| Purpose | Switch multi-factor authentication code delivery between SMS and WhatsApp. |
| Best for | Cloudbeds PMS users who receive sign-in verification codes by phone. |
| Use this when | You want WhatsApp to deliver your verification codes, or you need to return to SMS delivery. |
| Requirements | Phone (SMS) verification must already be enrolled, and the phone number in your profile must have an active WhatsApp account. |
| Expected result | Future verification codes are delivered through the channel you select. |
| Limitations | The delivery-channel option becomes available after you have been signed in for at least 10 minutes. |
Introduction
Cloudbeds PMS supports WhatsApp as a delivery channel for multi-factor authentication codes. WhatsApp can provide faster and more consistent delivery when SMS is slow, unreliable, or costly in your region, with no additional delivery fee.
WhatsApp delivery is an alternative delivery channel for an enrolled Phone (SMS) verification method. It is not a separate multi-factor authentication method. Use this article to confirm the requirements, change the delivery channel, and resolve common delivery issues.
Table of contents
- Before you start
- Switch to WhatsApp delivery
- Switch back to SMS delivery
- Troubleshoot WhatsApp delivery
- Understand WhatsApp delivery security
Before you start
Complete Phone (SMS) verification enrollment before changing its delivery channel to WhatsApp. WhatsApp delivery is configured from your Cloudbeds profile, not during initial phone enrollment.
Confirm both requirements before continuing:
- Phone (SMS) multi-factor authentication is enrolled on your account.
- The phone number in your Cloudbeds profile has an active WhatsApp account.
Why does WhatsApp not appear during initial phone setup? Complete SMS enrollment first. You can then select WhatsApp from the Phone verification method in your profile.
Switch to WhatsApp delivery
Change the delivery channel from your profile after Phone (SMS) verification is enrolled. The new channel applies the next time Cloudbeds sends you a verification code.
- Sign in to Cloudbeds PMS.
- Select the Account
icon in the top-right corner, and select My Profile.
- Go to Sign-in & security.
- Select Two-factor authentication > Manage methods.
- Find the Phone verification method.
- Select WhatsApp as the delivery channel.
- Save your changes.
At your next sign-in, Cloudbeds sends the verification code to the WhatsApp account associated with the phone number in your profile.
Availability: The delivery-channel option becomes available after you have been signed in for at least 10 minutes. If it is not visible, wait a few minutes, and refresh the page.
Switch back to SMS delivery
Return to the Phone verification method in your profile if WhatsApp codes stop arriving or you prefer to receive future codes by SMS.
- From Cloudbeds PMS, select the Account
- Find the Phone verification method.
- And switch the toggle back to not send authentication codes via WhatsApp
Troubleshoot WhatsApp delivery
Use the issue that matches what you see in your profile or during sign-in. If you need to keep signing in while investigating WhatsApp delivery, switch the Phone verification method back to SMS.
The WhatsApp option does not appear in my profile
WhatsApp delivery requires Phone (SMS) verification to be enrolled first. If you have not enrolled phone verification, complete that setup before returning to your profile. Refer to Set up Okta Verify or Set up alternative MFA methods for the applicable enrollment workflow.
If SMS is already enrolled and WhatsApp is still unavailable, contact your property administrator to confirm whether the feature is enabled for your property.
WhatsApp codes do not arrive
Confirm that the phone number in your Cloudbeds profile has an active WhatsApp account. WhatsApp codes are delivered through Cloudbeds messaging, not through Okta. If the number is not registered with WhatsApp, delivery may fail without displaying an error. Switch back to SMS while you investigate the WhatsApp account.
I received a WhatsApp code that I did not request
Do not share the code. An unrequested code may mean that someone is attempting to sign in to your account. Change your Cloudbeds password immediately, and contact your property administrator to review recent account activity.
Understand WhatsApp delivery security
WhatsApp delivery is more reliable than SMS in many regions and does not carry an additional fee. Like SMS, it remains vulnerable to real-time phishing when an attacker captures and immediately reuses a verification code.
For stronger phishing protection, use a passkey when available. Refer to Setting up passkeys (the gold standard) for the passkey workflow.
Related articles
Now that you can manage WhatsApp delivery for verification codes, review these resources for adjacent multi-factor authentication methods and security guidance:
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