or mobile (availability varies by country and provider). > **Note:** Number availability depends on the country. Some countries require regulatory documentation before a number can be activated (see Regulatory Compliance below). *** ## Releasing a Phone Number If you no longer need a phone number: 1. Open **Phone Numbers** from the left sidebar. 2. Find the number you want to release. 3. Click **Disconnect** or **Release**. 4. Confirm the action. Once released, the number is removed from your account and you stop being charged for it. The number returns to the provider's pool and may be reassigned to another customer, so only release numbers you are certain you no longer need. *** ## WhatsApp Business Account Setup To use a phone number for WhatsApp Business API messaging: 1. You need an approved **WhatsApp Business Account** through Meta. 2. The phone number must be registered with the WhatsApp Business API (this is typically handled through your Twilio dashboard). 3. Once registered, the number appears in DM Champ as a WhatsApp-enabled number. WhatsApp Business API numbers support: * Template messages (pre-approved message formats) * Session messages (replies within a 24-hour window) * Rich media (images, documents, buttons) * Read receipts and delivery status For details on sending WhatsApp messages, see [WhatsApp Business](https://help.dmchamp.com/messaging-channels/whatsapp-business). *** ## WhatsApp Web QR Code Connection If you do not want to go through the WhatsApp Business API process, you can connect an existing WhatsApp account via WhatsApp Web: 1. Open **Phone Numbers** from the left sidebar. 2. Click **Connect WhatsApp Web**. 3. A QR code is displayed. 4. Open WhatsApp on your phone. 5. Go to **Settings > Linked Devices > Link a Device**. 6. Scan the QR code with your phone. Once connected, DM Champ can send and receive messages through your WhatsApp account as if it were a WhatsApp Web session. > **Note:** WhatsApp Web connections may disconnect if the phone loses internet access or if WhatsApp updates its session requirements. If disconnected, you will need to scan the QR code again. For more details, see [WhatsApp Web](https://help.dmchamp.com/messaging-channels/whatsapp-web). *** ## Bring Your Own Keys (BYOK) - Use Your Existing Twilio Account If you already have a Twilio account with your own phone numbers, you can connect it to DM Champ instead of buying new numbers through the platform. This means you keep using the numbers your customers already know. ### Connecting Your Twilio Account 1. Open **Settings** from the left sidebar. 2. Navigate to the **Channels** section. 3. Click **Connect your own Number**. 4. Enter your Twilio **Account SID** and **Auth Token** (found in your Twilio dashboard under "Account Info"). 5. Click **Save**. 6. Your existing Twilio numbers become available in DM Champ. ### Editing or Disconnecting BYOK * To **edit** your BYOK credentials (for example, if you rotate your keys), go to **Settings > Channels**, find the BYOK section, update the credentials, and click **Save**. * To **disconnect** your Twilio BYOK connection, click **Disconnect** in the BYOK section. Your Twilio numbers will no longer be available in DM Champ. ### BYOK SMS Costs When using BYOK, SMS costs are handled through your own Twilio account. You pay Twilio directly for message delivery, and DM Champ does not charge additional per-message fees for SMS sent through your connected account. Channel connection fees (50 credits/month per number) still apply. ### SMS Channel Indicator Numbers connected for SMS display an **SMS icon** in your chat list, making it easy to identify which conversations are happening over SMS versus other channels like WhatsApp or Instagram. *** ## Phone Number Status Each phone number in your account shows its current status: | Status | Meaning | | ---------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Active** | The number is working and ready to send/receive messages. | | **Pending** | The number is being provisioned or waiting for regulatory approval. | | **Disconnected** | The number has been released or disconnected. | | **Error** | There is an issue with the number. Check the status details for more information. | *** ## Monthly Phone Number Billing Each active phone number on your account costs **50 credits per month** (that is $5.00/month). This covers the base cost of keeping the number active with the provider. * The charge is applied monthly and deducted from your credit balance. * Message costs (SMS, WhatsApp) are charged separately per message on top of the number fee. * If you release a number mid-month, the charge for that month still applies. For full billing details, see [Billing System](https://help.dmchamp.com/billing-and-credits/billing-system). *** ## Regulatory Compliance Some countries require additional documentation before a phone number can be activated. This is a legal requirement, not a DM Champ requirement - certain countries need to verify who is using phone numbers in their region. If a number you are purchasing requires verification: 1. DM Champ will prompt you during the purchase flow. 2. You will need to submit documentation such as: * Business name and address * Proof of address (for example, a utility bill) * Government-issued ID (in some countries) 3. The provider reviews and approves your documentation (this can take a few hours to a few days). 4. Once approved, the number is activated and ready to use. > **Tip:** If you need numbers in countries with strict regulatory requirements, start the process early to avoid delays in your campaign launch. *** ## Tips * **Start with one number** and add more as your messaging volume grows. * **Use WhatsApp Business API** for high-volume, professional messaging with template support. * **Use WhatsApp Web** for quick setup and lower volume - but be aware of the session stability limitations. * **Use BYOK** if you already have a Twilio account and want to keep your existing numbers and billing. * **Keep your credit balance healthy** to avoid interruptions in number billing and message delivery. *** ## Next Steps * [WhatsApp Business](https://help.dmchamp.com/messaging-channels/whatsapp-business) - Set up and use WhatsApp Business messaging. * [WhatsApp Web](https://help.dmchamp.com/messaging-channels/whatsapp-web) - Connect via QR code. * [SMS](https://help.dmchamp.com/messaging-channels/sms) - Configure SMS messaging. * [Billing System](https://help.dmchamp.com/billing-and-credits/billing-system) - Understand credits and billing.