diff --git a/bitchat/Localizable.xcstrings b/bitchat/Localizable.xcstrings
index d3d72b33..8cbbf031 100644
--- a/bitchat/Localizable.xcstrings
+++ b/bitchat/Localizable.xcstrings
@@ -35701,6 +35701,544 @@
           }
         }
       }
+    },
+    "Voice notes are only available in mesh chats." : {
+      "extractionState" : "manual",
+      "localizations" : {
+        "ar" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "الملاحظات الصوتية متاحة فقط في محادثات الميش."
+          }
+        },
+        "bn" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "ভয়েস নোট শুধু মেশ চ্যাটে উপলব্ধ।"
+          }
+        },
+        "de" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Sprachnachrichten sind nur im Mesh-Chat verfügbar."
+          }
+        },
+        "en" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Voice notes are only available in mesh chats."
+          }
+        },
+        "es" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Las notas de voz solo están disponibles en los chats de mesh."
+          }
+        },
+        "fil" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Ang mga voice note ay available lamang sa mga mesh chat."
+          }
+        },
+        "fr" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Les notes vocales sont uniquement disponibles dans les discussions mesh."
+          }
+        },
+        "he" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "הערות קוליות זמינות רק בצ׳אט של mesh."
+          }
+        },
+        "hi" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "वॉइस नोट्स केवल मेश चैट में ही उपलब्ध हैं।"
+          }
+        },
+        "id" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Catatan suara hanya tersedia di obrolan mesh."
+          }
+        },
+        "it" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Le note vocali sono disponibili solo nelle chat mesh."
+          }
+        },
+        "ja" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "ボイスメモはメッシュチャットでのみ利用できます。"
+          }
+        },
+        "ko" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "음성 메모는 메쉬 채팅에서만 사용할 수 있습니다."
+          }
+        },
+        "ms" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Nota suara hanya tersedia dalam sembang mesh."
+          }
+        },
+        "ne" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "भ्वाइस नोटहरू केवल मेष च्याटमा मात्र उपलब्ध छन्।"
+          }
+        },
+        "nl" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Spraaknotities zijn alleen beschikbaar in mesh-chats."
+          }
+        },
+        "pl" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Notatki głosowe są dostępne tylko na czatach mesh."
+          }
+        },
+        "pt" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "As notas de voz só estão disponíveis nos chats mesh."
+          }
+        },
+        "pt-BR" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "As mensagens de voz só estão disponíveis nos chats mesh."
+          }
+        },
+        "ru" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Голосовые сообщения доступны только в mesh-чатах."
+          }
+        },
+        "sv" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Röstanteckningar är bara tillgängliga i mesh-chattar."
+          }
+        },
+        "ta" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "குரல் குறிப்புகள் மெஷ் உரையாடல்களில் மட்டுமே கிடைக்கும்."
+          }
+        },
+        "th" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "บันทึกเสียงใช้งานได้เฉพาะในแชต mesh เท่านั้น"
+          }
+        },
+        "tr" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Sesli notlar yalnızca mesh sohbetlerinde kullanılabilir."
+          }
+        },
+        "uk" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Голосові нотатки доступні лише в mesh-чатах."
+          }
+        },
+        "ur" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "وائس نوٹس صرف میش چیٹس میں دستیاب ہیں۔"
+          }
+        },
+        "vi" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Ghi chú giọng nói chỉ khả dụng trong các cuộc trò chuyện mesh."
+          }
+        },
+        "zh-Hans" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "语音消息仅可在 mesh 聊天中使用。"
+          }
+        },
+        "zh-Hant" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "語音訊息僅能在 mesh 聊天中使用。"
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    },
+    "Images are only available in mesh chats." : {
+      "extractionState" : "manual",
+      "localizations" : {
+        "ar" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "الصور متاحة فقط في محادثات الميش."
+          }
+        },
+        "bn" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "ছবি শুধু মেশ চ্যাটে উপলব্ধ।"
+          }
+        },
+        "de" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Bilder sind nur im Mesh-Chat verfügbar."
+          }
+        },
+        "en" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Images are only available in mesh chats."
+          }
+        },
+        "es" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Las imágenes solo están disponibles en los chats de mesh."
+          }
+        },
+        "fil" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Ang mga larawan ay available lamang sa mga mesh chat."
+          }
+        },
+        "fr" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Les images sont uniquement disponibles dans les discussions mesh."
+          }
+        },
+        "he" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "תמונות זמינות רק בצ׳אט של mesh."
+          }
+        },
+        "hi" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "चित्र केवल मेश चैट में ही उपलब्ध हैं।"
+          }
+        },
+        "id" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Gambar hanya tersedia di obrolan mesh."
+          }
+        },
+        "it" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Le immagini sono disponibili solo nelle chat mesh."
+          }
+        },
+        "ja" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "画像はメッシュチャットでのみ利用できます。"
+          }
+        },
+        "ko" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "이미지는 메쉬 채팅에서만 사용할 수 있습니다."
+          }
+        },
+        "ms" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Imej hanya tersedia dalam sembang mesh."
+          }
+        },
+        "ne" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "तस्बिरहरू केवल मेष च्याटमा मात्र उपलब्ध छन्।"
+          }
+        },
+        "nl" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Afbeeldingen zijn alleen beschikbaar in mesh-chats."
+          }
+        },
+        "pl" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Obrazy są dostępne tylko na czatach mesh."
+          }
+        },
+        "pt" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "As imagens só estão disponíveis nos chats mesh."
+          }
+        },
+        "pt-BR" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "As imagens só estão disponíveis nos chats mesh."
+          }
+        },
+        "ru" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Изображения доступны только в mesh-чатах."
+          }
+        },
+        "sv" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Bilder är bara tillgängliga i mesh-chattar."
+          }
+        },
+        "ta" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "படங்கள் மெஷ் உரையாடல்களில் மட்டுமே கிடைக்கும்."
+          }
+        },
+        "th" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "รูปภาพใช้งานได้เฉพาะในแชต mesh เท่านั้น"
+          }
+        },
+        "tr" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Görseller yalnızca mesh sohbetlerinde kullanılabilir."
+          }
+        },
+        "uk" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Зображення доступні лише в mesh-чатах."
+          }
+        },
+        "ur" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "تصاویر صرف میش چیٹس میں دستیاب ہیں۔"
+          }
+        },
+        "vi" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Hình ảnh chỉ khả dụng trong các cuộc trò chuyện mesh."
+          }
+        },
+        "zh-Hans" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "图片仅可在 mesh 聊天中使用。"
+          }
+        },
+        "zh-Hant" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "圖片僅能在 mesh 聊天中使用。"
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    },
+    "Choose an image" : {
+      "comment" : "A label displayed above a button that allows the user to choose an image to send.",
+      "extractionState" : "manual",
+      "localizations" : {
+        "ar" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "اختر صورة"
+          }
+        },
+        "bn" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "একটি ছবি নির্বাচন করুন"
+          }
+        },
+        "de" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Bild auswählen"
+          }
+        },
+        "en" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Choose an image"
+          }
+        },
+        "es" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Elige una imagen"
+          }
+        },
+        "fil" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Pumili ng larawan"
+          }
+        },
+        "fr" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Choisir une image"
+          }
+        },
+        "he" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "בחר תמונה"
+          }
+        },
+        "hi" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "एक चित्र चुनें"
+          }
+        },
+        "id" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Pilih gambar"
+          }
+        },
+        "it" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Scegli un’immagine"
+          }
+        },
+        "ja" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "画像を選択"
+          }
+        },
+        "ko" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "이미지를 선택하세요"
+          }
+        },
+        "ms" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Pilih imej"
+          }
+        },
+        "ne" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "एउटा तस्वीर चयन गर्नुहोस्"
+          }
+        },
+        "nl" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Kies een afbeelding"
+          }
+        },
+        "pl" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Wybierz obraz"
+          }
+        },
+        "pt" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Escolher uma imagem"
+          }
+        },
+        "pt-BR" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Escolha uma imagem"
+          }
+        },
+        "ru" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Выберите изображение"
+          }
+        },
+        "sv" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Välj en bild"
+          }
+        },
+        "ta" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "ஒரு படத்தைத் தேர்ந்தெடுக்கவும்"
+          }
+        },
+        "th" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "เลือกภาพ"
+          }
+        },
+        "tr" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Bir görüntü seç"
+          }
+        },
+        "uk" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Виберіть зображення"
+          }
+        },
+        "ur" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "ایک تصویر منتخب کریں"
+          }
+        },
+        "vi" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "Chọn một hình ảnh"
+          }
+        },
+        "zh-Hans" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "选择图像"
+          }
+        },
+        "zh-Hant" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "選擇圖像"
+          }
+        }
+      }
     }
   },
   "version" : "1.1"
diff --git a/bitchat/Nostr/GeoRelayDirectory.swift b/bitchat/Nostr/GeoRelayDirectory.swift
index a0dd0afd..490123d0 100644
--- a/bitchat/Nostr/GeoRelayDirectory.swift
+++ b/bitchat/Nostr/GeoRelayDirectory.swift
@@ -1,6 +1,11 @@
 import BitLogger
 import Foundation
 import Tor
+#if os(iOS)
+import UIKit
+#elseif os(macOS)
+import AppKit
+#endif
 
 /// Directory of online Nostr relays with approximate GPS locations, used for geohash routing.
 @MainActor
@@ -12,19 +17,32 @@ final class GeoRelayDirectory {
     }
 
     static let shared = GeoRelayDirectory()
+
     private(set) var entries: [Entry] = []
     private let cacheFileName = "georelays_cache.csv"
     private let lastFetchKey = "georelay.lastFetchAt"
     private let remoteURL = URL(string: "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/permissionlesstech/georelays/refs/heads/main/nostr_relays.csv")!
-    private let fetchInterval: TimeInterval = TransportConfig.geoRelayFetchIntervalSeconds // 24h
+    private let fetchInterval: TimeInterval = TransportConfig.geoRelayFetchIntervalSeconds
+
+    private var refreshTimer: Timer?
+    private var retryTask: Task<Void, Never>?
+    private var retryAttempt: Int = 0
+    private var isFetching: Bool = false
+    private var observers: [NSObjectProtocol] = []
 
     private init() {
-        // Load cached or bundled data synchronously
-        self.entries = self.loadLocalEntries()
-        // Fire-and-forget remote refresh if stale
+        entries = loadLocalEntries()
+        registerObservers()
+        startRefreshTimer()
         prefetchIfNeeded()
     }
 
+    deinit {
+        observers.forEach { NotificationCenter.default.removeObserver($0) }
+        refreshTimer?.invalidate()
+        retryTask?.cancel()
+    }
+
     /// Returns up to `count` relay URLs (wss://) closest to the geohash center.
     func closestRelays(toGeohash geohash: String, count: Int = 5) -> [String] {
         let center = Geohash.decodeCenter(geohash)
@@ -62,42 +80,119 @@ final class GeoRelayDirectory {
     }
 
     // MARK: - Remote Fetch
-    func prefetchIfNeeded() {
+    func prefetchIfNeeded(force: Bool = false) {
+        guard !isFetching else { return }
+
         let now = Date()
         let last = UserDefaults.standard.object(forKey: lastFetchKey) as? Date ?? .distantPast
-        guard now.timeIntervalSince(last) >= fetchInterval else { return }
+
+        if !force {
+            guard now.timeIntervalSince(last) >= fetchInterval else { return }
+        } else if last != .distantPast,
+                  now.timeIntervalSince(last) < TransportConfig.geoRelayRetryInitialSeconds {
+            // Skip forced fetches if we just refreshed moments ago.
+            return
+        }
+
+        cancelRetry()
         fetchRemote()
     }
 
     private func fetchRemote() {
-        let req = URLRequest(url: remoteURL, cachePolicy: .reloadIgnoringLocalCacheData, timeoutInterval: 15)
-        // Ensure Tor readiness before fetching (fail-closed by default)
-        Task.detached {
+        guard !isFetching else { return }
+        isFetching = true
+
+        let request = URLRequest(
+            url: remoteURL,
+            cachePolicy: .reloadIgnoringLocalCacheData,
+            timeoutInterval: 15
+        )
+
+        Task.detached { [weak self] in
+            guard let self else { return }
+
             let ready = await TorManager.shared.awaitReady()
             if !ready {
-                SecureLogger.warning("GeoRelayDirectory: Tor not ready; skipping remote fetch (fail-closed)", category: .session)
+                await self.handleFetchFailure(.torNotReady)
                 return
             }
-            let task = TorURLSession.shared.session.dataTask(with: req) { [weak self] data, _, error in
-                guard let self = self else { return }
-                if let data = data, error == nil, let text = String(data: data, encoding: .utf8) {
-                    let parsed = GeoRelayDirectory.parseCSV(text)
-                    if !parsed.isEmpty {
-                        Task { @MainActor in
-                            self.entries = parsed
-                            self.persistCache(text)
-                            UserDefaults.standard.set(Date(), forKey: self.lastFetchKey)
-                            SecureLogger.info("GeoRelayDirectory: refreshed \(parsed.count) relays from remote", category: .session)
-                        }
-                        return
-                    }
+
+            do {
+                let (data, _) = try await TorURLSession.shared.session.data(for: request)
+                guard let text = String(data: data, encoding: .utf8) else {
+                    await self.handleFetchFailure(.invalidData)
+                    return
                 }
-                SecureLogger.warning("GeoRelayDirectory: remote fetch failed; keeping local entries", category: .session)
+
+                let parsed = GeoRelayDirectory.parseCSV(text)
+                guard !parsed.isEmpty else {
+                    await self.handleFetchFailure(.invalidData)
+                    return
+                }
+
+                await self.handleFetchSuccess(entries: parsed, csv: text)
+            } catch {
+                await self.handleFetchFailure(.network(error))
             }
-            task.resume()
         }
     }
 
+    private enum FetchFailure {
+        case torNotReady
+        case invalidData
+        case network(Error)
+    }
+
+    @MainActor
+    private func handleFetchSuccess(entries parsed: [Entry], csv: String) {
+        entries = parsed
+        persistCache(csv)
+        UserDefaults.standard.set(Date(), forKey: lastFetchKey)
+        SecureLogger.info("GeoRelayDirectory: refreshed \(parsed.count) relays from remote", category: .session)
+        isFetching = false
+        retryAttempt = 0
+        cancelRetry()
+    }
+
+    @MainActor
+    private func handleFetchFailure(_ reason: FetchFailure) {
+        switch reason {
+        case .torNotReady:
+            SecureLogger.warning("GeoRelayDirectory: Tor not ready; scheduling retry", category: .session)
+        case .invalidData:
+            SecureLogger.warning("GeoRelayDirectory: remote fetch returned invalid data; scheduling retry", category: .session)
+        case .network(let error):
+            SecureLogger.warning("GeoRelayDirectory: remote fetch failed with error: \(error.localizedDescription)", category: .session)
+        }
+        isFetching = false
+        scheduleRetry()
+    }
+
+    @MainActor
+    private func scheduleRetry() {
+        retryAttempt = min(retryAttempt + 1, 10)
+        let base = TransportConfig.geoRelayRetryInitialSeconds
+        let maxDelay = TransportConfig.geoRelayRetryMaxSeconds
+        let multiplier = pow(2.0, Double(max(retryAttempt - 1, 0)))
+        let calculated = base * multiplier
+        let delay = min(maxDelay, max(base, calculated))
+
+        cancelRetry()
+        retryTask = Task { [weak self] in
+            let nanoseconds = UInt64(delay * 1_000_000_000)
+            try? await Task.sleep(nanoseconds: nanoseconds)
+            await MainActor.run {
+                self?.prefetchIfNeeded(force: true)
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    @MainActor
+    private func cancelRetry() {
+        retryTask?.cancel()
+        retryTask = nil
+    }
+
     private func persistCache(_ text: String) {
         guard let url = cacheURL() else { return }
         do {
@@ -110,30 +205,35 @@ final class GeoRelayDirectory {
     // MARK: - Loading
     private func loadLocalEntries() -> [Entry] {
         // Prefer cached file if present
-        if let cache = self.cacheURL(),
+        if let cache = cacheURL(),
            let data = try? Data(contentsOf: cache),
            let text = String(data: data, encoding: .utf8) {
             let arr = Self.parseCSV(text)
             if !arr.isEmpty { return arr }
         }
+
         // Try bundled resource(s)
         let bundleCandidates = [
             Bundle.main.url(forResource: "nostr_relays", withExtension: "csv"),
             Bundle.main.url(forResource: "online_relays_gps", withExtension: "csv"),
             Bundle.main.url(forResource: "online_relays_gps", withExtension: "csv", subdirectory: "relays")
         ].compactMap { $0 }
+
         for url in bundleCandidates {
-            if let data = try? Data(contentsOf: url), let text = String(data: data, encoding: .utf8) {
+            if let data = try? Data(contentsOf: url),
+               let text = String(data: data, encoding: .utf8) {
                 let arr = Self.parseCSV(text)
                 if !arr.isEmpty { return arr }
             }
         }
+
         // Try filesystem path (development/test)
         if let cwd = FileManager.default.currentDirectoryPath as String?,
            let data = try? Data(contentsOf: URL(fileURLWithPath: cwd).appendingPathComponent("relays/online_relays_gps.csv")),
            let text = String(data: data, encoding: .utf8) {
             return Self.parseCSV(text)
         }
+
         SecureLogger.warning("GeoRelayDirectory: no local CSV found; entries empty", category: .session)
         return []
     }
@@ -141,7 +241,6 @@ final class GeoRelayDirectory {
     nonisolated static func parseCSV(_ text: String) -> [Entry] {
         var result: Set<Entry> = []
         let lines = text.split(whereSeparator: { $0.isNewline })
-        // Skip header if present
         for (idx, raw) in lines.enumerated() {
             let line = raw.trimmingCharacters(in: .whitespacesAndNewlines)
             if line.isEmpty { continue }
@@ -162,11 +261,67 @@ final class GeoRelayDirectory {
 
     private func cacheURL() -> URL? {
         do {
-            let base = try FileManager.default.url(for: .applicationSupportDirectory, in: .userDomainMask, appropriateFor: nil, create: true)
+            let base = try FileManager.default.url(
+                for: .applicationSupportDirectory,
+                in: .userDomainMask,
+                appropriateFor: nil,
+                create: true
+            )
             let dir = base.appendingPathComponent("bitchat", isDirectory: true)
             try? FileManager.default.createDirectory(at: dir, withIntermediateDirectories: true)
             return dir.appendingPathComponent(cacheFileName)
-        } catch { return nil }
+        } catch {
+            return nil
+        }
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Observers & Timers
+    private func registerObservers() {
+        let center = NotificationCenter.default
+
+        let torReady = center.addObserver(
+            forName: .TorDidBecomeReady,
+            object: nil,
+            queue: .main
+        ) { [weak self] _ in
+            self?.prefetchIfNeeded(force: true)
+        }
+        observers.append(torReady)
+
+#if os(iOS)
+        let didBecomeActive = center.addObserver(
+            forName: UIApplication.didBecomeActiveNotification,
+            object: nil,
+            queue: .main
+        ) { [weak self] _ in
+            self?.prefetchIfNeeded()
+        }
+        observers.append(didBecomeActive)
+#elseif os(macOS)
+        let didBecomeActive = center.addObserver(
+            forName: NSApplication.didBecomeActiveNotification,
+            object: nil,
+            queue: .main
+        ) { [weak self] _ in
+            self?.prefetchIfNeeded()
+        }
+        observers.append(didBecomeActive)
+#endif
+    }
+
+    private func startRefreshTimer() {
+        refreshTimer?.invalidate()
+        let interval = TransportConfig.geoRelayRefreshCheckIntervalSeconds
+        guard interval > 0 else { return }
+
+        let timer = Timer.scheduledTimer(withTimeInterval: interval, repeats: true) { [weak self] _ in
+            guard let self else { return }
+            Task { @MainActor in
+                self.prefetchIfNeeded()
+            }
+        }
+        refreshTimer = timer
+        RunLoop.main.add(timer, forMode: .common)
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/bitchat/Services/TransportConfig.swift b/bitchat/Services/TransportConfig.swift
index 5702fd55..09439402 100644
--- a/bitchat/Services/TransportConfig.swift
+++ b/bitchat/Services/TransportConfig.swift
@@ -145,6 +145,9 @@ enum TransportConfig {
 
     // Geo relay directory
     static let geoRelayFetchIntervalSeconds: TimeInterval = 60 * 60 * 24
+    static let geoRelayRefreshCheckIntervalSeconds: TimeInterval = 60 * 60
+    static let geoRelayRetryInitialSeconds: TimeInterval = 60
+    static let geoRelayRetryMaxSeconds: TimeInterval = 60 * 60
 
     // BLE operational delays
     static let bleInitialAnnounceDelaySeconds: TimeInterval = 0.6
diff --git a/bitchat/ViewModels/ChatViewModel.swift b/bitchat/ViewModels/ChatViewModel.swift
index f94ffd1a..da8ef964 100644
--- a/bitchat/ViewModels/ChatViewModel.swift
+++ b/bitchat/ViewModels/ChatViewModel.swift
@@ -145,6 +145,19 @@ final class ChatViewModel: ObservableObject, BitchatDelegate {
         }
     }
 
+    private typealias GeoOutgoingContext = (channel: GeohashChannel, event: NostrEvent, identity: NostrIdentity, teleported: Bool)
+
+    @MainActor
+    private var canSendMediaInCurrentContext: Bool {
+        if let peer = selectedPrivateChatPeer {
+            return !(peer.isGeoDM || peer.isGeoChat)
+        }
+        switch activeChannel {
+        case .mesh: return true
+        case .location: return false
+        }
+    }
+
     private var rateBucketsBySender: [String: TokenBucket] = [:]
     private var rateBucketsByContent: [String: TokenBucket] = [:]
     private let senderBucketCapacity: Double = TransportConfig.uiSenderRateBucketCapacity
@@ -1443,20 +1456,48 @@ final class ChatViewModel: ObservableObject, BitchatDelegate {
         // Parse mentions from the content (use original content for user intent)
         let mentions = parseMentions(from: content)
 
+        var geoContext: GeoOutgoingContext? = nil
+
         // Add message to local display
         var displaySender = nickname
         var localSenderPeerID = meshService.myPeerID
-        if case .location(let ch) = activeChannel,
-           let myGeoIdentity = try? idBridge.deriveIdentity(forGeohash: ch.geohash) {
-            let suffix = String(myGeoIdentity.publicKeyHex.suffix(4))
-            displaySender = nickname + "#" + suffix
-            localSenderPeerID = PeerID(nostr: myGeoIdentity.publicKeyHex)
+        var messageID: String? = nil
+        var messageTimestamp = Date()
+
+        switch activeChannel {
+        case .mesh:
+            break
+        case .location(let ch):
+            do {
+                let identity = try idBridge.deriveIdentity(forGeohash: ch.geohash)
+                let suffix = String(identity.publicKeyHex.suffix(4))
+                displaySender = nickname + "#" + suffix
+                localSenderPeerID = PeerID(nostr: identity.publicKeyHex)
+                let teleported = LocationChannelManager.shared.teleported
+                let event = try NostrProtocol.createEphemeralGeohashEvent(
+                    content: trimmed,
+                    geohash: ch.geohash,
+                    senderIdentity: identity,
+                    nickname: nickname,
+                    teleported: teleported
+                )
+                messageID = event.id
+                messageTimestamp = Date(timeIntervalSince1970: TimeInterval(event.created_at))
+                geoContext = (channel: ch, event: event, identity: identity, teleported: teleported)
+            } catch {
+                SecureLogger.error("❌ Failed to prepare geohash message: \(error)", category: .session)
+                addSystemMessage(
+                    String(localized: "system.location.send_failed", comment: "System message when a location channel send fails")
+                )
+                return
+            }
         }
 
         let message = BitchatMessage(
+            id: messageID,
             sender: displaySender,
             content: trimmed,
-            timestamp: Date(),
+            timestamp: messageTimestamp,
             isRelay: false,
             senderPeerID: localSenderPeerID,
             mentions: mentions.isEmpty ? nil : mentions
@@ -1487,10 +1528,10 @@ final class ChatViewModel: ObservableObject, BitchatDelegate {
 
         // UI updates automatically via @Published var messages
 
-        updateChannelActivityTimeThenSend(content: content, trimmed: trimmed, mentions: mentions)
+        updateChannelActivityTimeThenSend(content: content, trimmed: trimmed, mentions: mentions, geoContext: geoContext)
     }
 
-    private func updateChannelActivityTimeThenSend(content: String, trimmed: String, mentions: [String]) {
+    private func updateChannelActivityTimeThenSend(content: String, trimmed: String, mentions: [String], geoContext: GeoOutgoingContext?) {
         switch activeChannel {
         case .mesh:
             lastPublicActivityAt["mesh"] = Date()
@@ -1498,58 +1539,54 @@ final class ChatViewModel: ObservableObject, BitchatDelegate {
             meshService.sendMessage(content, mentions: mentions)
         case .location(let ch):
             lastPublicActivityAt["geo:\(ch.geohash)"] = Date()
+            guard let context = geoContext, context.channel.geohash == ch.geohash else {
+                SecureLogger.error("Geo: missing send context for \(ch.geohash)", category: .session)
+                addSystemMessage(
+                    String(localized: "system.location.send_failed", comment: "System message when a location channel send fails")
+                )
+                return
+            }
             // Send to geohash channel via Nostr ephemeral
             Task { @MainActor in
-                sendGeohash(ch: ch, content: trimmed)
+                self.sendGeohash(context: context)
             }
         }
     }
     
     @MainActor
-    private func sendGeohash(ch: GeohashChannel, content: String) {
-        do {
-            let identity = try idBridge.deriveIdentity(forGeohash: ch.geohash)
+    private func sendGeohash(context: GeoOutgoingContext) {
+        let ch = context.channel
+        let event = context.event
+        let identity = context.identity
 
-            let event = try NostrProtocol.createEphemeralGeohashEvent(
-                content: content,
-                geohash: ch.geohash,
-                senderIdentity: identity,
-                nickname: nickname,
-                teleported: LocationChannelManager.shared.teleported
-            )
-            
-            let targetRelays = GeoRelayDirectory.shared.closestRelays(
-                toGeohash: ch.geohash,
-                count: TransportConfig.nostrGeoRelayCount
-            )
-            
-            if targetRelays.isEmpty {
-                SecureLogger.warning("Geo: no geohash relays available for \(ch.geohash); not sending", category: .session)
-            } else {
-                NostrRelayManager.shared.sendEvent(event, to: targetRelays)
-            }
+        let targetRelays = GeoRelayDirectory.shared.closestRelays(
+            toGeohash: ch.geohash,
+            count: TransportConfig.nostrGeoRelayCount
+        )
 
-            // Track ourselves as active participant
-            recordGeoParticipant(pubkeyHex: identity.publicKeyHex)
-            nostrKeyMapping[PeerID(nostr: identity.publicKeyHex)] = identity.publicKeyHex
-            SecureLogger.debug("GeoTeleport: sent geo message pub=\(identity.publicKeyHex.prefix(8))… teleported=\(LocationChannelManager.shared.teleported)", category: .session)
-            
-            // If we tagged this as teleported, also mark our pubkey in teleportedGeo for UI
-            // Only when not in our regional set (and regional list is known)
-            let hasRegional = !LocationChannelManager.shared.availableChannels.isEmpty
-            let inRegional = LocationChannelManager.shared.availableChannels.contains { $0.geohash == ch.geohash }
-            
-            if LocationChannelManager.shared.teleported && hasRegional && !inRegional {
-                let key = identity.publicKeyHex.lowercased()
-                teleportedGeo = teleportedGeo.union([key])
-                SecureLogger.info("GeoTeleport: mark self teleported key=\(key.prefix(8))… total=\(teleportedGeo.count)", category: .session)
-            }
-        } catch {
-            SecureLogger.error("❌ Failed to send geohash message: \(error)", category: .session)
-            addSystemMessage(
-                String(localized: "system.location.send_failed", comment: "System message when a location channel send fails")
-            )
+        if targetRelays.isEmpty {
+            SecureLogger.warning("Geo: no geohash relays available for \(ch.geohash); not sending", category: .session)
+        } else {
+            NostrRelayManager.shared.sendEvent(event, to: targetRelays)
         }
+
+        // Track ourselves as active participant
+        recordGeoParticipant(pubkeyHex: identity.publicKeyHex)
+        nostrKeyMapping[PeerID(nostr: identity.publicKeyHex)] = identity.publicKeyHex
+        SecureLogger.debug("GeoTeleport: sent geo message pub=\(identity.publicKeyHex.prefix(8))… teleported=\(context.teleported)", category: .session)
+
+        // If we tagged this as teleported, also mark our pubkey in teleportedGeo for UI
+        // Only when not in our regional set (and regional list is known)
+        let hasRegional = !LocationChannelManager.shared.availableChannels.isEmpty
+        let inRegional = LocationChannelManager.shared.availableChannels.contains { $0.geohash == ch.geohash }
+
+        if context.teleported && hasRegional && !inRegional {
+            let key = identity.publicKeyHex.lowercased()
+            teleportedGeo = teleportedGeo.union([key])
+            SecureLogger.info("GeoTeleport: mark self teleported key=\(key.prefix(8))… total=\(teleportedGeo.count)", category: .session)
+        }
+
+        recordProcessedEvent(event.id)
     }
 
     @MainActor
@@ -2407,6 +2444,13 @@ final class ChatViewModel: ObservableObject, BitchatDelegate {
 
     @MainActor
     func sendVoiceNote(at url: URL) {
+        guard canSendMediaInCurrentContext else {
+            SecureLogger.info("Voice note blocked outside mesh/private context", category: .session)
+            try? FileManager.default.removeItem(at: url)
+            addSystemMessage("Voice notes are only available in mesh chats.")
+            return
+        }
+
         let targetPeer = selectedPrivateChatPeer
         let message = enqueueMediaMessage(content: "[voice] \(url.lastPathComponent)", targetPeer: targetPeer?.id)
         let messageID = message.id
@@ -2455,6 +2499,13 @@ final class ChatViewModel: ObservableObject, BitchatDelegate {
 
     @MainActor
     func sendImage(from sourceURL: URL, cleanup: (() -> Void)? = nil) {
+        guard canSendMediaInCurrentContext else {
+            SecureLogger.info("Image send blocked outside mesh/private context", category: .session)
+            cleanup?()
+            addSystemMessage("Images are only available in mesh chats.")
+            return
+        }
+
         let targetPeer = selectedPrivateChatPeer
 
         Task.detached(priority: .userInitiated) { [weak self] in
diff --git a/bitchat/Views/ContentView.swift b/bitchat/Views/ContentView.swift
index e8c49020..4be6cd54 100644
--- a/bitchat/Views/ContentView.swift
+++ b/bitchat/Views/ContentView.swift
@@ -1806,7 +1806,19 @@ private extension ContentView {
     }
 
     private var shouldShowMediaControls: Bool {
-        if viewModel.selectedPrivateChatPeer != nil {
+        if let peer = viewModel.selectedPrivateChatPeer, !(peer.isGeoDM || peer.isGeoChat) {
+            return true
+        }
+        switch locationManager.selectedChannel {
+        case .mesh:
+            return true
+        case .location:
+            return false
+        }
+    }
+
+    private var shouldShowVoiceControl: Bool {
+        if let peer = viewModel.selectedPrivateChatPeer, !(peer.isGeoDM || peer.isGeoChat) {
             return true
         }
         switch locationManager.selectedChannel {
@@ -1851,17 +1863,23 @@ private extension ContentView {
         #endif
     }
 
+    @ViewBuilder
     var sendOrMicButton: some View {
         let hasText = !trimmedMessageText.isEmpty
-        return ZStack {
-            micButtonView
-                .opacity(hasText ? 0 : 1)
-                .allowsHitTesting(!hasText)
+        if shouldShowVoiceControl {
+            ZStack {
+                micButtonView
+                    .opacity(hasText ? 0 : 1)
+                    .allowsHitTesting(!hasText)
+                sendButtonView(enabled: hasText)
+                    .opacity(hasText ? 1 : 0)
+                    .allowsHitTesting(hasText)
+            }
+            .frame(width: 36, height: 36)
+        } else {
             sendButtonView(enabled: hasText)
-                .opacity(hasText ? 1 : 0)
-                .allowsHitTesting(hasText)
+                .frame(width: 36, height: 36)
         }
-        .frame(width: 36, height: 36)
     }
 
     private var micButtonView: some View {
@@ -1914,6 +1932,7 @@ private extension ContentView {
     }
 
     func startVoiceRecording() {
+        guard shouldShowVoiceControl else { return }
         guard !isRecordingVoiceNote && !isPreparingVoiceNote else { return }
         isPreparingVoiceNote = true
         Task { @MainActor in