Forms & Landing Pages
Meta Developer Setup for Make, n8n & Other iPaaS Tools
This step-by-step guide walks you through the Meta Developer Setup. You'll learn how to connect your Meta app with automation platforms like Make, Zapier, or n8n.
This setup provides the technical foundation for your workflows. It allows you to integrate Meta services like Facebook Lead Ads, the WhatsApp Business API, or Instagram Messaging seamlessly and efficiently.
Step-by-Step Instructions
When Do I Need This Setup?
- Integrate Facebook Lead Ads into an iPaaS tool
- Send WhatsApp Business Templates automatically
- Receive/process Instagram Direct Messages via a platform
- Generally use meta APIs automatically in third-party systems
Prerequisites
- Meta Business account with admin access
- Meta for Developers account (can be linked to a private Facebook profile)
- Access to the Facebook page / WhatsApp number / Instagram account you want to integrate
- An active account with your iPaaS tool (e.g. Make, Zapier, n8n)
Create Your Meta Developer Account
- Open the Meta developer page.
- Log in with your Facebook account.
- Please accept the terms of use to continue.
- Click on → My Apps in the top right corner and then on → Create App.
Create New App
- Please select the app type → Company (Business).
- Enter a unique name for your app, for example → Automation Connector.
- Please enter your business email address.
- If you wish, you can link your app to your Business Manager account.
- Then click on → Create App.
Activate Products & APIs
To use WhatsApp template messaging, you need to activate certain products in your Meta app. The table below helps you choose the right APIs depending on your use case.
| Product | Activate API access | Typical use case |
|---|---|---|
| Facebook Login | Optional (e.g. for OAuth flows) | Authentication |
| Leads Access / Lead Retrieval API | Yes | Facebook Lead Ads |
| WhatsApp Business | Yes | WhatsApp template messaging |
| Instagram Graph API / Messaging API | Yes | Instagram DMs |
System User & Permanent Access Token
To ensure permanent API access without manual re-authentication, we recommend the following optional setup:
- Please open your Business Account at Meta.
- In the → Users section, select the → System User entry.
- Create a new system user and assign it to your app.
- Create a permanent access token with the required authorizations, for example → leads\_retrieval, → pages\_messaging or → whatsapp\_business\_messaging.
Release Lead or Messaging Access
If you are not the admin of the page or WhatsApp number yourself, your app must be authorized separately.
- To do this, please open the corresponding page or WhatsApp number in the Business Manager.
- Then go to → Manage Lead Access or → Manage WhatsApp Access.
- Add your app and grant it the appropriate access rights.
Exemplary iPaaS Connections
| Tool | Module/Integration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Make | Facebook Lead Ads, WhatsApp Cloud API | Facebook connection required |
| Zapier | Facebook Lead Ads, Messenger | Token mostly via OAuth |
| n8n | Facebook Graph API Node | JSON-based configuration, own app recommended |
With this Meta Developer setup, you create the basis for using Meta APIs in automated workflows. Once everything is set up, you can use your app in various iPaaS tools - for example to process leads, send messages or automate other meta data flows.
Tip: Make a note of your access token and the app configuration in a central location. This way, you'll always have them to hand when integrating them into tools such as Make or n8n.