> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.ownchat.app/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.ownchat.app/instagram-channel/contact-merge-automation.md).

# Contact Merge Automation

### Overview  

**Contact Merge Automation** allows you to link a customer’s **Instagram account** with their **WhatsApp number.** This helps manage conversations across both channels under a single contact.

{% embed url="<https://app.supademo.com/demo/cmnjwvcwy249haburzef6bwjf?utm_source=link>" %}

### Accessing Merge Settings &#x20;

* Click the **Settings** icon
* Click **Instagram**
* Click **Prompt Settings**
* Click **Merge Automation**

{% embed url="<https://app.supademo.com/demo/cmno6lrxd02cuwc0i9x3e3646?utm_source=link>" %}

### Enabling Manual Merge Mode  <br>

* Toggle **Manual merge mode**
* Verify the **allowAutoMerge setting update notification**
* Click the **Back** arrow to return to Instagram settings

{% embed url="<https://app.supademo.com/demo/cmno6xkqu01nuxs0kk5pw33gs?utm_source=link>" %}

### Automation Behavior &#x20;

When a customer sends **"Hi"** on Instagram:

* Automated response sequence begins

### Accessing Chat &#x20;

* Click the **Chat** icon from the sidebar
* Click a conversation to open the chat thread

### Performing Manual Contact Merge &#x20;

#### Step 1: Open and Assign Conversation &#x20;

* Click the conversation message to open the chat thread
* Click **Assign to myself**

#### Step 2: Send WhatsApp Invite &#x20;

* Click the **WhatsApp icon**
* Click **OK** to send the WhatsApp invite

<figure><img src="https://3306424776-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFOaRg87K9WFjdJeJSasW%2Fuploads%2F0Z39cBaGVEHR6n8UDVaA%2Fimage%20(9).png?alt=media&amp;token=23e23677-44ba-475d-a6a4-a40903ea54be" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Step 3: Customer Connects &#x20;

* Customer clicks **Connect on WhatsApp**
* System automatically syncs the customer’s number

<figure><img src="https://3306424776-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFOaRg87K9WFjdJeJSasW%2Fuploads%2FpvhhiVRJ1yuhD8R6IVDr%2Fimage%20(11).png?alt=media&amp;token=95e27fee-2873-4787-9e8f-ef104919851d" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Step 4: Verify Contact Merge &#x20;

You will be asked only if the Instagram merge option is turned off. Otherwise, if it is set to auto, it will merge automatically

* Click the new conversation
* Review the success message confirming merge completion

<figure><img src="https://3306424776-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFOaRg87K9WFjdJeJSasW%2Fuploads%2FO86opP0J4xm3eFzhQKgM%2FScreenshot%202026-04-07%20at%205.28.56%20PM.png?alt=media&amp;token=a9d8e12e-7fde-4dc6-bb35-a1acad296bed" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Post-Merge Behavior &#x20;

* Instagram account and WhatsApp number are connected
* Both channels are linked to the same contact
* You can:
* Reply via **Instagram**, or
* Switch to **WhatsApp** to continue the conversation

<figure><img src="https://3306424776-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFOaRg87K9WFjdJeJSasW%2Fuploads%2F3jROt50wvwYJQaBVMEun%2Fimage%20(12).png?alt=media&amp;token=cd15bff4-9e56-4740-ba4b-d9ce33788f78" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Important Points &#x20;

* Manual merge mode must be enabled before merging contacts
* Automation and manual merge are separate processes
* Merging is performed from the **chat thread**
* Customer action is required to complete the merge
* Merge is confirmed only after successful sync
* Both channels are linked to a single contact after merging

### Summary&#x20;

* Enable manual merge from Instagram settings
* Automation triggers when user sends "Hi"
* Open chat and assign conversation
* Send WhatsApp invite
* Customer connects via WhatsApp
* System merges Instagram and WhatsApp contact
* Continue conversation on either channel