WhatsApp Personal Setup
QR scan mode · 30 seconds · uses your existing WhatsApp (no Business registration). Same mechanism as WhatsApp Web — Otto becomes a "Linked Device" on your account.
⚠ Read this first
This integration uses Baileys, an open-source library that reverse-engineers the WhatsApp Web protocol. Meta technically doesn't permit 3rd-party clients, so theoretically your WhatsApp account could be restricted by Meta.
In practice: low-volume personal AI usage is very rarely banned (Khoj, Bunni, and similar products use this approach in production), but the risk is non-zero. If you can't accept this, use Telegram / Feishu / Lark instead.
1Acknowledge the risk in Settings
Go to iotto.io Settings → WhatsApp (personal account) → check "I understand and accept the third-party protocol risk" → click Scan to connect WhatsApp.
2Wait for the QR code
Otto's backend starts a fresh Baileys session; QR appears in 3-5 seconds. Auto-refreshes every 30s if you don't scan.
3Scan from your WhatsApp
- Open WhatsApp on your phone
- Top right three dots → Linked Devices
- Tap Link a Device
- Aim at the QR shown on iotto.io
4Done — status flips to "Connected"
The page polls every 2.5s and detects link completion automatically; status changes from
pending to linked with your phone number shown.5Chat with Otto inside WhatsApp
Open WhatsApp → tap "You" / Message Yourself at the top → send any message.
Otto receives it and replies in the same self-chat within 1-3 seconds.
This is your private channel — friends and groups never see it.
6Disconnect anytime
iotto.io Settings → WhatsApp card → trash icon → confirm. Otto's linked device is logged out from your WhatsApp; your account is otherwise unaffected.
FAQ
- Does this affect my phone's WhatsApp? No. WhatsApp supports multi-device login (phone + WhatsApp Web + WhatsApp Desktop + Otto), all running concurrently without interference.
- Can my friends see Otto? No. Otto operates only in your Self-Chat. Group chats and 1:1 conversations never trigger Otto.
- Can Otto read all my WhatsApp messages? Technically the linked-device protocol syncs all messages to Otto's session store, but Otto's code only reads self-chat messages; everything else is ignored and never persisted.
- What if my phone is offline for a while? WhatsApp requires the primary device (phone) to come online at least once every 14 days, else linked devices auto-disconnect. Just re-scan once you're back online.
- What if my account gets banned? Very rare, but possible. Meta sends email + appeal flow. Otto immediately shows disconnected; your other iotto.io channels (Telegram / Feishu / Lark) keep working.
- Is there an official Business API path? Yes. If you're a registered business with Meta Verification + a dedicated phone number, admin can enable the Cloud API path (contact Otto support). Zero TOS risk, slightly more setup + monthly fee.