Connecting messaging channels (WhatsApp, Telegram, Messenger, SMS, Slack, Teams)

How channel setup works

Go to Settings → Channels, pick a channel card, and follow the numbered How to connect steps shown inside the card. Every channel uses the same pattern: get the credential from the provider, paste it, Save. Inbound messages land in your Unified Inbox immediately after saving.

Telegram

1. In Telegram open @BotFather → send /newbot → follow the prompts → copy the token it gives you.
2. Paste the token and Save — AnswerRidge validates it and registers the webhook with Telegram automatically. Nothing else to do.
3. Customers find your bot by its @username or a t.me link — no phone number needed.

WhatsApp

1. Easiest: click Start Meta Onboarding → sign in with Facebook → pick or create your WhatsApp Business Account and number.
2. Manual: at developers.facebook.com open your app → WhatsApp → API setup → copy Phone Number ID and a permanent access token → paste them.

SMS and Voice (Twilio)

1. Keep Managed by AnswerRidge on to skip Twilio entirely — we provision a number for you.
2. Or use your own account: twilio.com/console → Account Info → copy Account SID + Auth Token, buy an SMS/voice-capable number → paste all three → Save.

Facebook Messenger and Instagram

1. At developers.facebook.com open your app → Messenger → Settings → generate a Page Access Token for your page (for Instagram, link a professional IG account to the page first).
2. Paste the IDs, token, app secret and a verify token.
3. Subscribe the page to the webhook URL shown in the channel card → Save.

Slack

1. At api.slack.com/apps → Create New App → Incoming Webhooks → Activate → Add New Webhook to Workspace.
2. Copy the webhook URL plus your Team ID and app Signing Secret → paste → Save.

Microsoft Teams

1. In Azure Portal create a Bot Channels Registration → copy the Microsoft App ID.
2. Create a client secret → paste both → set the bot messaging endpoint to the webhook URL shown → Save.