diff --git a/Signal/src/AppDelegate.m b/Signal/src/AppDelegate.m
index 475f94f77..29bd11e94 100644
--- a/Signal/src/AppDelegate.m
+++ b/Signal/src/AppDelegate.m
@@ -837,6 +837,9 @@ static NSString *const kURLHostVerifyPrefix             = @"verify";
         // enables this feature
         [[OWSDisappearingMessagesJob sharedJob] startIfNecessary];
         [[OWSProfileManager sharedManager] ensureLocalProfileCached];
+
+        // For non-legacy users, read receipts are on by default.
+        [[Environment preferences] setAreReadReceiptsEnabled:YES];
     }
 }