openclaw - 💡(How to fix) Fix [Bug]: WhatsApp Linked Device Only Receives Self-Chat Messages

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Linked WhatsApp device (OpenClaw @openclaw/whatsapp v2026.5.7) only receives self-chat messages. All DMs from other contacts and group messages are not delivered to the Baileys session, even though they arrive on other linked devices (laptop WhatsApp Web) simultaneously.

Hypothesis: Baileys session is not subscribed to external message events on WhatsApp's servers, or session is stale despite heartbeat logs showing active.

Root Cause

Linked WhatsApp device (OpenClaw @openclaw/whatsapp v2026.5.7) only receives self-chat messages. All DMs from other contacts and group messages are not delivered to the Baileys session, even though they arrive on other linked devices (laptop WhatsApp Web) simultaneously.

Hypothesis: Baileys session is not subscribed to external message events on WhatsApp's servers, or session is stale despite heartbeat logs showing active.

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Bug type

Regression (worked before, now fails)

Beta release blocker

No

Summary

Linked WhatsApp device (OpenClaw @openclaw/whatsapp v2026.5.7) only receives self-chat messages. All DMs from other contacts and group messages are not delivered to the Baileys session, even though they arrive on other linked devices (laptop WhatsApp Web) simultaneously.

Hypothesis: Baileys session is not subscribed to external message events on WhatsApp's servers, or session is stale despite heartbeat logs showing active.

Steps to reproduce

To Reproduce:

Link OpenClaw device via QR Send self-chat message → arrives Send DM from another contact → doesn't arrive

Expected behavior

Device should receive DMs and group messages same as other linked devices.

Actual behavior

Self-chat messages: ✅ Received 100% (tested 100→101, 102→103, 104→105) Other contact DMs: ❌ Zero received Group messages: ❌ Zero received Logs show no messages.upsert events for external JIDs

OpenClaw version

2026.5.7

Operating system

Ubuntu

Install method

No response

Model

Claue Opus and Claude Haiku

Provider / routing chain

WhatsApp Plugin (Baileys) → Message Delivery

Additional provider/model setup details

No response

Logs, screenshots, and evidence

Impact and severity

No response

Additional information

No response

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FAQ

Expected behavior

Device should receive DMs and group messages same as other linked devices.

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