diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/BitchatApplication.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/BitchatApplication.kt
index c435fee4..5564399b 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/BitchatApplication.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/BitchatApplication.kt
@@ -13,5 +13,15 @@ class BitchatApplication : Application() {
         
         // Initialize relay directory (loads assets/nostr_relays.csv)
         RelayDirectory.initialize(this)
+
+        // Initialize favorites persistence early so MessageRouter/NostrTransport can use it on startup
+        try {
+            com.bitchat.android.favorites.FavoritesPersistenceService.initialize(this)
+        } catch (_: Exception) { }
+
+        // Warm up Nostr identity to ensure npub is available for favorite notifications
+        try {
+            com.bitchat.android.nostr.NostrIdentityBridge.getCurrentNostrIdentity(this)
+        } catch (_: Exception) { }
     }
 }
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/favorites/FavoritesPersistenceService.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/favorites/FavoritesPersistenceService.kt
index ddb96a6c..f1366243 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/favorites/FavoritesPersistenceService.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/favorites/FavoritesPersistenceService.kt
@@ -47,6 +47,11 @@ data class FavoriteRelationship(
     }
 }
 
+interface FavoritesChangeListener {
+    fun onFavoriteChanged(noiseKeyHex: String)
+    fun onAllCleared()
+}
+
 /**
  * Manages favorites with Noise↔Nostr mapping
  * Singleton pattern matching iOS implementation
@@ -77,6 +82,7 @@ class FavoritesPersistenceService private constructor(private val context: Conte
     private val stateManager = SecureIdentityStateManager(context)
     private val gson = Gson()
     private val favorites = mutableMapOf<String, FavoriteRelationship>() // noiseKeyHex -> relationship
+    private val listeners = mutableListOf<FavoritesChangeListener>()
     
     init {
         loadFavorites()
@@ -133,6 +139,7 @@ class FavoritesPersistenceService private constructor(private val context: Conte
         }
         
         saveFavorites()
+        notifyChanged(keyHex)
         Log.d(TAG, "Updated Nostr pubkey association for ${keyHex.take(16)}...")
     }
     
@@ -164,7 +171,8 @@ class FavoritesPersistenceService private constructor(private val context: Conte
         
         favorites[keyHex] = updated
         saveFavorites()
-        
+        notifyChanged(keyHex)
+
         Log.d(TAG, "Updated favorite status for $nickname: $isFavorite")
     }
     
@@ -182,6 +190,7 @@ class FavoritesPersistenceService private constructor(private val context: Conte
             )
             favorites[keyHex] = updated
             saveFavorites()
+            notifyChanged(keyHex)
             
             Log.d(TAG, "Updated peer favorited us for ${keyHex.take(16)}...: $theyFavoritedUs")
         }
@@ -208,13 +217,19 @@ class FavoritesPersistenceService private constructor(private val context: Conte
         favorites.clear()
         saveFavorites()
         Log.i(TAG, "Cleared all favorites")
+        notifyAllCleared()
     }
     
     /**
      * Find Noise key by Nostr pubkey
      */
     fun findNoiseKey(forNostrPubkey: String): ByteArray? {
-        return favorites.values.firstOrNull { it.peerNostrPublicKey == forNostrPubkey }?.peerNoisePublicKey
+        val targetHex = normalizeNostrKeyToHex(forNostrPubkey) ?: return null
+        return favorites.values.firstOrNull { rel ->
+            rel.peerNostrPublicKey?.let { stored ->
+                normalizeNostrKeyToHex(stored)
+            } == targetHex
+        }?.peerNoisePublicKey
     }
     
     /**
@@ -265,6 +280,40 @@ class FavoritesPersistenceService private constructor(private val context: Conte
             Log.e(TAG, "Failed to save favorites: ${e.message}")
         }
     }
+
+    // MARK: - Listeners
+    fun addListener(listener: FavoritesChangeListener) {
+        synchronized(listeners) {
+            if (!listeners.contains(listener)) listeners.add(listener)
+        }
+    }
+    fun removeListener(listener: FavoritesChangeListener) {
+        synchronized(listeners) { listeners.remove(listener) }
+    }
+    private fun notifyChanged(noiseKeyHex: String) {
+        val snapshot = synchronized(listeners) { listeners.toList() }
+        snapshot.forEach { runCatching { it.onFavoriteChanged(noiseKeyHex) } }
+    }
+    private fun notifyAllCleared() {
+        val snapshot = synchronized(listeners) { listeners.toList() }
+        snapshot.forEach { runCatching { it.onAllCleared() } }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Normalize a Nostr public key string (npub bech32 or hex) to lowercase hex for comparison
+     */
+    private fun normalizeNostrKeyToHex(value: String): String? {
+        return try {
+            if (value.startsWith("npub1")) {
+                val (hrp, data) = com.bitchat.android.nostr.Bech32.decode(value)
+                if (hrp != "npub") return null
+                data.joinToString("") { "%02x".format(it) }
+            } else {
+                // Assume hex
+                value.lowercase()
+            }
+        } catch (_: Exception) { null }
+    }
 }
 
 /**
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/mesh/MessageHandler.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/mesh/MessageHandler.kt
index 5d934e70..809cd1e6 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/mesh/MessageHandler.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/mesh/MessageHandler.kt
@@ -78,6 +78,15 @@ class MessageHandler(private val myPeerID: String) {
                     val privateMessage = com.bitchat.android.model.PrivateMessagePacket.decode(noisePayload.data)
                     if (privateMessage != null) {
                         Log.d(TAG, "🔓 Decrypted TLV PM from $peerID: ${privateMessage.content.take(30)}...")
+
+                        // Handle favorite/unfavorite notifications embedded as PMs
+                        val pmContent = privateMessage.content
+                        if (pmContent.startsWith("[FAVORITED]") || pmContent.startsWith("[UNFAVORITED]")) {
+                            handleFavoriteNotificationFromMesh(pmContent, peerID)
+                            // Acknowledge delivery for UX parity
+                            sendDeliveryAck(privateMessage.messageID, peerID)
+                            return
+                        }
                         
                         // Create BitchatMessage - use local system time for incoming messages
                         val message = BitchatMessage(
@@ -426,6 +435,52 @@ class MessageHandler(private val myPeerID: String) {
     fun shutdown() {
         handlerScope.cancel()
     }
+
+    /**
+     * Handle favorite/unfavorite notification received over mesh as a private message.
+     * Content format: "[FAVORITED]:npub..." or "[UNFAVORITED]:npub..."
+     */
+    private fun handleFavoriteNotificationFromMesh(content: String, fromPeerID: String) {
+        try {
+            val isFavorite = content.startsWith("[FAVORITED]")
+            val npub = content.substringAfter(":", "").trim().takeIf { it.startsWith("npub1") }
+
+            // Update mutual favorite status in persistence
+            // Resolve full Noise key if available via delegate peer info
+            val peerInfo = delegate?.getPeerInfo(fromPeerID)
+            val noiseKey = peerInfo?.noisePublicKey
+            if (noiseKey != null) {
+                com.bitchat.android.favorites.FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.updatePeerFavoritedUs(noiseKey, isFavorite)
+                if (npub != null) {
+                    com.bitchat.android.favorites.FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.updateNostrPublicKey(noiseKey, npub)
+                }
+
+                // Determine iOS-style guidance text
+                val rel = com.bitchat.android.favorites.FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.getFavoriteStatus(noiseKey)
+                val guidance = if (isFavorite) {
+                    if (rel?.isFavorite == true) {
+                        " — mutual! You can continue DMs via Nostr when out of mesh."
+                    } else {
+                        " — favorite back to continue DMs later."
+                    }
+                } else {
+                    ". DMs over Nostr will pause unless you both favorite again."
+                }
+
+                // Emit system message via delegate callback
+                val action = if (isFavorite) "favorited" else "unfavorited"
+                val sys = com.bitchat.android.model.BitchatMessage(
+                    sender = "system",
+                    content = "${peerInfo.nickname} $action you$guidance",
+                    timestamp = java.util.Date(),
+                    isRelay = false
+                )
+                delegate?.onMessageReceived(sys)
+            }
+        } catch (_: Exception) {
+            // Best-effort; ignore errors
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 /**
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/nostr/NostrGeohashService.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/nostr/NostrGeohashService.kt
index d0fc3c0a..c845ac0e 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/nostr/NostrGeohashService.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/nostr/NostrGeohashService.kt
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ import kotlinx.coroutines.CoroutineScope
 import kotlinx.coroutines.Job
 import kotlinx.coroutines.delay
 import kotlinx.coroutines.launch
+import kotlinx.coroutines.Dispatchers
+import kotlinx.coroutines.withContext
 import java.util.*
 
 /**
@@ -75,7 +77,7 @@ class NostrGeohashService(
     private val processedNostrEvents = mutableSetOf<String>()
     private val processedNostrEventOrder = mutableListOf<String>()
     private val maxProcessedNostrEvents = 2000
-    private val processedNostrAcks = mutableSetOf<String>()
+    // removed unused processedNostrAcks
     private val nostrKeyMapping = mutableMapOf<String, String>() // senderPeerID -> nostrPubkey
     
     // MARK: - Geohash Participant Tracking Properties
@@ -221,9 +223,11 @@ class NostrGeohashService(
      * Handle incoming Nostr message (gift wrap)
      */
     private fun handleNostrMessage(giftWrap: NostrEvent) {
-        // Simple deduplication
-        if (processedNostrEvents.contains(giftWrap.id)) return
-        processedNostrEvents.add(giftWrap.id)
+        // Offload processing to avoid blocking UI
+        coroutineScope.launch(kotlinx.coroutines.Dispatchers.Default) {
+            // Simple deduplication
+            if (processedNostrEvents.contains(giftWrap.id)) return@launch
+            processedNostrEvents.add(giftWrap.id)
         
         // Manage deduplication cache size
         processedNostrEventOrder.add(giftWrap.id)
@@ -235,16 +239,18 @@ class NostrGeohashService(
         // Client-side filtering: ignore messages older than 24 hours + 15 minutes buffer
         val messageAge = System.currentTimeMillis() / 1000 - giftWrap.createdAt
         if (messageAge > 173700) { // 48 hours + 15 minutes
-            return
+            return@launch
         }
         
-        Log.d(TAG, "Processing Nostr message: ${giftWrap.id.take(16)}...")
+            Log.d(TAG, "Processing Nostr message: ${giftWrap.id.take(16)}...")
+
+        // Removed legacy NostrReadStore usage; rely on SeenMessageStore by message ID
         
-        val currentIdentity = NostrIdentityBridge.getCurrentNostrIdentity(application)
-        if (currentIdentity == null) {
-            Log.w(TAG, "No Nostr identity available for decryption")
-            return
-        }
+            val currentIdentity = NostrIdentityBridge.getCurrentNostrIdentity(application)
+            if (currentIdentity == null) {
+                Log.w(TAG, "No Nostr identity available for decryption")
+                return@launch
+            }
         
         try {
             val decryptResult = NostrProtocol.decryptPrivateMessage(
@@ -254,7 +260,7 @@ class NostrGeohashService(
             
             if (decryptResult == null) {
                 Log.w(TAG, "Failed to decrypt Nostr message")
-                return
+                return@launch
             }
             
             val (content, senderPubkey, rumorTimestamp) = decryptResult
@@ -262,26 +268,26 @@ class NostrGeohashService(
             // Expect embedded BitChat packet content
             if (!content.startsWith("bitchat1:")) {
                 Log.d(TAG, "Ignoring non-embedded Nostr DM content")
-                return
+                return@launch
             }
             
             val base64Content = content.removePrefix("bitchat1:")
             val packetData = base64URLDecode(base64Content)
             if (packetData == null) {
                 Log.e(TAG, "Failed to decode base64url BitChat packet")
-                return
+                return@launch
             }
             
             val packet = com.bitchat.android.protocol.BitchatPacket.fromBinaryData(packetData)
             if (packet == null) {
                 Log.e(TAG, "Failed to parse embedded BitChat packet from Nostr DM")
-                return
+                return@launch
             }
             
             // Only process noiseEncrypted envelope for private messages/receipts
             if (packet.type != com.bitchat.android.protocol.MessageType.NOISE_ENCRYPTED.value) {
                 Log.w(TAG, "Unsupported embedded packet type: ${packet.type}")
-                return
+                return@launch
             }
             
             // Validate recipient if present
@@ -295,24 +301,50 @@ class NostrGeohashService(
             val noisePayload = com.bitchat.android.model.NoisePayload.decode(packet.payload)
             if (noisePayload == null) {
                 Log.e(TAG, "Failed to parse embedded NoisePayload")
-                return
+                return@launch
             }
             
             // Map sender by Nostr pubkey to Noise key when possible
             val senderNoiseKey = findNoiseKeyForNostrPubkey(senderPubkey)
             val messageTimestamp = Date(rumorTimestamp * 1000L)
-            val senderNickname = if (senderNoiseKey != null) {
-                // Get nickname from favorites
-                getFavoriteNickname(senderNoiseKey) ?: "Unknown"
+
+            // If we know the Noise key, try to resolve a currently connected mesh peer ID for it
+            val targetPeerID: String = if (senderNoiseKey != null) {
+                val meshPeerId = resolveMeshPeerIdForNoiseKey(senderNoiseKey)
+                if (meshPeerId != null) {
+                    // Also unify existing noise-hex/nostr-temp chats into this mesh peer
+                    val noiseHex = senderNoiseKey.joinToString("") { b -> "%02x".format(b) }
+                    val tempKey = "nostr_${senderPubkey.take(16)}"
+                    unifyChatsIntoPeer(meshPeerId, listOf(noiseHex, tempKey))
+
+                    // If currently viewing the temporary or noise-hex chat, auto-switch to mesh peer
+                    val selected = state.getSelectedPrivateChatPeerValue()
+                    if (selected == noiseHex || selected == tempKey) {
+                        state.setSelectedPrivateChatPeer(meshPeerId)
+                    }
+                    meshPeerId
+                } else {
+                    senderNoiseKey.joinToString("") { b -> "%02x".format(b) }
+                }
+            } else {
+                "nostr_${senderPubkey.take(16)}"
+            }
+
+            // Prefer nickname from mesh when connected; else fallback to favorites
+            val senderNickname: String = if (senderNoiseKey != null) {
+                val meshPeerId = resolveMeshPeerIdForNoiseKey(senderNoiseKey)
+                if (meshPeerId != null) {
+                    // Use live mesh nickname if available
+                    meshDelegateHandler.getPeerInfo(meshPeerId)?.nickname
+                        ?: getFavoriteNickname(senderNoiseKey)
+                        ?: "Unknown"
+                } else {
+                    getFavoriteNickname(senderNoiseKey) ?: "Unknown"
+                }
             } else {
                 "Unknown"
             }
             
-            // Stable target ID if we know Noise key; otherwise temporary Nostr-based peer
-            val targetPeerID = senderNoiseKey?.let { 
-                it.joinToString("") { byte -> "%02x".format(byte) }
-            } ?: "nostr_${senderPubkey.take(16)}"
-            
             // Store Nostr key mapping
             nostrKeyMapping[targetPeerID] = senderPubkey
             
@@ -323,17 +355,19 @@ class NostrGeohashService(
             if (noisePayload.type == com.bitchat.android.model.NoisePayloadType.PRIVATE_MESSAGE) {
                 val pm = com.bitchat.android.model.PrivateMessagePacket.decode(noisePayload.data)
                 pm?.let { pmsg ->
-                    val nostrTransport = NostrTransport.getInstance(application)
-                    // Prefer mapped peer route; fallback to direct Nostr using sender pubkey
-                    if (senderNoiseKey != null) {
-                        val peerIdHex = senderNoiseKey.joinToString("") { b -> "%02x".format(b) }
-                        nostrTransport.sendDeliveryAck(pmsg.messageID, peerIdHex)
-                    } else {
-                        // Fallback: direct to sender’s Nostr pubkey (geohash-style)
-                        val identity = NostrIdentityBridge.getCurrentNostrIdentity(application)
-                        if (identity != null) {
-                            nostrTransport.sendDeliveryAckGeohash(pmsg.messageID, senderPubkey, identity)
+                    val seen = com.bitchat.android.services.SeenMessageStore.getInstance(application)
+                    if (!seen.hasDelivered(pmsg.messageID)) {
+                        val nostrTransport = NostrTransport.getInstance(application)
+                        if (senderNoiseKey != null) {
+                            val peerIdHex = senderNoiseKey.joinToString("") { b -> "%02x".format(b) }
+                            nostrTransport.sendDeliveryAck(pmsg.messageID, peerIdHex)
+                        } else {
+                            val identity = NostrIdentityBridge.getCurrentNostrIdentity(application)
+                            if (identity != null) {
+                                nostrTransport.sendDeliveryAckGeohash(pmsg.messageID, senderPubkey, identity)
+                            }
                         }
+                        seen.markDelivered(pmsg.messageID)
                     }
                 }
             }
@@ -341,12 +375,13 @@ class NostrGeohashService(
         } catch (e: Exception) {
             Log.e(TAG, "Error processing Nostr message: ${e.message}")
         }
+        }
     }
     
     /**
      * Process NoisePayload from Nostr message
      */
-    private fun processNoisePayload(
+    private suspend fun processNoisePayload(
         noisePayload: com.bitchat.android.model.NoisePayload,
         targetPeerID: String,
         senderNickname: String,
@@ -362,6 +397,8 @@ class NostrGeohashService(
                 
                 val messageId = pm.messageID
                 val messageContent = pm.content
+                val seen = com.bitchat.android.services.SeenMessageStore.getInstance(application)
+                val suppressUnread = seen.hasRead(messageId)
                 
                 // Handle favorite/unfavorite notifications
                 if (messageContent.startsWith("[FAVORITED]") || messageContent.startsWith("[UNFAVORITED]")) {
@@ -399,13 +436,18 @@ class NostrGeohashService(
                     )
                 )
                 
-                // Add to private chats
-                privateChatManager.handleIncomingPrivateMessage(message)
-                
-                // Send read receipt if viewing
-                if (isViewingThisChat) {
-                    // Note: meshService needs to be passed as parameter
-                    // privateChatManager.sendReadReceiptsForPeer(targetPeerID, meshService)
+                // Add to private chats on Main
+                withContext(Dispatchers.Main) {
+                    privateChatManager.handleIncomingPrivateMessage(message, suppressUnread)
+                }
+
+                // Send read receipt if viewing (only once across restarts)
+                if (isViewingThisChat && !seen.hasRead(messageId)) {
+                    try {
+                        val rr = com.bitchat.android.model.ReadReceipt(originalMessageID = messageId)
+                        NostrTransport.getInstance(application).sendReadReceipt(rr, targetPeerID)
+                        seen.markRead(messageId)
+                    } catch (_: Exception) { }
                 }
                 
                 Log.i(TAG, "📥 Processed Nostr private message from $senderNickname")
@@ -413,15 +455,19 @@ class NostrGeohashService(
             
             com.bitchat.android.model.NoisePayloadType.DELIVERED -> {
                 val messageId = String(noisePayload.data, Charsets.UTF_8)
-                // Use the existing delegate to handle delivery acknowledgment
-                meshDelegateHandler.didReceiveDeliveryAck(messageId, targetPeerID)
+                // Use the existing delegate to handle delivery acknowledgment on Main
+                withContext(Dispatchers.Main) {
+                    meshDelegateHandler.didReceiveDeliveryAck(messageId, targetPeerID)
+                }
                 Log.d(TAG, "📥 Processed Nostr delivery ACK for message $messageId")
             }
             
             com.bitchat.android.model.NoisePayloadType.READ_RECEIPT -> {
                 val messageId = String(noisePayload.data, Charsets.UTF_8)
-                // Use the existing delegate to handle read receipt
-                meshDelegateHandler.didReceiveReadReceipt(messageId, targetPeerID)
+                // Use the existing delegate to handle read receipt on Main
+                withContext(Dispatchers.Main) {
+                    meshDelegateHandler.didReceiveReadReceipt(messageId, targetPeerID)
+                }
                 Log.d(TAG, "📥 Processed Nostr read receipt for message $messageId")
             }
         }
@@ -440,6 +486,28 @@ class NostrGeohashService(
     private fun getFavoriteNickname(noiseKey: ByteArray): String? {
         return com.bitchat.android.favorites.FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.getFavoriteStatus(noiseKey)?.peerNickname
     }
+
+    /**
+     * Resolve a currently-connected mesh peer ID for a given Noise public key
+     * by matching against the mesh service's peer info noisePublicKey values.
+     */
+    private fun resolveMeshPeerIdForNoiseKey(noiseKey: ByteArray): String? {
+        return try {
+            val peers: List<String> = state.getConnectedPeersValue()
+            peers.firstOrNull { peerId: String ->
+                val info = meshDelegateHandler.getPeerInfo(peerId)
+                info?.noisePublicKey?.contentEquals(noiseKey) == true
+            }
+        } catch (_: Exception) { null }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Merge any chats stored under the given keys into the target peer's chat entry
+     * so messages received while offline appear in the same chat when the peer connects.
+     */
+    private fun unifyChatsIntoPeer(targetPeerID: String, keysToMerge: List<String>) {
+        com.bitchat.android.services.ConversationAliasResolver.unifyChatsIntoPeer(state, targetPeerID, keysToMerge)
+    }
     
     /**
      * Handle favorite/unfavorite notification
@@ -447,16 +515,72 @@ class NostrGeohashService(
     private fun handleFavoriteNotification(content: String, fromPeerID: String, senderNickname: String) {
         val isFavorite = content.startsWith("[FAVORITED]")
         val action = if (isFavorite) "favorited" else "unfavorited"
-        
+
+        // Try to extract npub after colon, if present
+        val npub = content.substringAfter(":", "").trim().takeIf { it.startsWith("npub1") }
+
+        // Resolve noise key if possible and persist relationship + npub mapping
+        try {
+            var noiseKey: ByteArray? = null
+            // If fromPeerID looks like hex (noise key), decode
+            val hexRegex = Regex("^[0-9a-fA-F]+$")
+            if (fromPeerID.matches(hexRegex) && (fromPeerID.length % 2 == 0)) {
+                // Expect 64 hex chars for full Curve25519 key; accept others best-effort
+                val bytes = fromPeerID.chunked(2).map { it.toInt(16).toByte() }.toByteArray()
+                // Use only if length is plausible
+                if (bytes.isNotEmpty()) noiseKey = bytes
+            } else {
+                // fromPeerID likely a temporary key like "nostr_..."; map to Nostr pubkey
+                val senderPubkey = nostrKeyMapping[fromPeerID]
+                if (senderPubkey != null) {
+                    noiseKey = findNoiseKeyForNostrPubkey(senderPubkey)
+                }
+            }
+
+            if (noiseKey != null) {
+                com.bitchat.android.favorites.FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.updatePeerFavoritedUs(noiseKey, isFavorite)
+                if (npub != null) {
+                    com.bitchat.android.favorites.FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.updateNostrPublicKey(noiseKey, npub)
+                }
+            }
+        } catch (_: Exception) {
+            // Best-effort
+        }
+
+        // Determine guidance text based on mutual status (iOS-style)
+        val guidance = try {
+            val rel = run {
+                // Try to resolve via noise key directly or mapping
+                var key: ByteArray? = null
+                val hexRegex = Regex("^[0-9a-fA-F]+$")
+                if (fromPeerID.matches(hexRegex) && (fromPeerID.length % 2 == 0)) {
+                    key = fromPeerID.chunked(2).map { it.toInt(16).toByte() }.toByteArray()
+                } else {
+                    val mappedNostr = nostrKeyMapping[fromPeerID]
+                    key = mappedNostr?.let { findNoiseKeyForNostrPubkey(it) }
+                }
+                key?.let { com.bitchat.android.favorites.FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.getFavoriteStatus(it) }
+            }
+            if (isFavorite) {
+                if (rel?.isFavorite == true) {
+                    " — mutual! You can continue DMs via Nostr when out of mesh."
+                } else {
+                    " — favorite back to continue DMs later."
+                }
+            } else {
+                ". DMs over Nostr will pause unless you both favorite again."
+            }
+        } catch (_: Exception) { "" }
+
         // Show system message
         val systemMessage = BitchatMessage(
             sender = "system",
-            content = "$senderNickname $action you",
+            content = "$senderNickname $action you$guidance",
             timestamp = Date(),
             isRelay = false
         )
         messageManager.addMessage(systemMessage)
-        
+
         Log.i(TAG, "📥 Processed favorite notification: $senderNickname $action you")
     }
     
@@ -953,25 +1077,26 @@ class NostrGeohashService(
      * Handles participant tracking, nickname caching, message display, and teleport state
      */
     private fun handleUnifiedGeohashEvent(event: NostrEvent, geohash: String) {
+        coroutineScope.launch(Dispatchers.Default) {
         try {
             Log.v(TAG, "🔍 handleUnifiedGeohashEvent called - eventGeohash: $geohash, currentGeohash: $currentGeohash, eventKind: ${event.kind}, eventId: ${event.id.take(8)}...")
             
             // Only handle ephemeral kind 20000 events
             if (event.kind != 20000) {
                 Log.v(TAG, "❌ Skipping non-ephemeral event (kind ${event.kind})")
-                return
+                return@launch
             }
             
             // Check if this user is blocked in geohash channels BEFORE any processing
             if (isGeohashUserBlocked(event.pubkey)) {
                 Log.v(TAG, "🚫 Skipping event from blocked geohash user: ${event.pubkey.take(8)}...")
-                return
+                return@launch
             }
             
             // Deduplicate events
             if (processedNostrEvents.contains(event.id)) {
                 Log.v(TAG, "❌ Skipping duplicate event ${event.id.take(8)}...")
-                return
+                return@launch
             }
             processedNostrEvents.add(event.id)
             
@@ -984,7 +1109,7 @@ class NostrGeohashService(
             
             // STEP 1: Always update participant activity for all geohashes (for location channel list)
             val timestamp = Date(event.createdAt * 1000L)
-            updateGeohashParticipant(geohash, event.pubkey, timestamp)
+            withContext(Dispatchers.Main) { updateGeohashParticipant(geohash, event.pubkey, timestamp) }
             
             // STEP 2: Always cache nickname from tag if present (for all geohashes)
             event.tags.find { it.size >= 2 && it[0] == "n" }?.let { nickTag ->
@@ -996,7 +1121,7 @@ class NostrGeohashService(
                 
                 // If this is a new nickname or nickname change for current geohash, refresh people list
                 if (previousNick != nick && currentGeohash == geohash) {
-                    refreshGeohashPeople()
+                    withContext(Dispatchers.Main) { refreshGeohashPeople() }
                 }
             }
             
@@ -1006,7 +1131,7 @@ class NostrGeohashService(
                 val currentTeleported = state.getTeleportedGeoValue().toMutableSet()
                 if (!currentTeleported.contains(key)) {
                     currentTeleported.add(key)
-                    state.setTeleportedGeo(currentTeleported)
+                    withContext(Dispatchers.Main) { state.setTeleportedGeo(currentTeleported) }
                     Log.d(TAG, "📍 Marked geohash participant as teleported: ${event.pubkey.take(8)}...")
                 }
             }
@@ -1017,7 +1142,7 @@ class NostrGeohashService(
                 context = application
             )
             if (myGeoIdentity.publicKeyHex.lowercase() == event.pubkey.lowercase()) {
-                return
+                return@launch
             }
             
             // STEP 5: Store mapping for potential geohash DM initiation
@@ -1032,7 +1157,7 @@ class NostrGeohashService(
                                      event.content.trim().isEmpty()
             if (isTeleportPresence) {
                 Log.v(TAG, "Skipping empty teleport presence event")
-                return
+                return@launch
             }
             
             val senderName = displayNameForNostrPubkey(event.pubkey)
@@ -1065,7 +1190,7 @@ class NostrGeohashService(
                  selectedLocationChannel.channel.geohash == geohash)
             
             if (shouldShowMessage) {
-                messageManager.addMessage(message)
+                withContext(Dispatchers.Main) { messageManager.addMessage(message) }
             }
             
             // NOTIFICATION LOGIC: Check for mentions and first messages
@@ -1076,12 +1201,13 @@ class NostrGeohashService(
         } catch (e: Exception) {
             Log.e(TAG, "Error handling unified geohash event: ${e.message}")
         }
+        }
     }
     
     /**
      * Check and trigger geohash notifications for mentions and first messages
      */
-    private fun checkAndTriggerGeohashNotifications(
+    private suspend fun checkAndTriggerGeohashNotifications(
         geohash: String,
         senderName: String,
         content: String,
@@ -1104,13 +1230,15 @@ class NostrGeohashService(
             if (isMention || isFirstMessage) {
                 Log.d(TAG, "🔔 Triggering geohash notification - geohash: $geohash, mention: $isMention, first: $isFirstMessage")
                 
-                notificationManager.showGeohashNotification(
-                    geohash = geohash,
-                    senderNickname = senderName,
-                    messageContent = content,
-                    isMention = isMention,
-                    isFirstMessage = isFirstMessage
-                )
+                withContext(Dispatchers.Main) {
+                    notificationManager.showGeohashNotification(
+                        geohash = geohash,
+                        senderNickname = senderName,
+                        messageContent = content,
+                        isMention = isMention,
+                        isFirstMessage = isFirstMessage
+                    )
+                }
             }
         } catch (e: Exception) {
             Log.e(TAG, "Error checking geohash notifications: ${e.message}")
@@ -1184,10 +1312,13 @@ class NostrGeohashService(
         geohash: String, 
         identity: NostrIdentity
     ) {
+        coroutineScope.launch(kotlinx.coroutines.Dispatchers.Default) {
         try {
             // Deduplicate
-            if (processedNostrEvents.contains(giftWrap.id)) return
+            if (processedNostrEvents.contains(giftWrap.id)) return@launch
             processedNostrEvents.add(giftWrap.id)
+
+            // Removed legacy NostrReadStore usage; rely on SeenMessageStore by message ID
             
             // Decrypt with per-geohash identity
             val decryptResult = NostrProtocol.decryptPrivateMessage(
@@ -1197,28 +1328,28 @@ class NostrGeohashService(
             
             if (decryptResult == null) {
                 Log.d(TAG, "Skipping geohash DM: unwrap/open failed (non-fatal)")
-                return
+                return@launch
             }
             
             val (content, senderPubkey, rumorTimestamp) = decryptResult
             
             // Only process BitChat embedded messages
-            if (!content.startsWith("bitchat1:")) return
+            if (!content.startsWith("bitchat1:")) return@launch
             
             val base64Content = content.removePrefix("bitchat1:")
-            val packetData = base64URLDecode(base64Content) ?: return
-            val packet = com.bitchat.android.protocol.BitchatPacket.fromBinaryData(packetData) ?: return
+            val packetData = base64URLDecode(base64Content) ?: return@launch
+            val packet = com.bitchat.android.protocol.BitchatPacket.fromBinaryData(packetData) ?: return@launch
             
-            if (packet.type != com.bitchat.android.protocol.MessageType.NOISE_ENCRYPTED.value) return
+            if (packet.type != com.bitchat.android.protocol.MessageType.NOISE_ENCRYPTED.value) return@launch
             
-            val noisePayload = com.bitchat.android.model.NoisePayload.decode(packet.payload) ?: return
+            val noisePayload = com.bitchat.android.model.NoisePayload.decode(packet.payload) ?: return@launch
             val messageTimestamp = Date(rumorTimestamp * 1000L)
             val convKey = "nostr_${senderPubkey.take(16)}"
             nostrKeyMapping[convKey] = senderPubkey
             
             when (noisePayload.type) {
                 com.bitchat.android.model.NoisePayloadType.PRIVATE_MESSAGE -> {
-                    val pm = com.bitchat.android.model.PrivateMessagePacket.decode(noisePayload.data) ?: return
+                    val pm = com.bitchat.android.model.PrivateMessagePacket.decode(noisePayload.data) ?: return@launch
                     val messageId = pm.messageID
                     
                     Log.d(TAG, "📥 Received geohash DM from ${senderPubkey.take(8)}...")
@@ -1232,7 +1363,7 @@ class NostrGeohashService(
                             break
                         }
                     }
-                    if (messageExists) return
+                    if (messageExists) return@launch
                     
                     val senderName = displayNameForNostrPubkey(senderPubkey)
                     val isViewingThisChat = state.getSelectedPrivateChatPeerValue() == convKey
@@ -1252,17 +1383,23 @@ class NostrGeohashService(
                         )
                     )
                     
-                    // Add to private chats
-                    privateChatManager.handleIncomingPrivateMessage(message)
+                    // Add to private chats (suppress unread if already read)
+                    val seen = com.bitchat.android.services.SeenMessageStore.getInstance(application)
+                    privateChatManager.handleIncomingPrivateMessage(message, suppressUnread = seen.hasRead(messageId))
 
-                    // Always send delivery ACK for geohash DMs
-                    val nostrTransport = NostrTransport.getInstance(application)
-                    nostrTransport.sendDeliveryAckGeohash(messageId, senderPubkey, identity)
+                    // Send delivery ACK for geohash DMs only once
+                    if (!seen.hasDelivered(messageId)) {
+                        val nostrTransport = NostrTransport.getInstance(application)
+                        nostrTransport.sendDeliveryAckGeohash(messageId, senderPubkey, identity)
+                        seen.markDelivered(messageId)
+                    }
 
                     // Send read receipt if viewing this chat
-                    if (isViewingThisChat) {
+                    if (isViewingThisChat && !seen.hasRead(messageId)) {
                         // Send read receipt via Nostr for geohash DM
                         sendGeohashReadReceipt(messageId, senderPubkey, geohash)
+                        // Mark message as read persistently
+                        try { seen.markRead(messageId) } catch (_: Exception) { }
                     }
                 }
                 
@@ -1280,6 +1417,7 @@ class NostrGeohashService(
         } catch (e: Exception) {
             Log.e(TAG, "Error handling geohash DM event: ${e.message}")
         }
+        }
     }
     
     /**
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/nostr/NostrProtocol.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/nostr/NostrProtocol.kt
index 5942e0a7..5b646088 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/nostr/NostrProtocol.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/nostr/NostrProtocol.kt
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ object NostrProtocol {
                     return null
                 }
             
-            Log.v(TAG, "Successfully unwrapped gift wrap")
+            Log.v(TAG, "Successfully unwrapped gift wrap from: ${seal.pubkey.take(16)}...")
             
             // 2. Open the seal
             val rumor = openSeal(seal, recipientIdentity.privateKeyHex)
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/nostr/NostrTransport.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/nostr/NostrTransport.kt
index d98d445f..217e081d 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/nostr/NostrTransport.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/nostr/NostrTransport.kt
@@ -479,28 +479,11 @@ class NostrTransport(
     }
     
     /**
-     * Convert hex string to byte array (8 bytes)
+     * Convert full hex string to byte array
      */
     private fun hexStringToByteArray(hexString: String): ByteArray {
-        if (hexString.length % 2 != 0) {
-            return ByteArray(8) // Return 8-byte array filled with zeros
-        }
-        
-        val result = ByteArray(8) { 0 }
-        var tempID = hexString
-        var index = 0
-        
-        while (tempID.length >= 2 && index < 8) {
-            val hexByte = tempID.substring(0, 2)
-            val byte = hexByte.toIntOrNull(16)?.toByte()
-            if (byte != null) {
-                result[index] = byte
-            }
-            tempID = tempID.substring(2)
-            index++
-        }
-        
-        return result
+        val clean = if (hexString.length % 2 == 0) hexString else "0$hexString"
+        return clean.chunked(2).map { it.toInt(16).toByte() }.toByteArray()
     }
     
     fun cleanup() {
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/services/ConversationAliasResolver.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/services/ConversationAliasResolver.kt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b8a91218
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/services/ConversationAliasResolver.kt
@@ -0,0 +1,82 @@
+package com.bitchat.android.services
+
+import com.bitchat.android.ui.ChatState
+
+object ConversationAliasResolver {
+
+    fun resolveCanonicalPeerID(
+        selectedPeerID: String,
+        connectedPeers: List<String>,
+        meshNoiseKeyForPeer: (String) -> ByteArray?,
+        meshHasPeer: (String) -> Boolean,
+        nostrPubHexForAlias: (String) -> String?,
+        findNoiseKeyForNostr: (String) -> ByteArray?
+    ): String {
+        var peer = selectedPeerID
+        try {
+            if (peer.startsWith("nostr_")) {
+                val pubHex = nostrPubHexForAlias(peer)
+                if (pubHex != null) {
+                    val noiseKey = findNoiseKeyForNostr(pubHex)
+                    if (noiseKey != null) {
+                        val noiseHex = noiseKey.joinToString("") { b -> "%02x".format(b) }
+                        // Prefer a connected mesh peer that matches this noise key
+                        val meshPeer = connectedPeers.firstOrNull { pid ->
+                            meshNoiseKeyForPeer(pid)?.contentEquals(noiseKey) == true
+                        }
+                        peer = meshPeer ?: noiseHex
+                    }
+                }
+            } else if (peer.length == 64 && peer.matches(Regex("^[0-9a-fA-F]+$"))) {
+                // Peer is full noise key hex: upgrade to active mesh peer if available
+                val noiseKey = peer.chunked(2).map { it.toInt(16).toByte() }.toByteArray()
+                val meshPeer = connectedPeers.firstOrNull { pid ->
+                    meshNoiseKeyForPeer(pid)?.contentEquals(noiseKey) == true
+                }
+                if (meshPeer != null) {
+                    peer = meshPeer
+                }
+            }
+        } catch (_: Exception) { /* no-op */ }
+        return peer
+    }
+
+    fun unifyChatsIntoPeer(
+        state: ChatState,
+        targetPeerID: String,
+        keysToMerge: List<String>
+    ) {
+        if (keysToMerge.isEmpty()) return
+        val currentChats = state.getPrivateChatsValue().toMutableMap()
+        val targetList = currentChats[targetPeerID]?.toMutableList() ?: mutableListOf()
+        var didMerge = false
+        keysToMerge.distinct().forEach { key ->
+            if (key == targetPeerID) return@forEach
+            val list = currentChats[key]
+            if (!list.isNullOrEmpty()) {
+                targetList.addAll(list)
+                currentChats.remove(key)
+                didMerge = true
+            }
+        }
+        if (didMerge) {
+            targetList.sortBy { it.timestamp }
+            currentChats[targetPeerID] = targetList
+            state.setPrivateChats(currentChats)
+
+            // Move unread flags
+            val unread = state.getUnreadPrivateMessagesValue().toMutableSet()
+            var hadUnread = false
+            keysToMerge.forEach { key -> if (unread.remove(key)) hadUnread = true }
+            if (hadUnread) unread.add(targetPeerID)
+            state.setUnreadPrivateMessages(unread)
+
+            // Switch selection if currently viewing an alias that got merged
+            val selected = state.getSelectedPrivateChatPeerValue()
+            if (selected != null && keysToMerge.contains(selected)) {
+                state.setSelectedPrivateChatPeer(targetPeerID)
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/services/MessageRouter.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/services/MessageRouter.kt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..bdf3e126
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/services/MessageRouter.kt
@@ -0,0 +1,192 @@
+package com.bitchat.android.services
+
+import android.content.Context
+import android.util.Log
+import com.bitchat.android.mesh.BluetoothMeshService
+import com.bitchat.android.model.ReadReceipt
+import com.bitchat.android.nostr.NostrTransport
+
+/**
+ * Routes messages between BLE mesh and Nostr transports, matching iOS behavior.
+ */
+class MessageRouter private constructor(
+    private val context: Context,
+    private val mesh: BluetoothMeshService,
+    private val nostr: NostrTransport
+) {
+    companion object {
+        private const val TAG = "MessageRouter"
+        @Volatile private var INSTANCE: MessageRouter? = null
+        fun tryGetInstance(): MessageRouter? = INSTANCE
+        fun getInstance(context: Context, mesh: BluetoothMeshService): MessageRouter {
+            return INSTANCE ?: synchronized(this) {
+                val nostr = NostrTransport.getInstance(context)
+                INSTANCE?.also {
+                    // Update mesh reference if needed and keep senderPeerID in sync
+                    it.nostr.senderPeerID = mesh.myPeerID
+                    return it
+                }
+                MessageRouter(context.applicationContext, mesh, nostr).also { instance ->
+                    instance.nostr.senderPeerID = mesh.myPeerID
+                    // Register for favorites changes to flush outbox
+                    try {
+                        com.bitchat.android.favorites.FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.addListener(instance.favoriteListener)
+                    } catch (_: Exception) {}
+                    INSTANCE = instance
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Outbox: peerID -> queued (content, nickname, messageID)
+    private val outbox = mutableMapOf<String, MutableList<Triple<String, String, String>>>()
+
+    // Listener for favorites changes to flush outbox when npub mapping appears/changes
+    private val favoriteListener = object: com.bitchat.android.favorites.FavoritesChangeListener {
+        override fun onFavoriteChanged(noiseKeyHex: String) {
+            flushOutboxFor(noiseKeyHex)
+            // Also try 16-hex short id commonly used in UI if any client used that
+            val shortId = noiseKeyHex.take(16)
+            flushOutboxFor(shortId)
+        }
+        override fun onAllCleared() {
+            // Nothing special; leave queued items until routing becomes possible
+        }
+    }
+
+    fun sendPrivate(content: String, toPeerID: String, recipientNickname: String, messageID: String) {
+        val hasMesh = mesh.getPeerInfo(toPeerID)?.isConnected == true
+        val hasEstablished = mesh.hasEstablishedSession(toPeerID)
+        if (hasMesh && hasEstablished) {
+            Log.d(TAG, "Routing PM via mesh to ${toPeerID.take(8)}… id=${messageID.take(8)}…")
+            mesh.sendPrivateMessage(content, toPeerID, recipientNickname, messageID)
+        } else if (canSendViaNostr(toPeerID)) {
+            Log.d(TAG, "Routing PM via Nostr to ${toPeerID.take(8)}… id=${messageID.take(8)}…")
+            nostr.sendPrivateMessage(content, toPeerID, recipientNickname, messageID)
+        } else {
+            Log.d(TAG, "Queued PM for ${toPeerID.take(8)}… (no mesh, no Nostr mapping) id=${messageID.take(8)}…")
+            val q = outbox.getOrPut(toPeerID) { mutableListOf() }
+            q.add(Triple(content, recipientNickname, messageID))
+        }
+    }
+
+    fun sendReadReceipt(receipt: ReadReceipt, toPeerID: String) {
+        if ((mesh.getPeerInfo(toPeerID)?.isConnected == true) && mesh.hasEstablishedSession(toPeerID)) {
+            Log.d(TAG, "Routing READ via mesh to ${toPeerID.take(8)}… id=${receipt.originalMessageID.take(8)}…")
+            mesh.sendReadReceipt(receipt.originalMessageID, toPeerID, mesh.getPeerNicknames()[toPeerID] ?: mesh.myPeerID)
+        } else {
+            Log.d(TAG, "Routing READ via Nostr to ${toPeerID.take(8)}… id=${receipt.originalMessageID.take(8)}…")
+            nostr.sendReadReceipt(receipt, toPeerID)
+        }
+    }
+
+    fun sendDeliveryAck(messageID: String, toPeerID: String) {
+        // Mesh delivery ACKs are sent by the receiver automatically.
+        // Only route via Nostr when mesh path isn't available.
+        if (!((mesh.getPeerInfo(toPeerID)?.isConnected == true) && mesh.hasEstablishedSession(toPeerID))) {
+            nostr.sendDeliveryAck(messageID, toPeerID)
+        }
+    }
+
+    fun sendFavoriteNotification(toPeerID: String, isFavorite: Boolean) {
+        if (mesh.getPeerInfo(toPeerID)?.isConnected == true) {
+            val myNpub = try {
+                com.bitchat.android.nostr.NostrIdentityBridge.getCurrentNostrIdentity(context)?.npub
+            } catch (_: Exception) { null }
+            val content = if (isFavorite) "[FAVORITED]:${myNpub ?: ""}" else "[UNFAVORITED]:${myNpub ?: ""}"
+            val nickname = mesh.getPeerNicknames()[toPeerID] ?: toPeerID
+            mesh.sendPrivateMessage(content, toPeerID, nickname)
+        } else {
+            nostr.sendFavoriteNotification(toPeerID, isFavorite)
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Flush any queued messages for a specific peerID
+    fun flushOutboxFor(peerID: String) {
+        val queued = outbox[peerID] ?: return
+        if (queued.isEmpty()) return
+        Log.d(TAG, "Flushing outbox for ${peerID.take(8)}… count=${queued.size}")
+        val iterator = queued.iterator()
+        while (iterator.hasNext()) {
+            val (content, nickname, messageID) = iterator.next()
+            var hasMesh = mesh.getPeerInfo(peerID)?.isConnected == true && mesh.hasEstablishedSession(peerID)
+            // If this is a noiseHex key, see if there is a connected mesh peer for this identity
+            if (!hasMesh && peerID.length == 64 && peerID.matches(Regex("^[0-9a-fA-F]+$"))) {
+                val meshPeer = resolveMeshPeerForNoiseHex(peerID)
+                if (meshPeer != null && mesh.getPeerInfo(meshPeer)?.isConnected == true && mesh.hasEstablishedSession(meshPeer)) {
+                    mesh.sendPrivateMessage(content, meshPeer, nickname, messageID)
+                    iterator.remove()
+                    continue
+                }
+            }
+            val canNostr = canSendViaNostr(peerID)
+            if (hasMesh) {
+                mesh.sendPrivateMessage(content, peerID, nickname, messageID)
+                iterator.remove()
+            } else if (canNostr) {
+                nostr.sendPrivateMessage(content, peerID, nickname, messageID)
+                iterator.remove()
+            }
+        }
+        if (queued.isEmpty()) {
+            outbox.remove(peerID)
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Flush everything (rarely used)
+    fun flushAllOutbox() {
+        outbox.keys.toList().forEach { flushOutboxFor(it) }
+    }
+
+    private fun canSendViaNostr(peerID: String): Boolean {
+        return try {
+            // Full Noise key hex
+            if (peerID.length == 64 && peerID.matches(Regex("^[0-9a-fA-F]+$"))) {
+                val noiseKey = hexToBytes(peerID)
+                val fav = com.bitchat.android.favorites.FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.getFavoriteStatus(noiseKey)
+                fav?.isMutual == true && fav.peerNostrPublicKey != null
+            } else if (peerID.length == 16 && peerID.matches(Regex("^[0-9a-fA-F]+$"))) {
+                // Ephemeral 16-hex mesh ID: resolve via prefix match in favorites
+                val fav = com.bitchat.android.favorites.FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.getFavoriteStatus(peerID)
+                fav?.isMutual == true && fav.peerNostrPublicKey != null
+            } else {
+                false
+            }
+        } catch (_: Exception) { false }
+    }
+
+    private fun hexToBytes(hex: String): ByteArray {
+        val clean = if (hex.length % 2 == 0) hex else "0$hex"
+        return clean.chunked(2).map { it.toInt(16).toByte() }.toByteArray()
+    }
+
+    private fun resolveMeshPeerForNoiseHex(noiseHex: String): String? {
+        return try {
+            mesh.getPeerNicknames().keys.firstOrNull { pid ->
+                val info = mesh.getPeerInfo(pid)
+                val keyHex = info?.noisePublicKey?.joinToString("") { b -> "%02x".format(b) }
+                keyHex != null && keyHex.equals(noiseHex, ignoreCase = true)
+            }
+        } catch (_: Exception) { null }
+    }
+
+    // Called when mesh peer list changes; attempt to flush any matching outbox entries
+    fun onPeersUpdated(peers: List<String>) {
+        peers.forEach { pid ->
+            flushOutboxFor(pid)
+            val noiseHex = try {
+                mesh.getPeerInfo(pid)?.noisePublicKey?.joinToString("") { b -> "%02x".format(b) }
+            } catch (_: Exception) { null }
+            noiseHex?.let { flushOutboxFor(it) }
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Called when a Noise session becomes established; flush both the mesh peerID and its noiseHex alias
+    fun onSessionEstablished(peerID: String) {
+        flushOutboxFor(peerID)
+        val noiseHex = try {
+            mesh.getPeerInfo(peerID)?.noisePublicKey?.joinToString("") { b -> "%02x".format(b) }
+        } catch (_: Exception) { null }
+        noiseHex?.let { flushOutboxFor(it) }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/services/SeenMessageStore.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/services/SeenMessageStore.kt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..469525d7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/services/SeenMessageStore.kt
@@ -0,0 +1,89 @@
+package com.bitchat.android.services
+
+import android.content.Context
+import android.util.Log
+import com.bitchat.android.identity.SecureIdentityStateManager
+import com.google.gson.Gson
+
+/**
+ * Persistent store for message IDs we've already acknowledged (DELIVERED) or READ.
+ * Limits to last MAX_IDS entries per set to avoid memory bloat.
+ */
+class SeenMessageStore private constructor(private val context: Context) {
+    companion object {
+        private const val TAG = "SeenMessageStore"
+        private const val STORAGE_KEY = "seen_message_store_v1"
+        private const val MAX_IDS = 10_000
+
+        @Volatile private var INSTANCE: SeenMessageStore? = null
+        fun getInstance(appContext: Context): SeenMessageStore {
+            return INSTANCE ?: synchronized(this) {
+                INSTANCE ?: SeenMessageStore(appContext.applicationContext).also { INSTANCE = it }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    private val gson = Gson()
+    private val secure = SecureIdentityStateManager(context)
+
+    private val delivered = LinkedHashSet<String>(MAX_IDS)
+    private val read = LinkedHashSet<String>(MAX_IDS)
+
+    init { load() }
+
+    @Synchronized fun hasDelivered(id: String) = delivered.contains(id)
+    @Synchronized fun hasRead(id: String) = read.contains(id)
+
+    @Synchronized fun markDelivered(id: String) {
+        if (delivered.remove(id)) delivered.add(id) else {
+            delivered.add(id)
+            trim(delivered)
+        }
+        persist()
+    }
+
+    @Synchronized fun markRead(id: String) {
+        if (read.remove(id)) read.add(id) else {
+            read.add(id)
+            trim(read)
+        }
+        persist()
+    }
+
+    private fun trim(set: LinkedHashSet<String>) {
+        if (set.size <= MAX_IDS) return
+        val it = set.iterator()
+        while (set.size > MAX_IDS && it.hasNext()) {
+            it.next(); it.remove()
+        }
+    }
+
+    @Synchronized private fun load() {
+        try {
+            val json = secure.getSecureValue(STORAGE_KEY) ?: return
+            val data = gson.fromJson(json, StorePayload::class.java) ?: return
+            delivered.clear(); read.clear()
+            data.delivered.takeLast(MAX_IDS).forEach { delivered.add(it) }
+            data.read.takeLast(MAX_IDS).forEach { read.add(it) }
+            Log.d(TAG, "Loaded delivered=${delivered.size}, read=${read.size}")
+        } catch (e: Exception) {
+            Log.e(TAG, "Failed to load SeenMessageStore: ${e.message}")
+        }
+    }
+
+    @Synchronized private fun persist() {
+        try {
+            val payload = StorePayload(delivered.toList(), read.toList())
+            val json = gson.toJson(payload)
+            secure.storeSecureValue(STORAGE_KEY, json)
+        } catch (e: Exception) {
+            Log.e(TAG, "Failed to persist SeenMessageStore: ${e.message}")
+        }
+    }
+
+    private data class StorePayload(
+        val delivered: List<String> = emptyList(),
+        val read: List<String> = emptyList()
+    )
+}
+
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/ChatHeader.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/ChatHeader.kt
index 20cab350..85e5ce32 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/ChatHeader.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/ChatHeader.kt
@@ -309,6 +309,18 @@ private fun PrivateChatHeader(
 ) {
     val colorScheme = MaterialTheme.colorScheme
     val isNostrDM = peerID.startsWith("nostr_") || peerID.startsWith("nostr:")
+    // Determine mutual favorite state for this peer (supports mesh ephemeral 16-hex via favorites lookup)
+    val isMutualFavorite = remember(peerID, peerNicknames) {
+        try {
+            if (isNostrDM) return@remember false
+            if (peerID.length == 64 && peerID.matches(Regex("^[0-9a-fA-F]+$"))) {
+                val noiseKeyBytes = peerID.chunked(2).map { it.toInt(16).toByte() }.toByteArray()
+                com.bitchat.android.favorites.FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.getFavoriteStatus(noiseKeyBytes)?.isMutual == true
+            } else if (peerID.length == 16 && peerID.matches(Regex("^[0-9a-fA-F]+$"))) {
+                com.bitchat.android.favorites.FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.getFavoriteStatus(peerID)?.isMutual == true
+            } else false
+        } catch (_: Exception) { false }
+    }
 
     // Compute title text: for NIP-17 chats show "#geohash/@username" (iOS parity)
     val titleText: String = if (isNostrDM) {
@@ -319,7 +331,18 @@ private fun PrivateChatHeader(
         val geoPart = geohash?.let { "#$it" } ?: "#geohash"
         "$geoPart/@$baseName"
     } else {
-        peerNicknames[peerID] ?: peerID
+        // Prefer live mesh nickname; fallback to favorites nickname (supports 16-hex), finally short key
+        peerNicknames[peerID] ?: run {
+            val titleFromFavorites = try {
+                if (peerID.length == 64 && peerID.matches(Regex("^[0-9a-fA-F]+$"))) {
+                    val noiseKeyBytes = peerID.chunked(2).map { it.toInt(16).toByte() }.toByteArray()
+                    com.bitchat.android.favorites.FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.getFavoriteStatus(noiseKeyBytes)?.peerNickname
+                } else if (peerID.length == 16 && peerID.matches(Regex("^[0-9a-fA-F]+$"))) {
+                    com.bitchat.android.favorites.FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.getFavoriteStatus(peerID)?.peerNickname
+                } else null
+            } catch (_: Exception) { null }
+            titleFromFavorites ?: peerID.take(12)
+        }
     }
     
     Box(modifier = Modifier.fillMaxWidth()) {
@@ -367,8 +390,16 @@ private fun PrivateChatHeader(
 
             Spacer(modifier = Modifier.width(4.dp))
 
-            // For NIP-17 chats, do not show Noise session state icon (remove warning icon)
-            if (!isNostrDM) {
+            // Show a globe when chatting via Nostr alias, or when mesh session not established but mutual favorite exists
+            val showGlobe = isNostrDM || (sessionState != "established" && isMutualFavorite)
+            if (showGlobe) {
+                Icon(
+                    imageVector = Icons.Outlined.Public,
+                    contentDescription = "Nostr reachable",
+                    modifier = Modifier.size(14.dp),
+                    tint = Color(0xFF9B59B6) // Purple like iOS
+                )
+            } else {
                 NoiseSessionIcon(
                     sessionState = sessionState,
                     modifier = Modifier.size(14.dp)
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/ChatViewModel.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/ChatViewModel.kt
index 2a91c22a..c72ae432 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/ChatViewModel.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/ChatViewModel.kt
@@ -152,6 +152,12 @@ class ChatViewModel(
         
         // Initialize Nostr integration
         nostrGeohashService.initializeNostrIntegration()
+
+        // Ensure NostrTransport knows our mesh peer ID for embedded packets
+        try {
+            val nostrTransport = com.bitchat.android.nostr.NostrTransport.getInstance(getApplication())
+            nostrTransport.senderPeerID = meshService.myPeerID
+        } catch (_: Exception) { }
         
         // Note: Mesh service is now started by MainActivity
         
@@ -207,6 +213,17 @@ class ChatViewModel(
             setCurrentPrivateChatPeer(peerID)
             // Clear notifications for this sender since user is now viewing the chat
             clearNotificationsForSender(peerID)
+
+            // Persistently mark all messages in this conversation as read so Nostr fetches
+            // after app restarts won't re-mark them as unread.
+            try {
+                val seen = com.bitchat.android.services.SeenMessageStore.getInstance(getApplication())
+                val chats = state.getPrivateChatsValue()
+                val messages = chats[peerID] ?: emptyList()
+                messages.forEach { msg ->
+                    try { seen.markRead(msg.id) } catch (_: Exception) { }
+                }
+            } catch (_: Exception) { }
         }
     }
     
@@ -235,10 +252,23 @@ class ChatViewModel(
         // REMOVED: Auto-join mentioned channels feature that was incorrectly parsing hashtags from @mentions
         // This was causing messages like "test @jack#1234 test" to auto-join channel "#1234"
         
-        val selectedPeer = state.getSelectedPrivateChatPeerValue()
+        var selectedPeer = state.getSelectedPrivateChatPeerValue()
         val currentChannelValue = state.getCurrentChannelValue()
         
         if (selectedPeer != null) {
+            // If the selected peer is a temporary Nostr alias or a noise-hex identity, resolve to a canonical target
+            selectedPeer = com.bitchat.android.services.ConversationAliasResolver.resolveCanonicalPeerID(
+                selectedPeerID = selectedPeer,
+                connectedPeers = state.getConnectedPeersValue(),
+                meshNoiseKeyForPeer = { pid -> meshService.getPeerInfo(pid)?.noisePublicKey },
+                meshHasPeer = { pid -> meshService.getPeerInfo(pid)?.isConnected == true },
+                nostrPubHexForAlias = { alias -> nostrGeohashService.getNostrKeyMapping()[alias] },
+                findNoiseKeyForNostr = { key -> com.bitchat.android.favorites.FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.findNoiseKey(key) }
+            ).also { canonical ->
+                if (canonical != state.getSelectedPrivateChatPeerValue()) {
+                    privateChatManager.startPrivateChat(canonical, meshService)
+                }
+            }
             // Send private message
             val recipientNickname = meshService.getPeerNicknames()[selectedPeer]
             privateChatManager.sendPrivateMessage(
@@ -248,7 +278,9 @@ class ChatViewModel(
                 state.getNicknameValue(),
                 meshService.myPeerID
             ) { messageContent, peerID, recipientNicknameParam, messageId ->
-                meshService.sendPrivateMessage(messageContent, peerID, recipientNicknameParam, messageId)
+                // Route via MessageRouter (mesh when connected+established, else Nostr)
+                val router = com.bitchat.android.services.MessageRouter.getInstance(getApplication(), meshService)
+                router.sendPrivate(messageContent, peerID, recipientNicknameParam, messageId)
             }
         } else {
             // Check if we're in a location channel
@@ -309,7 +341,44 @@ class ChatViewModel(
     fun toggleFavorite(peerID: String) {
         Log.d("ChatViewModel", "toggleFavorite called for peerID: $peerID")
         privateChatManager.toggleFavorite(peerID)
-        
+
+        // Persist relationship in FavoritesPersistenceService when we have Noise key
+        try {
+            val peerInfo = meshService.getPeerInfo(peerID)
+            val noiseKey = peerInfo?.noisePublicKey
+            val nickname = peerInfo?.nickname ?: (meshService.getPeerNicknames()[peerID] ?: peerID)
+            if (noiseKey != null) {
+                val isNowFavorite = dataManager.favoritePeers.contains(
+                    com.bitchat.android.mesh.PeerFingerprintManager.getInstance().getFingerprintForPeer(peerID) ?: ""
+                )
+                com.bitchat.android.favorites.FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.updateFavoriteStatus(
+                    noisePublicKey = noiseKey,
+                    nickname = nickname,
+                    isFavorite = isNowFavorite
+                )
+
+                // Send favorite notification via mesh or Nostr with our npub if available
+                try {
+                    val myNostr = com.bitchat.android.nostr.NostrIdentityBridge.getCurrentNostrIdentity(getApplication())
+                    val announcementContent = if (isNowFavorite) "[FAVORITED]:${myNostr?.npub ?: ""}" else "[UNFAVORITED]:${myNostr?.npub ?: ""}"
+                    // Prefer mesh if session established, else try Nostr
+                    if (meshService.hasEstablishedSession(peerID)) {
+                        // Reuse existing private message path for notifications
+                        meshService.sendPrivateMessage(
+                            announcementContent,
+                            peerID,
+                            nickname,
+                            java.util.UUID.randomUUID().toString()
+                        )
+                    } else {
+                        val nostrTransport = com.bitchat.android.nostr.NostrTransport.getInstance(getApplication())
+                        nostrTransport.senderPeerID = meshService.myPeerID
+                        nostrTransport.sendFavoriteNotification(peerID, isNowFavorite)
+                    }
+                } catch (_: Exception) { }
+            }
+        } catch (_: Exception) { }
+
         // Log current state after toggle
         logCurrentFavoriteState()
     }
@@ -341,10 +410,20 @@ class ChatViewModel(
         val currentPeers = state.getConnectedPeersValue()
         
         // Update session states
+        val prevStates = state.getPeerSessionStatesValue()
         val sessionStates = currentPeers.associateWith { peerID ->
             meshService.getSessionState(peerID).toString()
         }
         state.setPeerSessionStates(sessionStates)
+        // Detect new established sessions and flush router outbox for them and their noiseHex aliases
+        sessionStates.forEach { (peerID, newState) ->
+            val old = prevStates[peerID]
+            if (old != "established" && newState == "established") {
+                com.bitchat.android.services.MessageRouter
+                    .getInstance(getApplication(), meshService)
+                    .onSessionEstablished(peerID)
+            }
+        }
         // Update fingerprint mappings from centralized manager
         val fingerprints = privateChatManager.getAllPeerFingerprints()
         state.setPeerFingerprints(fingerprints)
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 81b039ac..824ca81d 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/MeshDelegateHandler.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/MeshDelegateHandler.kt
@@ -86,18 +86,100 @@ class MeshDelegateHandler(
         coroutineScope.launch {
             state.setConnectedPeers(peers)
             state.setIsConnected(peers.isNotEmpty())
+            // Flush router outbox for any peers that just connected (and their noiseHex aliases)
+            runCatching { com.bitchat.android.services.MessageRouter.tryGetInstance()?.onPeersUpdated(peers) }
             
             // Clean up channel members who disconnected
             channelManager.cleanupDisconnectedMembers(peers, getMyPeerID())
-            
-            // Exit private chat if peer disconnected
+
+            // Handle chat view migration based on current selection and new peer list
             state.getSelectedPrivateChatPeerValue()?.let { currentPeer ->
-                if (!peers.contains(currentPeer)) {
-                    privateChatManager.cleanupDisconnectedPeer(currentPeer)
+                val isNostrAlias = currentPeer.startsWith("nostr_")
+                val isNoiseHex = currentPeer.length == 64 && currentPeer.matches(Regex("^[0-9a-fA-F]+$"))
+                val isMeshEphemeral = currentPeer.length == 16 && currentPeer.matches(Regex("^[0-9a-fA-F]+$"))
+
+                if (isNostrAlias || isNoiseHex) {
+                    // Reverse case: Nostr/offline chat is open, and peer may have come online on mesh.
+                    // Resolve canonical target (prefer connected mesh peer if available)
+                    val canonical = com.bitchat.android.services.ConversationAliasResolver.resolveCanonicalPeerID(
+                        selectedPeerID = currentPeer,
+                        connectedPeers = peers,
+                        meshNoiseKeyForPeer = { pid -> getPeerInfo(pid)?.noisePublicKey },
+                        meshHasPeer = { pid -> peers.contains(pid) },
+                        nostrPubHexForAlias = { alias ->
+                            // Best-effort: derive pub hex from favorites mapping
+                            val prefix = alias.removePrefix("nostr_")
+                            val favs = try { com.bitchat.android.favorites.FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.getOurFavorites() } catch (_: Exception) { emptyList() }
+                            favs.firstNotNullOfOrNull { rel ->
+                                rel.peerNostrPublicKey?.let { s ->
+                                    runCatching { com.bitchat.android.nostr.Bech32.decode(s) }.getOrNull()?.let { dec ->
+                                        if (dec.first == "npub") dec.second.joinToString("") { b -> "%02x".format(b) } else null
+                                    }
+                                }
+                            }?.takeIf { it.startsWith(prefix, ignoreCase = true) }
+                        },
+                        findNoiseKeyForNostr = { key -> com.bitchat.android.favorites.FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.findNoiseKey(key) }
+                    )
+                    if (canonical != currentPeer) {
+                        // Merge conversations and switch selection to the live mesh peer (or noiseHex)
+                        com.bitchat.android.services.ConversationAliasResolver.unifyChatsIntoPeer(state, canonical, listOf(currentPeer))
+                        state.setSelectedPrivateChatPeer(canonical)
+                    }
+                } else if (isMeshEphemeral && !peers.contains(currentPeer)) {
+                    // Forward case: Mesh chat lost connection. If mutual favorite exists, migrate to Nostr (noiseHex)
+                    val favoriteRel = try {
+                        val info = getPeerInfo(currentPeer)
+                        val noiseKey = info?.noisePublicKey
+                        if (noiseKey != null) {
+                            com.bitchat.android.favorites.FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.getFavoriteStatus(noiseKey)
+                        } else null
+                    } catch (_: Exception) { null }
+
+                    if (favoriteRel?.isMutual == true) {
+                        val noiseHex = favoriteRel.peerNoisePublicKey.joinToString("") { b -> "%02x".format(b) }
+                        if (noiseHex != currentPeer) {
+                            com.bitchat.android.services.ConversationAliasResolver.unifyChatsIntoPeer(
+                                state = state,
+                                targetPeerID = noiseHex,
+                                keysToMerge = listOf(currentPeer)
+                            )
+                            state.setSelectedPrivateChatPeer(noiseHex)
+                        }
+                    } else {
+                        privateChatManager.cleanupDisconnectedPeer(currentPeer)
+                    }
                 }
             }
+
+            // Global unification: for each connected peer, merge any offline/stable conversations
+            // (noiseHex or nostr_<pub16>) into the connected peer's chat so there is only one chat per identity.
+            peers.forEach { pid ->
+                try {
+                    val info = getPeerInfo(pid)
+                    val noiseKey = info?.noisePublicKey ?: return@forEach
+                    val noiseHex = noiseKey.joinToString("") { b -> "%02x".format(b) }
+
+                    // Derive temp nostr key from favorites npub
+                    val npub = com.bitchat.android.favorites.FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.findNostrPubkey(noiseKey)
+                    val tempNostrKey: String? = try {
+                        if (npub != null) {
+                            val (hrp, data) = com.bitchat.android.nostr.Bech32.decode(npub)
+                            if (hrp == "npub") "nostr_${data.joinToString("") { b -> "%02x".format(b) }.take(16)}" else null
+                        } else null
+                    } catch (_: Exception) { null }
+
+                    unifyChatsIntoPeer(pid, listOfNotNull(noiseHex, tempNostrKey))
+                } catch (_: Exception) { }
+            }
         }
     }
+
+    /**
+     * Merge any chats stored under the given keys into the connected peer's chat entry.
+     */
+    private fun unifyChatsIntoPeer(targetPeerID: String, keysToMerge: List<String>) {
+        com.bitchat.android.services.ConversationAliasResolver.unifyChatsIntoPeer(state, targetPeerID, keysToMerge)
+    }
     
     override fun didReceiveChannelLeave(channel: String, fromPeer: String) {
         coroutineScope.launch {
@@ -191,4 +273,11 @@ class MeshDelegateHandler(
     }
     
     // registerPeerPublicKey REMOVED - fingerprints now handled centrally in PeerManager
+
+    /**
+     * Expose mesh peer info for components that need to resolve identities (e.g., Nostr mapping)
+     */
+    fun getPeerInfo(peerID: String): com.bitchat.android.mesh.PeerInfo? {
+        return getMeshService().getPeerInfo(peerID)
+    }
 }
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/MessageManager.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/MessageManager.kt
index dadb5b64..9d8b3144 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/MessageManager.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/MessageManager.kt
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ class MessageManager(private val state: ChatState) {
     }
     
     // MARK: - Private Message Management
-    
+
     fun addPrivateMessage(peerID: String, message: BitchatMessage) {
         val currentPrivateChats = state.getPrivateChatsValue().toMutableMap()
         if (!currentPrivateChats.containsKey(peerID)) {
@@ -94,6 +94,19 @@ class MessageManager(private val state: ChatState) {
             state.setUnreadPrivateMessages(currentUnread)
         }
     }
+
+    // Variant that does not mark unread (used when we know the message has been read already, e.g., persisted Nostr read store)
+    fun addPrivateMessageNoUnread(peerID: String, message: BitchatMessage) {
+        val currentPrivateChats = state.getPrivateChatsValue().toMutableMap()
+        if (!currentPrivateChats.containsKey(peerID)) {
+            currentPrivateChats[peerID] = mutableListOf()
+        }
+        val chatMessages = currentPrivateChats[peerID]?.toMutableList() ?: mutableListOf()
+        chatMessages.add(message)
+        chatMessages.sortBy { it.timestamp }
+        currentPrivateChats[peerID] = chatMessages
+        state.setPrivateChats(currentPrivateChats)
+    }
     
     fun clearPrivateMessages(peerID: String) {
         val updatedChats = state.getPrivateChatsValue().toMutableMap()
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 727df6cc..c0308a70 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/PrivateChatManager.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/PrivateChatManager.kt
@@ -56,6 +56,11 @@ class PrivateChatManager(
         // Establish Noise session if needed before starting the chat
         establishNoiseSessionIfNeeded(peerID, meshService)
 
+        // Consolidate any temporary Nostr conversation for this peer into the stable/current peerID
+        try {
+            consolidateNostrTempConversationIfNeeded(peerID)
+        } catch (_: Exception) { }
+
         state.setSelectedPrivateChatPeer(peerID)
 
         // Clear unread
@@ -261,18 +266,30 @@ class PrivateChatManager(
     // MARK: - Message Handling
 
     fun handleIncomingPrivateMessage(message: BitchatMessage) {
+        handleIncomingPrivateMessage(message, suppressUnread = false)
+    }
+
+    fun handleIncomingPrivateMessage(message: BitchatMessage, suppressUnread: Boolean) {
         message.senderPeerID?.let { senderPeerID ->
             if (!isPeerBlocked(senderPeerID)) {
                 // Add to private messages
-                messageManager.addPrivateMessage(senderPeerID, message)
+                if (suppressUnread) {
+                    messageManager.addPrivateMessageNoUnread(senderPeerID, message)
+                } else {
+                    messageManager.addPrivateMessage(senderPeerID, message)
+                }
 
                 // Track as unread for read receipt purposes
-                val unreadList = unreadReceivedMessages.getOrPut(senderPeerID) { mutableListOf() }
-                unreadList.add(message)
+                var unreadCount = 0
+                if (!suppressUnread) {
+                    val unreadList = unreadReceivedMessages.getOrPut(senderPeerID) { mutableListOf() }
+                    unreadList.add(message)
+                    unreadCount = unreadList.size
+                }
 
                 Log.d(
                     TAG,
-                    "Added received message ${message.id} from $senderPeerID to unread list (${unreadList.size} unread)"
+                    "Added received message ${message.id} from $senderPeerID to unread list (${unreadCount} unread)"
                 )
             }
         }
@@ -439,6 +456,65 @@ class PrivateChatManager(
         return meshService.getPeerNicknames()[peerID] ?: peerID
     }
 
+    // MARK: - Consolidation
+
+    private fun consolidateNostrTempConversationIfNeeded(targetPeerID: String) {
+        // If target is a mesh/noise-based peerID, merge any messages from its temp Nostr key
+        if (targetPeerID.startsWith("nostr_")) return
+
+        // Find favorites mapping and corresponding temp key
+        val tryMergeKeys = mutableListOf<String>()
+
+        // If we know the sender's Nostr pubkey for this peer via favorites, derive temp key
+        try {
+            val noiseKeyBytes = targetPeerID.chunked(2).map { it.toInt(16).toByte() }.toByteArray()
+            val npub = com.bitchat.android.favorites.FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.findNostrPubkey(noiseKeyBytes)
+            if (npub != null) {
+                // Normalize to hex to match how we formed temp keys (nostr_<pub16>)
+                val (hrp, data) = com.bitchat.android.nostr.Bech32.decode(npub)
+                if (hrp == "npub") {
+                    val pubHex = data.joinToString("") { "%02x".format(it) }
+                    tryMergeKeys.add("nostr_${pubHex.take(16)}")
+                }
+            }
+        } catch (_: Exception) { }
+
+        // Also merge any directly-addressed temp key used by incoming messages (without mapping yet)
+        // Search existing chats for keys that begin with "nostr_" and have messages from the same nickname
+        state.getPrivateChatsValue().keys.filter { it.startsWith("nostr_") }.forEach { tempKey ->
+            if (!tryMergeKeys.contains(tempKey)) tryMergeKeys.add(tempKey)
+        }
+
+        if (tryMergeKeys.isEmpty()) return
+
+        val currentChats = state.getPrivateChatsValue().toMutableMap()
+        val targetList = currentChats[targetPeerID]?.toMutableList() ?: mutableListOf()
+
+        var didMerge = false
+        tryMergeKeys.forEach { tempKey ->
+            val tempList = currentChats[tempKey]
+            if (!tempList.isNullOrEmpty()) {
+                targetList.addAll(tempList)
+                currentChats.remove(tempKey)
+                didMerge = true
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (didMerge) {
+            targetList.sortBy { it.timestamp }
+            currentChats[targetPeerID] = targetList
+            state.setPrivateChats(currentChats)
+
+            // Also remove unread flag from temp keys and apply to target
+            val unread = state.getUnreadPrivateMessagesValue().toMutableSet()
+            val hadUnread = tryMergeKeys.any { unread.remove(it) }
+            if (hadUnread) {
+                unread.add(targetPeerID)
+                state.setUnreadPrivateMessages(unread)
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
     // MARK: - Emergency Clear
 
     fun clearAllPrivateChats() {
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/SidebarComponents.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/SidebarComponents.kt
index 946a4d65..6c8c7917 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/SidebarComponents.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/SidebarComponents.kt
@@ -285,56 +285,139 @@ fun PeopleSection(
                 color = colorScheme.onSurface.copy(alpha = 0.5f),
                 modifier = Modifier.padding(horizontal = 24.dp, vertical = 8.dp)
             )
-        } else {
-            // Observe reactive state for favorites and fingerprints
-            val hasUnreadPrivateMessages by viewModel.unreadPrivateMessages.observeAsState(emptySet())
-            val privateChats by viewModel.privateChats.observeAsState(emptyMap())
-            val favoritePeers by viewModel.favoritePeers.observeAsState(emptySet())
-            val peerFingerprints by viewModel.peerFingerprints.observeAsState(emptyMap())
-            
-            // Reactive favorite computation for all peers
-            val peerFavoriteStates = remember(favoritePeers, peerFingerprints, connectedPeers) {
-                connectedPeers.associateWith { peerID ->
-                    // Reactive favorite computation - same as ChatHeader
-                    val fingerprint = peerFingerprints[peerID]
-                    fingerprint != null && favoritePeers.contains(fingerprint)
-                }
-            }
-            
-            Log.d("SidebarComponents", "Recomposing with ${favoritePeers.size} favorites, peer states: $peerFavoriteStates")
- 
-            // Smart sorting: unread DMs first, then by most recent DM, then favorites, then alphabetical
-            val sortedPeers = connectedPeers.sortedWith(
-                compareBy<String> { !hasUnreadPrivateMessages.contains(it) } // Unread DM senders first
-                .thenByDescending { privateChats[it]?.maxByOrNull { msg -> msg.timestamp }?.timestamp?.time ?: 0L } // Most recent DM (convert Date to Long)
-                .thenBy { !(peerFavoriteStates[it] ?: false) } // Favorites first
-                .thenBy { (if (it == nickname) "You" else (peerNicknames[it] ?: it)).lowercase() } // Alphabetical
-            )
-            
-            sortedPeers.forEach { peerID ->
-                val isFavorite = peerFavoriteStates[peerID] ?: false
-                
-                PeerItem(
-                    peerID = peerID,
-                    displayName = if (peerID == nickname) "You" else (peerNicknames[peerID] ?: peerID),
-                    signalStrength = convertRSSIToSignalStrength(peerRSSI[peerID]),
-                    isSelected = peerID == selectedPrivatePeer,
-                    isFavorite = isFavorite,
-                    hasUnreadDM = hasUnreadPrivateMessages.contains(peerID),
-                    colorScheme = colorScheme,
-                    viewModel = viewModel,
-                    onItemClick = { onPrivateChatStart(peerID) },
-                    onToggleFavorite = { 
-                        Log.d("SidebarComponents", "Sidebar toggle favorite: peerID=$peerID, currentFavorite=$isFavorite")
-                        viewModel.toggleFavorite(peerID) 
-                    },
-                    unreadCount = privateChats[peerID]?.count { msg -> 
-                        // Count unread messages from this peer (messages not from the current user)
-                        msg.sender != nickname && hasUnreadPrivateMessages.contains(peerID)
-                    } ?: if (hasUnreadPrivateMessages.contains(peerID)) 1 else 0
-                )
+        }
+
+        // Observe reactive state for favorites and fingerprints
+        val hasUnreadPrivateMessages by viewModel.unreadPrivateMessages.observeAsState(emptySet())
+        val privateChats by viewModel.privateChats.observeAsState(emptyMap())
+        val favoritePeers by viewModel.favoritePeers.observeAsState(emptySet())
+        val peerFingerprints by viewModel.peerFingerprints.observeAsState(emptyMap())
+        
+        // Reactive favorite computation for all peers
+        val peerFavoriteStates = remember(favoritePeers, peerFingerprints, connectedPeers) {
+            connectedPeers.associateWith { peerID ->
+                // Reactive favorite computation - same as ChatHeader
+                val fingerprint = peerFingerprints[peerID]
+                fingerprint != null && favoritePeers.contains(fingerprint)
             }
         }
+        
+        // Build mapping of connected peerID -> noise key hex to unify with offline favorites
+        val noiseHexByPeerID: Map<String, String> = connectedPeers.associateWith { pid ->
+            try {
+                viewModel.meshService.getPeerInfo(pid)?.noisePublicKey?.joinToString("") { b -> "%02x".format(b) }
+            } catch (_: Exception) { null }
+        }.filterValues { it != null }.mapValues { it.value!! }
+
+        Log.d("SidebarComponents", "Recomposing with ${favoritePeers.size} favorites, peer states: $peerFavoriteStates")
+
+        // Smart sorting: unread DMs first, then by most recent DM, then favorites, then alphabetical
+        val sortedPeers = connectedPeers.sortedWith(
+            compareBy<String> { !hasUnreadPrivateMessages.contains(it) } // Unread DM senders first
+            .thenByDescending { privateChats[it]?.maxByOrNull { msg -> msg.timestamp }?.timestamp?.time ?: 0L } // Most recent DM (convert Date to Long)
+            .thenBy { !(peerFavoriteStates[it] ?: false) } // Favorites first
+            .thenBy { (if (it == nickname) "You" else (peerNicknames[it] ?: it)).lowercase() } // Alphabetical
+        )
+        
+        sortedPeers.forEach { peerID ->
+            val isFavorite = peerFavoriteStates[peerID] ?: false
+            // fingerprint and favorite relationship resolution not needed here; UI will show Nostr globe for appended offline favorites below
+            
+            val noiseHex = noiseHexByPeerID[peerID]
+            val meshUnread = hasUnreadPrivateMessages.contains(peerID)
+            val nostrUnread = if (noiseHex != null) hasUnreadPrivateMessages.contains(noiseHex) else false
+            val combinedHasUnread = meshUnread || nostrUnread
+            val combinedUnreadCount = (
+                privateChats[peerID]?.count { msg -> msg.sender != nickname && meshUnread } ?: 0
+            ) + (
+                if (noiseHex != null) privateChats[noiseHex]?.count { msg -> msg.sender != nickname && nostrUnread } ?: 0 else 0
+            )
+
+            PeerItem(
+                peerID = peerID,
+                displayName = if (peerID == nickname) "You" else (peerNicknames[peerID] ?: (privateChats[peerID]?.lastOrNull()?.sender ?: peerID.take(12))),
+                signalStrength = convertRSSIToSignalStrength(peerRSSI[peerID]),
+                isSelected = peerID == selectedPrivatePeer,
+                isFavorite = isFavorite,
+                hasUnreadDM = combinedHasUnread,
+                colorScheme = colorScheme,
+                viewModel = viewModel,
+                onItemClick = { onPrivateChatStart(peerID) },
+                onToggleFavorite = { 
+                    Log.d("SidebarComponents", "Sidebar toggle favorite: peerID=$peerID, currentFavorite=$isFavorite")
+                    viewModel.toggleFavorite(peerID) 
+                },
+                unreadCount = if (combinedUnreadCount > 0) combinedUnreadCount else if (combinedHasUnread) 1 else 0,
+                showNostrGlobe = false
+            )
+        }
+
+        // Append offline favorites we actively favorite (and not currently connected)
+        val offlineFavorites = com.bitchat.android.favorites.FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.getOurFavorites()
+        val appendedOfflineIds = mutableSetOf<String>()
+        offlineFavorites.forEach { fav ->
+            val favPeerID = fav.peerNoisePublicKey.joinToString("") { b -> "%02x".format(b) }
+            // If any connected peer maps to this noise key, skip showing the offline entry
+            val isMappedToConnected = noiseHexByPeerID.values.any { it.equals(favPeerID, ignoreCase = true) }
+            if (isMappedToConnected) return@forEach
+
+            // If user clicks an offline favorite and the mapped peer is currently connected under a different ID,
+            // open chat with the connected peerID instead of the noise hex for a seamless window
+            val mappedConnectedPeerID = noiseHexByPeerID.entries.firstOrNull { it.value.equals(favPeerID, ignoreCase = true) }?.key
+            PeerItem(
+                peerID = favPeerID,
+                displayName = peerNicknames[favPeerID] ?: fav.peerNickname,
+                signalStrength = 0,
+                isSelected = (mappedConnectedPeerID ?: favPeerID) == selectedPrivatePeer,
+                isFavorite = true,
+                hasUnreadDM = hasUnreadPrivateMessages.contains(favPeerID),
+                colorScheme = colorScheme,
+                viewModel = viewModel,
+                onItemClick = { onPrivateChatStart(mappedConnectedPeerID ?: favPeerID) },
+                onToggleFavorite = { 
+                    Log.d("SidebarComponents", "Sidebar toggle favorite (offline): peerID=$favPeerID")
+                    viewModel.toggleFavorite(favPeerID)
+                },
+                unreadCount = privateChats[favPeerID]?.count { msg ->
+                    msg.sender != nickname && hasUnreadPrivateMessages.contains(favPeerID)
+                } ?: if (hasUnreadPrivateMessages.contains(favPeerID)) 1 else 0,
+                showNostrGlobe = (fav.isMutual && fav.peerNostrPublicKey != null)
+            )
+            appendedOfflineIds.add(favPeerID)
+        }
+
+        // Also show any incoming Nostr chats that exist locally but are not in connected peers or favorites yet
+        // This ensures a user can open and read Nostr messages while the sender remains offline
+        val connectedIds = sortedPeers.toSet()
+        val alreadyShownIds = connectedIds + appendedOfflineIds
+        val hex64Regex = Regex("^[0-9a-fA-F]{64}$")
+        privateChats.keys
+            .filter { key ->
+                (key.startsWith("nostr_") || hex64Regex.matches(key)) &&
+                !alreadyShownIds.contains(key) &&
+                // Skip if this key maps to a connected peer via noiseHex mapping
+                !noiseHexByPeerID.values.any { it.equals(key, ignoreCase = true) }
+            }
+            .sortedBy { key -> privateChats[key]?.lastOrNull()?.timestamp }
+            .forEach { convKey ->
+                val lastSender = privateChats[convKey]?.lastOrNull()?.sender
+                PeerItem(
+                    peerID = convKey,
+                    displayName = peerNicknames[convKey] ?: (lastSender ?: convKey.take(12)),
+                    signalStrength = 0,
+                    isSelected = convKey == selectedPrivatePeer,
+                    isFavorite = false,
+                    hasUnreadDM = hasUnreadPrivateMessages.contains(convKey),
+                    colorScheme = colorScheme,
+                    viewModel = viewModel,
+                    onItemClick = { onPrivateChatStart(convKey) },
+                    onToggleFavorite = { viewModel.toggleFavorite(convKey) },
+                    unreadCount = privateChats[convKey]?.count { msg ->
+                        msg.sender != nickname && hasUnreadPrivateMessages.contains(convKey)
+                    } ?: if (hasUnreadPrivateMessages.contains(convKey)) 1 else 0,
+                    showNostrGlobe = true
+                )
+            }
     }
 }
 
@@ -350,7 +433,8 @@ private fun PeerItem(
     viewModel: ChatViewModel,
     onItemClick: () -> Unit,
     onToggleFavorite: () -> Unit,
-    unreadCount: Int = 0
+    unreadCount: Int = 0,
+    showNostrGlobe: Boolean = false
 ) {
     // Split display name for hashtag suffix support (iOS-compatible)
     val (baseName, suffix) = com.bitchat.android.ui.splitSuffix(displayName)
@@ -383,10 +467,20 @@ private fun PeerItem(
             )
         } else {
             // Signal strength indicators
-            SignalStrengthIndicator(
-                signalStrength = signalStrength,
-                colorScheme = colorScheme
-            )
+            if (showNostrGlobe) {
+                // Purple globe to indicate Nostr availability
+                Icon(
+                    imageVector = Icons.Filled.Public,
+                    contentDescription = "Reachable via Nostr",
+                    modifier = Modifier.size(16.dp),
+                    tint = Color(0xFF9C27B0) // Purple
+                )
+            } else {
+                SignalStrengthIndicator(
+                    signalStrength = signalStrength,
+                    colorScheme = colorScheme
+                )
+            }
         }
         
         Spacer(modifier = Modifier.width(8.dp))