diff --git a/scripts/whatsapp-bridge/bridge.native.test.mjs b/scripts/whatsapp-bridge/bridge.native.test.mjs
index b4e123a265efd..7c6acd77a2f9c 100644
--- a/scripts/whatsapp-bridge/bridge.native.test.mjs
+++ b/scripts/whatsapp-bridge/bridge.native.test.mjs
@@ -121,7 +121,8 @@ import {
   assert.deepEqual(event.readReceiptKey, {
     id: 'incoming-1',
     remoteJid: '15551234567@s.whatsapp.net',
-    participant: '15550001111@s.whatsapp.net',
+    // (patch 004) DM keys must NOT carry participant — WhatsApp ignores
+    // group-shaped receipts on DMs. Groups still include it (test below).
     fromMe: false,
   });
   assert.equal(event.hasQuotedMessage, true);
diff --git a/scripts/whatsapp-bridge/bridge_helpers.js b/scripts/whatsapp-bridge/bridge_helpers.js
index 398521feee7cc..25c8f5eb3d029 100644
--- a/scripts/whatsapp-bridge/bridge_helpers.js
+++ b/scripts/whatsapp-bridge/bridge_helpers.js
@@ -486,7 +486,11 @@ export async function extractBridgeEvent({
     readReceiptKey: {
       remoteJid: msg.key.remoteJid || chatId,
       id: msg.key.id,
-      participant: msg.key.participant || senderId,
+      // (patch 004) participant only for group keys: WhatsApp silently
+      // ignores DM read receipts when a participant is present (the key
+      // looks group-shaped). Live-verified 2026-08-04: same DM key with
+      // participant -> no blue ticks; without -> ticks turn blue.
+      ...(isGroup ? { participant: msg.key.participant || senderId } : {}),
       fromMe: Boolean(msg.key.fromMe),
     },
     timestamp: msg.messageTimestamp,