> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.wsapi.chat/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Pairing Your Instance

> Connect your WhatsApp account to a WSAPI instance

Before you can send or receive messages, you need to pair your WSAPI instance with a WhatsApp account. There are two methods available.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="QR Code">
    The QR code method is the quickest way to pair your instance.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Open your instances">
        Navigate to the **Instances** page in your dashboard at [wsapi.chat/app/instances](https://wsapi.chat/app/instances). You'll find a list of all instances.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Start Pairing with QR Code">
        Locate the instance you want to connect and click the **Details** button. Under the Pairing tab you'll find the QR Code selected and a **Show QR Code** button. Click it to display the QR code.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Scan with WhatsApp">
        Open WhatsApp on your phone, go to **Settings → Linked Devices → Link a Device**, and scan the QR code displayed in the popup.

        <Warning>
          Make sure to scan the QR code within 30 seconds, as it expires after that. If it expires, it will automatically refresh the code in the dashboard and you can try again.
        </Warning>
      </Step>

      <Step title="Confirm connection">
        Once scanned, the instance status updates to **Logged In**. You can now send and receive messages and utilize various other features.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Pairing Code">
    Use the pairing code method if you want to pair your instance by entering an Alphanumeric Code in WhatsApp on your phone instead of scanning a QR code.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Open your instances">
        Navigate to the **Instances** page in your dashboard at [wsapi.chat/app/instances](https://wsapi.chat/app/instances). You'll find a list of all instances.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Start Pairing with Code">
        Locate the instance you want to connect and click the **Details** button. Under the Pairing tab select Pairng Code option.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Enter your phone number">
        Enter your phone number with the country code but without the `+` sign (e.g., `1` for US).
      </Step>

      <Step title="Get the pairing code">
        Click **Get Pairing Code**. You'll see in the screen a 6-character alphanumeric code.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Confirm on your phone">
        A notification will appear on your phone. Open WhatsApp, press **Confirm**, and enter the 6-character alphanumeric code from the link popup.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Connection complete">
        The instance status transitions to **Logged In**, and you're ready to start using WSAPI.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Instance status

| Status         | Description                                       |
| -------------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| **Logged Out** | Instance is not connected to any WhatsApp account |
| **Logged In**  | Instance is paired and ready for use              |

<Note>
  If your instance becomes logged out at any point, simply repeat the pairing process.
</Note>