diff --git a/bitchat/Protocols/BinaryEncodingUtils.swift b/bitchat/Protocols/BinaryEncodingUtils.swift
index 08c53130..5d7ef4ee 100644
--- a/bitchat/Protocols/BinaryEncodingUtils.swift
+++ b/bitchat/Protocols/BinaryEncodingUtils.swift
@@ -210,6 +210,15 @@ extension Data {
         
         return result.uppercased()
     }
+    
+    func readFixedBytes(at offset: inout Int, count: Int) -> Data? {
+        guard offset + count <= self.count else { return nil }
+        
+        let data = self[offset..<offset + count]
+        offset += count
+        
+        return data
+    }
 }
 
 // MARK: - Binary Message Protocol
diff --git a/bitchat/Protocols/BitchatProtocol.swift b/bitchat/Protocols/BitchatProtocol.swift
index d5e6da47..8ba10368 100644
--- a/bitchat/Protocols/BitchatProtocol.swift
+++ b/bitchat/Protocols/BitchatProtocol.swift
@@ -251,22 +251,23 @@ struct DeliveryAck: Codable {
     }
     
     static func fromBinaryData(_ data: Data) -> DeliveryAck? {
+        // Create defensive copy
+        let dataCopy = Data(data)
+        
         // Minimum size: 2 UUIDs (32) + recipientID (8) + hopCount (1) + timestamp (8) + min nickname
-        guard data.count >= 50 else { return nil }
+        guard dataCopy.count >= 50 else { return nil }
         
         var offset = 0
         
-        guard let originalMessageID = data.readUUID(at: &offset),
-              let ackID = data.readUUID(at: &offset) else { return nil }
+        guard let originalMessageID = dataCopy.readUUID(at: &offset),
+              let ackID = dataCopy.readUUID(at: &offset) else { return nil }
         
-        guard offset + 8 <= data.count else { return nil }
-        let recipientIDData = data[offset..<offset + 8]
-        offset += 8
+        guard let recipientIDData = dataCopy.readFixedBytes(at: &offset, count: 8) else { return nil }
         let recipientID = recipientIDData.hexEncodedString()
         
-        guard let hopCount = data.readUInt8(at: &offset),
-              let timestamp = data.readDate(at: &offset),
-              let recipientNickname = data.readString(at: &offset) else { return nil }
+        guard let hopCount = dataCopy.readUInt8(at: &offset),
+              let timestamp = dataCopy.readDate(at: &offset),
+              let recipientNickname = dataCopy.readString(at: &offset) else { return nil }
         
         return DeliveryAck(originalMessageID: originalMessageID,
                            ackID: ackID,
@@ -336,21 +337,22 @@ struct ReadReceipt: Codable {
     }
     
     static func fromBinaryData(_ data: Data) -> ReadReceipt? {
+        // Create defensive copy
+        let dataCopy = Data(data)
+        
         // Minimum size: 2 UUIDs (32) + readerID (8) + timestamp (8) + min nickname
-        guard data.count >= 49 else { return nil }
+        guard dataCopy.count >= 49 else { return nil }
         
         var offset = 0
         
-        guard let originalMessageID = data.readUUID(at: &offset),
-              let receiptID = data.readUUID(at: &offset) else { return nil }
+        guard let originalMessageID = dataCopy.readUUID(at: &offset),
+              let receiptID = dataCopy.readUUID(at: &offset) else { return nil }
         
-        guard offset + 8 <= data.count else { return nil }
-        let readerIDData = data[offset..<offset + 8]
-        offset += 8
+        guard let readerIDData = dataCopy.readFixedBytes(at: &offset, count: 8) else { return nil }
         let readerID = readerIDData.hexEncodedString()
         
-        guard let timestamp = data.readDate(at: &offset),
-              let readerNickname = data.readString(at: &offset) else { return nil }
+        guard let timestamp = dataCopy.readDate(at: &offset),
+              let readerNickname = dataCopy.readString(at: &offset) else { return nil }
         
         return ReadReceipt(originalMessageID: originalMessageID,
                           receiptID: receiptID,
@@ -415,17 +417,18 @@ struct ChannelKeyVerifyRequest: Codable {
     }
     
     static func fromBinaryData(_ data: Data) -> ChannelKeyVerifyRequest? {
+        // Create defensive copy
+        let dataCopy = Data(data)
+        
         var offset = 0
         
-        guard let channel = data.readString(at: &offset) else { return nil }
+        guard let channel = dataCopy.readString(at: &offset) else { return nil }
         
-        guard offset + 8 <= data.count else { return nil }
-        let requesterIDData = data[offset..<offset + 8]
-        offset += 8
+        guard let requesterIDData = dataCopy.readFixedBytes(at: &offset, count: 8) else { return nil }
         let requesterID = requesterIDData.hexEncodedString()
         
-        guard let keyCommitment = data.readString(at: &offset),
-              let timestamp = data.readDate(at: &offset) else { return nil }
+        guard let keyCommitment = dataCopy.readString(at: &offset),
+              let timestamp = dataCopy.readDate(at: &offset) else { return nil }
         
         return ChannelKeyVerifyRequest(channel: channel,
                                        requesterID: requesterID,
@@ -489,17 +492,18 @@ struct ChannelKeyVerifyResponse: Codable {
     }
     
     static func fromBinaryData(_ data: Data) -> ChannelKeyVerifyResponse? {
+        // Create defensive copy
+        let dataCopy = Data(data)
+        
         var offset = 0
         
-        guard let channel = data.readString(at: &offset) else { return nil }
+        guard let channel = dataCopy.readString(at: &offset) else { return nil }
         
-        guard offset + 8 <= data.count else { return nil }
-        let responderIDData = data[offset..<offset + 8]
-        offset += 8
+        guard let responderIDData = dataCopy.readFixedBytes(at: &offset, count: 8) else { return nil }
         let responderID = responderIDData.hexEncodedString()
         
-        guard let verifiedByte = data.readUInt8(at: &offset),
-              let timestamp = data.readDate(at: &offset) else { return nil }
+        guard let verifiedByte = dataCopy.readUInt8(at: &offset),
+              let timestamp = dataCopy.readDate(at: &offset) else { return nil }
         
         let verified = verifiedByte != 0
         
@@ -573,19 +577,20 @@ struct ChannelPasswordUpdate: Codable {
     }
     
     static func fromBinaryData(_ data: Data) -> ChannelPasswordUpdate? {
+        // Create defensive copy
+        let dataCopy = Data(data)
+        
         var offset = 0
         
-        guard let channel = data.readString(at: &offset) else { return nil }
+        guard let channel = dataCopy.readString(at: &offset) else { return nil }
         
-        guard offset + 8 <= data.count else { return nil }
-        let ownerIDData = data[offset..<offset + 8]
-        offset += 8
+        guard let ownerIDData = dataCopy.readFixedBytes(at: &offset, count: 8) else { return nil }
         let ownerID = ownerIDData.hexEncodedString()
         
-        guard let ownerFingerprint = data.readString(at: &offset),
-              let encryptedPassword = data.readData(at: &offset),
-              let newKeyCommitment = data.readString(at: &offset),
-              let timestamp = data.readDate(at: &offset) else { return nil }
+        guard let ownerFingerprint = dataCopy.readString(at: &offset),
+              let encryptedPassword = dataCopy.readData(at: &offset),
+              let newKeyCommitment = dataCopy.readString(at: &offset),
+              let timestamp = dataCopy.readDate(at: &offset) else { return nil }
         
         return ChannelPasswordUpdate(channel: channel,
                                      ownerID: ownerID,
@@ -669,27 +674,28 @@ struct ChannelMetadata: Codable {
     }
     
     static func fromBinaryData(_ data: Data) -> ChannelMetadata? {
+        // Create defensive copy
+        let dataCopy = Data(data)
+        
         var offset = 0
         
-        guard let flags = data.readUInt8(at: &offset) else { return nil }
+        guard let flags = dataCopy.readUInt8(at: &offset) else { return nil }
         let hasKeyCommitment = (flags & 0x01) != 0
         
-        guard let channel = data.readString(at: &offset) else { return nil }
+        guard let channel = dataCopy.readString(at: &offset) else { return nil }
         
-        guard offset + 8 <= data.count else { return nil }
-        let creatorIDData = data[offset..<offset + 8]
-        offset += 8
+        guard let creatorIDData = dataCopy.readFixedBytes(at: &offset, count: 8) else { return nil }
         let creatorID = creatorIDData.hexEncodedString()
         
-        guard let creatorFingerprint = data.readString(at: &offset),
-              let createdAt = data.readDate(at: &offset),
-              let isPasswordProtectedByte = data.readUInt8(at: &offset) else { return nil }
+        guard let creatorFingerprint = dataCopy.readString(at: &offset),
+              let createdAt = dataCopy.readDate(at: &offset),
+              let isPasswordProtectedByte = dataCopy.readUInt8(at: &offset) else { return nil }
         
         let isPasswordProtected = isPasswordProtectedByte != 0
         
         var keyCommitment: String? = nil
         if hasKeyCommitment {
-            keyCommitment = data.readString(at: &offset)
+            keyCommitment = dataCopy.readString(at: &offset)
         }
         
         return ChannelMetadata(channel: channel,
@@ -784,33 +790,34 @@ struct NoiseIdentityAnnouncement: Codable {
     }
     
     static func fromBinaryData(_ data: Data) -> NoiseIdentityAnnouncement? {
-        // Minimum size check
-        guard data.count >= 20 else { return nil }
+        // Create defensive copy
+        let dataCopy = Data(data)
+        
+        // Minimum size check: flags(1) + peerID(8) + min data lengths
+        guard dataCopy.count >= 20 else { return nil }
         
         var offset = 0
         
-        guard let flags = data.readUInt8(at: &offset) else { return nil }
+        guard let flags = dataCopy.readUInt8(at: &offset) else { return nil }
         let hasPreviousPeerID = (flags & 0x01) != 0
         
-        guard offset + 8 <= data.count else { return nil }
-        let peerIDData = data[offset..<offset + 8]
-        offset += 8
-        let peerID = peerIDData.hexEncodedString()
+        // Read peerID using safe method
+        guard let peerIDBytes = dataCopy.readFixedBytes(at: &offset, count: 8) else { return nil }
+        let peerID = peerIDBytes.hexEncodedString()
         
-        guard let publicKey = data.readData(at: &offset),
-              let signingPublicKey = data.readData(at: &offset),
-              let nickname = data.readString(at: &offset),
-              let timestamp = data.readDate(at: &offset) else { return nil }
+        guard let publicKey = dataCopy.readData(at: &offset),
+              let signingPublicKey = dataCopy.readData(at: &offset),
+              let nickname = dataCopy.readString(at: &offset),
+              let timestamp = dataCopy.readDate(at: &offset) else { return nil }
         
         var previousPeerID: String? = nil
         if hasPreviousPeerID {
-            guard offset + 8 <= data.count else { return nil }
-            let previousPeerIDData = data[offset..<offset + 8]
-            offset += 8
-            previousPeerID = previousPeerIDData.hexEncodedString()
+            // Read previousPeerID using safe method
+            guard let prevIDBytes = dataCopy.readFixedBytes(at: &offset, count: 8) else { return nil }
+            previousPeerID = prevIDBytes.hexEncodedString()
         }
         
-        guard let signature = data.readData(at: &offset) else { return nil }
+        guard let signature = dataCopy.readData(at: &offset) else { return nil }
         
         return NoiseIdentityAnnouncement(peerID: peerID,
                                         publicKey: publicKey,
@@ -930,31 +937,34 @@ struct VersionHello: Codable {
     }
     
     static func fromBinaryData(_ data: Data) -> VersionHello? {
+        // Create defensive copy
+        let dataCopy = Data(data)
+        
         // Minimum size check: flags(1) + versionCount(1) + at least one version(1) + preferredVersion(1) + min strings
-        guard data.count >= 4 else { return nil }
+        guard dataCopy.count >= 4 else { return nil }
         
         var offset = 0
         
-        guard let flags = data.readUInt8(at: &offset) else { return nil }
+        guard let flags = dataCopy.readUInt8(at: &offset) else { return nil }
         let hasCapabilities = (flags & 0x01) != 0
         
-        guard let versionCount = data.readUInt8(at: &offset) else { return nil }
+        guard let versionCount = dataCopy.readUInt8(at: &offset) else { return nil }
         var supportedVersions: [UInt8] = []
         for _ in 0..<versionCount {
-            guard let version = data.readUInt8(at: &offset) else { return nil }
+            guard let version = dataCopy.readUInt8(at: &offset) else { return nil }
             supportedVersions.append(version)
         }
         
-        guard let preferredVersion = data.readUInt8(at: &offset),
-              let clientVersion = data.readString(at: &offset),
-              let platform = data.readString(at: &offset) else { return nil }
+        guard let preferredVersion = dataCopy.readUInt8(at: &offset),
+              let clientVersion = dataCopy.readString(at: &offset),
+              let platform = dataCopy.readString(at: &offset) else { return nil }
         
         var capabilities: [String]? = nil
         if hasCapabilities {
-            guard let capCount = data.readUInt8(at: &offset) else { return nil }
+            guard let capCount = dataCopy.readUInt8(at: &offset) else { return nil }
             capabilities = []
             for _ in 0..<capCount {
-                guard let capability = data.readString(at: &offset) else { return nil }
+                guard let capability = dataCopy.readString(at: &offset) else { return nil }
                 capabilities?.append(capability)
             }
         }
@@ -1029,35 +1039,38 @@ struct VersionAck: Codable {
     }
     
     static func fromBinaryData(_ data: Data) -> VersionAck? {
+        // Create defensive copy
+        let dataCopy = Data(data)
+        
         // Minimum size: flags(1) + version(1) + rejected(1) + min strings
-        guard data.count >= 5 else { return nil }
+        guard dataCopy.count >= 5 else { return nil }
         
         var offset = 0
         
-        guard let flags = data.readUInt8(at: &offset) else { return nil }
+        guard let flags = dataCopy.readUInt8(at: &offset) else { return nil }
         let hasCapabilities = (flags & 0x01) != 0
         let hasReason = (flags & 0x02) != 0
         
-        guard let agreedVersion = data.readUInt8(at: &offset),
-              let serverVersion = data.readString(at: &offset),
-              let platform = data.readString(at: &offset),
-              let rejectedByte = data.readUInt8(at: &offset) else { return nil }
+        guard let agreedVersion = dataCopy.readUInt8(at: &offset),
+              let serverVersion = dataCopy.readString(at: &offset),
+              let platform = dataCopy.readString(at: &offset),
+              let rejectedByte = dataCopy.readUInt8(at: &offset) else { return nil }
         
         let rejected = rejectedByte != 0
         
         var capabilities: [String]? = nil
         if hasCapabilities {
-            guard let capCount = data.readUInt8(at: &offset) else { return nil }
+            guard let capCount = dataCopy.readUInt8(at: &offset) else { return nil }
             capabilities = []
             for _ in 0..<capCount {
-                guard let capability = data.readString(at: &offset) else { return nil }
+                guard let capability = dataCopy.readString(at: &offset) else { return nil }
                 capabilities?.append(capability)
             }
         }
         
         var reason: String? = nil
         if hasReason {
-            reason = data.readString(at: &offset)
+            reason = dataCopy.readString(at: &offset)
         }
         
         return VersionAck(agreedVersion: agreedVersion,
diff --git a/bitchat/Services/BluetoothMeshService.swift b/bitchat/Services/BluetoothMeshService.swift
index 44dd2ef9..f26072c2 100644
--- a/bitchat/Services/BluetoothMeshService.swift
+++ b/bitchat/Services/BluetoothMeshService.swift
@@ -904,6 +904,7 @@ class BluetoothMeshService: NSObject {
             
             // Encode the ACK
             let ackData = ack.toBinaryData()
+            print("📤 Sending delivery ACK for message \(ack.originalMessageID) to \(recipientID) - binary size: \(ackData.count)")
             
             // Check if we have a Noise session with this peer
             // Use noiseService directly
@@ -1779,6 +1780,7 @@ class BluetoothMeshService: NSObject {
                                 myNickname: myNickname,
                                 hopCount: UInt8(self.maxTTL - packet.ttl)
                             ) {
+                                print("🔔 Generating delivery ACK for channel mention message \(messageWithPeerID.id)")
                                 self.sendDeliveryAck(ack, to: senderID)
                             }
                         }
@@ -1873,6 +1875,7 @@ class BluetoothMeshService: NSObject {
                             myNickname: myNickname,
                             hopCount: UInt8(self.maxTTL - packet.ttl)
                         ) {
+                            print("💬 Generating delivery ACK for private message \(messageWithPeerID.id) from \(senderID)")
                             self.sendDeliveryAck(ack, to: senderID)
                         }
                     } else {
@@ -2297,8 +2300,24 @@ class BluetoothMeshService: NSObject {
             // Handle Noise identity announcement
             let senderID = packet.senderID.hexEncodedString()
             if senderID != myPeerID && !isPeerIDOurs(senderID) {
+                // Create defensive copy and validate
+                let payloadCopy = Data(packet.payload)
+                
+                guard !payloadCopy.isEmpty else {
+                    SecurityLogger.log("Received empty NoiseIdentityAnnouncement from \(senderID)", category: SecurityLogger.noise, level: .error)
+                    return
+                }
+                
                 // Decode the announcement
-                guard let announcement = NoiseIdentityAnnouncement.fromBinaryData(packet.payload) ?? NoiseIdentityAnnouncement.decode(from: packet.payload) else {
+                let announcement: NoiseIdentityAnnouncement?
+                if let firstByte = payloadCopy.first, firstByte == 0x7B { // '{' character - JSON
+                    announcement = NoiseIdentityAnnouncement.decode(from: payloadCopy) ?? NoiseIdentityAnnouncement.fromBinaryData(payloadCopy)
+                } else {
+                    announcement = NoiseIdentityAnnouncement.fromBinaryData(payloadCopy) ?? NoiseIdentityAnnouncement.decode(from: payloadCopy)
+                }
+                
+                guard let announcement = announcement else {
+                    SecurityLogger.log("Failed to decode NoiseIdentityAnnouncement from \(senderID), size: \(payloadCopy.count)", category: SecurityLogger.noise, level: .error)
                     return
                 }
                 
@@ -2360,13 +2379,27 @@ class BluetoothMeshService: NSObject {
         case .noiseHandshakeInit:
             // Handle incoming Noise handshake initiation
             let senderID = packet.senderID.hexEncodedString()
+            print("🤝 Received Noise handshake init from \(senderID), payload size: \(packet.payload.count)")
+            
             // Check if this handshake is for us or broadcast
             if let recipientID = packet.recipientID,
                !isPeerIDOurs(recipientID.hexEncodedString()) {
-                // Not for us, ignore
+                // Not for us, relay if TTL > 0
+                if packet.ttl > 0 {
+                    print("🔀 Relaying handshake init packet, TTL: \(packet.ttl)")
+                    var relayPacket = packet
+                    relayPacket.ttl -= 1
+                    broadcastPacket(relayPacket)
+                }
                 return
             }
             if !isPeerIDOurs(senderID) {
+                // Check if we already have a session (established or handshaking)
+                if noiseService.hasSession(with: senderID) {
+                    print("⚠️ Received handshake init from \(senderID) but already have session/handshaking - ignoring duplicate")
+                    return
+                }
+                
                 // Check if we've completed version negotiation with this peer
                 if negotiatedVersions[senderID] == nil {
                     // Legacy peer - assume version 1 for backward compatibility
@@ -2381,13 +2414,26 @@ class BluetoothMeshService: NSObject {
         case .noiseHandshakeResp:
             // Handle Noise handshake response
             let senderID = packet.senderID.hexEncodedString()
+            print("🤝 Received Noise handshake response from \(senderID)")
+            
             // Check if this handshake response is for us
-            if let recipientID = packet.recipientID,
-               !isPeerIDOurs(recipientID.hexEncodedString()) {
-                // Not for us, ignore
-                return
+            if let recipientID = packet.recipientID {
+                let recipientIDStr = recipientID.hexEncodedString()
+                print("🤝 Response targeted to: \(recipientIDStr), is us: \(isPeerIDOurs(recipientIDStr))")
+                if !isPeerIDOurs(recipientIDStr) {
+                    // Not for us, relay if TTL > 0
+                    if packet.ttl > 0 {
+                        print("🔀 Relaying handshake response packet, TTL: \(packet.ttl)")
+                        var relayPacket = packet
+                        relayPacket.ttl -= 1
+                        broadcastPacket(relayPacket)
+                    }
+                    return
+                }
             }
+            
             if !isPeerIDOurs(senderID) {
+                print("🤝 Processing handshake response from \(senderID)")
                 handleNoiseHandshakeMessage(from: senderID, message: packet.payload, isInitiation: false)
             }
             
@@ -3344,11 +3390,14 @@ extension BluetoothMeshService: CBPeripheralManagerDelegate {
             guard let self = self,
                   let pendingMessages = self.pendingPrivateMessages[peerID] else { return }
             
+            print("📬 Sending \(pendingMessages.count) pending private messages to \(peerID)")
+            
             // Clear pending messages for this peer
             self.pendingPrivateMessages.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
             
             // Send each pending message
             for (content, recipientNickname, messageID) in pendingMessages {
+                print("📬 Sending pending message \(messageID) to \(peerID)")
                 // Use async to avoid blocking the queue
                 DispatchQueue.global().async { [weak self] in
                     self?.sendPrivateMessage(content, to: peerID, recipientNickname: recipientNickname, messageID: messageID)
@@ -3409,10 +3458,12 @@ extension BluetoothMeshService: CBPeripheralManagerDelegate {
     
     private func handleNoiseHandshakeMessage(from peerID: String, message: Data, isInitiation: Bool) {
         // Use noiseService directly
+        print("🤝 handleNoiseHandshakeMessage from \(peerID), isInitiation: \(isInitiation), messageSize: \(message.count)")
         
         do {
             // Process handshake message
             if let response = try noiseService.processHandshakeMessage(from: peerID, message: message) {
+                print("🤝 Got response from processHandshakeMessage, size: \(response.count)")
                 // Always send responses as handshake response type
                 let packet = BitchatPacket(
                     type: MessageType.noiseHandshakeResp.rawValue,
@@ -3426,10 +3477,13 @@ extension BluetoothMeshService: CBPeripheralManagerDelegate {
                 
                 // Use broadcastPacket instead of sendPacket to ensure it goes through the mesh
                 broadcastPacket(packet)
+            } else {
+                print("🤝 No response needed from processHandshakeMessage")
             }
             
             // Check if handshake is complete
             if noiseService.hasEstablishedSession(with: peerID) {
+                print("🎉 Handshake completed with peer: \(peerID)")
                 // Unlock rotation now that handshake is complete
                 unlockRotation()
                 
@@ -3459,8 +3513,10 @@ extension BluetoothMeshService: CBPeripheralManagerDelegate {
             }
         } catch NoiseSessionError.alreadyEstablished {
             // Session already established, ignore handshake
+            print("🤝 Handshake already established with \(peerID)")
         } catch {
             // Handshake failed
+            print("❌ Handshake failed with \(peerID): \(error)")
         }
     }
     
@@ -3489,7 +3545,9 @@ extension BluetoothMeshService: CBPeripheralManagerDelegate {
         
         do {
             // Decrypt the message
+            print("🔓 Attempting to decrypt Noise message from \(peerID), encrypted size: \(encryptedData.count)")
             let decryptedData = try noiseService.decrypt(encryptedData, from: peerID)
+            print("🔓 Successfully decrypted message from \(peerID), decrypted size: \(decryptedData.count)")
             
             // Check if this is a special format message (type marker + payload)
             if decryptedData.count > 1 {
@@ -3500,8 +3558,9 @@ extension BluetoothMeshService: CBPeripheralManagerDelegate {
                     // Extract the ACK JSON data (skip the type marker)
                     let ackData = decryptedData.dropFirst()
                     
-                    // Decode the delivery ACK
-                    if let ack = DeliveryAck.decode(from: ackData) {
+                    // Decode the delivery ACK - try binary first, then JSON
+                    if let ack = DeliveryAck.fromBinaryData(ackData) {
+                        print("📨 Received binary delivery ACK via Noise: \(ack.originalMessageID) from \(ack.recipientNickname)")
                         
                         // Process the ACK
                         DeliveryTracker.shared.processDeliveryAck(ack)
@@ -3511,22 +3570,42 @@ extension BluetoothMeshService: CBPeripheralManagerDelegate {
                             self.delegate?.didReceiveDeliveryAck(ack)
                         }
                         return
+                    } else if let ack = DeliveryAck.decode(from: ackData) {
+                        print("📨 Received JSON delivery ACK via Noise: \(ack.originalMessageID) from \(ack.recipientNickname)")
+                        
+                        // Process the ACK
+                        DeliveryTracker.shared.processDeliveryAck(ack)
+                        
+                        // Notify delegate
+                        DispatchQueue.main.async {
+                            self.delegate?.didReceiveDeliveryAck(ack)
+                        }
+                        return
+                    } else {
+                        print("⚠️ Failed to decode delivery ACK via Noise - data size: \(ackData.count)")
                     }
                 }
             }
             
             // Try to parse as a full inner packet (for backward compatibility and other message types)
             if let innerPacket = BitchatPacket.from(decryptedData) {
+                print("📦 Successfully parsed inner packet - type: \(MessageType(rawValue: innerPacket.type)?.description ?? "unknown"), from: \(innerPacket.senderID.hexEncodedString()), to: \(innerPacket.recipientID?.hexEncodedString() ?? "broadcast")")
                 
                 // Process the decrypted inner packet
                 // The packet will be handled according to its recipient ID
                 // If it's for us, it won't be relayed
                 handleReceivedPacket(innerPacket, from: peerID)
+            } else {
+                print("⚠️ Failed to parse inner packet from decrypted data")
             }
         } catch {
             // Failed to decrypt - might need to re-establish session
+            print("❌ Failed to decrypt Noise message from \(peerID): \(error)")
             if !noiseService.hasEstablishedSession(with: peerID) {
+                print("🔄 No Noise session with \(peerID), initiating handshake")
                 initiateNoiseHandshake(with: peerID)
+            } else {
+                print("⚠️ Have session with \(peerID) but decryption failed")
             }
         }
     }
@@ -3991,7 +4070,9 @@ extension BluetoothMeshService: CBPeripheralManagerDelegate {
         
         do {
             // Encrypt with Noise
+            print("🔐 Encrypting private message \(msgID) for \(recipientPeerID)")
             let encryptedData = try noiseService.encrypt(innerData, for: recipientPeerID)
+            print("🔐 Successfully encrypted message, size: \(encryptedData.count)")
             
             // Send as Noise encrypted message
             let outerPacket = BitchatPacket(
@@ -4004,9 +4085,11 @@ extension BluetoothMeshService: CBPeripheralManagerDelegate {
                 ttl: adaptiveTTL
             )
             
+            print("📤 Broadcasting encrypted private message \(msgID) to \(recipientPeerID)")
             broadcastPacket(outerPacket)
         } catch {
             // Failed to encrypt message
+            print("❌ Failed to encrypt private message \(msgID) for \(recipientPeerID): \(error)")
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/bitchat/Services/DeliveryTracker.swift b/bitchat/Services/DeliveryTracker.swift
index 1cf828ff..e5df9956 100644
--- a/bitchat/Services/DeliveryTracker.swift
+++ b/bitchat/Services/DeliveryTracker.swift
@@ -71,6 +71,8 @@ class DeliveryTracker {
         // Don't track broadcasts or certain message types
         guard message.isPrivate || message.channel != nil else { return }
         
+        print("📮 Tracking message \(message.id) - private: \(message.isPrivate), channel: \(message.channel ?? "none"), recipient: \(recipientNickname)")
+        
         
         let delivery = PendingDelivery(
             messageID: message.id,
@@ -89,9 +91,21 @@ class DeliveryTracker {
         pendingDeliveries[message.id] = delivery
         pendingLock.unlock()
         
-        // Update status to sent
+        // Update status to sent (only if not already delivered)
         DispatchQueue.main.asyncAfter(deadline: .now() + 0.1) { [weak self] in
-            self?.updateDeliveryStatus(message.id, status: .sent)
+            guard let self = self else { return }
+            
+            self.pendingLock.lock()
+            let stillPending = self.pendingDeliveries[message.id] != nil
+            self.pendingLock.unlock()
+            
+            // Only update to sent if still pending (not already delivered)
+            if stillPending {
+                print("⏱️ Updating message \(message.id) to sent status (still pending)")
+                self.updateDeliveryStatus(message.id, status: .sent)
+            } else {
+                print("✋ Skipping sent status update for \(message.id) - already delivered")
+            }
         }
         
         // Schedule timeout (outside of lock)
@@ -102,9 +116,11 @@ class DeliveryTracker {
         pendingLock.lock()
         defer { pendingLock.unlock() }
         
+        print("✅ Processing delivery ACK for message \(ack.originalMessageID) from \(ack.recipientNickname)")
         
         // Prevent duplicate ACK processing
         guard !receivedAckIDs.contains(ack.ackID) else {
+            print("⚠️ Duplicate ACK \(ack.ackID) - ignoring")
             return
         }
         receivedAckIDs.insert(ack.ackID)
@@ -112,6 +128,7 @@ class DeliveryTracker {
         // Find the pending delivery
         guard var delivery = pendingDeliveries[ack.originalMessageID] else {
             // Message might have already been delivered or timed out
+            print("⚠️ No pending delivery found for message \(ack.originalMessageID)")
             return
         }
         
@@ -136,6 +153,7 @@ class DeliveryTracker {
             }
         } else {
             // Direct message - mark as delivered
+            print("💬 Marking private message \(ack.originalMessageID) as delivered to \(ack.recipientNickname)")
             updateDeliveryStatus(ack.originalMessageID, status: .delivered(to: ack.recipientNickname, at: Date()))
             pendingDeliveries.removeValue(forKey: ack.originalMessageID)
         }
@@ -180,6 +198,7 @@ class DeliveryTracker {
     // MARK: - Private Methods
     
     private func updateDeliveryStatus(_ messageID: String, status: DeliveryStatus) {
+        print("📊 Updating delivery status for message \(messageID): \(status)")
         DispatchQueue.main.async { [weak self] in
             self?.deliveryStatusUpdated.send((messageID: messageID, status: status))
         }
diff --git a/bitchat/Services/NoiseEncryptionService.swift b/bitchat/Services/NoiseEncryptionService.swift
index 20496623..d000a190 100644
--- a/bitchat/Services/NoiseEncryptionService.swift
+++ b/bitchat/Services/NoiseEncryptionService.swift
@@ -207,6 +207,11 @@ class NoiseEncryptionService {
         return sessionManager.getSession(for: peerID)?.isEstablished() ?? false
     }
     
+    /// Check if we have a session (established or handshaking) with a peer
+    func hasSession(with peerID: String) -> Bool {
+        return sessionManager.getSession(for: peerID) != nil
+    }
+    
     // MARK: - Encryption/Decryption
     
     /// Encrypt data for a specific peer
@@ -471,11 +476,14 @@ struct NoiseMessage: Codable {
     }
     
     static func fromBinaryData(_ data: Data) -> NoiseMessage? {
+        // Create defensive copy
+        let dataCopy = Data(data)
+        
         var offset = 0
         
-        guard let type = data.readUInt8(at: &offset),
-              let sessionID = data.readUUID(at: &offset),
-              let payload = data.readData(at: &offset) else { return nil }
+        guard let type = dataCopy.readUInt8(at: &offset),
+              let sessionID = dataCopy.readUUID(at: &offset),
+              let payload = dataCopy.readData(at: &offset) else { return nil }
         
         guard let messageType = NoiseMessageType(rawValue: type) else { return nil }
         
diff --git a/bitchat/ViewModels/ChatViewModel.swift b/bitchat/ViewModels/ChatViewModel.swift
index 20f360fb..ff488922 100644
--- a/bitchat/ViewModels/ChatViewModel.swift
+++ b/bitchat/ViewModels/ChatViewModel.swift
@@ -3654,6 +3654,7 @@ extension ChatViewModel: BitchatDelegate {
     }
     
     private func updateMessageDeliveryStatus(_ messageID: String, status: DeliveryStatus) {
+        print("🔄 Updating UI delivery status for message \(messageID): \(status)")
         
         // Helper function to check if we should skip this update
         func shouldSkipUpdate(currentStatus: DeliveryStatus?, newStatus: DeliveryStatus) -> Bool {