diff --git a/plugins/_whatsapp_integration/extensions/python/job_loop/_10_wa_poll.py b/plugins/_whatsapp_integration/extensions/python/job_loop/_10_wa_poll.py
index 4ff7cea7b..eb252781a 100644
--- a/plugins/_whatsapp_integration/extensions/python/job_loop/_10_wa_poll.py
+++ b/plugins/_whatsapp_integration/extensions/python/job_loop/_10_wa_poll.py
@@ -57,6 +57,14 @@ async def _poll_loop() -> None:
         allowed_users = config.get("allowed_users") or []
         mode = config.get("mode", "bot")
 
+        # Detect config changes that require bridge restart
+        desired = {"port": port, "mode": mode, "allowed_users": sorted(allowed_users)}
+        running = bridge_manager.get_running_config()
+        if bridge_started and bridge_manager.is_process_alive() and running and running != desired:
+            PrintStyle.info(f"WhatsApp: config changed, restarting bridge")
+            await bridge_manager.stop_bridge()
+            bridge_started = False
+
         # Start bridge if needed
         if not bridge_started or not bridge_manager.is_process_alive():
             try:
diff --git a/plugins/_whatsapp_integration/helpers/bridge_manager.py b/plugins/_whatsapp_integration/helpers/bridge_manager.py
index 00a03305b..d4e59cecd 100644
--- a/plugins/_whatsapp_integration/helpers/bridge_manager.py
+++ b/plugins/_whatsapp_integration/helpers/bridge_manager.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ from helpers.print_style import PrintStyle
 
 _bridge_process: subprocess.Popen | None = None
 _bridge_lock = asyncio.Lock()
+_bridge_config: dict = {}  # config the running bridge was started with
 
 BRIDGE_DIR = str(Path(__file__).parent.parent / "whatsapp-bridge")
 BRIDGE_SCRIPT = os.path.join(BRIDGE_DIR, "bridge.js")
@@ -57,6 +58,8 @@ async def start_bridge(
             cwd=BRIDGE_DIR,
         )
         _start_log_reader(_bridge_process)
+        _bridge_config.clear()
+        _bridge_config.update({"port": port, "mode": mode, "allowed_users": sorted(allowed_users or [])})
 
         # Wait for bridge to become healthy
         for _ in range(20):
@@ -85,6 +88,7 @@ async def stop_bridge() -> None:
         except Exception:
             pass
         _bridge_process = None
+        _bridge_config.clear()
         PrintStyle.info("WhatsApp: bridge stopped")
 
 
@@ -148,6 +152,10 @@ def is_process_alive() -> bool:
     return _bridge_process is not None and _bridge_process.poll() is None
 
 
+def get_running_config() -> dict:
+    return dict(_bridge_config)
+
+
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Internal
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------