Migrate All Messaging Channels

Converge Team

• Updated March 12, 2026

Complete guide to migrating all your messaging channels (WhatsApp, Telegram, Messenger, etc.) from Olark.

Migrating All Channels from Olark

Olark is fundamentally a website live chat tool. Its core channel is the embeddable chat widget. WhatsApp and SMS were added as Pro-only features with separate billing ($100-$400/month). Olark has no native support for Telegram, Discord, Facebook Messenger, Instagram DMs, or Zalo. Migrating from Olark is less about "moving" channels and more about gaining channels you never had.

Website Chat Widget

Olark's chat widget is embedded via a JavaScript snippet that includes your unique site ID, or through native plugins for WordPress, Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Squarespace, Wix, Magento, and other platforms. To migrate: for plugin-based installs, deactivate the Olark plugin from your platform's admin panel (e.g., Shopify → Apps → uninstall Olark). For manual installs, remove the <script> tag containing your Olark site ID from your HTML. Then install your new platform's chat widget using their equivalent method — most offer both snippet and platform-specific plugin options.

WhatsApp and SMS (Pro Only)

If you're on Olark Pro with WhatsApp/SMS enabled, you'll need to disconnect these through your account manager or Meta Business Portfolio. See the dedicated WhatsApp migration guide for the full process. Your phone number and Meta Business Verification carry over to your new platform. The separate $100-$400/month messaging fee is eliminated when switching to a platform that includes WhatsApp in its base subscription.

Channels You Gain by Switching

Olark doesn't offer native inbox support for Telegram, Discord, Facebook Messenger, Instagram DMs, Gmail, or Zalo. Third-party automation tools like Zapier can send Olark notifications to some of these platforms, but that's one-way notification — not a two-way conversation inbox. Switching to an omnichannel platform gives you native support for these channels without workarounds. Each channel typically takes 2–5 minutes to connect: Telegram via bot token, Discord via bot token + app ID, Messenger and Instagram via Meta OAuth, and Zalo via OAuth with PKCE flow.

Integration-Based "Channels"

Olark integrates with CRM and helpdesk tools (Salesforce, HubSpot, Help Scout, Zendesk, Groove) to push chat transcripts into those systems. If you were using Help Scout or Zendesk alongside Olark to handle email and create tickets from chats, a unified inbox platform replaces both tools. Disable the Olark integrations in your CRM/helpdesk, then configure your new platform's native connections if needed.

Migration Order

Start by swapping the website chat widget — it's the quickest change and has the most immediate impact. If you use WhatsApp through Olark Pro, migrate that second during low-traffic hours. Then connect the net-new channels (Telegram, Messenger, Instagram, Discord) at your own pace — since they weren't active in Olark, there's no urgency or downtime risk. Each new channel is an incremental gain, not a migration task.

Key difference: With Olark, most customers can only reach you through your website. After switching to an omnichannel platform, customers can reach you on WhatsApp, Telegram, Messenger, Instagram, Discord, and Zalo — wherever they already spend time.