diff --git a/bridge/whatsappmulti/helpers.go b/bridge/whatsappmulti/helpers.go
index 5eac958e..c6478656 100644
--- a/bridge/whatsappmulti/helpers.go
+++ b/bridge/whatsappmulti/helpers.go
@@ -133,6 +133,10 @@ func isGroupJid(identifier string) bool {
 		strings.HasSuffix(identifier, "@broadcast")
 }
 
+func isPrivateJid(identifier string) bool {
+    return strings.HasSuffix(identifier, "@s.whatsapp.net")
+}
+
 func (b *Bwhatsapp) getDevice() (*store.Device, error) {
 	device := &store.Device{}
 
diff --git a/bridge/whatsappmulti/whatsapp.go b/bridge/whatsappmulti/whatsapp.go
index e7c0f691..3cbc689e 100644
--- a/bridge/whatsappmulti/whatsapp.go
+++ b/bridge/whatsappmulti/whatsapp.go
@@ -171,10 +171,29 @@ func (b *Bwhatsapp) Disconnect() error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-// JoinChannel Join a WhatsApp group specified in gateway config as channel='number-id@g.us' or channel='Channel name'
+// JoinChannel Join a WhatsApp group specified in gateway config as
+// channel='number-id@g.us' or channel='Channel name' or channel='number@s.whatsapp.net'
 // Required implementation of the Bridger interface
 // https://github.com/42wim/matterbridge/blob/2cfd880cdb0df29771bf8f31df8d990ab897889d/bridge/bridge.go#L11-L16
 func (b *Bwhatsapp) JoinChannel(channel config.ChannelInfo) error {
+
+	// Check if this is a private chat JID
+	if isPrivateJid(channel.Name) {
+		// For private chats, validate the JID format but don't require group membership
+		jid, err := types.ParseJID(channel.Name)
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("invalid WhatsApp private chat JID format: %s", err)
+		}
+		
+		// Optionally verify that the contact exists in the contacts list
+		if _, exists := b.contacts[jid]; !exists {
+			b.Log.Warnf("Private chat contact %s not found in contacts list, but will attempt to bridge anyway", channel.Name)
+		}
+		
+		b.Log.Infof("Configured private chat channel: %s", channel.Name)
+		return nil
+	}
+
 	byJid := isGroupJid(channel.Name)
 
 	// verify if we are member of the given group