diff --git a/scripts/release/repackage-dmg.sh b/scripts/release/repackage-dmg.sh
index c538a01e4..02c9465d9 100755
--- a/scripts/release/repackage-dmg.sh
+++ b/scripts/release/repackage-dmg.sh
@@ -8,6 +8,15 @@
 #   APPLE_ID
 #   APPLE_PASSWORD    (app-specific password)
 #   APPLE_TEAM_ID
+# Re-packaging involves:
+# 1. Converting the original DMG (with correct layout/background/DS_Store) to writable.
+# 2. Resizing it to ensure enough space.
+# 3. Replacing the original .app with the notarized one using ditto.
+# 4. Converting back to compressed format and notarizing.
+#
+# Assets used:
+# - app/src-tauri/images/background-dmg.png (baked into the original DMG)
+# - /Applications symlink (baked into the original DMG)
 set -euo pipefail
 
 APP_PATH="${1:?Usage: repackage-dmg.sh <app_path> <bundle_dir>}"
@@ -19,10 +28,56 @@ if [ -z "$DMG_PATH" ]; then
   exit 0
 fi
 
-echo "[dmg] Re-creating DMG with notarized .app..."
-DMG_TEMP="$(mktemp /tmp/OpenHuman-XXXXXX.dmg)"
-hdiutil create -volname "OpenHuman" -srcfolder "$APP_PATH" -ov -format UDZO "$DMG_TEMP"
-mv "$DMG_TEMP" "$DMG_PATH"
+# ── Cleanup ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+# Clean up temporary files and unmount images on exit
+cleanup() {
+  set +e
+  if [ -n "${VERIFY_MOUNT:-}" ] && [ -d "$VERIFY_MOUNT" ]; then
+    echo "[dmg] Cleaning up verification mount..."
+    hdiutil detach "$VERIFY_MOUNT" -force 2>/dev/null || true
+    rmdir "$VERIFY_MOUNT" 2>/dev/null || true
+  fi
+  if [ -n "${MOUNT_DIR:-}" ] && [ -d "$MOUNT_DIR" ]; then
+    echo "[dmg] Cleaning up rebuild mount..."
+    hdiutil detach "$MOUNT_DIR" -force 2>/dev/null || true
+    rmdir "$MOUNT_DIR" 2>/dev/null || true
+  fi
+  if [ -f "${DMG_RW:-}" ]; then
+    rm -f "$DMG_RW"
+  fi
+}
+trap cleanup EXIT
+
+echo "[dmg] Re-packaging DMG to preserve layout (background, icons, symlinks)..."
+# 1. Convert the original Tauri-generated DMG to a writable format (UDRW)
+# Note: XXXXXX must be at the end of the template for BSD mktemp (macOS).
+# We append .dmg to ensure hdiutil doesn't add it implicitly, causing mismatch.
+DMG_RW="$(mktemp /tmp/OpenHuman-RW-XXXXXX).dmg"
+hdiutil convert "$DMG_PATH" -format UDRW -ov -o "$DMG_RW"
+
+# 2. Resize and replace the app
+# Increase size to ensure the notarized bundle fits (may be slightly larger due to stapling)
+hdiutil resize -size 1g "$DMG_RW"
+
+# Mount the writable image using a temporary directory
+MOUNT_DIR="$(mktemp -d /tmp/OpenHuman-Rebuild-XXXXXX)"
+hdiutil attach "$DMG_RW" -mountpoint "$MOUNT_DIR" -noautoopen
+
+# Replace the non-notarized app with the notarized one
+# We use ditto to preserve all metadata and handles the .app bundle correctly
+APP_NAME="$(basename "$APP_PATH")"
+rm -rf "$MOUNT_DIR/$APP_NAME"
+ditto "$APP_PATH" "$MOUNT_DIR/$APP_NAME"
+
+# Unmount
+hdiutil detach "$MOUNT_DIR"
+rmdir "$MOUNT_DIR"
+MOUNT_DIR=""
+
+# 3. Convert back to compressed format (UDZO)
+hdiutil convert "$DMG_RW" -format UDZO -ov -o "$DMG_PATH"
+rm -f "$DMG_RW"
+DMG_RW=""
 
 echo "[dmg] Notarizing DMG..."
 xcrun notarytool submit "$DMG_PATH" \
@@ -33,3 +88,23 @@ xcrun notarytool submit "$DMG_PATH" \
 
 xcrun stapler staple "$DMG_PATH"
 echo "[dmg] DMG notarization complete: $DMG_PATH"
+
+# 4. Final verification
+echo "[dmg] Verifying final DMG layout..."
+VERIFY_MOUNT="$(mktemp -d /tmp/OpenHuman-Verify-XXXXXX)"
+hdiutil attach "$DMG_PATH" -mountpoint "$VERIFY_MOUNT" -noautoopen
+
+if [ ! -d "$VERIFY_MOUNT/$APP_NAME" ]; then
+  echo "[dmg] ERROR: .app bundle missing in final DMG"
+  exit 1
+fi
+
+if [ ! -L "$VERIFY_MOUNT/Applications" ]; then
+  echo "[dmg] ERROR: Applications symlink missing in final DMG"
+  exit 1
+fi
+
+hdiutil detach "$VERIFY_MOUNT"
+rmdir "$VERIFY_MOUNT"
+VERIFY_MOUNT=""
+echo "[dmg] Verification successful: layout preserved."