[Bug] Text-only messages not delivered to primary device until a message with media is sent
Author: M2BARHCreated Aug 14, 2026Updated Aug 29, 2026
Labelscan't reproduce
Summary
When attempting to send text-only messages, the recipient receives the message on their linked device (WhatsApp Web), but the message is not delivered to their primary device. However, when an image attachment is included, the message is successfully delivered to both devices. Furthermore, sending a message with media appears to "unblock" delivery for subsequent text-only messages.
Steps to Reproduce
1. Send a text-only message to a recipient.
2. Check both the recipient's primary device and linked device (e.g., WhatsApp Web).
3. Observe that the message arrives on the linked device, but not on the primary device.
4. Send a message containing an image attachment to the same recipient.
5. Check both devices (arrives on both).
6. Send another text-only message to the recipient.Expected Behavior
Text-only messages should be delivered reliably to both the primary and linked devices on the first attempt, regardless of whether media was previously sent.
Actual Behavior
- Initial Text-Only Messages: Delivered to the linked device (WhatsApp Web), but failed to deliver to the primary device. Tested multiple times across two different recipients.
- Message with Image: Successfully delivered to both primary and linked devices.
- Subsequent Text-Only Messages: After the image message was sent, subsequent text-only messages were successfully delivered to both devices (verified across multiple tests).Environment & Additional Context
- Library: whatsmeow
- Tested with 2 separate recipient accounts.Source: tulir/whatsmeow