diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/onboarding/OnboardingCoordinator.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/onboarding/OnboardingCoordinator.kt
index c1952c7c..871cc892 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/onboarding/OnboardingCoordinator.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/onboarding/OnboardingCoordinator.kt
@@ -65,7 +65,16 @@ class OnboardingCoordinator(
     fun requestPermissions() {
         Log.d(TAG, "User accepted permission explanation, requesting permissions")
         
-        val missingPermissions = permissionManager.getMissingPermissions()
+        // Required permissions
+        val missingRequired = permissionManager.getMissingPermissions()
+
+        // Optional permissions (ask, but do not block if denied)
+        val optionalToRequest = permissionManager
+            .getOptionalPermissions()
+            .filter { !permissionManager.isPermissionGranted(it) }
+
+        val missingPermissions = (missingRequired + optionalToRequest).distinct()
+
         if (missingPermissions.isEmpty()) {
             completeOnboarding()
             return
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/onboarding/PermissionManager.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/onboarding/PermissionManager.kt
index cfec35e7..ed9cc030 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/onboarding/PermissionManager.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/onboarding/PermissionManager.kt
@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@ class PermissionManager(private val context: Context) {
 
     /**
      * Get all permissions required by the app
+     * Note: Notification permission is optional and not included here,
+     * so the app works without notification access.
      */
     fun getRequiredPermissions(): List<String> {
         val permissions = mutableListOf<String>()
@@ -65,14 +67,23 @@ class PermissionManager(private val context: Context) {
             Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION
         ))
 
-        // Notification permission (Android 13+)
-        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.TIRAMISU) {
-            permissions.add(Manifest.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS)
-        }
+        // Notification permission intentionally excluded to keep it optional
 
         return permissions
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Get optional permissions that improve the experience but aren't required.
+     * Currently includes POST_NOTIFICATIONS on Android 13+.
+     */
+    fun getOptionalPermissions(): List<String> {
+        val optional = mutableListOf<String>()
+        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.TIRAMISU) {
+            optional.add(Manifest.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS)
+        }
+        return optional
+    }
+
     /**
      * Check if a specific permission is granted
      */