WhatsApp contacts in SleekFlow may include different information that helps identify the customer, such as phone number, WhatsApp Username, and BSUID.
BSUID, or business-scoped user ID, is an identifier provided by Meta / WhatsApp to help businesses and platforms recognize a WhatsApp user more consistently. You can think of BSUID as a system-generated ID that helps SleekFlow recognize the same WhatsApp user, even when other visible information, such as username, may change.
In SleekFlow, WhatsApp Username and BSUID are supported as additional contact identity information when the data is available from Meta / WhatsApp. These fields help your team identify and manage WhatsApp contacts more accurately.
WhatsApp Username and BSUID are additional identity fields. They do not immediately replace existing phone number fields or change how your current WhatsApp setup works.
No action required
You do not need to reconnect your WhatsApp channel, migrate existing contacts, or update existing flows. SleekFlow stores WhatsApp Username and BSUID automatically when Meta / WhatsApp provides the data.
What is a WhatsApp Username?
A WhatsApp Username is a user-facing identifier for a WhatsApp user.It gives the user another way to be recognized on WhatsApp, in addition to their phone number where available.
When available, SleekFlow may display a customer’s WhatsApp Username as part of their contact information. You can think of it as a display or reference field that helps your team recognize a customer in a contact profile, especially when the customer’s phone number is not available or not shown.
A WhatsApp Username is created and managed by the WhatsApp user, so it may change over time. Because of this, it should not be the only field used to identify the same customer over time. For more consistent customer identification, SleekFlow uses BSUID where available.
To learn more about creating or claiming your business username on WhatsApp, refer to our Help Center article on Creating or claiming your WhatsApp Business username.
What is BSUID?
BSUID (business-scoped user ID) is an identifier provided by Meta / WhatsApp for a WhatsApp user.
It helps platforms and businesses recognize the same WhatsApp user more consistently. In SleekFlow, BSUID is treated as a more reliable identity reference than WhatsApp Username because a customer may change their username over time.
SleekFlow mainly uses BSUID for customer identification and contact management. For example, it can help SleekFlow identify the same customer even if their WhatsApp Username or other visible profile information changes.
In most cases, you do not need to manually edit or manage BSUID.
How WhatsApp Username, BSUID, and phone number compare
WhatsApp contacts may include different identity fields depending on what information is available from Meta / WhatsApp. Phone number remains the existing WhatsApp contact identifier, while WhatsApp Username and BSUID provide additional ways to recognize and manage contacts.
Use the table below to understand how each field works in SleekFlow.
Field |
What it is |
What to know |
How SleekFlow uses it |
Phone number |
The customer’s WhatsApp phone number |
Available when Meta / WhatsApp provides it |
Used as the existing identifier for phone-number-based WhatsApp contacts |
WhatsApp Username |
A user-facing name controlled by the customer |
The customer may change it |
Used as a display or reference field |
BSUID |
A system-generated ID provided by Meta / WhatsApp |
Helps identify the same WhatsApp user more consistently |
Used as a more consistent identity reference where available |
If a contact does not include a phone number
Some WhatsApp contacts may not include a phone number in the information provided by Meta / WhatsApp.
If BSUID is available, SleekFlow can use it as another way to recognize the WhatsApp user.
If both phone number and BSUID are available, SleekFlow stores both as part of the contact’s identity information.
How SleekFlow uses WhatsApp Username and BSUID
SleekFlow stores WhatsApp Username and BSUID as additional contact identity information when Meta / WhatsApp provides the data.
These fields help SleekFlow recognize and manage WhatsApp contacts more accurately. They are added to existing contact information and do not replace phone-number-based WhatsApp contacts.
Area |
How it works |
Data collection |
SleekFlow collects WhatsApp Username and BSUID automatically when Meta / WhatsApp provides the data. You do not need to enable a setting or reconnect your WhatsApp channel. |
Contact information |
WhatsApp Username and BSUID may appear in supported contact fields or contact properties. |
Contact identification |
WhatsApp Username helps your team recognize a customer. BSUID helps SleekFlow identify the same WhatsApp user more consistently. |
Contact management |
You may be able to use these fields to filter, segment, or organize WhatsApp contacts. |
Automation and integrations |
These fields may be available in Flow Builder conditions, APIs, exports, or webhooks, depending on product support. |
Not every contact will have both WhatsApp Username and BSUID. These fields may appear automatically when the data is available from Meta / WhatsApp and supported by SleekFlow.
Frequently asked questions
Will this affect my existing WhatsApp setup?
No. WhatsApp Username and BSUID are additional identity fields, so your existing WhatsApp setup should continue working as usual.
You do not need to reconnect your WhatsApp channel, migrate existing contacts, update existing flows, or change your CTWA setup.
Your existing setup should continue to work across WhatsApp channels, Inbox conversations, CTWA conversations, Flow Builder automations, and phone-number-based contact records.
What do I need to do?
You do not need to take any action.
SleekFlow collects WhatsApp Username and BSUID automatically when Meta / WhatsApp provides these fields through supported events. Once available, you can view or use them in supported areas of your workspace.
You do not need to enable an extra setting, reconnect your WhatsApp channel, or update existing automations.
Is WhatsApp Username the same as phone number?
No. WhatsApp Username is different from a phone number.
A phone number is the existing identifier for phone-number-based WhatsApp contacts. WhatsApp Username is an additional user-facing identifier and should not be treated as a direct replacement for phone number.
Can a customer change their WhatsApp Username?
Yes. A WhatsApp Username may be changed by the WhatsApp user.
Because of this, businesses should use WhatsApp Username as a display or reference field, not as the only field for identifying the same customer over time.
Why does SleekFlow use BSUID for customer identification?
BSUID helps SleekFlow identify the same WhatsApp user more consistently where available.
Unlike WhatsApp Username, which may be changed by the customer, BSUID is designed to support identity matching and contact management.
Is WhatsApp Username the same as my business username?
A WhatsApp Business username is different. It is used to help customers find or recognize your business on WhatsApp, depending on Meta / WhatsApp availability.
To learn more about creating or claiming your business username on WhatsApp, refer to our Help Center article on Creating or claiming your WhatsApp Business username.
Why do I see WhatsApp Username or BSUID in contact profiles?
These fields may appear because Meta / WhatsApp provides additional user identity data.
SleekFlow stores WhatsApp Username and BSUID as contact identity information to help improve customer identification and contact management.
Can I remove or hide these fields?
No. WhatsApp Username and BSUID are system fields and cannot be removed or hidden.
Can I use BSUID to send messages through API?
Not currently. API-based messaging does not yet support sending messages using BSUID.
Are these fields similar to phone number or email?
They are similar because they are all contact identity fields, but they serve different purposes:
- Phone number: The existing identifier for phone-number-based WhatsApp contacts
- WhatsApp Username: A user-facing display or reference field
- BSUID: A more consistent identity reference for WhatsApp user identification where available