diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/mesh/BluetoothMeshService.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/mesh/BluetoothMeshService.kt
index 76811540..9a5da7fd 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/mesh/BluetoothMeshService.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/mesh/BluetoothMeshService.kt
@@ -168,6 +168,10 @@ class BluetoothMeshService(private val context: Context) : MeshService, Transpor
         // Direct injection prevents routing loops (bridge handles source check)
         meshCore.sendFromBridge(packet)
     }
+
+    override fun sendToPeer(peerID: String, packet: BitchatPacket) {
+        connectionManager.sendPacketToPeer(peerID, packet)
+    }
     
     /**
      * Start periodic debug logging every 10 seconds
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/mesh/MeshCore.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/mesh/MeshCore.kt
index ae2db674..5771df94 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/mesh/MeshCore.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/mesh/MeshCore.kt
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ class MeshCore(
 
     val gossipSyncManager: GossipSyncManager =
         sharedGossipManager ?: GossipSyncManager(myPeerID = myPeerID, scope = scope, configProvider = gossipConfigProvider)
+    private val ownsGossipManager: Boolean = sharedGossipManager == null
 
     var delegate: MeshDelegate? = null
 
@@ -74,6 +75,7 @@ class MeshCore(
 
                 override fun sendPacketToPeer(peerID: String, packet: BitchatPacket) {
                     transport.sendPacketToPeer(peerID, packet)
+                    TransportBridgeService.sendToPeer(transport.id, peerID, packet)
                 }
 
                 override fun signPacketForBroadcast(packet: BitchatPacket): BitchatPacket {
@@ -87,7 +89,9 @@ class MeshCore(
         if (isActive) return
         isActive = true
         startPeriodicBroadcastAnnounce()
-        gossipSyncManager.start()
+        if (ownsGossipManager) {
+            gossipSyncManager.start()
+        }
     }
 
     fun stopCore() {
@@ -95,7 +99,9 @@ class MeshCore(
         isActive = false
         announceJob?.cancel()
         announceJob = null
-        gossipSyncManager.stop()
+        if (ownsGossipManager) {
+            gossipSyncManager.stop()
+        }
     }
 
     fun shutdown() {
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/noise/NoiseEncryptionService.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/noise/NoiseEncryptionService.kt
index f9e969d3..63320384 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/noise/NoiseEncryptionService.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/noise/NoiseEncryptionService.kt
@@ -91,7 +91,8 @@ class NoiseEncryptionService(private val context: Context) {
         }
         
         // Initialize session manager
-        sessionManager = NoiseSessionManager(staticIdentityPrivateKey, staticIdentityPublicKey)
+        val localPeerID = calculateFingerprint(staticIdentityPublicKey).take(16)
+        sessionManager = NoiseSessionManager(staticIdentityPrivateKey, staticIdentityPublicKey, localPeerID)
         
         // Set up session callbacks
         sessionManager.onSessionEstablished = { peerID, remoteStaticKey ->
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/noise/NoiseSession.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/noise/NoiseSession.kt
index dc4a3d50..d4c127d4 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/noise/NoiseSession.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/noise/NoiseSession.kt
@@ -153,6 +153,9 @@ class NoiseSession(
     // Session state
     private var state: NoiseSessionState = NoiseSessionState.Uninitialized
     private val creationTime = System.currentTimeMillis()
+    private var handshakeStartMs: Long? = null
+    private var lastHandshakeActivityMs: Long? = null
+    private var handshakeMessage1: ByteArray? = null
 
     // Session counters
     private var currentPattern = 0;
@@ -195,6 +198,15 @@ class NoiseSession(
     fun isEstablished(): Boolean = state is NoiseSessionState.Established
     fun isHandshaking(): Boolean = state is NoiseSessionState.Handshaking
     fun getCreationTime(): Long = creationTime
+    fun isInitiatorRole(): Boolean = isInitiator
+    fun getHandshakeStartMs(): Long? = handshakeStartMs
+    fun getLastHandshakeActivityMs(): Long? = lastHandshakeActivityMs
+
+    internal fun getHandshakeMessage1(): ByteArray? = handshakeMessage1?.clone()
+
+    internal fun setLastHandshakeActivityForTest(timestampMs: Long) {
+        lastHandshakeActivityMs = timestampMs
+    }
     
     init {
         try {
@@ -317,12 +329,17 @@ class NoiseSession(
             // Initialize handshake as initiator 
             initializeNoiseHandshake(HandshakeState.INITIATOR)
             state = NoiseSessionState.Handshaking
+            if (handshakeStartMs == null) {
+                handshakeStartMs = System.currentTimeMillis()
+            }
+            lastHandshakeActivityMs = System.currentTimeMillis()
             
             val messageBuffer = ByteArray(XX_MESSAGE_1_SIZE)
             val handshakeStateLocal = handshakeState ?: throw IllegalStateException("Handshake state is null")
             val messageLength = handshakeStateLocal.writeMessage(messageBuffer, 0, null, 0, 0)
             currentPattern++
             val firstMessage = messageBuffer.copyOf(messageLength)
+            handshakeMessage1 = firstMessage
             
             // Validate message size matches XX pattern expectations
             if (firstMessage.size != XX_MESSAGE_1_SIZE) {
@@ -351,12 +368,16 @@ class NoiseSession(
             if (state == NoiseSessionState.Uninitialized && !isInitiator) {
                 initializeNoiseHandshake(HandshakeState.RESPONDER)
                 state = NoiseSessionState.Handshaking
+                if (handshakeStartMs == null) {
+                    handshakeStartMs = System.currentTimeMillis()
+                }
                 Log.d(TAG, "Initialized as RESPONDER for XX handshake with $peerID")
             }
             
             if (state != NoiseSessionState.Handshaking) {
                 throw IllegalStateException("Invalid state for handshake: $state")
             }
+            lastHandshakeActivityMs = System.currentTimeMillis()
             
             val handshakeStateLocal = handshakeState ?: throw IllegalStateException("Handshake state is null")
             
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/noise/NoiseSessionManager.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/noise/NoiseSessionManager.kt
index 2d9e06d8..618f26be 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/noise/NoiseSessionManager.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/noise/NoiseSessionManager.kt
@@ -8,11 +8,14 @@ import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentHashMap
  */
 class NoiseSessionManager(
     private val localStaticPrivateKey: ByteArray,
-    private val localStaticPublicKey: ByteArray
+    private val localStaticPublicKey: ByteArray,
+    private val localPeerID: String
 ) {
     
     companion object {
         private const val TAG = "NoiseSessionManager"
+        private const val HANDSHAKE_TIMEOUT_MS = 20_000L
+        private const val HANDSHAKE_MESSAGE_1_SIZE = 32
     }
     
     private val sessions = ConcurrentHashMap<String, NoiseSession>()
@@ -51,11 +54,30 @@ class NoiseSessionManager(
     /**
      * SIMPLIFIED: Initiate handshake - no tie breaker, just start
      */
-    fun initiateHandshake(peerID: String): ByteArray {
+    fun initiateHandshake(peerID: String): ByteArray? {
         Log.d(TAG, "initiateHandshake($peerID)")
 
-        // Remove any existing session first
-        removeSession(peerID)
+        val now = System.currentTimeMillis()
+        val existing = getSession(peerID)
+        if (existing != null) {
+            when {
+                existing.isEstablished() -> {
+                    Log.d(TAG, "Handshake already established with $peerID, skipping initiate")
+                    return null
+                }
+                existing.isHandshaking() -> {
+                    if (!isHandshakeStale(existing, now)) {
+                        Log.d(TAG, "Handshake already in progress with $peerID, not restarting")
+                        return null
+                    }
+                    Log.d(TAG, "Handshake with $peerID is stale; restarting")
+                    removeSession(peerID)
+                }
+                else -> {
+                    removeSession(peerID)
+                }
+            }
+        }
         
         // Create new session as initiator
         val session = NoiseSession(
@@ -85,6 +107,23 @@ class NoiseSessionManager(
         
         try {
             var session = getSession(peerID)
+
+            // Collision handling: both sides initiated and we received message 1
+            if (session != null &&
+                session.isHandshaking() &&
+                session.isInitiatorRole() &&
+                message.size == HANDSHAKE_MESSAGE_1_SIZE
+            ) {
+                val shouldYield = localPeerID > peerID
+                if (shouldYield) {
+                    Log.d(TAG, "Handshake collision with $peerID; yielding to responder role")
+                    removeSession(peerID)
+                    session = null
+                } else {
+                    Log.d(TAG, "Handshake collision with $peerID; keeping initiator role")
+                    return null
+                }
+            }
             
             // If no session exists, create one as responder
             if (session == null) {
@@ -119,6 +158,12 @@ class NoiseSessionManager(
             throw e
         }
     }
+
+    private fun isHandshakeStale(session: NoiseSession, nowMs: Long): Boolean {
+        val lastActivity = session.getLastHandshakeActivityMs() ?: session.getHandshakeStartMs()
+        if (lastActivity == null) return false
+        return (nowMs - lastActivity) > HANDSHAKE_TIMEOUT_MS
+    }
     
     /**
      * SIMPLIFIED: Encrypt data
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/service/TransportBridgeService.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/service/TransportBridgeService.kt
index 61c73c82..d8a65aa6 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/service/TransportBridgeService.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/service/TransportBridgeService.kt
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package com.bitchat.android.service
 
 import android.util.Log
 import com.bitchat.android.model.RoutedPacket
+import com.bitchat.android.protocol.BitchatPacket
 import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentHashMap
 
 /**
@@ -23,6 +24,11 @@ object TransportBridgeService {
          * Send a packet out via this transport.
          */
         fun send(packet: RoutedPacket)
+
+        /**
+         * Send a packet to a specific peer via this transport (optional).
+         */
+        fun sendToPeer(peerID: String, packet: BitchatPacket) { }
     }
 
     private val transports = ConcurrentHashMap<String, TransportLayer>()
@@ -66,4 +72,20 @@ object TransportBridgeService {
             }
         }
     }
+
+    /**
+     * Send a packet to a specific peer across all other transports.
+     */
+    fun sendToPeer(sourceId: String, peerID: String, packet: BitchatPacket) {
+        val targets = transports.filterKeys { it != sourceId }
+        if (targets.isEmpty()) return
+
+        targets.forEach { (id, layer) ->
+            try {
+                layer.sendToPeer(peerID, packet)
+            } catch (e: Exception) {
+                Log.e(TAG, "Failed to bridge unicast packet to $id: ${e.message}")
+            }
+        }
+    }
 }
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/MeshDelegateHandler.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/MeshDelegateHandler.kt
index 559ef11a..e76ad1cf 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/MeshDelegateHandler.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/MeshDelegateHandler.kt
@@ -308,15 +308,34 @@ class MeshDelegateHandler(
             if (shouldSendReadReceipt) {
                 android.util.Log.d("MeshDelegateHandler", "Sending reactive read receipt for focused chat with $senderPeerID (message=${message.id})")
                 val nickname = state.getNicknameValue() ?: "unknown"
-                // Send directly for this message to avoid relying on unread queues
-                getMeshService().sendReadReceipt(message.id, senderPeerID!!, nickname)
-                // Ensure unread badge is cleared for this peer immediately
-                try {
-                    val current = state.getUnreadPrivateMessagesValue().toMutableSet()
-                    if (current.remove(senderPeerID)) {
-                        state.setUnreadPrivateMessages(current)
+                val mesh = getMeshService()
+                val sent = try {
+                    val hasMesh = mesh.getPeerInfo(senderPeerID!!)?.isConnected == true && mesh.hasEstablishedSession(senderPeerID)
+                    if (hasMesh) {
+                        mesh.sendReadReceipt(message.id, senderPeerID, nickname)
+                        true
+                    } else {
+                        val aware = try { com.bitchat.android.wifiaware.WifiAwareController.getService() } catch (_: Exception) { null }
+                        val hasAware = try { aware?.getPeerInfo(senderPeerID)?.isConnected == true && aware.hasEstablishedSession(senderPeerID) } catch (_: Exception) { false }
+                        if (hasAware) {
+                            aware?.sendReadReceipt(message.id, senderPeerID, nickname)
+                            true
+                        } else {
+                            false
+                        }
                     }
-                } catch (_: Exception) { }
+                } catch (_: Exception) {
+                    false
+                }
+                if (sent) {
+                    // Ensure unread badge is cleared for this peer immediately
+                    try {
+                        val current = state.getUnreadPrivateMessagesValue().toMutableSet()
+                        if (current.remove(senderPeerID)) {
+                            state.setUnreadPrivateMessages(current)
+                        }
+                    } catch (_: Exception) { }
+                }
             } else {
                 android.util.Log.d("MeshDelegateHandler", "Skipping read receipt - chat not focused (background: $isAppInBackground, current peer: $currentPrivateChatPeer, sender: $senderPeerID)")
             }
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/PrivateChatManager.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/PrivateChatManager.kt
index 098a83d7..830ed752 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/PrivateChatManager.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/PrivateChatManager.kt
@@ -333,13 +333,21 @@ class PrivateChatManager(
         }
 
         val myNickname = state.getNicknameValue() ?: "unknown"
+        val aware = try { com.bitchat.android.wifiaware.WifiAwareController.getService() } catch (_: Exception) { null }
+        val hasMesh = try { meshService.getPeerInfo(peerID)?.isConnected == true && meshService.hasEstablishedSession(peerID) } catch (_: Exception) { false }
+        val hasAware = try { aware?.getPeerInfo(peerID)?.isConnected == true && aware.hasEstablishedSession(peerID) } catch (_: Exception) { false }
         var sentCount = 0
         messages.forEach { msg ->
             // Only for incoming messages from this peer
             if (msg.senderPeerID == peerID) {
                 try {
-                    meshService.sendReadReceipt(msg.id, peerID, myNickname)
-                    sentCount += 1
+                    if (hasMesh) {
+                        meshService.sendReadReceipt(msg.id, peerID, myNickname)
+                        sentCount += 1
+                    } else if (hasAware) {
+                        aware?.sendReadReceipt(msg.id, peerID, myNickname)
+                        sentCount += 1
+                    }
                 } catch (e: Exception) {
                     Log.w(TAG, "Failed to send read receipt for message ${msg.id}: ${e.message}")
                 }
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/wifi-aware/WifiAwareMeshService.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/wifi-aware/WifiAwareMeshService.kt
index 372bba5c..cf1509b2 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/wifi-aware/WifiAwareMeshService.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/wifi-aware/WifiAwareMeshService.kt
@@ -144,6 +144,10 @@ class WifiAwareMeshService(private val context: Context) : MeshService, Transpor
         meshCore.sendFromBridge(packet)
     }
 
+    override fun sendToPeer(peerID: String, packet: BitchatPacket) {
+        sendPacketToPeer(peerID, packet)
+    }
+
     /**
      * Broadcasts routed packet to currently connected peers.
      */