Improve background BLE stability and nearby alerts (#864)

* Harden background BLE restoration and notifications

* Guard BLE restoration paths to iOS

---------

Co-authored-by: jack <jackjackbits@users.noreply.github.com>

bitchat.xcodeproj/xcshareddata/xcschemes/bitchat (iOS).xcscheme

@@ -98,8 +98,8 @@
       </BuildableProductRunnable>
       <EnvironmentVariables>
          <EnvironmentVariable
-            key = "-DBITCHAT_DEV_ALLOW_CLEARNET"
+            key = "BITCHAT_LOG_LEVEL"
-            value = ""
+            value = "debug"
             isEnabled = "YES">
          </EnvironmentVariable>
       </EnvironmentVariables>

bitchat/Services/BLE/BLEService.swift

@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ final class BLEService: NSObject {
     static let serviceUUID = CBUUID(string: "F47B5E2D-4A9E-4C5A-9B3F-8E1D2C3A4B5C") // mainnet
     #endif
     static let characteristicUUID = CBUUID(string: "A1B2C3D4-E5F6-4A5B-8C9D-0E1F2A3B4C5D")
+    private static let centralRestorationID = "chat.bitchat.ble.central"
+    private static let peripheralRestorationID = "chat.bitchat.ble.peripheral"
     
     // Default per-fragment chunk size when link limits are unknown
     private let defaultFragmentSize = TransportConfig.bleDefaultFragmentSize
@@ -288,8 +290,20 @@ final class BLEService: NSObject {
 
         // Initialize BLE on background queue to prevent main thread blocking
         // This prevents app freezes during BLE operations
+        #if os(iOS)
+        let centralOptions: [String: Any] = [
+            CBCentralManagerOptionRestoreIdentifierKey: BLEService.centralRestorationID
+        ]
+        centralManager = CBCentralManager(delegate: self, queue: bleQueue, options: centralOptions)
+
+        let peripheralOptions: [String: Any] = [
+            CBPeripheralManagerOptionRestoreIdentifierKey: BLEService.peripheralRestorationID
+        ]
+        peripheralManager = CBPeripheralManager(delegate: self, queue: bleQueue, options: peripheralOptions)
+        #else
         centralManager = CBCentralManager(delegate: self, queue: bleQueue)
         peripheralManager = CBPeripheralManager(delegate: self, queue: bleQueue)
+        #endif
         
         // Single maintenance timer for all periodic tasks (dispatch-based for determinism)
         let timer = DispatchSource.makeTimerSource(queue: bleQueue)
@@ -1464,6 +1478,48 @@ extension BLEService: GossipSyncManager.Delegate {
 // MARK: - CBCentralManagerDelegate
 
 extension BLEService: CBCentralManagerDelegate {
+    #if os(iOS)
+    func centralManager(_ central: CBCentralManager, willRestoreState dict: [String : Any]) {
+        let restoredPeripherals = (dict[CBCentralManagerRestoredStatePeripheralsKey] as? [CBPeripheral]) ?? []
+        let restoredServices = (dict[CBCentralManagerRestoredStateScanServicesKey] as? [CBUUID]) ?? []
+        let restoredOptions = (dict[CBCentralManagerRestoredStateScanOptionsKey] as? [String: Any]) ?? [:]
+        let allowDuplicates = restoredOptions[CBCentralManagerScanOptionAllowDuplicatesKey] as? Bool
+
+        SecureLogger.info(
+            "♻️ Central restore: peripherals=\(restoredPeripherals.count) services=\(restoredServices.count) allowDuplicates=\(String(describing: allowDuplicates))",
+            category: .session
+        )
+
+        for peripheral in restoredPeripherals {
+            let identifier = peripheral.identifier.uuidString
+            peripheral.delegate = self
+            let existing = peripherals[identifier]
+            let assembler = existing?.assembler ?? NotificationStreamAssembler()
+            let characteristic = existing?.characteristic
+            let peerID = existing?.peerID
+            let wasConnecting = existing?.isConnecting ?? false
+            let wasConnected = existing?.isConnected ?? false
+
+            let restoredState = PeripheralState(
+                peripheral: peripheral,
+                characteristic: characteristic,
+                peerID: peerID,
+                isConnecting: wasConnecting || peripheral.state == .connecting,
+                isConnected: wasConnected || peripheral.state == .connected,
+                lastConnectionAttempt: existing?.lastConnectionAttempt,
+                assembler: assembler
+            )
+            peripherals[identifier] = restoredState
+        }
+
+        captureBluetoothStatus(context: "central-restore")
+
+        if central.state == .poweredOn {
+            startScanning()
+        }
+    }
+    #endif
+
     func centralManagerDidUpdateState(_ central: CBCentralManager) {
         // Notify delegate about state change on main thread
         Task { @MainActor in
@@ -2059,6 +2115,32 @@ extension BLEService: CBPeripheralManagerDelegate {
         }
     }
     
+    #if os(iOS)
+    func peripheralManager(_ peripheral: CBPeripheralManager, willRestoreState dict: [String : Any]) {
+        let restoredServices = (dict[CBPeripheralManagerRestoredStateServicesKey] as? [CBMutableService]) ?? []
+        let restoredAdvertisement = (dict[CBPeripheralManagerRestoredStateAdvertisementDataKey] as? [String: Any]) ?? [:]
+
+        SecureLogger.info(
+            "♻️ Peripheral restore: services=\(restoredServices.count) advertisingDataKeys=\(Array(restoredAdvertisement.keys))",
+            category: .session
+        )
+
+        // Attempt to recover characteristic from restored services
+        if characteristic == nil {
+            if let service = restoredServices.first(where: { $0.uuid == BLEService.serviceUUID }),
+               let restoredCharacteristic = service.characteristics?.first(where: { $0.uuid == BLEService.characteristicUUID }) as? CBMutableCharacteristic {
+                characteristic = restoredCharacteristic
+            }
+        }
+
+        captureBluetoothStatus(context: "peripheral-restore")
+
+        if peripheral.state == .poweredOn && !peripheral.isAdvertising {
+            peripheral.startAdvertising(buildAdvertisementData())
+        }
+    }
+    #endif
+    
     func peripheralManager(_ peripheral: CBPeripheralManager, didAdd service: CBService, error: Error?) {
         if let error = error {
             SecureLogger.error("❌ Failed to add service: \(error.localizedDescription)", category: .session)
@@ -2283,6 +2365,59 @@ extension BLEService {
         }
     }
 
+    private func logBluetoothStatus(_ context: String) {
+        bleQueue.async { [weak self] in
+            guard let self = self else { return }
+            self.captureBluetoothStatus(context: context)
+        }
+    }
+
+    private func scheduleBluetoothStatusSample(after delay: TimeInterval, context: String) {
+        bleQueue.asyncAfter(deadline: .now() + delay) { [weak self] in
+            guard let self = self else { return }
+            self.captureBluetoothStatus(context: context)
+        }
+    }
+
+    private func captureBluetoothStatus(context: String) {
+        assert(DispatchQueue.getSpecific(key: bleQueueKey) != nil, "captureBluetoothStatus must run on bleQueue")
+
+        let centralState = centralManager?.state ?? .unknown
+        let isScanning = centralManager?.isScanning ?? false
+        let peripheralState = peripheralManager?.state ?? .unknown
+        let isAdvertising = peripheralManager?.isAdvertising ?? false
+
+        let peerSummary = collectionsQueue.sync {
+            (
+                connected: peers.values.filter { $0.isConnected }.count,
+                known: peers.count,
+                candidates: connectionCandidates.count
+            )
+        }
+
+        #if os(iOS)
+        var backgroundDescriptor = ""
+        var backgroundSeconds: TimeInterval = 0
+        DispatchQueue.main.sync {
+            backgroundSeconds = UIApplication.shared.backgroundTimeRemaining
+        }
+        if backgroundSeconds == .greatestFiniteMagnitude {
+            backgroundDescriptor = " bgRemaining=∞"
+        } else {
+            backgroundDescriptor = String(format: " bgRemaining=%.1fs", backgroundSeconds)
+        }
+        let appPhase = isAppActive ? "foreground" : "background"
+        #else
+        let backgroundDescriptor = ""
+        let appPhase = "foreground"
+        #endif
+
+        SecureLogger.info(
+            "📊 BLE status [\(context)]: phase=\(appPhase) central=\(centralState) scanning=\(isScanning) peripheral=\(peripheralState) advertising=\(isAdvertising) connected=\(peerSummary.connected) known=\(peerSummary.known) candidates=\(peerSummary.candidates)\(backgroundDescriptor)",
+            category: .session
+        )
+    }
+
     /// Safely fetch the current direct-link state for a peer using the BLE queue.
     private func linkState(for peerID: PeerID) -> (hasPeripheral: Bool, hasCentral: Bool) {
         let computeState = { () -> (Bool, Bool) in
@@ -2505,6 +2640,8 @@ extension BLEService {
             centralManager?.stopScan()
             startScanning()
         }
+        logBluetoothStatus("became-active")
+        scheduleBluetoothStatusSample(after: 5.0, context: "active-5s")
         // No Local Name; nothing to refresh for advertising policy
     }
     
@@ -2515,6 +2652,8 @@ extension BLEService {
             centralManager?.stopScan()
             startScanning()
         }
+        logBluetoothStatus("entered-background")
+        scheduleBluetoothStatusSample(after: 15.0, context: "background-15s")
         // No Local Name; nothing to refresh for advertising policy
     }
     #endif

bitchat/Services/TransportConfig.swift

@@ -70,6 +70,7 @@ enum TransportConfig {
     static let uiAnimationMediumSeconds: TimeInterval = 0.2
     static let uiAnimationSidebarSeconds: TimeInterval = 0.25
     static let uiRecentCutoffFiveMinutesSeconds: TimeInterval = 5 * 60
+    static let uiMeshEmptyConfirmationSeconds: TimeInterval = 30.0
 
     // BLE maintenance & thresholds
     static let bleMaintenanceInterval: TimeInterval = 5.0

bitchat/ViewModels/ChatViewModel.swift

@@ -248,10 +248,10 @@ final class ChatViewModel: ObservableObject, BitchatDelegate {
     @Published var currentColorScheme: ColorScheme = .light
     private let maxMessages = TransportConfig.meshTimelineCap // Maximum messages before oldest are removed
     @Published var isConnected = false
-    private var hasNotifiedNetworkAvailable = false
     private var recentlySeenPeers: Set<PeerID> = []
     private var lastNetworkNotificationTime = Date.distantPast
     private var networkResetTimer: Timer? = nil
+    private var networkEmptyTimer: Timer? = nil
     private let networkResetGraceSeconds: TimeInterval = TransportConfig.networkResetGraceSeconds // avoid refiring on short drops/reconnects
     @Published var nickname: String = "" {
         didSet {
@@ -5229,34 +5229,29 @@ final class ChatViewModel: ObservableObject, BitchatDelegate {
             self.cleanupStaleUnreadPeerIDs()
             
             // Smart notification logic for "bitchatters nearby"
-            if !peers.isEmpty {
+            let meshPeers = peers.filter { peerID in
-                // Cancel any pending reset if peers are back
+                self.meshService.isPeerConnected(peerID) || self.meshService.isPeerReachable(peerID)
-                self.networkResetTimer?.invalidate()
+            }
-                self.networkResetTimer = nil
+            let meshPeerSet = Set(meshPeers)
-                // Count mesh peers that are connected OR recently reachable via mesh relays
+            
-                let meshPeers = peers.filter { peerID in
+            if meshPeerSet.isEmpty {
-                    self.meshService.isPeerConnected(peerID) || self.meshService.isPeerReachable(peerID)
+                self.scheduleNetworkEmptyTimer()
-                }
-                
-                // Rising-edge only: previously zero peers, now > 0 peers
-                let currentPeerSet = Set(meshPeers)
-                let hadNone = self.recentlySeenPeers.isEmpty
-                if meshPeers.count > 0 && hadNone && !self.hasNotifiedNetworkAvailable {
-                    self.hasNotifiedNetworkAvailable = true
-                    self.lastNetworkNotificationTime = Date()
-                    self.recentlySeenPeers = currentPeerSet
-                    NotificationService.shared.sendNetworkAvailableNotification(peerCount: meshPeers.count)
-                    SecureLogger.info("👥 Sent bitchatters nearby notification for \(meshPeers.count) mesh peers", category: .session)
-                }
             } else {
-                // No peers — immediately reset to allow next rising-edge to notify
+                self.invalidateNetworkEmptyTimer()
-                self.hasNotifiedNetworkAvailable = false
+                // Trim out peers we no longer observe before comparing for new arrivals
-                self.recentlySeenPeers.removeAll()
+                self.recentlySeenPeers.formIntersection(meshPeerSet)
-                if self.networkResetTimer != nil {
+                let newPeers = meshPeerSet.subtracting(self.recentlySeenPeers)
-                    self.networkResetTimer?.invalidate()
+                
-                    self.networkResetTimer = nil
+                if !newPeers.isEmpty {
+                    self.lastNetworkNotificationTime = Date()
+                    self.recentlySeenPeers.formUnion(newPeers)
+                    NotificationService.shared.sendNetworkAvailableNotification(peerCount: meshPeers.count)
+                    SecureLogger.info(
+                        "👥 Sent bitchatters nearby notification for \(meshPeers.count) mesh peers (new: \(newPeers.count))",
+                        category: .session
+                    )
+                    self.scheduleNetworkResetTimer()
                 }
-                SecureLogger.debug("⏳ Mesh empty — reset network notification state", category: .session)
             }
             
             // Register ephemeral sessions for all connected peers
@@ -5326,6 +5321,71 @@ final class ChatViewModel: ObservableObject, BitchatDelegate {
         // Keep only receipts from messages we still have
         cleanupOldReadReceipts()
     }
+
+    @MainActor
+    private func scheduleNetworkResetTimer() {
+        networkResetTimer?.invalidate()
+        networkResetTimer = Timer.scheduledTimer(
+            timeInterval: networkResetGraceSeconds,
+            target: self,
+            selector: #selector(onNetworkResetTimerFired(_:)),
+            userInfo: nil,
+            repeats: false
+        )
+    }
+
+    @MainActor
+    @objc private func onNetworkResetTimerFired(_ timer: Timer) {
+        let activeMeshPeers = meshService
+            .currentPeerSnapshots()
+            .filter { snapshot in
+                snapshot.isConnected || meshService.isPeerReachable(snapshot.peerID)
+            }
+        if activeMeshPeers.isEmpty {
+            recentlySeenPeers.removeAll()
+            SecureLogger.debug("⏱️ Network notification window reset after quiet period", category: .session)
+        } else {
+            SecureLogger.debug("⏱️ Skipped network notification reset; still seeing \(activeMeshPeers.count) mesh peers", category: .session)
+        }
+        networkResetTimer = nil
+    }
+
+    @MainActor
+    private func scheduleNetworkEmptyTimer() {
+        guard networkEmptyTimer == nil else { return }
+        networkEmptyTimer = Timer.scheduledTimer(
+            timeInterval: TransportConfig.uiMeshEmptyConfirmationSeconds,
+            target: self,
+            selector: #selector(onNetworkEmptyTimerFired(_:)),
+            userInfo: nil,
+            repeats: false
+        )
+        SecureLogger.debug("⏳ Mesh empty — waiting before resetting notification state", category: .session)
+    }
+
+    @MainActor
+    private func invalidateNetworkEmptyTimer() {
+        if networkEmptyTimer != nil {
+            networkEmptyTimer?.invalidate()
+            networkEmptyTimer = nil
+        }
+    }
+
+    @MainActor
+    @objc private func onNetworkEmptyTimerFired(_ timer: Timer) {
+        let activeMeshPeers = meshService
+            .currentPeerSnapshots()
+            .filter { snapshot in
+                snapshot.isConnected || meshService.isPeerReachable(snapshot.peerID)
+            }
+        if activeMeshPeers.isEmpty {
+            recentlySeenPeers.removeAll()
+            SecureLogger.debug("⏳ Mesh empty — notification state reset after confirmation", category: .session)
+        } else {
+            SecureLogger.debug("⏳ Mesh empty timer cancelled; \(activeMeshPeers.count) mesh peers detected again", category: .session)
+        }
+        networkEmptyTimer = nil
+    }
     
     private func cleanupOldReadReceipts() {
         // Skip cleanup during startup phase or if privateChats is empty