Why WhatsApp for Your OpenClaw AI Assistant?
WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app in the world with over 2 billion users. Setting up OpenClaw on WhatsApp means your AI assistant lives where most of your conversations already happen. No new app to install, no browser tab to keep open. Just message your assistant like you would message anyone else.
This guide covers both self-hosted OpenClaw and the managed Molty AI platform.
Setting Up OpenClaw on WhatsApp via Molty AI (Easiest)
If you want to skip server management:
Step 1: Create a Molty Account
Sign up on the Molty dashboard. The 3-day trial gives you full access.
Step 2: Add Your AI Model Key
Go to Settings and enter your API key from Anthropic (Claude) or OpenAI (GPT).
Step 3: Connect WhatsApp
Go to Channels > Add Channel > WhatsApp. A QR code appears on screen.
Step 4: Scan the QR Code
Open WhatsApp on your phone. Go to Settings > Linked Devices > Link a Device. Scan the QR code shown in the Molty dashboard.
Step 5: Start Chatting
Open a chat with your own number or any chat where the assistant is active. Send a message and it responds.
The entire process takes about 3 minutes.
Setting Up OpenClaw on WhatsApp (Self-Hosted)
Prerequisites
- OpenClaw installed on your server (setup guide)
- A phone with WhatsApp installed
- The phone needs to stay connected to the internet (WhatsApp Web requirement)
Step 1: Add WhatsApp Channel
openclaw channel add whatsapp
A QR code prints in your terminal.
Step 2: Scan the QR Code
On your phone, open WhatsApp > Settings > Linked Devices > Link a Device. Scan the terminal QR code.
Step 3: Verify Connection
OpenClaw confirms the connection in the terminal output. Send a test message to verify.
WhatsApp-Specific Features
Personal vs Group Chats
OpenClaw on WhatsApp works in:
- Direct messages: Message the assistant privately for personal tasks
- Group chats: Add the assistant to a group. By default it responds when mentioned or when addressed by name.
Media Support
Your WhatsApp OpenClaw assistant can:
- Receive and process images you send
- Send text responses (including formatted messages with bold, italic, lists)
- Share files from its workspace
Scheduled Messages on WhatsApp
One of the most powerful features. Configure cron jobs that send scheduled messages to your WhatsApp:
- Morning briefing: News summary at 7 AM
- Weather updates: Before your commute
- Market data: End-of-day financial summary
- Reminders: Recurring tasks and deadlines
These run automatically. Your assistant searches the web, generates the content, and delivers it to WhatsApp at the scheduled time.
Troubleshooting WhatsApp Connection Issues
QR Code Expired
QR codes expire after about 60 seconds. If it expires, refresh the channel connection in the dashboard (Molty) or restart the WhatsApp channel command (self-hosted).
Session Disconnected
WhatsApp Web sessions disconnect when:
- Your phone loses internet connectivity for an extended period
- WhatsApp pushes a major app update
- You manually unlink the device in WhatsApp settings
- Too many linked devices are active (WhatsApp allows 4 linked devices)
Fix: Re-scan the QR code. On Molty, the dashboard shows connection status and prompts you when re-scanning is needed.
Messages Not Arriving
Check these in order:
- Is the OpenClaw service running? (Molty users: check gateway status in dashboard)
- Is the WhatsApp session connected? (Look for the connection status indicator)
- Is your AI model API key valid and not rate-limited?
- Is the phone that scanned the QR code still connected to the internet?
"Phone battery optimization" Warning
Some Android phones aggressively kill background apps, which can disconnect WhatsApp. Disable battery optimization for WhatsApp in your phone's settings.
WhatsApp Best Practices for OpenClaw
Keep Responses Concise
WhatsApp users expect quick, mobile-friendly messages. Configure your assistant's system prompt to keep responses short:
Keep responses under 200 words unless explicitly asked for detail. Use bullet points for lists. No headers or markdown formatting since WhatsApp does not render them.
Set Expectations for Response Time
AI model API calls take a few seconds. WhatsApp users are used to instant human responses, so the slight delay is noticeable. Consider adding a "typing" indicator or adjusting your system prompt to acknowledge this.
Use WhatsApp for What It Is Good At
WhatsApp works best for:
- Quick questions and answers
- Scheduled daily briefings
- Reminders and notifications
- Short research requests
For longer conversations, multi-step tasks, or anything requiring a large screen, other channels like Discord or Slack may be better suited.
WhatsApp Business vs Personal WhatsApp
OpenClaw connects via WhatsApp Web, which works with both personal and Business accounts. For customer-facing use cases, WhatsApp Business offers:
- A business profile with description and hours
- Quick replies and labels
- A separate phone number for your business
Use a dedicated phone number for business bots. Do not mix your personal WhatsApp with a customer support bot.
Security Considerations for WhatsApp
WhatsApp messages are end-to-end encrypted between your phone and the recipient. However, once messages reach OpenClaw, they are processed by the AI model (via API call to Anthropic or OpenAI). The messages are decrypted at the OpenClaw gateway.
On Molty AI, each user's gateway runs on an isolated VM with encrypted credentials and Cloudflare Tunnel networking. Self-hosted users should ensure their server is properly secured.
Next Steps After WhatsApp Setup
- Add more channels: Telegram, Discord
- Set up scheduled tasks for automated briefings
- Explore tools and skills
- Review security best practices