Discard deferred Noise ciphertext during panic

bitchat/App/ConversationUIModel.swift

@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ final class ConversationUIModel: ObservableObject {
     @Published private(set) var currentNickname: String
     @Published private(set) var isBatchingPublic = false
     @Published private(set) var canSendMediaInCurrentContext = true
+    @Published private(set) var legacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest: LegacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest?
     /// Who is talking live in the public mesh channel right now (floor
     /// courtesy: the composer mic tints "busy" while someone holds the floor).
     @Published private(set) var activeLiveVoiceTalker: String?
@@ -153,6 +154,13 @@ final class ConversationUIModel: ObservableObject {
         chatViewModel.sendVoiceNote(at: url)
     }
 
+    func resolveLegacyPrivateMediaConsent(requestID: UUID, approved: Bool) {
+        chatViewModel.resolveLegacyPrivateMediaConsent(
+            requestID: requestID,
+            approved: approved
+        )
+    }
+
     /// Capture backend for the mic gesture: live PTT when the current DM
     /// peer can hear it now, classic voice note otherwise.
     func makeVoiceCaptureSession() -> VoiceCaptureSession {
@@ -193,6 +201,10 @@ final class ConversationUIModel: ObservableObject {
             .receive(on: DispatchQueue.main)
             .assign(to: &$activeLiveVoiceTalker)
 
+        chatViewModel.$legacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest
+            .receive(on: DispatchQueue.main)
+            .assign(to: &$legacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest)
+
         conversations.$activeChannel
             .receive(on: DispatchQueue.main)
             .sink { [weak self] channel in

bitchat/Identity/IdentityModels.swift

@@ -189,6 +189,18 @@ struct IdentityCache: Codable {
     // Fingerprint -> when we verified it (orders outgoing vouch batches;
     // entries verified before this field exists sort as oldest)
     var verifiedAt: [String: Date]? = nil
+
+    // Stable Noise fingerprints that proved encrypted private-media support
+    // inside an authenticated Noise session. Optional for decoding caches
+    // written before this migration. Entries are monotonic until a panic wipe
+    // so an old/replayed announce cannot silently downgrade a peer.
+    var privateMediaCapableFingerprints: Set<String>? = nil
+
+    // Noise-fingerprint -> Ed25519 announcement key, learned only from the
+    // authenticated peer-state payload. This prevents a self-signed announce
+    // containing a copied public Noise key from replacing a previously bound
+    // public-message signing identity. Optional for old cache compatibility.
+    var authenticatedSigningKeysByFingerprint: [String: Data]? = nil
 }
 
 //

bitchat/Identity/SecureIdentityStateManager.swift

@@ -140,6 +140,14 @@ protocol SecureIdentityStateManagerProtocol {
     func markVouchBatchSent(to fingerprint: String, at date: Date)
     func signingPublicKey(forFingerprint fingerprint: String) -> Data?
     func mostRecentlyVerifiedFingerprints(limit: Int, excluding fingerprint: String) -> [String]
+
+    // MARK: Noise-authenticated announcement identity
+    func bindAuthenticatedSigningPublicKey(_ signingPublicKey: Data, fingerprint: String)
+    func authenticatedSigningPublicKey(forFingerprint fingerprint: String) -> Data?
+
+    // MARK: Private-media downgrade protection
+    func markPrivateMediaCapable(fingerprint: String)
+    func hasObservedPrivateMediaCapability(fingerprint: String) -> Bool
 }
 
 /// Singleton manager for secure identity state persistence and retrieval.
@@ -157,6 +165,7 @@ final class SecureIdentityStateManager: SecureIdentityStateManagerProtocol {
     
     // Thread safety
     private let queue = DispatchQueue(label: "bitchat.identity.state", attributes: .concurrent)
+    private let queueSpecificKey = DispatchSpecificKey<UInt8>()
     
     // Pending-save coalescing flag. Reads/writes are serialized on `queue`.
     // Persistence is done with a fire-and-forget `queue.async(.barrier)` rather
@@ -214,6 +223,7 @@ final class SecureIdentityStateManager: SecureIdentityStateManagerProtocol {
 
         self.encryptionKey = loadedKey
         self.encryptionKeyIsEphemeral = keyIsEphemeral
+        queue.setSpecific(key: queueSpecificKey, value: 1)
 
         // Only read the persisted cache when we hold the real key; with an
         // ephemeral key the decrypt would fail and discard the real cache.
@@ -370,6 +380,66 @@ final class SecureIdentityStateManager: SecureIdentityStateManagerProtocol {
             return cryptographicIdentities.values.filter { $0.fingerprint.hasPrefix(peerID.id) }
         }
     }
+
+    // MARK: - Private-media downgrade protection
+
+    func markPrivateMediaCapable(fingerprint: String) {
+        guard !fingerprint.isEmpty else { return }
+        let insertAndPersist = {
+            var pinned = self.cache.privateMediaCapableFingerprints ?? []
+            guard pinned.insert(fingerprint).inserted else { return }
+            self.cache.privateMediaCapableFingerprints = pinned
+            self.saveIdentityCache()
+        }
+        // Downgrade decisions can run immediately after an authenticated
+        // announce. Make the pin visible before returning; merely enqueueing a
+        // barrier leaves a cross-queue window where a replay can look legacy.
+        // The queue-specific fast path prevents self-deadlock if a future
+        // identity-state mutation records the capability from inside `queue`.
+        if DispatchQueue.getSpecific(key: queueSpecificKey) != nil {
+            insertAndPersist()
+        } else {
+            queue.sync(flags: .barrier, execute: insertAndPersist)
+        }
+    }
+
+    func hasObservedPrivateMediaCapability(fingerprint: String) -> Bool {
+        guard !fingerprint.isEmpty else { return false }
+        return queue.sync {
+            cache.privateMediaCapableFingerprints?.contains(fingerprint) == true
+        }
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Noise-authenticated announcement identity
+
+    func bindAuthenticatedSigningPublicKey(_ signingPublicKey: Data, fingerprint: String) {
+        guard signingPublicKey.count == AuthenticatedPeerStatePacket.signingPublicKeyLength,
+              !fingerprint.isEmpty else { return }
+        let bindAndPersist = {
+            var bindings = self.cache.authenticatedSigningKeysByFingerprint ?? [:]
+            let bindingChanged = bindings[fingerprint] != signingPublicKey
+            bindings[fingerprint] = signingPublicKey
+            self.cache.authenticatedSigningKeysByFingerprint = bindings
+            if var cryptoIdentity = self.cryptographicIdentities[fingerprint] {
+                cryptoIdentity.signingPublicKey = signingPublicKey
+                self.cryptographicIdentities[fingerprint] = cryptoIdentity
+            }
+            guard bindingChanged else { return }
+            self.saveIdentityCache()
+        }
+        if DispatchQueue.getSpecific(key: queueSpecificKey) != nil {
+            bindAndPersist()
+        } else {
+            queue.sync(flags: .barrier, execute: bindAndPersist)
+        }
+    }
+
+    func authenticatedSigningPublicKey(forFingerprint fingerprint: String) -> Data? {
+        guard !fingerprint.isEmpty else { return nil }
+        return queue.sync {
+            cache.authenticatedSigningKeysByFingerprint?[fingerprint]
+        }
+    }
     
     func updateSocialIdentity(_ identity: SocialIdentity) {
         queue.async(flags: .barrier) {

bitchat/Models/NoisePayload.swift

@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ struct NoisePayload {
         
         // Safely get the first byte
         let firstByte = data[data.startIndex]
-        guard let type = NoisePayloadType(rawValue: firstByte) else {
+        guard let type = NoisePayloadType.decoded(rawValue: firstByte) else {
             return nil
         }
         

bitchat/Noise/NoiseSecurityConstants.swift

@@ -6,17 +6,60 @@
 // For more information, see <https://unlicense.org>
 //
 
+import BitFoundation
 import Foundation
 
 enum NoiseSecurityConstants {
     // Maximum message size to prevent memory exhaustion
     static let maxMessageSize = 65535 // 64KB as per Noise spec
+
+    /// The extracted transport nonce (4 bytes) and Poly1305 tag (16 bytes)
+    /// added by `NoiseCipherState` around every transport plaintext.
+    static let transportCiphertextOverhead = 20
+
+    /// Private files are an explicit BitChat extension to the ordinary Noise
+    /// message-size ceiling. They remain bounded by the same framed-file cap
+    /// used by the binary and fragment decoders. Only the `.privateFile`
+    /// typed-payload path is allowed to use this larger budget.
+    private static let privateFileOuterPacketOverhead =
+        (BinaryProtocol.v1HeaderSize + 2) // v2 adds two length bytes
+        + BinaryProtocol.senderIDSize
+        + BinaryProtocol.recipientIDSize
+    static let maxPrivateFilePlaintextSize = FileTransferLimits.maxFramedFileBytes
+        - privateFileOuterPacketOverhead
+        - transportCiphertextOverhead
+    static let maxPrivateFileCiphertextSize =
+        maxPrivateFilePlaintextSize + transportCiphertextOverhead
     
     // Maximum handshake message size
     static let maxHandshakeMessageSize = 2048 // 2KB to accommodate XX pattern
 
     // Noise XX message 1 contains only the initiator's 32-byte ephemeral key.
     static let xxInitialMessageSize = 32
+
+    // Bounds an ordinary initiator whose message 1 or 2 is lost.
+    static let ordinaryHandshakeTimeout: TimeInterval = 10
+
+    // Bounds the receive-only rollback quarantine created by an unauthenticated
+    // inbound message 1. A lost message 3 must not strand outbound traffic.
+    static let ordinaryResponderHandshakeTimeout: TimeInterval = 20
+
+    // A released client may immediately retry after both crossed initiators
+    // yielded. Give that unilateral retry a brief head start before the
+    // patched side spends its one bounded recovery.
+    static let handshakeCollisionRecoveryDelay: TimeInterval = 0.2
+
+    // Rate-limited recovery remains actionable without spinning.
+    static let handshakeRateLimitRecoveryDelay: TimeInterval = 60
+
+    // Covers only reordering between a winning message 3 and the losing
+    // crossed message 1.
+    static let recentInitiatorCompletionGracePeriod: TimeInterval = 1
+
+    // After unauthenticated responder rollback, reject another attempt long
+    // enough that paced message 1 traffic cannot keep outbound paused. A
+    // legitimate peer converges through the one manager-owned local retry.
+    static let ordinaryReconnectRollbackCooldown: TimeInterval = 60
     
     // Session timeout - sessions older than this should be renegotiated
     static let sessionTimeout: TimeInterval = 86400 // 24 hours

bitchat/Noise/NoiseSecurityValidator.swift

@@ -14,6 +14,19 @@ struct NoiseSecurityValidator {
     static func validateMessageSize(_ data: Data) -> Bool {
         return data.count <= NoiseSecurityConstants.maxMessageSize
     }
+
+    static func validateCiphertextSize(_ data: Data) -> Bool {
+        data.count <= NoiseSecurityConstants.maxMessageSize
+            + NoiseSecurityConstants.transportCiphertextOverhead
+    }
+
+    static func validatePrivateFileMessageSize(_ data: Data) -> Bool {
+        data.count <= NoiseSecurityConstants.maxPrivateFilePlaintextSize
+    }
+
+    static func validatePrivateFileCiphertextSize(_ data: Data) -> Bool {
+        data.count <= NoiseSecurityConstants.maxPrivateFileCiphertextSize
+    }
     
     /// Validate handshake message size
     static func validateHandshakeMessageSize(_ data: Data) -> Bool {

bitchat/Noise/NoiseSessionError.swift

@@ -13,3 +13,9 @@ enum NoiseSessionError: Error, Equatable {
     case alreadyEstablished
     case peerIdentityMismatch
 }
+
+/// The manager owns the exact attempt's one bounded recovery. Packet handling
+/// must not launch its historical second, immediate restart for this failure.
+struct NoiseManagedHandshakeFailure: Error {
+    let underlying: Error
+}

bitchat/Noise/SecureNoiseSession.swift

@@ -24,8 +24,12 @@ final class SecureNoiseSession: NoiseSession {
             throw NoiseSecurityError.sessionExhausted
         }
         
-        // Validate message size
-        guard NoiseSecurityValidator.validateMessageSize(plaintext) else {
+        // Ordinary Noise messages keep the protocol ceiling. Finalized media
+        // is the sole typed-payload extension and remains under the framed-file
+        // cap enforced again at the service and file-decoder layers.
+        let isPrivateFile = NoisePayloadType.isPrivateFile(rawValue: plaintext.first)
+            && NoiseSecurityValidator.validatePrivateFileMessageSize(plaintext)
+        guard NoiseSecurityValidator.validateMessageSize(plaintext) || isPrivateFile else {
             throw NoiseSecurityError.messageTooLarge
         }
         
@@ -42,8 +46,11 @@ final class SecureNoiseSession: NoiseSession {
             throw NoiseSecurityError.sessionExpired
         }
         
-        // Validate message size
-        guard NoiseSecurityValidator.validateMessageSize(ciphertext) else {
+        // The payload type is encrypted, so a large candidate can only be
+        // bounded here; `NoiseEncryptionService.decrypt` authenticates it and
+        // then requires the resulting type to be `.privateFile`.
+        guard NoiseSecurityValidator.validateCiphertextSize(ciphertext)
+                || NoiseSecurityValidator.validatePrivateFileCiphertextSize(ciphertext) else {
             throw NoiseSecurityError.messageTooLarge
         }
         

bitchat/Protocols/BitchatProtocol.swift

@@ -79,12 +79,35 @@ enum NoisePayloadType: UInt8 {
     case groupKeyUpdate = 0x07      // Creator-signed group state (key rotation / roster update)
     // Live voice (push-to-talk)
     case voiceFrame = 0x08          // One live voice-burst packet (see VoiceBurstPacket)
+    // Finalized private media. `0x20` is the value already deployed by the
+    // Android client. The complete BitchatFilePacket is encrypted inside
+    // Noise before the outer noiseEncrypted packet is fragmented.
+    case privateFile = 0x20
+    // Versioned peer state authenticated by the surrounding Noise session.
+    // This is intentionally distinct from the public announce: announce
+    // capabilities are discovery hints, while this payload proves possession
+    // of the advertised Noise static key before downgrade state is pinned.
+    case authenticatedPeerState = 0x21
     // Verification (QR-based OOB binding)
     case verifyChallenge = 0x10     // Verification challenge
     case verifyResponse  = 0x11     // Verification response
     // Transitive verification (web of trust)
     case vouch = 0x12               // Batch of vouch attestations
 
+    /// #1434 briefly used 0x09 before release. Accept it while prerelease
+    /// builds age out, but never emit it. Decoders canonicalize both values to
+    /// `.privateFile` so the compatibility alias cannot leak into app logic.
+    static let prereleasePrivateFileRawValue: UInt8 = 0x09
+
+    static func decoded(rawValue: UInt8) -> NoisePayloadType? {
+        rawValue == prereleasePrivateFileRawValue ? .privateFile : Self(rawValue: rawValue)
+    }
+
+    static func isPrivateFile(rawValue: UInt8?) -> Bool {
+        guard let rawValue else { return false }
+        return rawValue == privateFile.rawValue || rawValue == prereleasePrivateFileRawValue
+    }
+
     var description: String {
         switch self {
         case .privateMessage: return "privateMessage"
@@ -93,6 +116,8 @@ enum NoisePayloadType: UInt8 {
         case .groupInvite: return "groupInvite"
         case .groupKeyUpdate: return "groupKeyUpdate"
         case .voiceFrame: return "voiceFrame"
+        case .privateFile: return "privateFile"
+        case .authenticatedPeerState: return "authenticatedPeerState"
         case .verifyChallenge: return "verifyChallenge"
         case .verifyResponse: return "verifyResponse"
         case .vouch: return "vouch"

bitchat/Protocols/Packets.swift

@@ -156,6 +156,89 @@ struct AnnouncementPacket {
     }
 }
 
+/// State that is authoritative only because it is carried inside an
+/// established Noise session. The public announce remains useful for
+/// discovery, but its self-signature cannot prove possession of the copied
+/// Noise public key it contains.
+///
+/// Wire format (v1):
+/// `[version=0x01][type][length][value]...`
+/// - TLV `0x01`: canonical minimal little-endian `PeerCapabilities`
+/// - TLV `0x02`: 32-byte Ed25519 signing public key
+///
+/// Unknown TLVs are skipped for forward compatibility. Unknown versions,
+/// duplicates, non-canonical capability fields, and malformed lengths are
+/// rejected without changing authenticated state.
+struct AuthenticatedPeerStatePacket: Equatable {
+    static let currentVersion: UInt8 = 1
+    static let signingPublicKeyLength = 32
+
+    let capabilities: PeerCapabilities
+    let signingPublicKey: Data
+
+    private enum TLVType: UInt8 {
+        case capabilities = 0x01
+        case signingPublicKey = 0x02
+    }
+
+    func encode() -> Data? {
+        guard signingPublicKey.count == Self.signingPublicKeyLength else { return nil }
+        let capabilityBytes = capabilities.encoded()
+        guard !capabilityBytes.isEmpty, capabilityBytes.count <= 8 else { return nil }
+
+        var data = Data([Self.currentVersion])
+        data.append(TLVType.capabilities.rawValue)
+        data.append(UInt8(capabilityBytes.count))
+        data.append(capabilityBytes)
+        data.append(TLVType.signingPublicKey.rawValue)
+        data.append(UInt8(signingPublicKey.count))
+        data.append(signingPublicKey)
+        return data
+    }
+
+    static func decode(from data: Data) -> AuthenticatedPeerStatePacket? {
+        guard data.first == Self.currentVersion else { return nil }
+
+        var offset = 1
+        var capabilities: PeerCapabilities?
+        var signingPublicKey: Data?
+
+        while offset < data.count {
+            guard offset + 2 <= data.count else { return nil }
+            let typeRaw = data[offset]
+            let length = Int(data[offset + 1])
+            offset += 2
+            guard offset + length <= data.count else { return nil }
+            let value = Data(data[offset..<(offset + length)])
+            offset += length
+
+            guard let type = TLVType(rawValue: typeRaw) else {
+                continue
+            }
+            switch type {
+            case .capabilities:
+                guard capabilities == nil,
+                      !value.isEmpty,
+                      value.count <= 8 else { return nil }
+                let decoded = PeerCapabilities(encoded: value)
+                guard decoded.encoded() == value else { return nil }
+                capabilities = decoded
+
+            case .signingPublicKey:
+                guard signingPublicKey == nil,
+                      value.count == Self.signingPublicKeyLength else { return nil }
+                signingPublicKey = value
+            }
+        }
+
+        guard let capabilities, let signingPublicKey else { return nil }
+        return AuthenticatedPeerStatePacket(
+            capabilities: capabilities,
+            signingPublicKey: signingPublicKey
+        )
+    }
+}
+
 struct PrivateMessagePacket {
     let messageID: String
     let content: String

bitchat/Protocols/PeerCapabilities+Local.swift

@@ -3,5 +3,5 @@ import BitFoundation
 extension PeerCapabilities {
     /// Capabilities this build advertises in its announce packets.
     /// Each feature adds its bit here when it ships.
-    static let localSupported: PeerCapabilities = [.vouch, .prekeys, .groups]
+    static let localSupported: PeerCapabilities = [.vouch, .prekeys, .groups, .privateMedia]
 }

bitchat/Services/BLE/BLEAnnounceHandler.swift

@@ -16,6 +16,9 @@ struct BLEAnnounceHandlerEnvironment {
     let now: () -> Date
     /// Noise public key already recorded for the peer, if any (registry read).
     let existingNoisePublicKey: (PeerID) -> Data?
+    /// Ed25519 key previously bound to this Noise identity by an authenticated
+    /// peer-state payload, if any (persistent identity-state read).
+    let authenticatedSigningPublicKey: (_ noisePublicKey: Data) -> Data?
     /// Verifies the packet signature against the announced signing key.
     let verifySignature: (_ packet: BitchatPacket, _ signingPublicKey: Data) -> Bool
     /// Direct link state for the peer (BLE-queue read).
@@ -130,11 +133,21 @@ final class BLEAnnounceHandler {
             hasSignature: hasSignature,
             signatureValid: signatureValid,
             existingNoisePublicKey: existingNoisePublicKey,
-            announcedNoisePublicKey: announcement.noisePublicKey
+            announcedNoisePublicKey: announcement.noisePublicKey,
+            authenticatedSigningPublicKey: env.authenticatedSigningPublicKey(
+                announcement.noisePublicKey
+            ),
+            announcedSigningPublicKey: announcement.signingPublicKey
         )
         if case .reject(.keyMismatch) = trustDecision {
             SecureLogger.warning("⚠️ Announce key mismatch for \(peerID.id.prefix(8))… — keeping unverified", category: .security)
         }
+        if case .reject(.authenticatedSigningKeyMismatch) = trustDecision {
+            SecureLogger.warning(
+                "⚠️ Announce signing-key replacement rejected for Noise-authenticated peer \(peerID.id.prefix(8))…",
+                category: .security
+            )
+        }
         let verifiedAnnounce = trustDecision.isVerified
 
         var isNewPeer = false

bitchat/Services/BLE/BLEAnnounceHandlingPolicy.swift

@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ enum BLEAnnounceTrustRejection: Equatable {
     case missingSignature
     case invalidSignature
     case keyMismatch
+    case authenticatedSigningKeyMismatch
 }
 
 enum BLEAnnounceTrustDecision: Equatable {
@@ -72,12 +73,19 @@ enum BLEAnnounceTrustPolicy {
         hasSignature: Bool,
         signatureValid: Bool,
         existingNoisePublicKey: Data?,
-        announcedNoisePublicKey: Data
+        announcedNoisePublicKey: Data,
+        authenticatedSigningPublicKey: Data? = nil,
+        announcedSigningPublicKey: Data? = nil
     ) -> BLEAnnounceTrustDecision {
         if let existingNoisePublicKey, existingNoisePublicKey != announcedNoisePublicKey {
             return .reject(.keyMismatch)
         }
 
+        if let authenticatedSigningPublicKey,
+           announcedSigningPublicKey != authenticatedSigningPublicKey {
+            return .reject(.authenticatedSigningKeyMismatch)
+        }
+
         guard hasSignature else {
             return .reject(.missingSignature)
         }

bitchat/Services/BLE/BLEFileTransferHandler.swift

@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ struct BLEFileTransferHandlerEnvironment {
     let peersSnapshot: () -> [PeerID: BLEPeerInfo]
     /// Verifies a packet's signature against a candidate signing key (registry path).
     let verifyPacketSignature: (_ packet: BitchatPacket, _ signingPublicKey: Data) -> Bool
+    /// Local signing key used to authenticate our own gossip-sync replays.
+    let localSigningPublicKey: () -> Data
     /// Resolves a display name from a verified packet signature for peers missing from the registry.
     let signedSenderDisplayName: (_ packet: BitchatPacket, _ peerID: PeerID) -> String?
     /// Tracks the broadcast file packet for gossip sync.
@@ -46,54 +48,105 @@ final class BLEFileTransferHandler {
         self.environment = environment
     }
 
-    /// Returns `false` when the packet fails sender authentication and must
-    /// not be relayed onward. Every other outcome returns `true`: files
-    /// directed to another peer are forwarded untouched, and local-only drops
-    /// (malformed payload, quota, save failure) don't affect multi-hop
-    /// delivery to nodes that may handle them fine.
+    /// Returns `false` when the raw packet fails sender authentication (or is
+    /// a live self-echo) and must not be relayed onward. Authentication runs
+    /// before the routing decision, so a forged directed packet cannot use a
+    /// node that is not its recipient as an unsigned forwarding hop.
     @discardableResult
     func handle(_ packet: BitchatPacket, from peerID: PeerID) -> Bool {
         let env = environment
-        if BLEFileTransferPolicy.isSelfEcho(packet: packet, from: peerID, localPeerID: env.localPeerID()) { return true }
-
-        guard let deliveryPlan = BLEFileTransferPolicy.deliveryPlan(packet: packet, localPeerID: env.localPeerID()) else {
-            return true
-        }
-
+        let localPeerID = env.localPeerID()
         let peersSnapshot = env.peersSnapshot()
-        guard let senderNickname = resolveSenderNickname(
+
+        guard let senderNickname = authenticatedRawSenderNickname(
             packet: packet,
             from: peerID,
-            isBroadcast: !deliveryPlan.isPrivateMessage,
             peers: peersSnapshot,
             env: env
         ) else {
-            SecureLogger.warning("🚫 Dropping file transfer from unverified or unknown peer \(peerID.id.prefix(8))…", category: .security)
+            SecureLogger.warning("🚫 Dropping raw file transfer with missing/invalid signature from \(peerID.id.prefix(8))…", category: .security)
             return false
         }
 
+        if BLEFileTransferPolicy.isSelfEcho(packet: packet, from: peerID, localPeerID: localPeerID) {
+            return false
+        }
+
+        guard let deliveryPlan = BLEFileTransferPolicy.deliveryPlan(packet: packet, localPeerID: localPeerID) else {
+            return true
+        }
+
         if deliveryPlan.shouldTrackForSync {
             env.trackPacketSeen(packet)
         }
 
+        _ = storeIncomingPayload(
+            packet.payload,
+            from: peerID,
+            senderNickname: senderNickname,
+            timestamp: Date(timeIntervalSince1970: Double(packet.timestamp) / 1000),
+            isPrivate: deliveryPlan.isPrivateMessage,
+            env: env
+        )
+        // Once authenticated, a local decode/quota/save failure is not proof
+        // that downstream nodes should be denied the valid signed packet.
+        return true
+    }
+
+    /// Accepts a file packet only after it has been authenticated and
+    /// decrypted by the peer's Noise session. The inner packet deliberately
+    /// has no redundant signature: Noise supplies sender authentication and
+    /// confidentiality, while this handler retains the same validation,
+    /// quota, persistence, and UI-delivery behavior as public files.
+    @discardableResult
+    func handlePrivatePayload(_ payload: Data, from peerID: PeerID, timestamp: Date) -> Bool {
+        let env = environment
+        let peers = env.peersSnapshot()
+        let senderNickname = BLEPeerSenderDisplayName.resolveKnownPeer(
+            peerID: peerID,
+            localPeerID: env.localPeerID(),
+            localNickname: env.localNickname(),
+            peers: peers,
+            allowConnectedUnverified: true
+        ) ?? BLEPeerSenderDisplayName.anonymousNickname(for: peerID)
+
+        return storeIncomingPayload(
+            payload,
+            from: peerID,
+            senderNickname: senderNickname,
+            timestamp: timestamp,
+            isPrivate: true,
+            env: env
+        )
+    }
+
+    private func storeIncomingPayload(
+        _ payload: Data,
+        from peerID: PeerID,
+        senderNickname: String,
+        timestamp: Date,
+        isPrivate: Bool,
+        env: BLEFileTransferHandlerEnvironment
+    ) -> Bool {
+
         let filePacket: BitchatFilePacket
         let mime: MimeType
-        switch BLEIncomingFileValidator.validate(payload: packet.payload) {
+        switch BLEIncomingFileValidator.validate(payload: payload) {
         case .success(let acceptance):
             filePacket = acceptance.filePacket
             mime = acceptance.mime
         case .failure(.malformedPayload):
             SecureLogger.error("❌ Failed to decode file transfer payload", category: .session)
-            return true
+            return false
         case .failure(.payloadTooLarge(let bytes)):
             SecureLogger.warning("🚫 Dropping file transfer exceeding size cap (\(bytes) bytes)", category: .security)
-            return true
+            return false
         case .failure(.unsupportedMime(let mimeType, let bytes)):
             SecureLogger.warning("🚫 MIME REJECT: '\(mimeType ?? "<empty>")' not supported. Size=\(bytes)b from \(peerID.id.prefix(8))...", category: .security)
-            return true
+            return false
         case .failure(.magicMismatch(let mime, let bytes, let prefixHex)):
             SecureLogger.warning("🚫 MAGIC REJECT: MIME='\(mime)' size=\(bytes)b prefix=[\(prefixHex)] from \(peerID.id.prefix(8))...", category: .security)
-            return true
+            return false
         }
 
         // BCH-01-002: Enforce storage quota before saving
@@ -106,28 +159,27 @@ final class BLEFileTransferHandler {
             mime.defaultExtension,
             mime.category.rawValue
         ) else {
-            return true
+            return false
         }
 
-        if deliveryPlan.isPrivateMessage {
+        if isPrivate {
             env.updatePeerLastSeen(peerID)
         }
 
-        let ts = Date(timeIntervalSince1970: Double(packet.timestamp) / 1000)
         let message = BitchatMessage(
             sender: senderNickname,
             content: "\(mime.category.messagePrefix)\(destination.lastPathComponent)",
-            timestamp: ts,
+            timestamp: timestamp,
             isRelay: false,
             originalSender: nil,
-            isPrivate: deliveryPlan.isPrivateMessage,
+            isPrivate: isPrivate,
             recipientNickname: nil,
             senderPeerID: peerID,
             // Received messages need an explicit status: BitchatMessage
             // defaults private messages to .sending, which the media views
             // render as an in-flight send (empty reveal mask, disabled tap).
-            deliveryStatus: deliveryPlan.isPrivateMessage
-                ? .delivered(to: env.localNickname(), at: ts)
+            deliveryStatus: isPrivate
+                ? .delivered(to: env.localNickname(), at: timestamp)
                 : nil
         )
 
@@ -137,51 +189,38 @@ final class BLEFileTransferHandler {
         return true
     }
 
-    /// Resolves the authenticated display name for a file transfer's sender.
-    ///
-    /// Directed (private) transfers are addressed to us specifically and keep
-    /// the lenient connected-peer path. Broadcast transfers carry an
-    /// attacker-controllable `senderID` exactly like public messages and public
-    /// voice frames — registry membership alone is NOT proof of identity, so a
-    /// valid packet signature from the claimed sender is required before we
-    /// trust it. Without this, a peer that observed a public voice burst could
-    /// spoof a broadcast `voice_<burstID>.m4a` note under the talker's ID and
-    /// overwrite the signature-verified live bubble with attacker audio.
-    private func resolveSenderNickname(
+    /// Every remaining raw file transfer is signed, regardless of whether it
+    /// is broadcast, addressed to us, or merely passing through. Registry
+    /// signing keys are preferred; persisted identities cover peers that have
+    /// rotated or are not currently present in the registry.
+    private func authenticatedRawSenderNickname(
         packet: BitchatPacket,
         from peerID: PeerID,
-        isBroadcast: Bool,
         peers: [PeerID: BLEPeerInfo],
         env: BLEFileTransferHandlerEnvironment
     ) -> String? {
-        guard isBroadcast else {
-            return BLEPeerSenderDisplayName.resolveKnownPeer(
-                peerID: peerID,
-                localPeerID: env.localPeerID(),
-                localNickname: env.localNickname(),
-                peers: peers,
-                allowConnectedUnverified: true
-            ) ?? env.signedSenderDisplayName(packet, peerID)
-        }
+        guard packet.signature != nil else { return nil }
 
-        // Our own broadcasts replayed back via gossip sync (ttl==0) are
-        // trivially authentic and cannot be verified against the peer registry
-        // or identity cache, so exempt self exactly as `BLEPublicMessageHandler`
-        // does. Verify against the signing key already in the
-        // (synchronously-updated) registry first, then fall back to the
-        // persisted-identity signature lookup for peers not yet cached there.
-        let isSelf = peerID == env.localPeerID()
-        let registrySigningKey = peers[peerID]?.signingPublicKey
-        let verifiedViaRegistry = !isSelf && (registrySigningKey.map { env.verifyPacketSignature(packet, $0) } ?? false)
-        let signedDisplayName = (isSelf || verifiedViaRegistry) ? nil : env.signedSenderDisplayName(packet, peerID)
-        guard isSelf || verifiedViaRegistry || signedDisplayName != nil else { return nil }
+        let localPeerID = env.localPeerID()
+        let candidateKey = peerID == localPeerID
+            ? env.localSigningPublicKey()
+            : peers[peerID]?.signingPublicKey
+        let verifiedWithKnownKey = candidateKey.map {
+            env.verifyPacketSignature(packet, $0)
+        } ?? false
+        let signedDisplayName = verifiedWithKnownKey
+            ? nil
+            : env.signedSenderDisplayName(packet, peerID)
+        guard verifiedWithKnownKey || signedDisplayName != nil else { return nil }
 
         return BLEPeerSenderDisplayName.resolveKnownPeer(
             peerID: peerID,
-            localPeerID: env.localPeerID(),
+            localPeerID: localPeerID,
             localNickname: env.localNickname(),
             peers: peers,
-            allowConnectedUnverified: false
-        ) ?? signedDisplayName
+            // The packet signature authenticates the announced peer; the old
+            // connected-but-unsigned leniency is not involved.
+            allowConnectedUnverified: true
+        ) ?? signedDisplayName ?? BLEPeerSenderDisplayName.anonymousNickname(for: peerID)
     }
 }

bitchat/Services/BLE/BLEFragmentAssemblyBuffer.swift

@@ -201,8 +201,11 @@ struct BLEFragmentAssemblyBuffer {
     }
 
     private static func assemblyLimit(for originalType: UInt8) -> Int {
-        if originalType == MessageType.fileTransfer.rawValue {
+        if originalType == MessageType.fileTransfer.rawValue
+            || originalType == MessageType.noiseEncrypted.rawValue {
             // Allow headroom for TLV metadata and binary framing overhead.
+            // A large noiseEncrypted packet can be an E2E-encrypted private
+            // file; its authenticated plaintext is validated after decrypt.
             return FileTransferLimits.maxFramedFileBytes
         }
 

bitchat/Services/BLE/BLENoisePacketHandler.swift

@@ -1,7 +1,13 @@
 import BitFoundation
 import BitLogger
+import CryptoKit
 import Foundation
 
+struct BLENoiseDecryptionResult {
+    let plaintext: Data
+    let sessionGeneration: UUID
+}
+
 /// Narrow environment for `BLENoisePacketHandler`.
 ///
 /// All queue hops (collections barrier writes, main-actor UI notification)
@@ -20,6 +26,8 @@ struct BLENoisePacketHandlerEnvironment {
     let processHandshakeMessage: (_ peerID: PeerID, _ message: Data) throws -> Data?
     /// Whether any Noise session (established or pending) exists for the peer (crypto).
     let hasNoiseSession: (PeerID) -> Bool
+    /// Whether an inbound ordinary XX responder is waiting for message 3.
+    let isAwaitingResponderHandshakeCompletion: (PeerID) -> Bool
     /// Initiates a fresh Noise handshake with the peer (crypto + send).
     let initiateHandshake: (PeerID) -> Void
     /// Broadcasts a packet on the mesh (caller is already on the message queue).
@@ -27,9 +35,16 @@ struct BLENoisePacketHandlerEnvironment {
     /// Updates the registry last-seen timestamp for the peer (async barrier write).
     let updatePeerLastSeen: (PeerID) -> Void
     /// Decrypts an encrypted payload from the peer (crypto).
-    let decrypt: (_ payload: Data, _ peerID: PeerID) throws -> Data
+    let decrypt: (_ payload: Data, _ peerID: PeerID) throws -> BLENoiseDecryptionResult
     /// Clears the peer's Noise session after an unrecoverable decrypt failure (crypto).
     let clearSession: (PeerID) -> Void
+    /// Consumes session-authenticated protocol state inside the transport. It
+    /// must never escape to UI or Nostr payload dispatch.
+    let handleAuthenticatedPeerState: (
+        _ peerID: PeerID,
+        _ payload: Data,
+        _ sessionGeneration: UUID
+    ) -> Void
     /// Delivers `.noisePayloadReceived` to the UI as one main-actor hop.
     let deliverNoisePayload: (
         _ peerID: PeerID,
@@ -43,15 +58,36 @@ struct BLENoisePacketHandlerEnvironment {
 /// processing (with response), encrypted payload decryption and dispatch,
 /// and session recovery on decrypt failure.
 final class BLENoisePacketHandler {
+    private struct DeferredCiphertext {
+        let packet: BitchatPacket
+        let receivedAt: Date
+    }
+
+    /// Early post-handshake packets are normally tiny control messages or
+    /// queued DMs. Keep the recovery surface deliberately small so an
+    /// unauthenticated half-handshake cannot create an unbounded memory queue.
+    private static let maxDeferredPacketsPerPeer = 4
+    private static let maxDeferredPacketsGlobal = 32
+    /// One legacy sender can immediately follow message 3 with the largest
+    /// valid private-file ciphertext and has no application-level retry. Keep
+    /// room for that packet plus a small control-message budget.
+    private static let maxDeferredBytes =
+        NoiseSecurityConstants.maxPrivateFileCiphertextSize + 256 * 1024
+    private static let deferredLifetime =
+        NoiseSecurityConstants.ordinaryResponderHandshakeTimeout
+
     private let environment: BLENoisePacketHandlerEnvironment
+    private let deferredLock = NSLock()
+    private var deferredCiphertexts: [PeerID: [DeferredCiphertext]] = [:]
+    private var deferredCiphertextBytes = 0
 
     init(environment: BLENoisePacketHandlerEnvironment) {
         self.environment = environment
     }
 
     /// Returns true when the handshake message was processed successfully.
-    /// Callers use this to distinguish an authenticated replacement completion
-    /// from a rejected candidate while an older session remains established.
+    /// Callers use this to distinguish an authenticated reconnect completion
+    /// from a rejected ordinary responder while rollback state is restored.
     @discardableResult
     func handleHandshake(_ packet: BitchatPacket, from peerID: PeerID) -> Bool {
         let env = environment
@@ -74,11 +110,16 @@ final class BLENoisePacketHandler {
                     env.broadcastPacket(responsePacket)
                 }
 
-                // Session establishment will trigger onPeerAuthenticated callback
-                // which will send any pending messages at the right time
+                // The serialized authentication callback installs transport
+                // state before it drains any bounded early ciphertext.
                 return true
+            } catch let managedFailure as NoiseManagedHandshakeFailure {
+                SecureLogger.error(
+                    "Failed to process handshake; manager owns recovery: \(managedFailure.underlying)"
+                )
+                return false
             } catch NoiseSessionError.peerIdentityMismatch {
-                // The candidate was already discarded by the session manager.
+                // The responder was already discarded by the session manager.
                 // Do not let a spoofed claimed ID trigger a fresh outbound
                 // handshake or recreate state for the attacker-selected ID.
                 SecureLogger.warning(
@@ -99,6 +140,30 @@ final class BLENoisePacketHandler {
     }
 
     func handleEncrypted(_ packet: BitchatPacket, from peerID: PeerID) {
+        handleEncrypted(packet, from: peerID, isDeferredRetry: false)
+    }
+
+    /// Called by the transport's serialized authentication callback after it
+    /// has installed state for the promoted or restored session generation.
+    func handleSessionAuthenticated(_ peerID: PeerID) {
+        drainDeferredCiphertextsIfReady(for: peerID)
+    }
+
+    /// Synchronously discards ciphertext retained for a pre-panic Noise
+    /// generation. The handler survives the service's identity replacement,
+    /// so keeping this queue would replay old bytes after post-panic auth.
+    func resetForPanic() {
+        deferredLock.lock()
+        deferredCiphertexts.removeAll(keepingCapacity: false)
+        deferredCiphertextBytes = 0
+        deferredLock.unlock()
+    }
+
+    private func handleEncrypted(
+        _ packet: BitchatPacket,
+        from peerID: PeerID,
+        isDeferredRetry: Bool
+    ) {
         let env = environment
         guard let recipientID = PeerID(hexData: packet.recipientID) else {
             SecureLogger.warning("⚠️ Encrypted message has no recipient ID", category: .session)
@@ -114,35 +179,231 @@ final class BLENoisePacketHandler {
         env.updatePeerLastSeen(peerID)
 
         do {
-            let decrypted = try env.decrypt(packet.payload, peerID)
+            let decryption = try env.decrypt(packet.payload, peerID)
+            let decrypted = decryption.plaintext
             guard decrypted.count > 0 else { return }
 
             // First byte indicates the payload type
             let payloadType = decrypted[0]
             let payloadData = decrypted.dropFirst()
 
-            guard let noisePayloadType = NoisePayloadType(rawValue: payloadType) else {
+            guard let noisePayloadType = NoisePayloadType.decoded(rawValue: payloadType) else {
                 SecureLogger.warning("⚠️ Unknown noise payload type: \(payloadType)")
                 return
             }
 
             SecureLogger.debug("🔐 Decrypted noise payload type \(noisePayloadType.description) from \(peerID.id.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
 
+            if noisePayloadType == .authenticatedPeerState {
+                env.handleAuthenticatedPeerState(
+                    peerID,
+                    Data(payloadData),
+                    decryption.sessionGeneration
+                )
+                return
+            }
+
             let ts = Date(timeIntervalSince1970: Double(packet.timestamp) / 1000)
             env.deliverNoisePayload(peerID, noisePayloadType, Data(payloadData), ts)
+        } catch NoiseEncryptionError.transportGenerationNotReady {
+            if isDeferredRetry {
+                SecureLogger.warning(
+                    "Dropping deferred Noise ciphertext from \(peerID.id.prefix(8))… because its authenticated transport generation changed again",
+                    category: .session
+                )
+                return
+            }
+            // The manager promoted or restored keys before BLE's serialized
+            // callback installed generation-bound transport state. The
+            // manager rejected this before decrypting, so replay is safe.
+            deferCiphertext(packet, from: peerID)
         } catch NoiseEncryptionError.sessionNotEstablished {
+            if isDeferredRetry {
+                SecureLogger.warning(
+                    "Dropping deferred Noise ciphertext from \(peerID.id.prefix(8))… because the authenticated session is unavailable",
+                    category: .session
+                )
+                return
+            }
             // We received an encrypted message before establishing a session with this peer.
-            // Trigger a handshake so future messages can be decrypted.
+            // An initiator may already have sent message 3 followed by this
+            // ciphertext, with BLE delivering the ciphertext first.
+            if env.isAwaitingResponderHandshakeCompletion(peerID) {
+                deferCiphertext(packet, from: peerID)
+                return
+            }
+            // Otherwise trigger a handshake so future messages can decrypt.
             SecureLogger.debug("🔑 Encrypted message from \(peerID.id.prefix(8))… without session; initiating handshake")
             if !env.hasNoiseSession(peerID) {
                 env.initiateHandshake(peerID)
             }
         } catch {
+            if isDeferredRetry {
+                // An early packet cannot tear down the authenticated session
+                // merely because its single bounded retry still fails.
+                SecureLogger.warning(
+                    "Dropping deferred Noise ciphertext from \(peerID.id.prefix(8))… after retry failed: \(error)",
+                    category: .session
+                )
+                return
+            }
+            // A responder may retain an older transport as receive-only
+            // rollback state while ordinary XX waits for message 3. New-key
+            // ciphertext can fail against those retained receive keys first.
+            if env.isAwaitingResponderHandshakeCompletion(peerID) {
+                if isDeferrableEarlyHandshakeFailure(error) {
+                    deferCiphertext(packet, from: peerID)
+                } else {
+                    SecureLogger.warning(
+                        "Dropping invalid Noise ciphertext from \(peerID.id.prefix(8))… while responder handshake is completing: \(error)",
+                        category: .session
+                    )
+                }
+                return
+            }
+            if isDropOnlyCiphertextFailure(error) {
+                // The packet is attacker-controlled and did not prove a
+                // transport-state failure. Never let malformed, replayed,
+                // forged, oversized, or rate-limited bytes evict working keys.
+                SecureLogger.warning(
+                    "Dropping rejected Noise ciphertext from \(peerID.id.prefix(8))… without clearing its session: \(error)",
+                    category: .security
+                )
+                return
+            }
             // Decryption failed - clear the corrupted session and re-initiate handshake
-            // This handles cases where session state got out of sync (nonce mismatch, etc.)
+            // Only local/session lifecycle failures reach this path.
             SecureLogger.error("❌ Failed to decrypt message from \(peerID.id.prefix(8))…: \(error) - clearing session and re-initiating handshake")
             env.clearSession(peerID)
             env.initiateHandshake(peerID)
         }
     }
+
+    private func isDeferrableEarlyHandshakeFailure(_ error: Error) -> Bool {
+        if let noiseError = error as? NoiseError {
+            switch noiseError {
+            case .authenticationFailure, .replayDetected:
+                return true
+            default:
+                return false
+            }
+        }
+        if let cryptoError = error as? CryptoKitError,
+           case .authenticationFailure = cryptoError {
+            return true
+        }
+        return false
+    }
+
+    private func isDropOnlyCiphertextFailure(_ error: Error) -> Bool {
+        if let securityError = error as? NoiseSecurityError {
+            switch securityError {
+            case .messageTooLarge, .rateLimitExceeded, .invalidPeerID:
+                return true
+            case .sessionExpired, .sessionExhausted:
+                return false
+            }
+        }
+        if let noiseError = error as? NoiseError {
+            switch noiseError {
+            case .invalidCiphertext, .authenticationFailure, .replayDetected:
+                return true
+            case .uninitializedCipher, .handshakeComplete,
+                    .handshakeNotComplete, .missingLocalStaticKey,
+                    .missingKeys, .invalidMessage, .invalidPublicKey,
+                    .nonceExceeded:
+                return false
+            }
+        }
+        return error is CryptoKitError
+    }
+
+    private func deferCiphertext(_ packet: BitchatPacket, from peerID: PeerID) {
+        guard NoiseSecurityValidator.validatePrivateFileCiphertextSize(
+            packet.payload
+        ) else {
+            SecureLogger.warning(
+                "Dropping oversized early Noise ciphertext from \(peerID.id.prefix(8))…",
+                category: .security
+            )
+            return
+        }
+
+        let now = environment.now()
+        deferredLock.lock()
+        defer { deferredLock.unlock() }
+        purgeExpiredCiphertextsLocked(now: now)
+
+        let peerCount = deferredCiphertexts[peerID]?.count ?? 0
+        let globalCount = deferredCiphertexts.values.reduce(0) {
+            $0 + $1.count
+        }
+        guard peerCount < Self.maxDeferredPacketsPerPeer,
+              globalCount < Self.maxDeferredPacketsGlobal,
+              deferredCiphertextBytes + packet.payload.count
+                <= Self.maxDeferredBytes else {
+            SecureLogger.warning(
+                "Dropping early Noise ciphertext from \(peerID.id.prefix(8))… because the handshake buffer is full",
+                category: .security
+            )
+            return
+        }
+
+        deferredCiphertexts[peerID, default: []].append(
+            DeferredCiphertext(packet: packet, receivedAt: now)
+        )
+        deferredCiphertextBytes += packet.payload.count
+        SecureLogger.debug(
+            "Deferring early Noise ciphertext from \(peerID.id.prefix(8))… until responder handshake completion",
+            category: .session
+        )
+    }
+
+    private func drainDeferredCiphertextsIfReady(for peerID: PeerID) {
+        let env = environment
+        guard !env.isAwaitingResponderHandshakeCompletion(peerID),
+              env.hasNoiseSession(peerID) else {
+            return
+        }
+
+        let now = env.now()
+        deferredLock.lock()
+        purgeExpiredCiphertextsLocked(now: now)
+        let deferred = deferredCiphertexts.removeValue(forKey: peerID) ?? []
+        deferredCiphertextBytes -= deferred.reduce(0) {
+            $0 + $1.packet.payload.count
+        }
+        deferredLock.unlock()
+
+        guard !deferred.isEmpty else { return }
+        SecureLogger.debug(
+            "Retrying \(deferred.count) early Noise ciphertext packet(s) from \(peerID.id.prefix(8))… after handshake completion",
+            category: .session
+        )
+        for item in deferred {
+            handleEncrypted(item.packet, from: peerID, isDeferredRetry: true)
+        }
+    }
+
+    private func purgeExpiredCiphertextsLocked(now: Date) {
+        for peerID in Array(deferredCiphertexts.keys) {
+            guard let items = deferredCiphertexts[peerID] else { continue }
+            let retained = items.filter {
+                now.timeIntervalSince($0.receivedAt) <= Self.deferredLifetime
+            }
+            guard retained.count != items.count else { continue }
+
+            deferredCiphertextBytes -= items.reduce(0) {
+                $0 + $1.packet.payload.count
+            }
+            deferredCiphertextBytes += retained.reduce(0) {
+                $0 + $1.packet.payload.count
+            }
+            if retained.isEmpty {
+                deferredCiphertexts.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
+            } else {
+                deferredCiphertexts[peerID] = retained
+            }
+        }
+    }
 }

bitchat/Services/BLE/BLENoisePayloadFactory.swift

@@ -17,6 +17,16 @@ enum BLENoisePayloadFactory {
         typedPayload(.delivered, payload: Data(messageID.utf8))
     }
 
+    static func privateFile(_ filePacket: BitchatFilePacket) -> Data? {
+        guard let payload = filePacket.encode() else { return nil }
+        return typedPayload(.privateFile, payload: payload)
+    }
+
+    static func authenticatedPeerState(_ state: AuthenticatedPeerStatePacket) -> Data? {
+        guard let payload = state.encode() else { return nil }
+        return typedPayload(.authenticatedPeerState, payload: payload)
+    }
+
     static func typedPayload(_ type: NoisePayloadType, payload: Data) -> Data {
         var typed = Data([type.rawValue])
         typed.append(payload)

bitchat/Services/BLE/BLENoiseReconnectPolicy.swift

@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+import Foundation
+
+/// Bounds ordinary Noise revalidation to one attempt per physical-link epoch.
+/// A live epoch may retry after the cooldown so a lost handshake cannot leave
+/// the link permanently unauthenticated.
+struct BLENoiseReconnectPolicy {
+    static let minimumRetryInterval: TimeInterval = 60
+
+    private var lastAttemptAt: [BLEIngressLinkID: Date] = [:]
+
+    mutating func shouldRevalidate(
+        on link: BLEIngressLinkID,
+        hasEstablishedSession: Bool,
+        isNoiseAuthenticatedLink: Bool,
+        hasAuthenticatedPeerLink: Bool,
+        now: Date
+    ) -> Bool {
+        guard hasEstablishedSession,
+              !isNoiseAuthenticatedLink,
+              !hasAuthenticatedPeerLink else {
+            return false
+        }
+        if let previous = lastAttemptAt[link],
+           now.timeIntervalSince(previous) < Self.minimumRetryInterval {
+            return false
+        }
+        lastAttemptAt[link] = now
+        return true
+    }
+
+    /// Link identifiers can be stable across CoreBluetooth reconnects, so a
+    /// disconnect explicitly starts a new epoch and permits one fresh attempt.
+    mutating func endLinkEpoch(_ link: BLEIngressLinkID) {
+        lastAttemptAt.removeValue(forKey: link)
+    }
+
+    mutating func removeAll() {
+        lastAttemptAt.removeAll()
+    }
+}

bitchat/Services/BLE/BLENoiseSessionQueues.swift

@@ -6,9 +6,16 @@ struct BLEPendingPrivateMessage: Equatable {
     let messageID: String
 }
 
+struct BLEPendingTypedPayload: Equatable {
+    let payload: Data
+    /// Present for app-initiated media so handshake queuing preserves the
+    /// fragment scheduler's progress/cancellation identity.
+    let transferId: String?
+}
+
 struct BLENoiseSessionQueues {
     private var privateMessagesByPeerID: [PeerID: [BLEPendingPrivateMessage]] = [:]
-    private var typedPayloadsByPeerID: [PeerID: [Data]] = [:]
+    private var typedPayloadsByPeerID: [PeerID: [BLEPendingTypedPayload]] = [:]
 
     var isEmpty: Bool {
         privateMessagesByPeerID.isEmpty && typedPayloadsByPeerID.isEmpty
@@ -34,13 +41,35 @@ struct BLENoiseSessionQueues {
         privateMessagesByPeerID[peerID, default: []].insert(contentsOf: messages, at: 0)
     }
 
-    mutating func appendTypedPayload(_ payload: Data, for peerID: PeerID) {
-        typedPayloadsByPeerID[peerID, default: []].append(payload)
+    mutating func appendTypedPayload(_ payload: Data, transferId: String? = nil, for peerID: PeerID) {
+        typedPayloadsByPeerID[peerID, default: []].append(
+            BLEPendingTypedPayload(payload: payload, transferId: transferId)
+        )
     }
 
-    mutating func takeTypedPayloads(for peerID: PeerID) -> [Data] {
+    mutating func takeTypedPayloads(for peerID: PeerID) -> [BLEPendingTypedPayload] {
         let payloads = typedPayloadsByPeerID[peerID] ?? []
         typedPayloadsByPeerID.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
         return payloads
     }
+
+    func containsTypedPayload(transferId: String) -> Bool {
+        typedPayloadsByPeerID.values.contains { payloads in
+            payloads.contains { $0.transferId == transferId }
+        }
+    }
+
+    @discardableResult
+    mutating func removeTypedPayload(transferId: String) -> Bool {
+        for peerID in Array(typedPayloadsByPeerID.keys) {
+            guard var payloads = typedPayloadsByPeerID[peerID],
+                  let index = payloads.firstIndex(where: { $0.transferId == transferId }) else {
+                continue
+            }
+            payloads.remove(at: index)
+            typedPayloadsByPeerID[peerID] = payloads.isEmpty ? nil : payloads
+            return true
+        }
+        return false
+    }
 }

bitchat/Services/BLE/BLEOutboundFragmentPlanner.swift

@@ -17,6 +17,9 @@ struct BLEOutboundFragmentPlan {
 }
 
 enum BLEOutboundFragmentPlanner {
+    /// Current Android receivers reject fragment sets above 256. Private
+    /// media v1 treats that deployed ceiling as a cross-platform contract.
+    static let privateMediaV1MaxFragments = 256
     private static let minimumChunkSize = 64
     private static let fragmentIDLength = 8
 
@@ -71,6 +74,10 @@ enum BLEOutboundFragmentPlanner {
         )
     }
 
+    static func isPrivateMediaV1Compatible(_ plan: BLEOutboundFragmentPlan) -> Bool {
+        plan.totalFragments <= privateMediaV1MaxFragments
+    }
+
     private static func sizingPolicy(
         for packet: BitchatPacket,
         requestedMaxChunk: Int?,

bitchat/Services/BLE/BLEOutboundFragmentTransferScheduler.swift

@@ -29,8 +29,9 @@ struct BLEOutboundFragmentTransferRequest {
     }
 
     var resolvedTransferId: String? {
+        if let transferId { return transferId }
         guard packet.type == MessageType.fileTransfer.rawValue else { return nil }
-        return transferId ?? packet.payload.sha256Hex()
+        return packet.payload.sha256Hex()
     }
 
     /// Content identity independent of the caller-chosen transfer ID: the

bitchat/Services/BLE/BLEPeerRegistry.swift

@@ -10,6 +10,9 @@ struct BLEPeerInfo: Equatable {
     var isVerifiedNickname: Bool
     var lastSeen: Date
     var capabilities: PeerCapabilities = []
+    /// Distinguishes an old client that omitted the capabilities TLV from a
+    /// modern client that explicitly advertised a set without a given bit.
+    var capabilitiesWereExplicitlyAdvertised: Bool = false
     /// Rendezvous cell from the peer's announce when it advertises `.bridge`.
     var bridgeGeohash: String?
 }
@@ -114,6 +117,10 @@ struct BLEPeerRegistry {
         peers[peerID.toShort()]?.capabilities ?? []
     }
 
+    func capabilitiesWereExplicitlyAdvertised(for peerID: PeerID) -> Bool {
+        peers[peerID.toShort()]?.capabilitiesWereExplicitlyAdvertised == true
+    }
+
     /// Peers whose last verified announce advertised the given capability.
     func peers(advertising capability: PeerCapabilities) -> [PeerID] {
         peers.values.filter { $0.capabilities.contains(capability) }.map(\.peerID)
@@ -174,6 +181,14 @@ struct BLEPeerRegistry {
         peers[peerID] = peer
     }
 
+    /// Replaces the announcement signing key only after the surrounding Noise
+    /// session proved possession of this peer's static key.
+    mutating func bindAuthenticatedSigningPublicKey(_ key: Data, for peerID: PeerID) {
+        guard var peer = peers[peerID.toShort()] else { return }
+        peer.signingPublicKey = key
+        peers[peer.peerID] = peer
+    }
+
     mutating func upsertVerifiedAnnounce(
         peerID: PeerID,
         nickname: String,
@@ -181,7 +196,7 @@ struct BLEPeerRegistry {
         signingPublicKey: Data?,
         isConnected: Bool,
         now: Date,
-        capabilities: PeerCapabilities = [],
+        capabilities: PeerCapabilities? = nil,
         bridgeGeohash: String? = nil
     ) -> BLEPeerAnnounceUpdate {
         let existing = peers[peerID]
@@ -199,7 +214,8 @@ struct BLEPeerRegistry {
             signingPublicKey: signingPublicKey,
             isVerifiedNickname: true,
             lastSeen: now,
-            capabilities: capabilities,
+            capabilities: capabilities ?? [],
+            capabilitiesWereExplicitlyAdvertised: capabilities != nil,
             bridgeGeohash: bridgeGeohash
         )
 

bitchat/Services/NoiseEncryptionService.swift

@@ -165,7 +165,6 @@ final class NoiseEncryptionService {
     // Peer fingerprints (SHA256 hash of static public key)
     private var peerFingerprints: [PeerID: String] = [:]
     private var fingerprintToPeerID: [String: PeerID] = [:]
-    
     // Thread safety
     private let serviceQueue = DispatchQueue(label: "chat.bitchat.noise.service", attributes: .concurrent)
     
@@ -183,12 +182,24 @@ final class NoiseEncryptionService {
     
     // Callbacks
     private var onPeerAuthenticatedHandlers: [((PeerID, String) -> Void)] = [] // Array of handlers for peer authentication
+    private var onPeerAuthenticatedWithGenerationHandlers: [((PeerID, String, UUID) -> Void)] = []
     var onHandshakeRequired: ((PeerID) -> Void)? // peerID needs handshake
+    /// Automatic rekey prepared XX message 1. The transport must claim the
+    /// exact attempt at its actual BLE handoff; a crossed inbound initiation
+    /// can invalidate the token before that point.
+    var onRekeyHandshakeReady:
+        ((_ peerID: PeerID, _ initiation: NoiseHandshakeInitiation) -> Void)?
+    var onHandshakeRecoveryRequired:
+        ((_ request: NoiseHandshakeRecoveryRequest) -> Void)?
+    /// An unauthenticated reconnect attempt failed or timed out and the
+    /// receive-only rollback session became the active transport again.
+    /// Transport queues must be drained for this exact restored generation.
+    var onSessionRestoredWithGeneration: ((_ peerID: PeerID, _ generation: UUID) -> Void)?
     
     // Add a handler for peer authentication
     func addOnPeerAuthenticatedHandler(_ handler: @escaping (PeerID, String) -> Void) {
-        serviceQueue.async(flags: .barrier) { [weak self] in
-            self?.onPeerAuthenticatedHandlers.append(handler)
+        serviceQueue.sync(flags: .barrier) {
+            onPeerAuthenticatedHandlers.append(handler)
         }
     }
     
@@ -201,8 +212,30 @@ final class NoiseEncryptionService {
             }
         }
     }
+
+    /// Generation-aware authentication notifications are used by protocols
+    /// whose state must be bound to one exact Noise transport session.
+    var onPeerAuthenticatedWithGeneration: ((PeerID, String, UUID) -> Void)? {
+        get { nil }
+        set {
+            guard let handler = newValue else { return }
+            serviceQueue.sync(flags: .barrier) {
+                onPeerAuthenticatedWithGenerationHandlers.append(handler)
+            }
+        }
+    }
     
-    init(keychain: KeychainManagerProtocol) {
+    init(
+        keychain: KeychainManagerProtocol,
+        ordinaryHandshakeTimeout: TimeInterval =
+            NoiseSecurityConstants.ordinaryHandshakeTimeout,
+        ordinaryResponderHandshakeTimeout: TimeInterval =
+            NoiseSecurityConstants.ordinaryResponderHandshakeTimeout,
+        recentInitiatorCompletionGracePeriod: TimeInterval =
+            NoiseSecurityConstants.recentInitiatorCompletionGracePeriod,
+        ordinaryReconnectRollbackCooldown: TimeInterval =
+            NoiseSecurityConstants.ordinaryReconnectRollbackCooldown
+    ) {
         self.keychain = keychain
         self.localPrekeys = LocalPrekeyStore(keychain: keychain)
 
@@ -292,11 +325,31 @@ final class NoiseEncryptionService {
         self.signingPublicKey = signingKey.publicKey
 
         // Initialize session manager
-        self.sessionManager = NoiseSessionManager(localStaticKey: staticIdentityKey, keychain: keychain)
+        self.sessionManager = NoiseSessionManager(
+            localStaticKey: staticIdentityKey,
+            keychain: keychain,
+            ordinaryHandshakeTimeout: ordinaryHandshakeTimeout,
+            ordinaryResponderHandshakeTimeout:
+                ordinaryResponderHandshakeTimeout,
+            recentInitiatorCompletionGracePeriod:
+                recentInitiatorCompletionGracePeriod,
+            ordinaryReconnectRollbackCooldown:
+                ordinaryReconnectRollbackCooldown
+        )
 
         // Set up session callbacks
-        sessionManager.onSessionEstablished = { [weak self] peerID, remoteStaticKey in
-            self?.handleSessionEstablished(peerID: peerID, remoteStaticKey: remoteStaticKey)
+        sessionManager.onSessionEstablished = { [weak self] peerID, remoteStaticKey, generation in
+            self?.handleSessionEstablished(
+                peerID: peerID,
+                remoteStaticKey: remoteStaticKey,
+                sessionGeneration: generation
+            )
+        }
+        sessionManager.onSessionRestored = { [weak self] peerID, generation in
+            self?.onSessionRestoredWithGeneration?(peerID, generation)
+        }
+        sessionManager.onHandshakeRecoveryRequired = { [weak self] request in
+            self?.onHandshakeRecoveryRequired?(request)
         }
 
         // Start session maintenance timer
@@ -661,6 +714,90 @@ final class NoiseEncryptionService {
         let handshakeData = try sessionManager.initiateHandshake(with: peerID)
         return handshakeData
     }
+
+    /// Atomically admits and prepares one initial ordinary handshake. Returns
+    /// nil when another discovery callback already created a session.
+    func initiateHandshakeIfNeeded(
+        with peerID: PeerID,
+        retryOnTimeout: Bool = false
+    ) throws -> NoiseHandshakeInitiation? {
+        guard peerID.isValid else {
+            SecureLogger.warning(.authenticationFailed(peerID: peerID.id))
+            throw NoiseSecurityError.invalidPeerID
+        }
+
+        guard let initiation = try sessionManager.initiateHandshakeIfAbsent(
+            with: peerID,
+            notifyOnTimeout: retryOnTimeout,
+            authorize: { [rateLimiter] in
+                guard rateLimiter.allowHandshake(from: peerID) else {
+                    SecureLogger.warning(
+                        .authenticationFailed(peerID: "Rate limited: \(peerID)")
+                    )
+                    throw NoiseSecurityError.rateLimitExceeded
+                }
+            }
+        ) else {
+            return nil
+        }
+        SecureLogger.info(.handshakeStarted(peerID: peerID.id))
+        return initiation
+    }
+
+    /// Atomically prepares an ordinary reconnect for a peer whose cached
+    /// transport belongs to an earlier physical link. Failed authorization or
+    /// handshake setup preserves the established session.
+    func initiateReconnectHandshake(
+        with peerID: PeerID,
+        retryOnTimeout: Bool = false
+    ) throws -> NoiseHandshakeInitiation {
+        guard peerID.isValid else {
+            SecureLogger.warning(.authenticationFailed(peerID: peerID.id))
+            throw NoiseSecurityError.invalidPeerID
+        }
+
+        return try sessionManager.initiateReconnectHandshake(
+            with: peerID,
+            notifyOnTimeout: retryOnTimeout,
+            authorize: { [rateLimiter] in
+                guard rateLimiter.allowHandshake(from: peerID) else {
+                    SecureLogger.warning(
+                        .authenticationFailed(peerID: "Rate limited: \(peerID)")
+                    )
+                    throw NoiseSecurityError.rateLimitExceeded
+                }
+            }
+        )
+    }
+
+    func prepareHandshakeRecovery(
+        _ request: NoiseHandshakeRecoveryRequest
+    ) throws -> NoiseHandshakeRecoveryPreparation? {
+        try sessionManager.prepareHandshakeRecovery(
+            request,
+            authorizeAttempt: { [rateLimiter] in
+                guard rateLimiter.allowHandshake(from: request.peerID) else {
+                    SecureLogger.warning(
+                        .authenticationFailed(
+                            peerID: "Rate limited: \(request.peerID)"
+                        )
+                    )
+                    throw NoiseSecurityError.rateLimitExceeded
+                }
+            }
+        )
+    }
+
+    func cancelHandshakeRecovery(_ request: NoiseHandshakeRecoveryRequest) {
+        sessionManager.cancelHandshakeRecovery(request)
+    }
+
+    func claimHandshakeInitiation(
+        _ initiation: NoiseHandshakeInitiation,
+        for peerID: PeerID
+    ) -> Data? {
+        sessionManager.claimHandshakeInitiation(initiation, for: peerID)
+    }
     
     /// Process an incoming handshake message
     func processHandshakeMessage(from peerID: PeerID, message: Data) throws -> Data? {
@@ -685,7 +822,10 @@ final class NoiseEncryptionService {
         
         // For handshakes, we process the raw data directly without NoiseMessage wrapper
         // The Noise protocol handles its own message format
-        let responsePayload = try sessionManager.handleIncomingHandshake(from: peerID, message: message)
+        let responsePayload = try sessionManager.handleIncomingHandshake(
+            from: peerID,
+            message: message
+        )
         
         
         // Return raw response without wrapper
@@ -701,6 +841,13 @@ final class NoiseEncryptionService {
     func hasSession(with peerID: PeerID) -> Bool {
         return sessionManager.getSession(for: peerID) != nil
     }
+
+    /// True while an inbound ordinary XX responder is waiting for message 3.
+    /// A small amount of immediately-following ciphertext may arrive first
+    /// over BLE and must be retried only after responder promotion.
+    func isAwaitingResponderHandshakeCompletion(with peerID: PeerID) -> Bool {
+        sessionManager.isAwaitingResponderHandshakeCompletion(for: peerID)
+    }
     
     // MARK: - Encryption/Decryption
     
@@ -725,25 +872,87 @@ final class NoiseEncryptionService {
         
         return try sessionManager.encrypt(data, for: peerID)
     }
-    
-    /// Decrypt data from a specific peer
-    func decrypt(_ data: Data, from peerID: PeerID) throws -> Data {
-        // Validate message size
-        guard NoiseSecurityValidator.validateMessageSize(data) else {
+
+    /// Encrypts a finalized private-media packet. Ordinary Noise application
+    /// messages retain the 64 KiB ceiling; this purpose-specific path permits
+    /// the bounded `BitchatFilePacket` envelope and refuses every other typed
+    /// payload so the larger allocation budget cannot become a generic bypass.
+    func encryptPrivateFilePayload(
+        _ data: Data,
+        for peerID: PeerID,
+        sessionGeneration: UUID? = nil
+    ) throws -> Data {
+        guard NoisePayloadType.isPrivateFile(rawValue: data.first),
+              NoiseSecurityValidator.validatePrivateFileMessageSize(data) else {
             throw NoiseSecurityError.messageTooLarge
         }
-        
-        // Check rate limit
+
         guard rateLimiter.allowMessage(from: peerID) else {
             throw NoiseSecurityError.rateLimitExceeded
         }
-        
-        // Check if we have an established session
+
         guard hasEstablishedSession(with: peerID) else {
+            onHandshakeRequired?(peerID)
+            throw NoiseEncryptionError.handshakeRequired
+        }
+
+        // `maxPrivateFilePlaintextSize` already subtracts the cipher's fixed
+        // nonce/tag overhead, so the result is bounded without a second copy.
+        if let sessionGeneration {
+            return try sessionManager.encrypt(
+                data,
+                for: peerID,
+                expectedSessionGeneration: sessionGeneration
+            )
+        }
+        return try sessionManager.encrypt(data, for: peerID)
+    }
+    
+    /// Decrypt data from a specific peer
+    func decrypt(_ data: Data, from peerID: PeerID) throws -> Data {
+        try decryptWithSessionGeneration(data, from: peerID).plaintext
+    }
+
+    func decryptWithSessionGeneration(
+        _ data: Data,
+        from peerID: PeerID,
+        establishedGenerationIsReady: (UUID) -> Bool = { _ in true }
+    ) throws -> (plaintext: Data, sessionGeneration: UUID) {
+        // Standard transport ciphertext has 20 bytes of nonce/tag overhead.
+        // A larger ciphertext is admitted only up to the framed-file ceiling;
+        // after authenticated decryption it must prove it is `.privateFile`.
+        let isStandardCiphertext = NoiseSecurityValidator.validateCiphertextSize(data)
+        let isAdmittedCiphertext = isStandardCiphertext
+            || NoiseSecurityValidator.validatePrivateFileCiphertextSize(data)
+        
+        // A quarantined transport is deliberately unavailable for outbound
+        // state, but remains receive-only until the responder proves identity
+        // or the bounded rollback restores it.
+        guard sessionManager.hasReceiveSession(for: peerID) else {
             throw NoiseEncryptionError.sessionNotEstablished
         }
         
-        return try sessionManager.decrypt(data, from: peerID)
+        let result = try sessionManager.decryptWithSessionGeneration(
+            data,
+            from: peerID,
+            establishedGenerationIsReady:
+                establishedGenerationIsReady,
+            authorizeDecrypt: { [rateLimiter] in
+                guard isAdmittedCiphertext else {
+                    throw NoiseSecurityError.messageTooLarge
+                }
+                guard rateLimiter.allowMessage(from: peerID) else {
+                    throw NoiseSecurityError.rateLimitExceeded
+                }
+            }
+        )
+        if !isStandardCiphertext {
+            guard NoisePayloadType.isPrivateFile(rawValue: result.plaintext.first),
+                  NoiseSecurityValidator.validatePrivateFileMessageSize(result.plaintext) else {
+                throw NoiseSecurityError.messageTooLarge
+            }
+        }
+        return result
     }
     
     // MARK: - Peer Management
@@ -755,6 +964,25 @@ final class NoiseEncryptionService {
         }
     }
 
+    func sessionGeneration(for peerID: PeerID) -> UUID? {
+        sessionManager.sessionGeneration(for: peerID)
+    }
+
+    /// Runs `body` while holding a read lease on the exact session generation.
+    /// Session insertion, replacement, and removal use the same manager
+    /// barrier, so they cannot interleave with an authenticated-state commit.
+    func withCurrentSessionGeneration<Result>(
+        for peerID: PeerID,
+        expected: UUID,
+        _ body: () -> Result
+    ) -> Result? {
+        sessionManager.withCurrentSessionGeneration(
+            for: peerID,
+            expected: expected,
+            body
+        )
+    }
+
     func clearEphemeralStateForPanic() {
         sessionManager.removeAllSessions()
         serviceQueue.sync(flags: .barrier) {
@@ -777,24 +1005,36 @@ final class NoiseEncryptionService {
     
     // MARK: - Private Helpers
     
-    private func handleSessionEstablished(peerID: PeerID, remoteStaticKey: Curve25519.KeyAgreement.PublicKey) {
+    private func handleSessionEstablished(
+        peerID: PeerID,
+        remoteStaticKey: Curve25519.KeyAgreement.PublicKey,
+        sessionGeneration: UUID
+    ) {
         // Calculate fingerprint
         let fingerprint = remoteStaticKey.rawRepresentation.sha256Fingerprint()
         
-        // Store fingerprint mapping
-        serviceQueue.sync(flags: .barrier) {
+        // Registering handlers is synchronous, and this barrier snapshots them
+        // with the fingerprint update. Invoke the snapshot outside the queue:
+        // parallel Swift Testing workers must not block behind queued callback
+        // registration or allow a handler to re-enter serviceQueue.
+        let handlers: (
+            generationAware: [(PeerID, String, UUID) -> Void],
+            legacy: [(PeerID, String) -> Void]
+        ) = serviceQueue.sync(flags: .barrier) {
             peerFingerprints[peerID] = fingerprint
             fingerprintToPeerID[fingerprint] = peerID
+            return (onPeerAuthenticatedWithGenerationHandlers, onPeerAuthenticatedHandlers)
         }
         
         // Log security event
         SecureLogger.info(.handshakeCompleted(peerID: peerID.id))
         
-        // Notify all handlers about authentication
-        serviceQueue.async { [weak self] in
-            self?.onPeerAuthenticatedHandlers.forEach { handler in
-                handler(peerID, fingerprint)
-            }
+        // Notify all handlers about authentication.
+        handlers.generationAware.forEach { handler in
+            handler(peerID, fingerprint, sessionGeneration)
+        }
+        handlers.legacy.forEach { handler in
+            handler(peerID, fingerprint)
         }
     }
         
@@ -815,19 +1055,26 @@ final class NoiseEncryptionService {
         let sessionsNeedingRekey = sessionManager.getSessionsNeedingRekey()
         
         for (peerID, needsRekey) in sessionsNeedingRekey where needsRekey {
-            
-            // Attempt to rekey the session
             do {
-                try sessionManager.initiateRekey(for: peerID)
-                SecureLogger.debug("Key rotation initiated for peer: \(peerID)", category: .security)
-                
-                // Signal that handshake is needed
-                onHandshakeRequired?(peerID)
+                try initiateAutomaticRekey(for: peerID)
             } catch {
                 SecureLogger.error(error, context: "Failed to initiate rekey for peer: \(peerID)", category: .session)
             }
         }
     }
+
+    private func initiateAutomaticRekey(for peerID: PeerID) throws {
+        let initiation = try sessionManager.initiateRekey(for: peerID)
+        SecureLogger.debug("Key rotation initiated for peer: \(peerID)", category: .security)
+        onRekeyHandshakeReady?(peerID, initiation)
+        onHandshakeRequired?(peerID)
+    }
+
+    #if DEBUG
+    func _test_initiateAutomaticRekey(for peerID: PeerID) throws {
+        try initiateAutomaticRekey(for: peerID)
+    }
+    #endif
     
     deinit {
         stopRekeyTimer()
@@ -915,6 +1162,9 @@ struct NoiseMessage: Codable {
 enum NoiseEncryptionError: Error {
     case handshakeRequired
     case sessionNotEstablished
+    /// Manager keys are established or restored, but BLE has not installed
+    /// generation-bound transport state. No receive nonce was consumed.
+    case transportGenerationNotReady
     /// Envelope references a prekey ID we don't hold (never ours, already
     /// deleted after its grace window, or wiped in a panic).
     case unknownPrekey

bitchat/Services/TransferProgressManager.swift

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ final class TransferProgressManager {
         case updated(id: String, sentFragments: Int, totalFragments: Int)
         case completed(id: String, totalFragments: Int)
         case cancelled(id: String, sentFragments: Int, totalFragments: Int)
+        case rejected(id: String, reason: String)
     }
 
     private let subject = PassthroughSubject<Event, Never>()
@@ -49,6 +50,17 @@ final class TransferProgressManager {
         }
     }
 
+    /// Fails a preflight check while keeping the outgoing placeholder visible
+    /// with an actionable reason instead of treating policy/size rejection as
+    /// a user cancellation.
+    func rejectBeforeStart(id: String, reason: String) {
+        queue.async(flags: .barrier) { [weak self] in
+            guard let self = self else { return }
+            self.states.removeValue(forKey: id)
+            self.subject.send(.rejected(id: id, reason: reason))
+        }
+    }
+
     func snapshot(id: String) -> (sent: Int, total: Int)? {
         var result: (sent: Int, total: Int)?
         queue.sync {

bitchat/Services/Transport.swift

@@ -83,6 +83,20 @@ enum TransportEvent: @unchecked Sendable {
     case bluetoothStateUpdated(CBManagerState)
 }
 
+/// Downgrade-safe decision for a private-media recipient. Callers ask before
+/// prompting, and BLEService checks again when it consumes any one-shot
+/// legacy consent.
+enum PrivateMediaSendPolicy: Equatable {
+    case encrypted
+    /// A public announce hinted at encrypted media (or a prior authenticated
+    /// pin exists), but this exact Noise session has not yet supplied its
+    /// authenticated peer-state proof. Callers wait boundedly; they must not
+    /// pre-queue encrypted bytes or silently select the legacy path.
+    case awaitingCapabilityProof
+    case legacyRequiresConsent
+    case blockedDowngrade
+}
+
 protocol TransportEventDelegate: AnyObject {
     @MainActor func didReceiveTransportEvent(_ event: TransportEvent)
 }
@@ -163,6 +177,12 @@ protocol Transport: AnyObject {
     func sendDeliveryAck(for messageID: String, to peerID: PeerID)
     func sendFileBroadcast(_ packet: BitchatFilePacket, transferId: String)
     func sendFilePrivate(_ packet: BitchatFilePacket, to peerID: PeerID, transferId: String)
+    func sendFilePrivate(
+        _ packet: BitchatFilePacket,
+        to peerID: PeerID,
+        transferId: String,
+        allowLegacyFallback: Bool
+    )
     func cancelTransfer(_ transferId: String)
 
     // Live voice / push-to-talk (mesh transports only): one encoded
@@ -208,6 +228,11 @@ protocol Transport: AnyObject {
     /// Capabilities the peer advertised in its last verified announce;
     /// empty for peers that predate the capabilities TLV.
     func peerCapabilities(_ peerID: PeerID) -> PeerCapabilities
+    func privateMediaSendPolicy(to peerID: PeerID) -> PrivateMediaSendPolicy
+    func resolvePrivateMediaSendPolicy(
+        to peerID: PeerID,
+        completion: @escaping @MainActor (PrivateMediaSendPolicy) -> Void
+    )
     /// Sends an encoded vouch-attestation batch inside the Noise session.
     func sendVouchAttestations(_ payload: Data, to peerID: PeerID)
     /// Appends a peer-authenticated observer. Unlike
@@ -278,6 +303,16 @@ extension Transport {
     func sendGroupKeyUpdate(_ statePayload: Data, to peerID: PeerID) {}
     func broadcastGroupMessage(_ envelope: Data) {}
     func peerCapabilities(_ peerID: PeerID) -> PeerCapabilities { [] }
+    func privateMediaSendPolicy(to peerID: PeerID) -> PrivateMediaSendPolicy { .blockedDowngrade }
+    func resolvePrivateMediaSendPolicy(
+        to peerID: PeerID,
+        completion: @escaping @MainActor (PrivateMediaSendPolicy) -> Void
+    ) {
+        let policy = privateMediaSendPolicy(to: peerID)
+        Task { @MainActor in
+            completion(policy == .awaitingCapabilityProof ? .blockedDowngrade : policy)
+        }
+    }
     func sendVouchAttestations(_ payload: Data, to peerID: PeerID) {}
     func addPeerAuthenticatedObserver(_ handler: @escaping (PeerID, String) -> Void) {}
     func sendCourierMessage(_ content: String, messageID: String, recipientNoiseKey: Data, via couriers: [PeerID]) -> Bool { false }
@@ -294,6 +329,15 @@ extension Transport {
     func currentMeshTopology() -> MeshTopologySnapshot? { nil }
     func sendFileBroadcast(_ packet: BitchatFilePacket, transferId: String) {}
     func sendFilePrivate(_ packet: BitchatFilePacket, to peerID: PeerID, transferId: String) {}
+    func sendFilePrivate(
+        _ packet: BitchatFilePacket,
+        to peerID: PeerID,
+        transferId: String,
+        allowLegacyFallback: Bool
+    ) {
+        guard !allowLegacyFallback else { return }
+        sendFilePrivate(packet, to: peerID, transferId: transferId)
+    }
     func cancelTransfer(_ transferId: String) {}
 
     func sendMessage(_ content: String, mentions: [String], messageID: String, timestamp: Date) {

bitchat/Services/TransportConfig.swift

@@ -9,6 +9,12 @@ enum TransportConfig {
     static let bleMaxInFlightAssemblies: Int = 128          // Cap concurrent fragment assemblies
     static let bleHighDegreeThreshold: Int = 6              // For adaptive TTL/probabilistic relays
     static let bleMaxConcurrentTransfers: Int = 2           // Limit simultaneous large media sends
+    // Bounded wait for the session-authenticated capability proof used by
+    // private-media migration. Expiry never auto-sends clear bytes; it only
+    // resolves to the existing one-shot consent or downgrade-blocked path.
+    static let privateMediaCapabilityProofTimeoutSeconds: TimeInterval = 5
+    static let privateMediaCapabilityProofPendingPeerCap: Int = 64
+    static let privateMediaCapabilityProofWaitersPerPeerCap: Int = 16
     static let bleFragmentRelayMinDelayMs: Int = 8          // Faster forwarding for media fragments
     static let bleFragmentRelayMaxDelayMs: Int = 25         // Upper jitter bound for fragment relays
     // Fragment relay TTL in sparse graphs; matches messageTTLDefault so media

bitchat/ViewModels/ChatMediaTransferCoordinator.swift

@@ -6,6 +6,19 @@ import Foundation
 import UIKit
 #endif
 
+struct LegacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest: Identifiable, Equatable {
+    let id: UUID
+    let peerID: PeerID
+    let peerName: String
+    let transferId: String
+    let messageID: String
+}
+
+struct PendingLegacyPrivateMediaConsent {
+    let request: LegacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest
+    let completion: @MainActor (Bool) -> Void
+}
+
 /// The narrow surface `ChatMediaTransferCoordinator` needs from its owner.
 ///
 /// Follows the `ChatDeliveryContext` exemplar: the coordinator depends on the
@@ -43,7 +56,24 @@ protocol ChatMediaTransferContext: AnyObject {
     func recordContentKey(_ key: String, timestamp: Date)
 
     // MARK: Mesh file transfer
-    func sendFilePrivate(_ packet: BitchatFilePacket, to peerID: PeerID, transferId: String)
+    func privateMediaSendPolicy(to peerID: PeerID) -> PrivateMediaSendPolicy
+    func resolvePrivateMediaSendPolicy(
+        to peerID: PeerID,
+        completion: @escaping @MainActor (PrivateMediaSendPolicy) -> Void
+    )
+    func requestLegacyPrivateMediaConsent(
+        for peerID: PeerID,
+        transferId: String,
+        messageID: String,
+        completion: @escaping @MainActor (Bool) -> Void
+    )
+    func cancelLegacyPrivateMediaConsent(transferId: String, messageID: String)
+    func sendFilePrivate(
+        _ packet: BitchatFilePacket,
+        to peerID: PeerID,
+        transferId: String,
+        allowLegacyFallback: Bool
+    )
     func sendFileBroadcast(_ packet: BitchatFilePacket, transferId: String)
     func cancelTransfer(_ transferId: String)
 }
@@ -59,8 +89,50 @@ extension ChatViewModel: ChatMediaTransferContext {
     // other contexts or satisfied by existing `ChatViewModel` members. The
     // members below flatten mesh service accesses.
 
-    func sendFilePrivate(_ packet: BitchatFilePacket, to peerID: PeerID, transferId: String) {
-        meshService.sendFilePrivate(packet, to: peerID, transferId: transferId)
+    func privateMediaSendPolicy(to peerID: PeerID) -> PrivateMediaSendPolicy {
+        meshService.privateMediaSendPolicy(to: peerID)
+    }
+
+    func resolvePrivateMediaSendPolicy(
+        to peerID: PeerID,
+        completion: @escaping @MainActor (PrivateMediaSendPolicy) -> Void
+    ) {
+        meshService.resolvePrivateMediaSendPolicy(to: peerID, completion: completion)
+    }
+
+    func requestLegacyPrivateMediaConsent(
+        for peerID: PeerID,
+        transferId: String,
+        messageID: String,
+        completion: @escaping @MainActor (Bool) -> Void
+    ) {
+        enqueueLegacyPrivateMediaConsent(
+            for: peerID,
+            transferId: transferId,
+            messageID: messageID,
+            completion: completion
+        )
+    }
+
+    func cancelLegacyPrivateMediaConsent(transferId: String, messageID: String) {
+        invalidateLegacyPrivateMediaConsent(
+            transferId: transferId,
+            messageID: messageID
+        )
+    }
+
+    func sendFilePrivate(
+        _ packet: BitchatFilePacket,
+        to peerID: PeerID,
+        transferId: String,
+        allowLegacyFallback: Bool
+    ) {
+        meshService.sendFilePrivate(
+            packet,
+            to: peerID,
+            transferId: transferId,
+            allowLegacyFallback: allowLegacyFallback
+        )
     }
 
     func sendFileBroadcast(_ packet: BitchatFilePacket, transferId: String) {
@@ -75,13 +147,20 @@ extension ChatViewModel: ChatMediaTransferContext {
 @MainActor
 final class ChatMediaTransferCoordinator {
     private unowned let context: any ChatMediaTransferContext
+    private let prepareVoiceNotePacket: @Sendable (URL) throws -> BitchatFilePacket
 
     private(set) var transferIdToMessageIDs: [String: [String]] = [:]
     private(set) var messageIDToTransferId: [String: String] = [:]
     private var preparationGeneration: UInt64 = 0
 
-    init(context: any ChatMediaTransferContext) {
+    init(
+        context: any ChatMediaTransferContext,
+        prepareVoiceNotePacket: @escaping @Sendable (URL) throws -> BitchatFilePacket = {
+            try ChatMediaPreparation.prepareVoiceNotePacket(at: $0)
+        }
+    ) {
         self.context = context
+        self.prepareVoiceNotePacket = prepareVoiceNotePacket
     }
 
     func sendVoiceNote(at url: URL) {
@@ -99,17 +178,30 @@ final class ChatMediaTransferCoordinator {
         )
         let messageID = message.id
         let transferId = makeTransferID(messageID: messageID)
+        // Own the transfer before detached preparation begins. Cancel/delete
+        // must be able to invalidate this exact invocation even while file I/O
+        // is still running off the main actor.
+        registerTransfer(transferId: transferId, messageID: messageID)
+        let prepareVoiceNotePacket = self.prepareVoiceNotePacket
         let generation = preparationGeneration
 
         Task.detached(priority: .userInitiated) { [weak self] in
             do {
-                let packet = try ChatMediaPreparation.prepareVoiceNotePacket(at: url)
+                let packet = try prepareVoiceNotePacket(url)
 
                 await MainActor.run { [weak self] in
-                    guard let self, self.preparationGeneration == generation else { return }
-                    self.registerTransfer(transferId: transferId, messageID: messageID)
+                    guard let self,
+                          self.preparationGeneration == generation,
+                          self.isRegisteredTransfer(transferId, messageID: messageID) else {
+                        return
+                    }
                     if let peerID = targetPeer {
-                        self.context.sendFilePrivate(packet, to: peerID, transferId: transferId)
+                        self.beginPrivateMediaSend(
+                            packet,
+                            to: peerID,
+                            transferId: transferId,
+                            messageID: messageID
+                        )
                     } else {
                         self.context.sendFileBroadcast(packet, transferId: transferId)
                     }
@@ -118,13 +210,21 @@ final class ChatMediaTransferCoordinator {
                 SecureLogger.warning("Voice note exceeds size limit (\(size) bytes)", category: .session)
                 try? FileManager.default.removeItem(at: url)
                 await MainActor.run { [weak self] in
-                    guard let self, self.preparationGeneration == generation else { return }
+                    guard let self,
+                          self.preparationGeneration == generation,
+                          self.isRegisteredTransfer(transferId, messageID: messageID) else {
+                        return
+                    }
                     self.handleMediaSendFailure(messageID: messageID, reason: String(localized: "content.delivery.reason.voice_too_large", comment: "Failure reason shown when a voice note exceeds the size limit"))
                 }
             } catch {
                 SecureLogger.error("Voice note send failed: \(error)", category: .session)
                 await MainActor.run { [weak self] in
-                    guard let self, self.preparationGeneration == generation else { return }
+                    guard let self,
+                          self.preparationGeneration == generation,
+                          self.isRegisteredTransfer(transferId, messageID: messageID) else {
+                        return
+                    }
                     self.handleMediaSendFailure(messageID: messageID, reason: String(localized: "content.delivery.reason.voice_send_failed", comment: "Failure reason shown when a voice note could not be sent"))
                 }
             }
@@ -207,7 +307,12 @@ final class ChatMediaTransferCoordinator {
                     let transferId = self.makeTransferID(messageID: messageID)
                     self.registerTransfer(transferId: transferId, messageID: messageID)
                     if let peerID = targetPeer {
-                        self.context.sendFilePrivate(prepared.packet, to: peerID, transferId: transferId)
+                        self.beginPrivateMediaSend(
+                            prepared.packet,
+                            to: peerID,
+                            transferId: transferId,
+                            messageID: messageID
+                        )
                     } else {
                         self.context.sendFileBroadcast(prepared.packet, transferId: transferId)
                     }
@@ -267,17 +372,127 @@ final class ChatMediaTransferCoordinator {
         return message
     }
 
+    private func beginPrivateMediaSend(
+        _ packet: BitchatFilePacket,
+        to peerID: PeerID,
+        transferId: String,
+        messageID: String
+    ) {
+        continuePrivateMediaSend(
+            packet,
+            to: peerID,
+            transferId: transferId,
+            messageID: messageID,
+            policy: context.privateMediaSendPolicy(to: peerID)
+        )
+    }
+
+    private func continuePrivateMediaSend(
+        _ packet: BitchatFilePacket,
+        to peerID: PeerID,
+        transferId: String,
+        messageID: String,
+        policy: PrivateMediaSendPolicy
+    ) {
+        switch policy {
+        case .encrypted:
+            context.sendFilePrivate(
+                packet,
+                to: peerID,
+                transferId: transferId,
+                allowLegacyFallback: false
+            )
+
+        case .awaitingCapabilityProof:
+            context.resolvePrivateMediaSendPolicy(to: peerID) { [weak self] resolvedPolicy in
+                guard let self,
+                      self.isRegisteredTransfer(transferId, messageID: messageID) else {
+                    return
+                }
+                guard resolvedPolicy != .awaitingCapabilityProof else {
+                    self.handleMediaSendFailure(
+                        messageID: messageID,
+                        reason: String(
+                            localized: "content.delivery.reason.private_media_capability_unresolved",
+                            defaultValue: "Could not confirm encrypted media support",
+                            comment: "Failure reason when private-media capability negotiation did not resolve"
+                        )
+                    )
+                    return
+                }
+                self.continuePrivateMediaSend(
+                    packet,
+                    to: peerID,
+                    transferId: transferId,
+                    messageID: messageID,
+                    policy: resolvedPolicy
+                )
+            }
+
+        case .legacyRequiresConsent:
+            context.requestLegacyPrivateMediaConsent(
+                for: peerID,
+                transferId: transferId,
+                messageID: messageID
+            ) { [weak self] approved in
+                guard let self else { return }
+                // Consent belongs to this exact placeholder/transfer. A late
+                // dialog callback after cancel/delete must never resurrect it.
+                guard self.messageIDToTransferId[messageID] == transferId,
+                      self.transferIdToMessageIDs[transferId]?.contains(messageID) == true else {
+                    return
+                }
+                guard approved else {
+                    self.handleMediaSendFailure(
+                        messageID: messageID,
+                        reason: String(
+                            localized: "content.delivery.reason.legacy_media_declined",
+                            defaultValue: "Not sent without end-to-end encryption",
+                            comment: "Failure reason after declining the warning for a legacy clear private-media send"
+                        )
+                    )
+                    return
+                }
+                self.context.sendFilePrivate(
+                    packet,
+                    to: peerID,
+                    transferId: transferId,
+                    allowLegacyFallback: true
+                )
+            }
+
+        case .blockedDowngrade:
+            handleMediaSendFailure(
+                messageID: messageID,
+                reason: String(
+                    localized: "content.delivery.reason.private_media_downgrade_blocked",
+                    defaultValue: "Encrypted media required; ask this contact to upgrade",
+                    comment: "Failure reason when a peer that previously supported encrypted media appears to downgrade"
+                )
+            )
+        }
+    }
+
     func registerTransfer(transferId: String, messageID: String) {
         transferIdToMessageIDs[transferId, default: []].append(messageID)
         messageIDToTransferId[messageID] = transferId
     }
 
+    private func isRegisteredTransfer(_ transferId: String, messageID: String) -> Bool {
+        messageIDToTransferId[messageID] == transferId
+            && transferIdToMessageIDs[transferId]?.contains(messageID) == true
+    }
+
     func makeTransferID(messageID: String) -> String {
         "\(messageID)-\(UUID().uuidString)"
     }
 
     func clearTransferMapping(for messageID: String) {
         guard let transferId = messageIDToTransferId.removeValue(forKey: messageID) else { return }
+        context.cancelLegacyPrivateMediaConsent(
+            transferId: transferId,
+            messageID: messageID
+        )
         guard var queue = transferIdToMessageIDs[transferId] else { return }
 
         if !queue.isEmpty {
@@ -312,6 +527,9 @@ final class ChatMediaTransferCoordinator {
             guard let messageID = transferIdToMessageIDs[id]?.first else { return }
             clearTransferMapping(for: messageID)
             context.removeMessage(withID: messageID, cleanupFile: true)
+        case .rejected(let id, let reason):
+            guard let messageID = transferIdToMessageIDs[id]?.first else { return }
+            handleMediaSendFailure(messageID: messageID, reason: reason)
         }
     }
 
@@ -352,6 +570,13 @@ final class ChatMediaTransferCoordinator {
     }
 
     func deleteMediaMessage(messageID: String) {
+        // Delete is also a send cancellation. In particular, an approved
+        // legacy-clear send may still be waiting on BLEService.messageQueue;
+        // removing only the UI mapping would let that deferred work transmit.
+        if let transferId = messageIDToTransferId[messageID],
+           transferIdToMessageIDs[transferId]?.first == messageID {
+            context.cancelTransfer(transferId)
+        }
         clearTransferMapping(for: messageID)
         context.removeMessage(withID: messageID, cleanupFile: true)
     }

bitchat/ViewModels/ChatTransportEventCoordinator.swift

@@ -407,6 +407,13 @@ private extension ChatTransportEventCoordinator {
 
         case .voiceFrame:
             context.handleVoiceFramePayload(from: peerID, payload: payload, timestamp: timestamp)
+
+        case .privateFile, .authenticatedPeerState:
+            // BLEService validates and persists decrypted private files before
+            // emitting a normal `.messageReceived` event, and consumes peer
+            // state inside the transport. Neither payload crosses this
+            // UI-facing typed-payload fallback.
+            break
         }
     }
 

bitchat/ViewModels/ChatViewModel.swift

@@ -375,6 +375,8 @@ final class ChatViewModel: ObservableObject, BitchatDelegate, TransportEventDele
     @Published var showBluetoothAlert = false
     @Published var bluetoothAlertMessage = ""
     @Published var bluetoothState: CBManagerState = .unknown
+    @Published private(set) var legacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest: LegacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest?
+    private var pendingLegacyPrivateMediaConsents: [PendingLegacyPrivateMediaConsent] = []
 
     private func performDeliveryUpdate(_ update: @escaping @MainActor (ChatDeliveryCoordinator) -> Void) {
         if Thread.isMainThread {
@@ -1268,6 +1270,10 @@ final class ChatViewModel: ObservableObject, BitchatDelegate, TransportEventDele
         mediaTransferCoordinator.resetForPanic()
         liveVoiceCoordinator.resetForPanic()
 
+        // Deny and release any clear-media confirmations before identities,
+        // message state, and local files are wiped.
+        cancelAllLegacyPrivateMediaConsents()
+
         // Clear all messages (public timelines and private chats live in the
         // single-writer ConversationStore; the derived `messages` view and
         // the legacy mirror empty with it)
@@ -1907,4 +1913,91 @@ final class ChatViewModel: ObservableObject, BitchatDelegate, TransportEventDele
         publicConversationCoordinator.sendHapticFeedback(for: message)
     }
 }
+
+@MainActor
+extension ChatViewModel {
+    func enqueueLegacyPrivateMediaConsent(
+        for peerID: PeerID,
+        transferId: String,
+        messageID: String,
+        completion: @escaping @MainActor (Bool) -> Void
+    ) {
+        let request = LegacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest(
+            id: UUID(),
+            peerID: peerID,
+            peerName: nicknameForPeer(peerID),
+            transferId: transferId,
+            messageID: messageID
+        )
+        pendingLegacyPrivateMediaConsents.append(PendingLegacyPrivateMediaConsent(
+            request: request,
+            completion: completion
+        ))
+        if legacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest == nil {
+            legacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest = request
+        }
+    }
+
+    func resolveLegacyPrivateMediaConsent(requestID: UUID, approved: Bool) {
+        // SwiftUI may report both the selected button and the presentation
+        // binding's dismissal. Resolve only the exact request that was shown;
+        // a duplicate callback for it must not consume the next queued send.
+        guard legacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest?.id == requestID,
+              pendingLegacyPrivateMediaConsents.first?.request.id == requestID else {
+            return
+        }
+        let resolved = pendingLegacyPrivateMediaConsents.removeFirst()
+        // Drive the boolean presentation state through false before showing
+        // the next queued per-send warning. Otherwise SwiftUI sees true→true,
+        // closes the first dialog, and never presents the second.
+        legacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest = nil
+        resolved.completion(approved)
+        presentNextLegacyPrivateMediaConsentDeferred()
+    }
+
+    func invalidateLegacyPrivateMediaConsent(transferId: String, messageID: String) {
+        let invalidatedIDs = Set(
+            pendingLegacyPrivateMediaConsents.compactMap { pending -> UUID? in
+                let request = pending.request
+                return request.transferId == transferId && request.messageID == messageID
+                    ? request.id
+                    : nil
+            }
+        )
+        guard !invalidatedIDs.isEmpty else { return }
+
+        pendingLegacyPrivateMediaConsents.removeAll {
+            invalidatedIDs.contains($0.request.id)
+        }
+        if let currentID = legacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest?.id,
+           invalidatedIDs.contains(currentID) {
+            legacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest = nil
+            presentNextLegacyPrivateMediaConsentDeferred()
+        }
+    }
+
+    func cancelAllLegacyPrivateMediaConsents() {
+        let pending = pendingLegacyPrivateMediaConsents
+        pendingLegacyPrivateMediaConsents.removeAll()
+        legacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest = nil
+        for item in pending {
+            item.completion(false)
+        }
+    }
+
+    private func presentNextLegacyPrivateMediaConsentDeferred() {
+        guard legacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest == nil,
+              let nextRequestID = pendingLegacyPrivateMediaConsents.first?.request.id else {
+            return
+        }
+        DispatchQueue.main.async { [weak self] in
+            guard let self,
+                  self.legacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest == nil,
+                  self.pendingLegacyPrivateMediaConsents.first?.request.id == nextRequestID else {
+                return
+            }
+            self.legacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest = self.pendingLegacyPrivateMediaConsents[0].request
+        }
+    }
+}
 // End of ChatViewModel class

bitchat/ViewModels/NostrInboundPipeline.swift

@@ -310,7 +310,7 @@ final class NostrInboundPipeline {
         // claiming to be group traffic over Nostr is ignored.
         // Live voice is mesh-only: latency and relay cost make it
         // meaningless over Nostr.
-        case .verifyChallenge, .verifyResponse, .groupInvite, .groupKeyUpdate, .vouch, .voiceFrame:
+        case .verifyChallenge, .verifyResponse, .groupInvite, .groupKeyUpdate, .vouch, .voiceFrame, .privateFile, .authenticatedPeerState:
             break
         }
     }
@@ -366,7 +366,7 @@ final class NostrInboundPipeline {
         // claiming to be group traffic over Nostr is ignored.
         // Live voice is mesh-only: latency and relay cost make it
         // meaningless over Nostr.
-        case .verifyChallenge, .verifyResponse, .groupInvite, .groupKeyUpdate, .vouch, .voiceFrame:
+        case .verifyChallenge, .verifyResponse, .groupInvite, .groupKeyUpdate, .vouch, .voiceFrame, .privateFile, .authenticatedPeerState:
             break
         }
     }
@@ -449,7 +449,7 @@ final class NostrInboundPipeline {
                         // in v1; group traffic over Nostr is ignored.
                         // Live voice is mesh-only: latency and relay cost make it
                         // meaningless over Nostr.
-                        case .verifyChallenge, .verifyResponse, .groupInvite, .groupKeyUpdate, .vouch, .voiceFrame:
+                        case .verifyChallenge, .verifyResponse, .groupInvite, .groupKeyUpdate, .vouch, .voiceFrame, .privateFile, .authenticatedPeerState:
                             break
                         }
                     }

bitchat/Views/ContentSheetViews.swift

@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ struct ContentPeopleSheetView: View {
     #endif
 
     var body: some View {
+        let legacyConsentRequest = conversationUIModel.legacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest
         NavigationStack {
             Group {
                 if privateConversationModel.selectedPeerID != nil {
@@ -97,6 +98,63 @@ struct ContentPeopleSheetView: View {
         }
         .themedSheetBackground()
         .foregroundColor(palette.primary)
+        .confirmationDialog(
+            String(
+                localized: "content.private_media.legacy_warning.title",
+                defaultValue: "Send without end-to-end encryption?",
+                comment: "Title warning before sending private media to an older client in a clear signed envelope"
+            ),
+            isPresented: Binding(
+                get: { legacyConsentRequest != nil },
+                set: { isPresented in
+                    if !isPresented, let requestID = legacyConsentRequest?.id {
+                        conversationUIModel.resolveLegacyPrivateMediaConsent(
+                            requestID: requestID,
+                            approved: false
+                        )
+                    }
+                }
+            ),
+            titleVisibility: .visible
+        ) {
+            Button(
+                String(
+                    localized: "content.private_media.legacy_warning.send",
+                    defaultValue: "send visible file",
+                    comment: "Destructive confirmation action for one legacy clear private-media send"
+                ),
+                role: .destructive
+            ) {
+                if let requestID = legacyConsentRequest?.id {
+                    conversationUIModel.resolveLegacyPrivateMediaConsent(
+                        requestID: requestID,
+                        approved: true
+                    )
+                }
+            }
+            Button("common.cancel", role: .cancel) {
+                if let requestID = legacyConsentRequest?.id {
+                    conversationUIModel.resolveLegacyPrivateMediaConsent(
+                        requestID: requestID,
+                        approved: false
+                    )
+                }
+            }
+        } message: {
+            if let request = legacyConsentRequest {
+                Text(
+                    String(
+                        format: String(
+                            localized: "content.private_media.legacy_warning.message",
+                            defaultValue: "%@'s client does not advertise encrypted private media. This file will be signed but not end-to-end encrypted, so mesh relays can see it. Send this file anyway?",
+                            comment: "Warning explaining the confidentiality loss for one legacy private-media send; parameter is the peer name"
+                        ),
+                        locale: .current,
+                        request.peerName
+                    )
+                )
+            }
+        }
         #if os(macOS)
         .frame(minWidth: 420, minHeight: 520)
         #endif

bitchatTests/BLEServiceCoreTests.swift

@@ -502,14 +502,26 @@ struct BLEServiceCoreTests {
         )
         let replay = try #require(victim.signPacket(unsigned), "Failed to sign replayed announce")
         #expect(ble._test_recordIngressIfNew(packet: replay, linkID: attackerLink))
+        let rebindGate = VerifiedDirectRebindGate()
+        ble._test_afterVerifiedDirectRebindEnqueued = rebindGate.pause
+        defer {
+            rebindGate.release()
+            ble._test_afterVerifiedDirectRebindEnqueued = nil
+        }
         ble._test_handlePacket(replay, fromPeerID: victimPeerID, preseedPeer: false)
 
-        let rebound = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
-            { ble._test_centralBinding(attackerLink) == victimPeerID },
+        let announcePaused = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { rebindGate.hasPaused },
             timeout: TestConstants.longTimeout
         )
-        #expect(rebound)
-        #expect(ble.canDeliverSecurely(to: victimPeerID))
+        try #require(announcePaused)
+
+        // Rebind and ordinary reconnect preparation are one bleQueue
+        // critical section. Once the binding is visible, stale sending keys
+        // must already be unavailable.
+        #expect(ble._test_centralBinding(attackerLink) == victimPeerID)
+        #expect(!ble.canDeliverSecurely(to: victimPeerID))
+        rebindGate.release()
 
         let outbound = OutboundPacketTap()
         ble._test_onOutboundPacket = { outbound.record($0) }
@@ -529,6 +541,164 @@ struct BLEServiceCoreTests {
         #expect(outbound.count(ofType: .courierEnvelope) == 0)
     }
 
+    @Test
+    func failedInboundReconnectRestoresAndDrainsWaitingWorkOnce() async throws {
+        let ble = makeService()
+        let alice = NoiseEncryptionService(keychain: MockKeychain())
+        let mallory = NoiseEncryptionService(keychain: MockKeychain())
+        let alicePeerID = PeerID(publicKey: alice.getStaticPublicKeyData())
+
+        // Establish BLE as responder so the following inbound reconnect is
+        // not intentionally coalesced by the initiator-completion grace path.
+        let message1 = try alice.initiateHandshake(with: ble.myPeerID)
+        let message2 = try #require(
+            try ble._test_noiseProcessHandshakeMessage(
+                from: alicePeerID,
+                message: message1
+            )
+        )
+        let message3 = try #require(
+            try alice.processHandshakeMessage(
+                from: ble.myPeerID,
+                message: message2
+            )
+        )
+        _ = try ble._test_noiseProcessHandshakeMessage(
+            from: alicePeerID,
+            message: message3
+        )
+        await ble._test_drainNoiseMessagePipeline()
+        #expect(ble.canDeliverSecurely(to: alicePeerID))
+
+        let outbound = OutboundPacketTap()
+        ble._test_onOutboundPacket = outbound.record
+        let forgedMessage1 = try mallory.initiateHandshake(with: ble.myPeerID)
+        let firstPacket = BitchatPacket(
+            type: MessageType.noiseHandshake.rawValue,
+            senderID: Data(hexString: alicePeerID.id) ?? Data(),
+            recipientID: Data(hexString: ble.myPeerID.id),
+            timestamp: UInt64(Date().timeIntervalSince1970 * 1_000),
+            payload: forgedMessage1,
+            signature: nil,
+            ttl: 7
+        )
+        ble._test_handlePacket(firstPacket, fromPeerID: alicePeerID)
+
+        let responseReady = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            {
+                outbound.snapshot().contains {
+                    $0.type == MessageType.noiseHandshake.rawValue
+                        && PeerID(hexData: $0.senderID) == ble.myPeerID
+                        && $0.payload.count
+                            != NoiseSecurityConstants.xxInitialMessageSize
+                }
+            },
+            timeout: TestConstants.longTimeout
+        )
+        try #require(responseReady)
+        let forgedMessage2 = try #require(
+            outbound.snapshot().first {
+                $0.type == MessageType.noiseHandshake.rawValue
+                    && PeerID(hexData: $0.senderID) == ble.myPeerID
+                    && $0.payload.count
+                        != NoiseSecurityConstants.xxInitialMessageSize
+            }?.payload
+        )
+        #expect(!ble.canDeliverSecurely(to: alicePeerID))
+
+        // Typed control traffic must queue behind the ordinary responder,
+        // rather than attempting encryption and disappearing.
+        let privateMessageID = "quarantine-pm-\(UUID().uuidString)"
+        ble.sendPrivateMessage(
+            "queued private message",
+            to: alicePeerID,
+            recipientNickname: "Alice",
+            messageID: privateMessageID
+        )
+        ble.sendGroupInvite(Data("queued-during-quarantine".utf8), to: alicePeerID)
+        await ble._test_drainNoiseMessagePipeline()
+        #expect(outbound.count(ofType: .noiseEncrypted) == 0)
+
+        let forgedMessage3 = try #require(
+            try mallory.processHandshakeMessage(
+                from: ble.myPeerID,
+                message: forgedMessage2
+            )
+        )
+        let forgedEarlyPayload = try #require(
+            BLENoisePayloadFactory.privateMessage(
+                content: "forged early message",
+                messageID: "forged-early"
+            )
+        )
+        try #require(
+            mallory.hasEstablishedSession(with: ble.myPeerID),
+            "forged initiator did not establish after producing message three"
+        )
+        let forgedEarlyCiphertext = try mallory.encrypt(
+            forgedEarlyPayload,
+            for: ble.myPeerID
+        )
+        let earlyPacket = BitchatPacket(
+            type: MessageType.noiseEncrypted.rawValue,
+            senderID: Data(hexString: alicePeerID.id) ?? Data(),
+            recipientID: Data(hexString: ble.myPeerID.id),
+            timestamp: UInt64(Date().timeIntervalSince1970 * 1_000) + 1,
+            payload: forgedEarlyCiphertext,
+            signature: nil,
+            ttl: 7
+        )
+        ble._test_handlePacket(earlyPacket, fromPeerID: alicePeerID)
+        await ble._test_drainNoiseMessagePipeline()
+
+        let thirdPacket = BitchatPacket(
+            type: MessageType.noiseHandshake.rawValue,
+            senderID: Data(hexString: alicePeerID.id) ?? Data(),
+            recipientID: Data(hexString: ble.myPeerID.id),
+            timestamp: UInt64(Date().timeIntervalSince1970 * 1_000) + 2,
+            payload: forgedMessage3,
+            signature: nil,
+            ttl: 7
+        )
+        ble._test_handlePacket(thirdPacket, fromPeerID: alicePeerID)
+
+        // Rollback restores the same generation. It retries the bounded early
+        // ciphertext and drains both outbound queues, but must not repeat a
+        // new-generation capability proof or forced announce.
+        let drained = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { outbound.count(ofType: .noiseEncrypted) >= 2 },
+            timeout: TestConstants.longTimeout
+        )
+        try #require(drained)
+        await ble._test_drainNoiseMessagePipeline()
+        let plaintexts = try outbound.snapshot()
+            .filter { $0.type == MessageType.noiseEncrypted.rawValue }
+            .map { try alice.decrypt($0.payload, from: ble.myPeerID) }
+        #expect(plaintexts.count == 2)
+        #expect(
+            plaintexts.filter {
+                $0.first == NoisePayloadType.authenticatedPeerState.rawValue
+            }.isEmpty
+        )
+        #expect(
+            plaintexts.filter {
+                $0.first == NoisePayloadType.privateMessage.rawValue
+            }.count == 1
+        )
+        #expect(
+            plaintexts.filter {
+                $0.first == NoisePayloadType.groupInvite.rawValue
+            }.count == 1
+        )
+        #expect(outbound.count(ofType: .announce) == 0)
+
+        // A duplicate ready callback cannot replay either buffer.
+        ble._test_reconcileCurrentNoiseSession(for: alicePeerID)
+        await ble._test_drainNoiseMessagePipeline()
+        #expect(outbound.count(ofType: .noiseEncrypted) == 2)
+        #expect(outbound.count(ofType: .announce) == 0)
+    }
+
     /// A legitimate rotation announce necessarily arrives on a link still
     /// bound to the OLD ID, so its registry upsert stores the new peer
     /// disconnected. The successful rebind must promote it: a healed
@@ -854,6 +1024,40 @@ private final class OutboundPacketTap {
         lock.lock(); defer { lock.unlock() }
         return packets.filter { $0.type == type.rawValue }.count
     }
+
+    func snapshot() -> [BitchatPacket] {
+        lock.lock(); defer { lock.unlock() }
+        return packets
+    }
+}
+
+private final class VerifiedDirectRebindGate: @unchecked Sendable {
+    private let condition = NSCondition()
+    private var paused = false
+    private var released = false
+
+    var hasPaused: Bool {
+        condition.lock()
+        defer { condition.unlock() }
+        return paused
+    }
+
+    func pause() {
+        condition.lock()
+        paused = true
+        condition.broadcast()
+        while !released {
+            condition.wait()
+        }
+        condition.unlock()
+    }
+
+    func release() {
+        condition.lock()
+        released = true
+        condition.broadcast()
+        condition.unlock()
+    }
 }
 
 private final class ReceivePacketHandoffGate: @unchecked Sendable {
@@ -967,6 +1171,7 @@ private final class PublicCaptureDelegate: BitchatDelegate {
         defer { lock.unlock() }
         return publicMessages
     }
+
 }
 
 @MainActor

bitchatTests/ChatMediaTransferCoordinatorContextTests.swift

@@ -7,10 +7,9 @@
 // `ChatViewModel`, following the `ChatDeliveryCoordinatorContextTests` /
 // `ChatPrivateConversationCoordinatorContextTests` exemplars.
 //
-// Scope note: the async media-preparation pipelines (`ImageUtils`,
-// `ChatMediaPreparation`) run real file/codec work and remain covered by
-// `ChatMediaPreparationTests`; here we cover message enqueueing, transfer
-// bookkeeping, and the blocked-context guards.
+// Real file/codec work remains covered by `ChatMediaPreparationTests`. These
+// tests inject a paused voice-note preparer to exercise cancellation ownership
+// across the detached-preparation/MainActor boundary deterministically.
 //
 
 import Testing
@@ -86,11 +85,72 @@ private final class MockChatMediaTransferContext: ChatMediaTransferContext {
 
     // Mesh file transfer
     private(set) var privateFileSends: [(peerID: PeerID, transferId: String)] = []
+    private(set) var privateFileLegacyAllowances: [Bool] = []
     private(set) var broadcastFileSends: [String] = []
     private(set) var cancelledTransfers: [String] = []
+    var privateMediaPolicy: PrivateMediaSendPolicy = .encrypted
+    var resolvedPrivateMediaPolicy: PrivateMediaSendPolicy?
+    private(set) var legacyConsentRequests: [(
+        id: UUID,
+        peerID: PeerID,
+        transferId: String,
+        messageID: String
+    )] = []
+    private(set) var invalidatedLegacyConsents: [(transferId: String, messageID: String)] = []
+    private var pendingLegacyConsentIDs: [UUID] = []
+    private var legacyConsentCompletions: [UUID: @MainActor (Bool) -> Void] = [:]
 
-    func sendFilePrivate(_ packet: BitchatFilePacket, to peerID: PeerID, transferId: String) {
+    func privateMediaSendPolicy(to peerID: PeerID) -> PrivateMediaSendPolicy {
+        privateMediaPolicy
+    }
+
+    func resolvePrivateMediaSendPolicy(
+        to peerID: PeerID,
+        completion: @escaping @MainActor (PrivateMediaSendPolicy) -> Void
+    ) {
+        completion(resolvedPrivateMediaPolicy ?? privateMediaPolicy)
+    }
+
+    func requestLegacyPrivateMediaConsent(
+        for peerID: PeerID,
+        transferId: String,
+        messageID: String,
+        completion: @escaping @MainActor (Bool) -> Void
+    ) {
+        let id = UUID()
+        legacyConsentRequests.append((id, peerID, transferId, messageID))
+        pendingLegacyConsentIDs.append(id)
+        legacyConsentCompletions[id] = completion
+    }
+
+    func cancelLegacyPrivateMediaConsent(transferId: String, messageID: String) {
+        invalidatedLegacyConsents.append((transferId, messageID))
+        let matchingIDs = Set(legacyConsentRequests.compactMap { request in
+            request.transferId == transferId && request.messageID == messageID
+                ? request.id
+                : nil
+        })
+        pendingLegacyConsentIDs.removeAll { matchingIDs.contains($0) }
+    }
+
+    func resolveNextLegacyConsent(_ approved: Bool) {
+        guard !pendingLegacyConsentIDs.isEmpty else { return }
+        let id = pendingLegacyConsentIDs.removeFirst()
+        legacyConsentCompletions[id]?(approved)
+    }
+
+    func invokeLegacyConsentEvenIfInvalidated(id: UUID, approved: Bool) {
+        legacyConsentCompletions[id]?(approved)
+    }
+
+    func sendFilePrivate(
+        _ packet: BitchatFilePacket,
+        to peerID: PeerID,
+        transferId: String,
+        allowLegacyFallback: Bool
+    ) {
         privateFileSends.append((peerID, transferId))
+        privateFileLegacyAllowances.append(allowLegacyFallback)
     }
 
     func sendFileBroadcast(_ packet: BitchatFilePacket, transferId: String) {
@@ -102,6 +162,56 @@ private final class MockChatMediaTransferContext: ChatMediaTransferContext {
     }
 }
 
+private final class PausedVoiceNotePreparer: @unchecked Sendable {
+    private let condition = NSCondition()
+    private var started = false
+    private var released = false
+    private var finished = false
+    private let packet: BitchatFilePacket
+
+    init() {
+        let content = Data("voice".utf8)
+        packet = BitchatFilePacket(
+            fileName: "paused.m4a",
+            fileSize: UInt64(content.count),
+            mimeType: "audio/mp4",
+            content: content
+        )
+    }
+
+    func prepare(_: URL) throws -> BitchatFilePacket {
+        condition.lock()
+        started = true
+        condition.broadcast()
+        while !released {
+            condition.wait()
+        }
+        finished = true
+        condition.broadcast()
+        condition.unlock()
+        return packet
+    }
+
+    var hasStarted: Bool {
+        condition.lock()
+        defer { condition.unlock() }
+        return started
+    }
+
+    var hasFinished: Bool {
+        condition.lock()
+        defer { condition.unlock() }
+        return finished
+    }
+
+    func release() {
+        condition.lock()
+        released = true
+        condition.broadcast()
+        condition.unlock()
+    }
+}
+
 // MARK: - Coordinator Tests Against Mock Context
 
 /// Exercises `ChatMediaTransferCoordinator` against
@@ -166,6 +276,14 @@ struct ChatMediaTransferCoordinatorContextTests {
         #expect(context.removedMessages.count == 1)
         #expect(context.removedMessages.first?.messageID == "m2")
         #expect(context.removedMessages.first?.cleanupFile == true)
+
+        // A pre-start rejection keeps the placeholder visible and failed,
+        // including queued post-handshake encryption failures.
+        coordinator.registerTransfer(transferId: "t3", messageID: "m3")
+        coordinator.handleTransferEvent(.rejected(id: "t3", reason: "encryption failed"))
+        #expect(context.deliveryStatusUpdates.last?.messageID == "m3")
+        #expect(context.deliveryStatusUpdates.last?.status == .failed(reason: "encryption failed"))
+        #expect(coordinator.messageIDToTransferId["m3"] == nil)
     }
 
     @Test @MainActor
@@ -203,6 +321,20 @@ struct ChatMediaTransferCoordinatorContextTests {
         #expect(coordinator.messageIDToTransferId.isEmpty)
     }
 
+    @Test @MainActor
+    func deleteMediaMessage_cancelsApprovedTransferBeforeRemovingMapping() {
+        let context = MockChatMediaTransferContext()
+        let coordinator = ChatMediaTransferCoordinator(context: context)
+        coordinator.registerTransfer(transferId: "approved-delete", messageID: "message-delete")
+
+        coordinator.deleteMediaMessage(messageID: "message-delete")
+
+        #expect(context.cancelledTransfers == ["approved-delete"])
+        #expect(coordinator.messageIDToTransferId["message-delete"] == nil)
+        #expect(context.removedMessages.map(\.messageID) == ["message-delete"])
+        #expect(context.removedMessages.first?.cleanupFile == true)
+    }
+
     @Test @MainActor
     func sendVoiceNote_blockedContextRemovesFileAndExplains() async throws {
         let context = MockChatMediaTransferContext()
@@ -221,4 +353,249 @@ struct ChatMediaTransferCoordinatorContextTests {
         #expect(context.appendedPublicMessages.isEmpty)
         #expect(coordinator.transferIdToMessageIDs.isEmpty)
     }
+
+    @Test @MainActor
+    func cancelVoiceNoteDuringDetachedPreparationCannotSendOrRestoreMapping() async throws {
+        let context = MockChatMediaTransferContext()
+        let peerID = PeerID(str: "5566778899aabbcc")
+        context.selectedPrivateChatPeer = peerID
+        let preparer = PausedVoiceNotePreparer()
+        let coordinator = ChatMediaTransferCoordinator(
+            context: context,
+            prepareVoiceNotePacket: { url in try preparer.prepare(url) }
+        )
+        let url = FileManager.default.temporaryDirectory
+            .appendingPathComponent("paused-private-\(UUID().uuidString).m4a")
+        try Data("voice".utf8).write(to: url)
+        defer {
+            preparer.release()
+            try? FileManager.default.removeItem(at: url)
+        }
+
+        coordinator.sendVoiceNote(at: url)
+        #expect(await TestHelpers.waitUntil({ preparer.hasStarted }, timeout: TestConstants.longTimeout))
+        let messageID = try #require(context.privateChats[peerID]?.first?.id)
+        let transferId = try #require(coordinator.messageIDToTransferId[messageID])
+
+        coordinator.cancelMediaSend(messageID: messageID)
+        preparer.release()
+        #expect(await TestHelpers.waitUntil({ preparer.hasFinished }, timeout: TestConstants.longTimeout))
+        for _ in 0..<10 { await Task.yield() }
+
+        #expect(context.cancelledTransfers == [transferId])
+        #expect(context.privateFileSends.isEmpty)
+        #expect(context.broadcastFileSends.isEmpty)
+        #expect(coordinator.messageIDToTransferId[messageID] == nil)
+        #expect(coordinator.transferIdToMessageIDs[transferId] == nil)
+        #expect(context.removedMessages.map(\.messageID) == [messageID])
+    }
+
+    @Test @MainActor
+    func deletePublicVoiceNoteDuringDetachedPreparationCannotBroadcastOrRestoreMapping() async throws {
+        let context = MockChatMediaTransferContext()
+        let preparer = PausedVoiceNotePreparer()
+        let coordinator = ChatMediaTransferCoordinator(
+            context: context,
+            prepareVoiceNotePacket: { url in try preparer.prepare(url) }
+        )
+        let url = FileManager.default.temporaryDirectory
+            .appendingPathComponent("paused-public-\(UUID().uuidString).m4a")
+        try Data("voice".utf8).write(to: url)
+        defer {
+            preparer.release()
+            try? FileManager.default.removeItem(at: url)
+        }
+
+        coordinator.sendVoiceNote(at: url)
+        #expect(await TestHelpers.waitUntil({ preparer.hasStarted }, timeout: TestConstants.longTimeout))
+        let messageID = try #require(context.appendedPublicMessages.first?.message.id)
+        let transferId = try #require(coordinator.messageIDToTransferId[messageID])
+
+        coordinator.deleteMediaMessage(messageID: messageID)
+        preparer.release()
+        #expect(await TestHelpers.waitUntil({ preparer.hasFinished }, timeout: TestConstants.longTimeout))
+        for _ in 0..<10 { await Task.yield() }
+
+        #expect(context.cancelledTransfers == [transferId])
+        #expect(context.broadcastFileSends.isEmpty)
+        #expect(context.privateFileSends.isEmpty)
+        #expect(coordinator.messageIDToTransferId[messageID] == nil)
+        #expect(coordinator.transferIdToMessageIDs[transferId] == nil)
+        #expect(context.removedMessages.map(\.messageID) == [messageID])
+    }
+
+    @Test @MainActor
+    func voicePreparationFailureMarksPlaceholderFailedAndClearsEarlyMapping() async throws {
+        let context = MockChatMediaTransferContext()
+        let peerID = PeerID(str: "66778899aabbccdd")
+        context.selectedPrivateChatPeer = peerID
+        let coordinator = ChatMediaTransferCoordinator(
+            context: context,
+            prepareVoiceNotePacket: { _ in
+                throw ChatMediaPreparationError.voiceNoteTooLarge(bytes: 999_999)
+            }
+        )
+        let url = FileManager.default.temporaryDirectory
+            .appendingPathComponent("failing-private-\(UUID().uuidString).m4a")
+        try Data("voice".utf8).write(to: url)
+        defer { try? FileManager.default.removeItem(at: url) }
+
+        coordinator.sendVoiceNote(at: url)
+        #expect(await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            {
+                context.deliveryStatusUpdates.contains { update in
+                    if case .failed = update.status { return true }
+                    return false
+                }
+            },
+            timeout: TestConstants.longTimeout
+        ))
+        let messageID = try #require(context.privateChats[peerID]?.first?.id)
+
+        #expect(coordinator.messageIDToTransferId[messageID] == nil)
+        #expect(coordinator.transferIdToMessageIDs.isEmpty)
+        #expect(context.privateFileSends.isEmpty)
+        #expect(context.broadcastFileSends.isEmpty)
+    }
+
+    @Test @MainActor
+    func legacyPrivateVoiceNoteWaitsForPerSendConsent() async throws {
+        let context = MockChatMediaTransferContext()
+        let coordinator = ChatMediaTransferCoordinator(context: context)
+        let peerID = PeerID(str: "1122334455667788")
+        context.selectedPrivateChatPeer = peerID
+        context.privateMediaPolicy = .legacyRequiresConsent
+        let url = FileManager.default.temporaryDirectory
+            .appendingPathComponent("legacy-consent-\(UUID().uuidString).m4a")
+        try (Data([0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x18]) + Data("ftypM4A voice".utf8)).write(to: url)
+        defer { try? FileManager.default.removeItem(at: url) }
+
+        coordinator.sendVoiceNote(at: url)
+
+        let prompted = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { context.legacyConsentRequests.count == 1 },
+            timeout: TestConstants.longTimeout
+        )
+        #expect(prompted)
+        #expect(context.legacyConsentRequests.map { $0.peerID } == [peerID])
+        #expect(context.privateFileSends.isEmpty)
+
+        context.resolveNextLegacyConsent(true)
+
+        #expect(context.privateFileSends.count == 1)
+        #expect(context.privateFileLegacyAllowances == [true])
+    }
+
+    @Test @MainActor
+    func capabilityProofTimeoutTransitionsToConsentWithoutAutomaticRawSend() async throws {
+        let context = MockChatMediaTransferContext()
+        let coordinator = ChatMediaTransferCoordinator(context: context)
+        let peerID = PeerID(str: "1020304050607080")
+        context.selectedPrivateChatPeer = peerID
+        context.privateMediaPolicy = .awaitingCapabilityProof
+        context.resolvedPrivateMediaPolicy = .legacyRequiresConsent
+        let url = FileManager.default.temporaryDirectory
+            .appendingPathComponent("proof-timeout-consent-\(UUID().uuidString).m4a")
+        try Data("voice".utf8).write(to: url)
+        defer { try? FileManager.default.removeItem(at: url) }
+
+        coordinator.sendVoiceNote(at: url)
+
+        let prompted = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { context.legacyConsentRequests.count == 1 },
+            timeout: TestConstants.longTimeout
+        )
+        #expect(prompted)
+        #expect(context.privateFileSends.isEmpty)
+        context.resolveNextLegacyConsent(false)
+        #expect(context.privateFileSends.isEmpty)
+    }
+
+    @Test @MainActor
+    func legacyConsentApprovalAfterCancelCannotSend() async throws {
+        let context = MockChatMediaTransferContext()
+        let coordinator = ChatMediaTransferCoordinator(context: context)
+        let peerID = PeerID(str: "2233445566778899")
+        context.selectedPrivateChatPeer = peerID
+        context.privateMediaPolicy = .legacyRequiresConsent
+        let url = FileManager.default.temporaryDirectory
+            .appendingPathComponent("legacy-cancel-\(UUID().uuidString).m4a")
+        try Data("voice".utf8).write(to: url)
+        defer { try? FileManager.default.removeItem(at: url) }
+
+        coordinator.sendVoiceNote(at: url)
+        let prompted = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { context.legacyConsentRequests.count == 1 },
+            timeout: TestConstants.longTimeout
+        )
+        #expect(prompted)
+        let request = try #require(context.legacyConsentRequests.first)
+
+        coordinator.cancelMediaSend(messageID: request.messageID)
+        #expect(context.invalidatedLegacyConsents.contains {
+            $0.transferId == request.transferId && $0.messageID == request.messageID
+        })
+
+        // Model a stale framework callback that escaped active invalidation.
+        // The coordinator's transfer/message binding check is the final gate.
+        context.invokeLegacyConsentEvenIfInvalidated(id: request.id, approved: true)
+        #expect(context.privateFileSends.isEmpty)
+        #expect(coordinator.messageIDToTransferId[request.messageID] == nil)
+    }
+
+    @Test @MainActor
+    func legacyConsentApprovalAfterDeleteCannotSend() async throws {
+        let context = MockChatMediaTransferContext()
+        let coordinator = ChatMediaTransferCoordinator(context: context)
+        let peerID = PeerID(str: "33445566778899aa")
+        context.selectedPrivateChatPeer = peerID
+        context.privateMediaPolicy = .legacyRequiresConsent
+        let url = FileManager.default.temporaryDirectory
+            .appendingPathComponent("legacy-delete-\(UUID().uuidString).m4a")
+        try Data("voice".utf8).write(to: url)
+        defer { try? FileManager.default.removeItem(at: url) }
+
+        coordinator.sendVoiceNote(at: url)
+        let prompted = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { context.legacyConsentRequests.count == 1 },
+            timeout: TestConstants.longTimeout
+        )
+        #expect(prompted)
+        let request = try #require(context.legacyConsentRequests.first)
+
+        coordinator.deleteMediaMessage(messageID: request.messageID)
+        context.invokeLegacyConsentEvenIfInvalidated(id: request.id, approved: true)
+
+        #expect(context.invalidatedLegacyConsents.contains {
+            $0.transferId == request.transferId && $0.messageID == request.messageID
+        })
+        #expect(context.privateFileSends.isEmpty)
+        #expect(coordinator.messageIDToTransferId[request.messageID] == nil)
+    }
+
+    @Test @MainActor
+    func pinnedPrivateMediaDowngradeNeverPromptsOrSends() async throws {
+        let context = MockChatMediaTransferContext()
+        let coordinator = ChatMediaTransferCoordinator(context: context)
+        let peerID = PeerID(str: "1122334455667788")
+        context.selectedPrivateChatPeer = peerID
+        context.privateMediaPolicy = .blockedDowngrade
+        let url = FileManager.default.temporaryDirectory
+            .appendingPathComponent("blocked-downgrade-\(UUID().uuidString).m4a")
+        try Data("voice".utf8).write(to: url)
+        defer { try? FileManager.default.removeItem(at: url) }
+
+        coordinator.sendVoiceNote(at: url)
+
+        let failed = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { context.deliveryStatusUpdates.contains { update in
+                if case .failed = update.status { return true }
+                return false
+            } },
+            timeout: TestConstants.longTimeout
+        )
+        #expect(failed)
+        #expect(context.legacyConsentRequests.isEmpty)
+        #expect(context.privateFileSends.isEmpty)
+    }
 }

bitchatTests/ChatViewModelExtensionsTests.swift

@@ -1048,6 +1048,89 @@ struct ChatViewModelMediaTransferTests {
         #expect(viewModel.transferIdToMessageIDs.count == 1)
     }
 
+    @Test @MainActor
+    func legacyPrivateMediaConsentRequestsArePerSendAndQueued() async throws {
+        let (viewModel, _) = makeTestableViewModel()
+        let firstPeer = PeerID(str: "1111111111111111")
+        let secondPeer = PeerID(str: "2222222222222222")
+        var decisions: [Bool] = []
+
+        viewModel.enqueueLegacyPrivateMediaConsent(
+            for: firstPeer,
+            transferId: "transfer-1",
+            messageID: "message-1"
+        ) { decisions.append($0) }
+        viewModel.enqueueLegacyPrivateMediaConsent(
+            for: secondPeer,
+            transferId: "transfer-2",
+            messageID: "message-2"
+        ) { decisions.append($0) }
+
+        #expect(viewModel.legacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest?.peerID == firstPeer)
+        let firstRequestID = try #require(viewModel.legacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest?.id)
+        viewModel.resolveLegacyPrivateMediaConsent(requestID: firstRequestID, approved: true)
+        let showedSecond = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { viewModel.legacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest?.peerID == secondPeer },
+            timeout: TestConstants.longTimeout
+        )
+        #expect(showedSecond)
+        let secondRequestID = try #require(viewModel.legacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest?.id)
+
+        // A button action and the dialog binding may both resolve the first
+        // ID. The stale second callback must not consume the queued request.
+        viewModel.resolveLegacyPrivateMediaConsent(requestID: firstRequestID, approved: false)
+        #expect(decisions == [true])
+        #expect(viewModel.legacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest?.id == secondRequestID)
+
+        viewModel.resolveLegacyPrivateMediaConsent(requestID: secondRequestID, approved: false)
+
+        #expect(decisions == [true, false])
+        #expect(viewModel.legacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest == nil)
+    }
+
+    @Test @MainActor
+    func invalidatingPresentedLegacyConsentAdvancesQueueAndStaleResolutionNoops() async throws {
+        let (viewModel, _) = makeTestableViewModel()
+        let firstPeer = PeerID(str: "3333333333333333")
+        let secondPeer = PeerID(str: "4444444444444444")
+        var decisions: [String] = []
+
+        viewModel.enqueueLegacyPrivateMediaConsent(
+            for: firstPeer,
+            transferId: "transfer-cancelled",
+            messageID: "message-cancelled"
+        ) { decisions.append("first:\($0)") }
+        viewModel.enqueueLegacyPrivateMediaConsent(
+            for: secondPeer,
+            transferId: "transfer-kept",
+            messageID: "message-kept"
+        ) { decisions.append("second:\($0)") }
+
+        let cancelledRequestID = try #require(viewModel.legacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest?.id)
+        viewModel.invalidateLegacyPrivateMediaConsent(
+            transferId: "transfer-cancelled",
+            messageID: "message-cancelled"
+        )
+        let advanced = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { viewModel.legacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest?.peerID == secondPeer },
+            timeout: TestConstants.longTimeout
+        )
+        #expect(advanced)
+        #expect(decisions.isEmpty, "Invalidation drops the request rather than resolving its send")
+
+        viewModel.resolveLegacyPrivateMediaConsent(
+            requestID: cancelledRequestID,
+            approved: true
+        )
+        #expect(viewModel.legacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest?.peerID == secondPeer)
+        #expect(decisions.isEmpty)
+
+        let keptRequestID = try #require(viewModel.legacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest?.id)
+        viewModel.resolveLegacyPrivateMediaConsent(requestID: keptRequestID, approved: true)
+        #expect(decisions == ["second:true"])
+        #expect(viewModel.legacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest == nil)
+    }
+
     @Test @MainActor
     func sendVoiceNote_oversizedFileFailsAndDeletesTempFile() async throws {
         let (viewModel, transport) = makeTestableViewModel()

bitchatTests/Integration/IntegrationTests.swift

@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import Testing
 @testable import BitFoundation // to avoid unnecessary public's
 @testable import bitchat
 
+@Suite("Integration Tests", .serialized)
 struct IntegrationTests {
     
     private var helper = TestNetworkHelper()
@@ -272,8 +273,18 @@ struct IntegrationTests {
         // Re-establish Noise handshake explicitly via managers
         do {
             let m1 = try helper.noiseManagers["Bob"]!.initiateHandshake(with: helper.nodes["Alice"]!.peerID)
-            let m2 = try helper.noiseManagers["Alice"]!.handleIncomingHandshake(from: helper.nodes["Bob"]!.peerID, message: m1)!
-            let m3 = try helper.noiseManagers["Bob"]!.handleIncomingHandshake(from: helper.nodes["Alice"]!.peerID, message: m2)!
+            let m2 = try #require(
+                try helper.noiseManagers["Alice"]!.handleIncomingHandshake(
+                    from: helper.nodes["Bob"]!.peerID,
+                    message: m1
+                )
+            )
+            let m3 = try #require(
+                try helper.noiseManagers["Bob"]!.handleIncomingHandshake(
+                    from: helper.nodes["Alice"]!.peerID,
+                    message: m2
+                )
+            )
             _ = try helper.noiseManagers["Alice"]!.handleIncomingHandshake(from: helper.nodes["Bob"]!.peerID, message: m3)
         } catch {
             Issue.record("Failed to re-establish Noise session after restart: \(error)")

bitchatTests/Integration/TestNetworkHelper.swift

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 
 import Foundation
 import CryptoKit
+import Testing
 @testable import BitFoundation // to avoid unnecessary public's
 @testable import bitchat
 
@@ -27,9 +28,14 @@ final class TestNetworkHelper {
         node.mockNickname = name
         nodes[name] = node
         
-        // Create/replace Noise manager for this node
+        // This synchronous helper directly drives all three XX messages and
+        // has no transport callback loop for delayed collision recovery.
         let key = Curve25519.KeyAgreement.PrivateKey()
-        noiseManagers[name] = NoiseSessionManager(localStaticKey: key, keychain: mockKeychain)
+        noiseManagers[name] = NoiseSessionManager(
+            localStaticKey: key,
+            keychain: mockKeychain,
+            recentInitiatorCompletionGracePeriod: 0
+        )
         return node
     }
     
@@ -108,8 +114,18 @@ final class TestNetworkHelper {
               let peer2ID = nodes[node2]?.peerID else { return }
         
         let msg1 = try manager1.initiateHandshake(with: peer2ID)
-        let msg2 = try manager2.handleIncomingHandshake(from: peer1ID, message: msg1)!
-        let msg3 = try manager1.handleIncomingHandshake(from: peer2ID, message: msg2)!
+        let msg2 = try #require(
+            try manager2.handleIncomingHandshake(
+                from: peer1ID,
+                message: msg1
+            )
+        )
+        let msg3 = try #require(
+            try manager1.handleIncomingHandshake(
+                from: peer2ID,
+                message: msg2
+            )
+        )
         _ = try manager2.handleIncomingHandshake(from: peer1ID, message: msg3)
     }
 }

bitchatTests/Mocks/MockIdentityManager.swift

@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@ final class MockIdentityManager: SecureIdentityStateManagerProtocol {
     private var blockedFingerprints: Set<String> = []
     private var blockedNostrPubkeys: Set<String> = []
     private var socialIdentities: [String: SocialIdentity] = [:]
+    private var privateMediaCapableFingerprints: Set<String> = []
+    private var authenticatedSigningKeys: [String: Data] = [:]
 
     init(_: KeychainManagerProtocol) {}
     
@@ -87,7 +89,10 @@ final class MockIdentityManager: SecureIdentityStateManagerProtocol {
     
     func registerEphemeralSession(peerID: PeerID, handshakeState: HandshakeState) {}
 
-    func clearAllIdentityData() {}
+    func clearAllIdentityData() {
+        privateMediaCapableFingerprints.removeAll()
+        authenticatedSigningKeys.removeAll()
+    }
     
     func removeEphemeralSession(peerID: PeerID) {}
     
@@ -101,6 +106,22 @@ final class MockIdentityManager: SecureIdentityStateManagerProtocol {
         Set()
     }
 
+    func markPrivateMediaCapable(fingerprint: String) {
+        privateMediaCapableFingerprints.insert(fingerprint)
+    }
+
+    func hasObservedPrivateMediaCapability(fingerprint: String) -> Bool {
+        privateMediaCapableFingerprints.contains(fingerprint)
+    }
+
+    func bindAuthenticatedSigningPublicKey(_ signingPublicKey: Data, fingerprint: String) {
+        authenticatedSigningKeys[fingerprint] = signingPublicKey
+    }
+
+    func authenticatedSigningPublicKey(forFingerprint fingerprint: String) -> Data? {
+        authenticatedSigningKeys[fingerprint]
+    }
+
     // MARK: Vouching (transitive verification)
 
     private var vouchesByVouchee: [String: [VouchRecord]] = [:]

bitchatTests/Mocks/MockTransport.swift

@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ final class MockTransport: Transport {
     private(set) var sentFavoriteNotifications: [(peerID: PeerID, isFavorite: Bool)] = []
     private(set) var sentBroadcastFiles: [(packet: BitchatFilePacket, transferID: String)] = []
     private(set) var sentPrivateFiles: [(packet: BitchatFilePacket, peerID: PeerID, transferID: String)] = []
+    private(set) var sentPrivateFileLegacyAllowances: [Bool] = []
     private(set) var cancelledTransfers: [String] = []
     private(set) var sentVerifyChallenges: [(peerID: PeerID, noiseKeyHex: String, nonceA: Data)] = []
     private(set) var sentVerifyResponses: [(peerID: PeerID, noiseKeyHex: String, nonceA: Data)] = []
@@ -58,6 +59,7 @@ final class MockTransport: Transport {
     var peerNicknames: [PeerID: String] = [:]
     var peerFingerprints: [PeerID: String] = [:]
     var peerNoiseStates: [PeerID: LazyHandshakeState] = [:]
+    var privateMediaPolicies: [PeerID: PrivateMediaSendPolicy] = [:]
     private let mockKeychain = MockKeychain()
 
     // MARK: - Transport Protocol Implementation
@@ -186,6 +188,29 @@ final class MockTransport: Transport {
 
     func sendFilePrivate(_ packet: BitchatFilePacket, to peerID: PeerID, transferId: String) {
         sentPrivateFiles.append((packet, peerID, transferId))
+        sentPrivateFileLegacyAllowances.append(false)
+    }
+
+    func sendFilePrivate(
+        _ packet: BitchatFilePacket,
+        to peerID: PeerID,
+        transferId: String,
+        allowLegacyFallback: Bool
+    ) {
+        sentPrivateFiles.append((packet, peerID, transferId))
+        sentPrivateFileLegacyAllowances.append(allowLegacyFallback)
+    }
+
+    func privateMediaSendPolicy(to peerID: PeerID) -> PrivateMediaSendPolicy {
+        privateMediaPolicies[peerID] ?? .encrypted
+    }
+
+    func resolvePrivateMediaSendPolicy(
+        to peerID: PeerID,
+        completion: @escaping @MainActor (PrivateMediaSendPolicy) -> Void
+    ) {
+        let policy = privateMediaPolicies[peerID] ?? .encrypted
+        Task { @MainActor in completion(policy) }
     }
 
     func cancelTransfer(_ transferId: String) {

bitchatTests/Noise/NoiseCoverageTests.swift

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import BitFoundation
 
 @testable import bitchat
 
-@Suite("Noise Coverage Tests")
+@Suite("Noise Coverage Tests", .serialized)
 struct NoiseCoverageTests {
     private let keychain = MockKeychain()
     private let aliceStaticKey = Curve25519.KeyAgreement.PrivateKey()
@@ -542,8 +542,12 @@ struct NoiseCoverageTests {
         let aliceManager = NoiseSessionManager(localStaticKey: aliceStaticKey, keychain: keychain)
         let bobManager = NoiseSessionManager(localStaticKey: bobStaticKey, keychain: keychain)
 
-        aliceManager.onSessionEstablished = establishedRecorder.recordEstablished(peerID:remoteKey:)
-        bobManager.onSessionEstablished = establishedRecorder.recordEstablished(peerID:remoteKey:)
+        aliceManager.onSessionEstablished = establishedRecorder.recordEstablished(
+            peerID:remoteKey:sessionGeneration:
+        )
+        bobManager.onSessionEstablished = establishedRecorder.recordEstablished(
+            peerID:remoteKey:sessionGeneration:
+        )
 
         try establishManagerSessions(aliceManager: aliceManager, bobManager: bobManager)
 
@@ -629,8 +633,16 @@ struct NoiseCoverageTests {
         )
         let replacementSession = try #require(manager.getSession(for: alicePeerID))
 
-        #expect(replacementResponse != nil)
-        #expect(replacementSession !== restartedSession)
+        let localPeerID = PeerID(
+            publicKey: aliceStaticKey.publicKey.rawRepresentation
+        )
+        if localPeerID < alicePeerID {
+            #expect(replacementResponse == nil)
+            #expect(replacementSession === restartedSession)
+        } else {
+            #expect(replacementResponse != nil)
+            #expect(replacementSession !== restartedSession)
+        }
 
         let aliceManager = NoiseSessionManager(localStaticKey: aliceStaticKey, keychain: keychain)
         let bobManager = NoiseSessionManager(localStaticKey: bobStaticKey, keychain: keychain)
@@ -650,13 +662,128 @@ struct NoiseCoverageTests {
             try aliceManager.initiateHandshake(with: alicePeerID)
         }
 
-        try aliceManager.initiateRekey(for: alicePeerID)
+        let rekeyInitiation = try aliceManager.initiateRekey(for: alicePeerID)
+        let rekeyHandshake = try #require(
+            aliceManager.claimHandshakeInitiation(
+                rekeyInitiation,
+                for: alicePeerID
+            )
+        )
+        #expect(!rekeyHandshake.isEmpty)
         let rekeyedSession = try #require(aliceManager.getSession(for: alicePeerID))
 
         #expect(rekeyedSession !== establishedSession)
         #expect(rekeyedSession.getState() == .handshaking)
     }
 
+    @Test("A stale decrypt generation cannot commit across session promotion")
+    func staleDecryptGenerationCannotCommitAcrossPromotion() throws {
+        let aliceManager = NoiseSessionManager(
+            localStaticKey: aliceStaticKey,
+            keychain: keychain,
+            recentInitiatorCompletionGracePeriod: 0,
+            sessionFactory: { peerID, role in
+                BlockingDecryptNoiseSession(
+                    peerID: peerID,
+                    role: role,
+                    keychain: self.keychain,
+                    localStaticKey: self.aliceStaticKey
+                )
+            }
+        )
+        let bobManager = NoiseSessionManager(localStaticKey: bobStaticKey, keychain: keychain)
+        try establishManagerSessions(aliceManager: aliceManager, bobManager: bobManager)
+
+        let oldSession = try #require(
+            aliceManager.getSession(for: alicePeerID) as? BlockingDecryptNoiseSession
+        )
+        let oldGeneration = try #require(aliceManager.sessionGeneration(for: alicePeerID))
+
+        // Prepare a fully authenticated responder candidate without promoting
+        // it yet. Its final XX message is the exact operation that replaces
+        // the old `sessions[peerID]` entry.
+        let replacementInitiator = NoiseSession(
+            peerID: bobPeerID,
+            role: .initiator,
+            keychain: keychain,
+            localStaticKey: bobStaticKey
+        )
+        let message1 = try replacementInitiator.startHandshake()
+        let message2 = try #require(
+            try aliceManager.handleIncomingHandshake(from: alicePeerID, message: message1)
+        )
+        let message3 = try #require(try replacementInitiator.processHandshakeMessage(message2))
+
+        let ciphertext = try bobManager.encrypt(Data("old session".utf8), for: bobPeerID)
+        oldSession.pauseNextDecrypt()
+
+        let decryptResult = ConcurrentTestResult<(plaintext: Data, sessionGeneration: UUID)>()
+        var promotionResultForCleanup: ConcurrentTestResult<Data?>?
+        defer {
+            // A failed startup requirement must not strand a late thread in
+            // the blocking test double after the test has returned.
+            oldSession.resumeDecrypt()
+            _ = decryptResult.wait(timeout: 5)
+            if let promotionResultForCleanup {
+                _ = promotionResultForCleanup.wait(timeout: 5)
+            }
+        }
+
+        let decryptThread = Thread {
+            decryptResult.capture {
+                try aliceManager.decryptWithSessionGeneration(ciphertext, from: self.alicePeerID)
+            }
+        }
+        decryptThread.name = "NoiseCoverageTests.staleDecrypt.decrypt"
+        decryptThread.qualityOfService = .userInitiated
+        decryptThread.start()
+        try #require(oldSession.waitForDecryptStart(timeout: 5))
+
+        let promotionStarted = DispatchSemaphore(value: 0)
+        let promotionResult = ConcurrentTestResult<Data?>()
+        promotionResultForCleanup = promotionResult
+        let promotionThread = Thread {
+            promotionStarted.signal()
+            promotionResult.capture {
+                try aliceManager.handleIncomingHandshake(from: self.alicePeerID, message: message3)
+            }
+        }
+        promotionThread.name = "NoiseCoverageTests.staleDecrypt.promote"
+        promotionThread.qualityOfService = .userInitiated
+        promotionThread.start()
+        try #require(promotionStarted.wait(timeout: .now() + 5) == .success)
+        #expect(
+            promotionResult.wait(timeout: 0.05) == nil,
+            "Promotion must wait for the exact decrypting-session lease"
+        )
+
+        oldSession.resumeDecrypt()
+        let decrypted = try #require(decryptResult.wait(timeout: 5)).get()
+        _ = try #require(promotionResult.wait(timeout: 5)).get()
+
+        #expect(decrypted.plaintext == Data("old session".utf8))
+        #expect(decrypted.sessionGeneration == oldGeneration)
+        #expect(aliceManager.sessionGeneration(for: alicePeerID) != oldGeneration)
+        #expect(throws: NoiseEncryptionError.sessionNotEstablished) {
+            try aliceManager.encrypt(
+                Data("stale send".utf8),
+                for: alicePeerID,
+                expectedSessionGeneration: oldGeneration
+            )
+        }
+
+        var staleCommitRan = false
+        let staleCommit = aliceManager.withCurrentSessionGeneration(
+            for: alicePeerID,
+            expected: decrypted.sessionGeneration
+        ) {
+            staleCommitRan = true
+            return true
+        }
+        #expect(staleCommit == nil)
+        #expect(!staleCommitRan)
+    }
+
     @Test("Secure noise sessions enforce limits and renegotiation thresholds")
     func secureNoiseSessionsEnforceLimitsAndThresholds() throws {
         let initiator = SecureNoiseSession(
@@ -851,7 +978,11 @@ private final class SessionCallbackRecorder: @unchecked Sendable {
         return establishedEntries.map(\.0)
     }
 
-    func recordEstablished(peerID: PeerID, remoteKey: Curve25519.KeyAgreement.PublicKey) {
+    func recordEstablished(
+        peerID: PeerID,
+        remoteKey: Curve25519.KeyAgreement.PublicKey,
+        sessionGeneration _: UUID
+    ) {
         lock.lock()
         establishedEntries.append((peerID, remoteKey.rawRepresentation))
         lock.unlock()
@@ -873,3 +1004,62 @@ private final class FailingNoiseSession: NoiseSession {
         throw Error.synthetic
     }
 }
+
+private final class BlockingDecryptNoiseSession: NoiseSession, @unchecked Sendable {
+    private let controlLock = NSLock()
+    private var shouldPauseNextDecrypt = false
+    private let decryptStarted = DispatchSemaphore(value: 0)
+    private let resumeDecryptSemaphore = DispatchSemaphore(value: 0)
+
+    func pauseNextDecrypt() {
+        controlLock.lock()
+        shouldPauseNextDecrypt = true
+        controlLock.unlock()
+    }
+
+    func waitForDecryptStart(timeout: TimeInterval) -> Bool {
+        decryptStarted.wait(timeout: .now() + timeout) == .success
+    }
+
+    func resumeDecrypt() {
+        resumeDecryptSemaphore.signal()
+    }
+
+    override func decrypt(_ ciphertext: Data) throws -> Data {
+        controlLock.lock()
+        let shouldPause = shouldPauseNextDecrypt
+        shouldPauseNextDecrypt = false
+        controlLock.unlock()
+
+        if shouldPause {
+            decryptStarted.signal()
+            resumeDecryptSemaphore.wait()
+        }
+        return try super.decrypt(ciphertext)
+    }
+}
+
+private final class ConcurrentTestResult<Value>: @unchecked Sendable {
+    private let lock = NSLock()
+    private let completed = DispatchGroup()
+    private var storedResult: Result<Value, Error>?
+
+    init() {
+        completed.enter()
+    }
+
+    func capture(_ operation: () throws -> Value) {
+        let result = Result(catching: operation)
+        lock.lock()
+        storedResult = result
+        lock.unlock()
+        completed.leave()
+    }
+
+    func wait(timeout: TimeInterval) -> Result<Value, Error>? {
+        guard completed.wait(timeout: .now() + timeout) == .success else { return nil }
+        lock.lock()
+        defer { lock.unlock() }
+        return storedResult
+    }
+}

bitchatTests/Noise/NoiseProtocolTests.swift

@@ -357,8 +357,18 @@ struct NoiseProtocolTests {
     
     @Test func peerRestartDetection() throws {
         // Establish initial sessions
-        let aliceManager = NoiseSessionManager(localStaticKey: aliceKey, keychain: mockKeychain)
-        let bobManager = NoiseSessionManager(localStaticKey: bobKey, keychain: mockKeychain)
+        // This test explicitly drives the three synchronous XX messages and
+        // does not exercise the transport's delayed collision recovery.
+        let aliceManager = NoiseSessionManager(
+            localStaticKey: aliceKey,
+            keychain: mockKeychain,
+            recentInitiatorCompletionGracePeriod: 0
+        )
+        let bobManager = NoiseSessionManager(
+            localStaticKey: bobKey,
+            keychain: mockKeychain,
+            recentInitiatorCompletionGracePeriod: 0
+        )
         
         try establishManagerSessions(aliceManager: aliceManager, bobManager: bobManager)
         
@@ -377,15 +387,24 @@ struct NoiseProtocolTests {
         let newHandshake1 = try bobManagerRestarted.initiateHandshake(with: bobPeerID)
         
         // Alice should accept the new handshake (clearing old session)
-        let newHandshake2 = try aliceManager.handleIncomingHandshake(
-            from: alicePeerID, message: newHandshake1)
-        #expect(newHandshake2 != nil)
+        let newHandshake2 = try #require(
+            try aliceManager.handleIncomingHandshake(
+                from: alicePeerID,
+                message: newHandshake1
+            )
+        )
         
         // Complete the new handshake
-        let newHandshake3 = try bobManagerRestarted.handleIncomingHandshake(
-            from: bobPeerID, message: newHandshake2!)
-        #expect(newHandshake3 != nil)
-        _ = try aliceManager.handleIncomingHandshake(from: alicePeerID, message: newHandshake3!)
+        let newHandshake3 = try #require(
+            try bobManagerRestarted.handleIncomingHandshake(
+                from: bobPeerID,
+                message: newHandshake2
+            )
+        )
+        _ = try aliceManager.handleIncomingHandshake(
+            from: alicePeerID,
+            message: newHandshake3
+        )
         
         // Should be able to exchange messages with new sessions
         let testMessage = Data("After restart".utf8)
@@ -543,8 +562,18 @@ struct NoiseProtocolTests {
     
     @Test func nonceDesynchronizationCausesRehandshake() throws {
         // Test that nonce desynchronization leads to proper re-handshake
-        let aliceManager = NoiseSessionManager(localStaticKey: aliceKey, keychain: mockKeychain)
-        let bobManager = NoiseSessionManager(localStaticKey: bobKey, keychain: mockKeychain)
+        // This test explicitly drives the three synchronous XX messages and
+        // does not exercise the transport's delayed collision recovery.
+        let aliceManager = NoiseSessionManager(
+            localStaticKey: aliceKey,
+            keychain: mockKeychain,
+            recentInitiatorCompletionGracePeriod: 0
+        )
+        let bobManager = NoiseSessionManager(
+            localStaticKey: bobKey,
+            keychain: mockKeychain,
+            recentInitiatorCompletionGracePeriod: 0
+        )
         
         // Establish sessions
         try establishManagerSessions(aliceManager: aliceManager, bobManager: bobManager)
@@ -572,15 +601,25 @@ struct NoiseProtocolTests {
         let rehandshake1 = try bobManager.initiateHandshake(with: bobPeerID)
         
         // Alice should accept despite having a "valid" (but desynced) session
-        let rehandshake2 = try aliceManager.handleIncomingHandshake(
-            from: alicePeerID, message: rehandshake1)
-        #expect(rehandshake2 != nil, "Alice should accept handshake to fix desync")
+        let rehandshake2 = try #require(
+            try aliceManager.handleIncomingHandshake(
+                from: alicePeerID,
+                message: rehandshake1
+            ),
+            "Alice should accept handshake to fix desync"
+        )
         
         // Complete handshake
-        let rehandshake3 = try bobManager.handleIncomingHandshake(
-            from: bobPeerID, message: rehandshake2!)
-        #expect(rehandshake3 != nil)
-        _ = try aliceManager.handleIncomingHandshake(from: alicePeerID, message: rehandshake3!)
+        let rehandshake3 = try #require(
+            try bobManager.handleIncomingHandshake(
+                from: bobPeerID,
+                message: rehandshake2
+            )
+        )
+        _ = try aliceManager.handleIncomingHandshake(
+            from: alicePeerID,
+            message: rehandshake3
+        )
         
         // Verify communication works again
         let testResynced = Data("Resynced".utf8)

bitchatTests/Protocols/PacketsTests.swift

@@ -145,6 +145,39 @@ struct PacketsTests {
         #expect(decoded.capabilities?.rawValue == 0x0180)
     }
 
+    @Test
+    func authenticatedPeerStateUsesVersionedCanonicalTLVs() throws {
+        let signingKey = Data(repeating: 0xA5, count: 32)
+        let packet = AuthenticatedPeerStatePacket(
+            capabilities: [.privateMedia, .vouch],
+            signingPublicKey: signingKey
+        )
+
+        var encoded = try #require(packet.encode())
+        #expect(encoded.prefix(5) == Data([0x01, 0x01, 0x02, 0x20, 0x01]))
+        // Unknown TLVs are forward-compatible and do not alter v1 state.
+        encoded.append(makeTLV(type: 0x7F, value: Data([0xCA, 0xFE])))
+
+        #expect(AuthenticatedPeerStatePacket.decode(from: encoded) == packet)
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    func authenticatedPeerStateRejectsMalformedAmbiguousOrUnknownVersion() {
+        let key = Data(repeating: 0x44, count: 32)
+        let capabilities = makeTLV(type: 0x01, value: Data([0x00, 0x01]))
+        let signing = makeTLV(type: 0x02, value: key)
+
+        #expect(AuthenticatedPeerStatePacket.decode(from: Data([0x02]) + capabilities + signing) == nil)
+        #expect(AuthenticatedPeerStatePacket.decode(from: Data([0x01]) + signing) == nil)
+        #expect(AuthenticatedPeerStatePacket.decode(from: Data([0x01]) + capabilities + capabilities + signing) == nil)
+        #expect(AuthenticatedPeerStatePacket.decode(from: Data([0x01, 0x01, 0x00]) + signing) == nil)
+        // 0x0001 is non-minimal little endian; the canonical form is [0x01].
+        #expect(AuthenticatedPeerStatePacket.decode(from: Data([0x01]) + makeTLV(type: 0x01, value: Data([0x01, 0x00])) + signing) == nil)
+        #expect(AuthenticatedPeerStatePacket.decode(from: Data([0x01]) + capabilities + makeTLV(type: 0x02, value: Data(key.dropLast()))) == nil)
+        #expect(AuthenticatedPeerStatePacket.decode(from: Data([0x01]) + capabilities + Data(signing.dropLast())) == nil)
+        #expect(AuthenticatedPeerStatePacket.decode(from: Data([0x01]) + makeTLV(type: 0x01, value: Data(repeating: 0x01, count: 9)) + signing) == nil)
+    }
+
     @Test
     func privateMessagePacketRejectsUnknownTypeAndTruncation() {
         let unknownTLV = Data([0x7F, 0x01, 0x41])

bitchatTests/Services/BLEAnnounceHandlerTests.swift

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import Testing
 struct BLEAnnounceHandlerTests {
     private final class Recorder {
         var existingNoisePublicKey: Data?
+        var authenticatedSigningPublicKey: Data?
         var signatureValid = true
         var linkState: (hasPeripheral: Bool, hasCentral: Bool) = (false, false)
         var linkBoundToOtherPeer = false
@@ -37,6 +38,7 @@ struct BLEAnnounceHandlerTests {
             messageTTL: TransportConfig.messageTTLDefault,
             now: { now },
             existingNoisePublicKey: { _ in recorder.existingNoisePublicKey },
+            authenticatedSigningPublicKey: { _ in recorder.authenticatedSigningPublicKey },
             verifySignature: { packet, signingPublicKey in
                 recorder.verifySignatureCalls.append((packet, signingPublicKey))
                 return recorder.signatureValid

bitchatTests/Services/BLEAnnounceHandlingPolicyTests.swift

@@ -169,6 +169,23 @@ struct BLEAnnounceHandlingPolicyTests {
         #expect(decision.isVerified)
     }
 
+    @Test
+    func trustPolicyRejectsSigningKeyReplacementAfterNoiseBinding() {
+        let noiseKey = Data(repeating: 0xCC, count: 32)
+        let boundSigningKey = Data(repeating: 0x11, count: 32)
+
+        let decision = BLEAnnounceTrustPolicy.evaluate(
+            hasSignature: true,
+            signatureValid: true,
+            existingNoisePublicKey: noiseKey,
+            announcedNoisePublicKey: noiseKey,
+            authenticatedSigningPublicKey: boundSigningKey,
+            announcedSigningPublicKey: Data(repeating: 0x22, count: 32)
+        )
+
+        #expect(decision == .reject(.authenticatedSigningKeyMismatch))
+    }
+
     @Test
     func responsePolicyConnectsOnlyForDirectNewOrReconnectedPeers() {
         let directNew = BLEAnnounceResponsePolicy.plan(

bitchatTests/Services/BLEFileTransferHandlerTests.swift

@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ struct BLEFileTransferHandlerTests {
                 recorder.signatureVerifyCount += 1
                 return recorder.signatureVerifies
             },
+            localSigningPublicKey: { [sampleSigningKey] in sampleSigningKey },
             signedSenderDisplayName: { _, peerID in
                 recorder.signedNameQueries.append(peerID)
                 return recorder.signedName
@@ -92,12 +93,11 @@ struct BLEFileTransferHandlerTests {
     @Test
     func selfEchoIsDropped() throws {
         let recorder = Recorder()
+        recorder.signatureVerifies = true
         let handler = makeHandler(recorder: recorder)
         let packet = try makeFileTransferPacket(sender: localPeerID, mimeType: "application/pdf", content: Data("%PDF-1.7".utf8), ttl: 3)
 
-        // The relay pipeline already suppresses self-originated packets, so the
-        // handler reports "relayable" rather than treating the echo as forged.
-        #expect(handler.handle(packet, from: localPeerID))
+        #expect(!handler.handle(packet, from: localPeerID))
 
         expectNoSideEffects(recorder)
     }
@@ -120,7 +120,12 @@ struct BLEFileTransferHandlerTests {
         let recorder = Recorder()
         recorder.peers = [remotePeerID: makePeerInfo(remotePeerID, nickname: "Bob", isVerified: false, isConnected: true)]
         let handler = makeHandler(recorder: recorder)
-        let packet = try makeFileTransferPacket(sender: remotePeerID, mimeType: "application/pdf", content: Data("%PDF-1.7".utf8))
+        let packet = try makeFileTransferPacket(
+            sender: remotePeerID,
+            mimeType: "application/pdf",
+            content: Data("%PDF-1.7".utf8),
+            hasSignature: false
+        )
 
         // Failed sender authentication must also stop the packet from being
         // relayed to downstream nodes.
@@ -129,7 +134,7 @@ struct BLEFileTransferHandlerTests {
         // Broadcast files carry an attacker-controllable senderID, so — like
         // public messages — a connected-but-unverified peer must present a valid
         // packet signature. No signing key + no signed identity means dropped.
-        #expect(recorder.signedNameQueries == [remotePeerID])
+        #expect(recorder.signedNameQueries.isEmpty)
         #expect(recorder.trackedPackets.isEmpty)
         #expect(recorder.deliveredMessages.isEmpty)
     }
@@ -153,12 +158,11 @@ struct BLEFileTransferHandlerTests {
     }
 
     @Test
-    func selfBroadcastReplayIsDeliveredWithoutSignatureCheck() throws {
-        // Our own broadcast file replayed via gossip sync arrives with ttl==0
-        // (so it is not treated as a self-echo) and cannot be verified against
-        // the peer registry — it must still be accepted, matching
-        // BLEPublicMessageHandler's self exemption.
+    func signedSelfBroadcastReplayIsDelivered() throws {
+        // Our own broadcast file replayed via gossip sync arrives with ttl==0;
+        // it is verified against our local signing key before delivery.
         let recorder = Recorder()
+        recorder.signatureVerifies = true
         let handler = makeHandler(recorder: recorder)
         let packet = try makeFileTransferPacket(
             sender: localPeerID,
@@ -169,7 +173,7 @@ struct BLEFileTransferHandlerTests {
 
         #expect(handler.handle(packet, from: localPeerID))
 
-        #expect(recorder.signatureVerifyCount == 0)
+        #expect(recorder.signatureVerifyCount == 1)
         #expect(recorder.signedNameQueries.isEmpty)
         #expect(recorder.deliveredMessages.count == 1)
         #expect(recorder.deliveredMessages.first?.sender == "Me")
@@ -205,7 +209,8 @@ struct BLEFileTransferHandlerTests {
             sender: remotePeerID,
             mimeType: "audio/mp4",
             content: m4a,
-            fileName: "voice_1122334455667788"
+            fileName: "voice_1122334455667788",
+            hasSignature: false
         )
 
         // The spoofed note must be dropped locally AND not relayed onward.
@@ -215,7 +220,7 @@ struct BLEFileTransferHandlerTests {
     }
 
     @Test
-    func privateFileFromConnectedUnverifiedPeerIsAccepted() throws {
+    func rawDirectedFileWithoutVerifiableSignatureIsDroppedWithoutWriteOrRelay() throws {
         let recorder = Recorder()
         recorder.peers = [remotePeerID: makePeerInfo(remotePeerID, nickname: "Bob", isVerified: false, isConnected: true)]
         let handler = makeHandler(recorder: recorder)
@@ -223,23 +228,25 @@ struct BLEFileTransferHandlerTests {
             sender: remotePeerID,
             mimeType: "application/pdf",
             content: Data("%PDF-1.7".utf8),
-            recipientID: Data(hexString: localPeerID.id)
+            recipientID: Data(hexString: localPeerID.id),
+            hasSignature: false
         )
 
-        #expect(handler.handle(packet, from: remotePeerID))
+        #expect(!handler.handle(packet, from: remotePeerID))
 
-        // Directed transfers keep the lenient connected-peer path (no broadcast
-        // exposure); no signature check is required.
         #expect(recorder.signatureVerifyCount == 0)
         #expect(recorder.signedNameQueries.isEmpty)
-        #expect(recorder.deliveredMessages.count == 1)
-        #expect(recorder.deliveredMessages.first?.isPrivate == true)
+        #expect(recorder.trackedPackets.isEmpty)
+        #expect(recorder.quotaReservations.isEmpty)
+        #expect(recorder.saveCalls.isEmpty)
+        #expect(recorder.deliveredMessages.isEmpty)
     }
 
     @Test
     func fileDirectedToAnotherPeerIsIgnored() throws {
         let recorder = Recorder()
-        recorder.peers = [remotePeerID: makePeerInfo(remotePeerID, nickname: "Alice", isVerified: true)]
+        recorder.peers = [remotePeerID: makePeerInfo(remotePeerID, nickname: "Alice", isVerified: true, signingPublicKey: sampleSigningKey)]
+        recorder.signatureVerifies = true
         let handler = makeHandler(recorder: recorder)
         let packet = try makeFileTransferPacket(
             sender: remotePeerID,
@@ -260,7 +267,8 @@ struct BLEFileTransferHandlerTests {
     @Test
     func privateFileUpdatesLastSeenAndDeliversPrivateMessage() throws {
         let recorder = Recorder()
-        recorder.peers = [remotePeerID: makePeerInfo(remotePeerID, nickname: "Alice", isVerified: true)]
+        recorder.peers = [remotePeerID: makePeerInfo(remotePeerID, nickname: "Alice", isVerified: true, signingPublicKey: sampleSigningKey)]
+        recorder.signatureVerifies = true
         let handler = makeHandler(recorder: recorder)
         let packet = try makeFileTransferPacket(
             sender: remotePeerID,
@@ -282,6 +290,56 @@ struct BLEFileTransferHandlerTests {
         #expect(recorder.deliveredMessages.first?.deliveryStatus == .delivered(to: "Me", at: Date(timeIntervalSince1970: 900)))
     }
 
+    @Test
+    func decryptedPrivateFileUsesValidationQuotaAndPrivateDeliveryWithoutRawSignature() throws {
+        let recorder = Recorder()
+        recorder.peers = [remotePeerID: makePeerInfo(remotePeerID, nickname: "Alice", isVerified: true)]
+        let handler = makeHandler(recorder: recorder)
+        let content = Data([0xFF, 0xD8, 0xFF]) + Data(repeating: 0x41, count: 128)
+        let file = BitchatFilePacket(
+            fileName: "secret.jpg",
+            fileSize: UInt64(content.count),
+            mimeType: "image/jpeg",
+            content: content
+        )
+        let payload = try #require(file.encode())
+        let timestamp = Date(timeIntervalSince1970: 1_234)
+
+        #expect(handler.handlePrivatePayload(payload, from: remotePeerID, timestamp: timestamp))
+
+        #expect(recorder.signatureVerifyCount == 0)
+        #expect(recorder.signedNameQueries.isEmpty)
+        #expect(recorder.trackedPackets.isEmpty)
+        #expect(recorder.quotaReservations == [content.count])
+        #expect(recorder.saveCalls.first?.data == content)
+        #expect(recorder.lastSeenUpdates == [remotePeerID])
+        #expect(recorder.deliveredMessages.count == 1)
+        #expect(recorder.deliveredMessages.first?.isPrivate == true)
+        #expect(recorder.deliveredMessages.first?.timestamp == timestamp)
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    func decryptedPrivateFileOverPayloadCapIsRejectedBeforeQuotaOrDiskWrite() {
+        let recorder = Recorder()
+        let handler = makeHandler(recorder: recorder)
+        let oversizedCount = FileTransferLimits.maxPayloadBytes + 1
+        var length = UInt32(oversizedCount).bigEndian
+        var payload = Data([0x04]) // BitchatFilePacket CONTENT TLV
+        withUnsafeBytes(of: &length) { payload.append(contentsOf: $0) }
+        payload.append(Data(repeating: 0x41, count: oversizedCount))
+
+        #expect(!handler.handlePrivatePayload(
+            payload,
+            from: remotePeerID,
+            timestamp: Date(timeIntervalSince1970: 1_234)
+        ))
+
+        #expect(recorder.quotaReservations.isEmpty)
+        #expect(recorder.saveCalls.isEmpty)
+        #expect(recorder.lastSeenUpdates.isEmpty)
+        #expect(recorder.deliveredMessages.isEmpty)
+    }
+
     @Test
     func malformedPayloadIsTrackedForSyncButDropped() {
         let recorder = Recorder()
@@ -294,7 +352,7 @@ struct BLEFileTransferHandlerTests {
             recipientID: nil,
             timestamp: 900_000,
             payload: Data([0x01, 0x02, 0x03]),
-            signature: nil,
+            signature: Data(repeating: 0x5A, count: 64),
             ttl: TransportConfig.messageTTLDefault
         )
 
@@ -529,7 +587,8 @@ struct BLEFileTransferHandlerTests {
         content: Data,
         ttl: UInt8 = TransportConfig.messageTTLDefault,
         recipientID: Data? = nil,
-        fileName: String = "sample"
+        fileName: String = "sample",
+        hasSignature: Bool = true
     ) throws -> BitchatPacket {
         let filePacket = BitchatFilePacket(
             fileName: fileName,
@@ -544,7 +603,7 @@ struct BLEFileTransferHandlerTests {
             recipientID: recipientID,
             timestamp: 900_000,
             payload: payload,
-            signature: nil,
+            signature: hasSignature ? Data(repeating: 0x5A, count: 64) : nil,
             ttl: ttl
         )
     }

bitchatTests/Services/BLEFragmentAssemblyBufferTests.swift

@@ -117,6 +117,35 @@ struct BLEFragmentAssemblyBufferTests {
         }
     }
 
+    @Test
+    func encryptedPrivateFileAssemblyGetsFramedFileHeadroom() throws {
+        var buffer = BLEFragmentAssemblyBuffer()
+        let fragmentID = Data(repeating: 0x15, count: 8)
+        let first = try #require(BLEFragmentHeader(packet: makeFragmentPacket(
+            fragmentID: fragmentID,
+            index: 0,
+            total: 2,
+            originalType: MessageType.noiseEncrypted.rawValue,
+            fragmentData: Data(repeating: 0x01, count: FileTransferLimits.maxPayloadBytes)
+        )))
+        let second = try #require(BLEFragmentHeader(packet: makeFragmentPacket(
+            fragmentID: fragmentID,
+            index: 1,
+            total: 2,
+            originalType: MessageType.noiseEncrypted.rawValue,
+            fragmentData: Data([0x02])
+        )))
+
+        _ = buffer.append(first, maxInFlightAssemblies: 8)
+        let result = buffer.append(second, maxInFlightAssemblies: 8)
+
+        if case let .complete(_, data, _) = result {
+            #expect(data.count == FileTransferLimits.maxPayloadBytes + 1)
+        } else {
+            Issue.record("Expected encrypted private-file assembly to use framed-file limit")
+        }
+    }
+
     @Test
     func removeExpiredDropsOldAssemblies() throws {
         var buffer = BLEFragmentAssemblyBuffer()

bitchatTests/Services/BLENoisePayloadFactoryTests.swift

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import Foundation
 import Testing
+import BitFoundation
 @testable import bitchat
 
 struct BLENoisePayloadFactoryTests {
@@ -31,4 +32,63 @@ struct BLENoisePayloadFactoryTests {
 
         #expect(payload == Data([NoisePayloadType.verifyChallenge.rawValue, 0xCA, 0xFE]))
     }
+
+    @Test
+    func privateFilePayloadPrefixesCanonicalFilePacket() throws {
+        let content = Data("%PDF-secret".utf8)
+        let file = BitchatFilePacket(
+            fileName: "secret.pdf",
+            fileSize: UInt64(content.count),
+            mimeType: "application/pdf",
+            content: content
+        )
+
+        let payload = try #require(BLENoisePayloadFactory.privateFile(file))
+
+        #expect(payload.first == 0x20, "Encrypted files must use Android's deployed wire value")
+        let decoded = try #require(BitchatFilePacket.decode(Data(payload.dropFirst())))
+        #expect(decoded.fileName == "secret.pdf")
+        #expect(decoded.mimeType == "application/pdf")
+        #expect(decoded.content == content)
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    func androidB7f0b33PrivateFilePlaintextFixtureIsByteCompatible() throws {
+        // Runtime-emitted by Android commit b7f0b33d from
+        // BitchatFilePacket("a.txt", 3, "text/plain", [01, 02, 03]) and
+        // NoisePayload(type = FILE_TRANSFER, data = file.encode()).encode().
+        let fixtureHex = "20010005612e7478740200040000000303000a746578742f706c61696e0400000003010203"
+        let fixture = try #require(Data(hexString: fixtureHex))
+
+        let typed = try #require(NoisePayload.decode(fixture))
+        #expect(typed.type == .privateFile)
+        let file = try #require(BitchatFilePacket.decode(typed.data))
+        #expect(file.fileName == "a.txt")
+        #expect(file.fileSize == 3)
+        #expect(file.mimeType == "text/plain")
+        #expect(file.content == Data([0x01, 0x02, 0x03]))
+        #expect(BLENoisePayloadFactory.privateFile(file) == fixture)
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    func prereleasePrivateFileTypeCanonicalizesOnDecode() throws {
+        let encoded = Data([NoisePayloadType.prereleasePrivateFileRawValue, 0xCA, 0xFE])
+        let decoded = try #require(NoisePayload.decode(encoded))
+
+        #expect(decoded.type == .privateFile)
+        #expect(decoded.data == Data([0xCA, 0xFE]))
+        #expect(decoded.encode().first == 0x20)
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    func authenticatedPeerStateUsesPermanent0x21Type() throws {
+        let state = AuthenticatedPeerStatePacket(
+            capabilities: .privateMedia,
+            signingPublicKey: Data(repeating: 0x77, count: 32)
+        )
+        let encoded = try #require(BLENoisePayloadFactory.authenticatedPeerState(state))
+
+        #expect(encoded.first == 0x21)
+        #expect(AuthenticatedPeerStatePacket.decode(from: Data(encoded.dropFirst())) == state)
+    }
 }

bitchatTests/Services/BLENoiseReconnectPolicyTests.swift

@@ -0,0 +1,115 @@
+import BitFoundation
+import Foundation
+import Testing
+@testable import bitchat
+
+@Suite("BLE Noise reconnect policy")
+struct BLENoiseReconnectPolicyTests {
+    @Test("Revalidation requires a cached session and no authenticated link")
+    func revalidationPreconditions() {
+        var policy = BLENoiseReconnectPolicy()
+        let link = BLEIngressLinkID.peripheral("peripheral-a")
+        let now = Date(timeIntervalSince1970: 1_000)
+
+        let withoutSession = policy.shouldRevalidate(
+            on: link,
+            hasEstablishedSession: false,
+            isNoiseAuthenticatedLink: false,
+            hasAuthenticatedPeerLink: false,
+            now: now
+        )
+        #expect(!withoutSession)
+        let authenticated = policy.shouldRevalidate(
+            on: link,
+            hasEstablishedSession: true,
+            isNoiseAuthenticatedLink: true,
+            hasAuthenticatedPeerLink: true,
+            now: now
+        )
+        #expect(!authenticated)
+        let eligible = policy.shouldRevalidate(
+            on: link,
+            hasEstablishedSession: true,
+            isNoiseAuthenticatedLink: false,
+            hasAuthenticatedPeerLink: false,
+            now: now
+        )
+        #expect(eligible)
+    }
+
+    @Test("Revalidation is once per link epoch or after sixty seconds")
+    func revalidationIsBoundPerLinkEpoch() {
+        var policy = BLENoiseReconnectPolicy()
+        let link = BLEIngressLinkID.central("central-a")
+        let start = Date(timeIntervalSince1970: 2_000)
+
+        let initial = policy.shouldRevalidate(
+            on: link,
+            hasEstablishedSession: true,
+            isNoiseAuthenticatedLink: false,
+            hasAuthenticatedPeerLink: false,
+            now: start
+        )
+        #expect(initial)
+        let duringCooldown = policy.shouldRevalidate(
+            on: link,
+            hasEstablishedSession: true,
+            isNoiseAuthenticatedLink: false,
+            hasAuthenticatedPeerLink: false,
+            now: start.addingTimeInterval(59.999)
+        )
+        #expect(!duringCooldown)
+        let afterCooldown = policy.shouldRevalidate(
+            on: link,
+            hasEstablishedSession: true,
+            isNoiseAuthenticatedLink: false,
+            hasAuthenticatedPeerLink: false,
+            now: start.addingTimeInterval(60)
+        )
+        #expect(afterCooldown)
+
+        policy.endLinkEpoch(link)
+        let nextEpoch = policy.shouldRevalidate(
+            on: link,
+            hasEstablishedSession: true,
+            isNoiseAuthenticatedLink: false,
+            hasAuthenticatedPeerLink: false,
+            now: start.addingTimeInterval(60.001)
+        )
+        #expect(nextEpoch)
+    }
+
+    @Test("An authenticated sibling suppresses redundant reconnect")
+    func authenticatedSiblingSuppressesReconnect() {
+        var policy = BLENoiseReconnectPolicy()
+        let link = BLEIngressLinkID.peripheral("unproven-sibling")
+        let start = Date(timeIntervalSince1970: 3_000)
+
+        let suppressed = policy.shouldRevalidate(
+            on: link,
+            hasEstablishedSession: true,
+            isNoiseAuthenticatedLink: false,
+            hasAuthenticatedPeerLink: true,
+            now: start
+        )
+        #expect(!suppressed)
+        let eligible = policy.shouldRevalidate(
+            on: link,
+            hasEstablishedSession: true,
+            isNoiseAuthenticatedLink: false,
+            hasAuthenticatedPeerLink: false,
+            now: start
+        )
+        #expect(eligible)
+    }
+
+    @Test("Reserved replacement bit is not advertised")
+    func reservedReplacementBitIsNotAdvertised() {
+        #expect(
+            !PeerCapabilities.localSupported.contains(
+                .nonDestructiveNoiseReplacement
+            )
+        )
+        #expect(PeerCapabilities.localSupported.contains(.privateMedia))
+    }
+}

bitchatTests/Services/BLENoiseSessionQueuesTests.swift

@@ -48,7 +48,10 @@ struct BLENoiseSessionQueuesTests {
         queues.appendTypedPayload(Data([0x01]), for: peerID)
         queues.appendTypedPayload(Data([0x02]), for: peerID)
 
-        #expect(queues.takeTypedPayloads(for: peerID) == [Data([0x01]), Data([0x02])])
+        #expect(queues.takeTypedPayloads(for: peerID) == [
+            BLEPendingTypedPayload(payload: Data([0x01]), transferId: nil),
+            BLEPendingTypedPayload(payload: Data([0x02]), transferId: nil)
+        ])
         #expect(queues.takeTypedPayloads(for: peerID).isEmpty)
         #expect(queues.takePrivateMessages(for: peerID).map(\.messageID) == ["m1"])
     }
@@ -64,4 +67,21 @@ struct BLENoiseSessionQueuesTests {
 
         #expect(queues.isEmpty)
     }
+
+    @Test
+    func transferIDSurvivesHandshakeQueueAndCanBeCancelledBeforeDrain() {
+        let peerID = PeerID(str: "aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa")
+        var queues = BLENoiseSessionQueues()
+
+        queues.appendTypedPayload(Data([0x20, 0xAA]), transferId: "media-1", for: peerID)
+        queues.appendTypedPayload(Data([0x01, 0xBB]), for: peerID)
+
+        let removed = queues.removeTypedPayload(transferId: "media-1")
+        let removedAgain = queues.removeTypedPayload(transferId: "media-1")
+        #expect(removed)
+        #expect(!removedAgain)
+        #expect(queues.takeTypedPayloads(for: peerID) == [
+            BLEPendingTypedPayload(payload: Data([0x01, 0xBB]), transferId: nil)
+        ])
+    }
 }

bitchatTests/Services/BLEOutboundFragmentPlannerTests.swift

@@ -108,6 +108,58 @@ struct BLEOutboundFragmentPlannerTests {
         ) == nil)
     }
 
+    @Test("private media v1 accepts exactly 256 fragments and rejects 257")
+    func privateMediaCrossPlatformFragmentBoundary() throws {
+        let maxPayload = makePayload(count: 160 * 1024, seed: 0xFACE_CAFE)
+
+        func plan(payloadCount: Int) throws -> BLEOutboundFragmentPlan {
+            let packet = BitchatPacket(
+                type: MessageType.noiseEncrypted.rawValue,
+                senderID: Data(hexString: "0011223344556677") ?? Data(),
+                recipientID: Data(hexString: "8877665544332211"),
+                timestamp: 0x0102030405,
+                payload: Data(maxPayload.prefix(payloadCount)),
+                signature: nil,
+                ttl: 3,
+                version: 2
+            )
+            return try #require(BLEOutboundFragmentPlanner.makePlan(
+                for: BLEOutboundFragmentTransferRequest(
+                    packet: packet,
+                    pad: false,
+                    maxChunk: nil,
+                    directedPeer: PeerID(str: "8877665544332211"),
+                    transferId: "boundary"
+                ),
+                defaultChunkSize: TransportConfig.bleDefaultFragmentSize,
+                bleMaxMTU: 512,
+                fragmentID: Data(repeating: 0xD4, count: 8)
+            ))
+        }
+
+        func firstPlan(withAtLeast target: Int) throws -> BLEOutboundFragmentPlan {
+            var low = 1
+            var high = maxPayload.count
+            while low < high {
+                let mid = low + (high - low) / 2
+                if try plan(payloadCount: mid).totalFragments >= target {
+                    high = mid
+                } else {
+                    low = mid + 1
+                }
+            }
+            return try plan(payloadCount: low)
+        }
+
+        let at256 = try firstPlan(withAtLeast: 256)
+        let at257 = try firstPlan(withAtLeast: 257)
+
+        #expect(at256.totalFragments == 256)
+        #expect(BLEOutboundFragmentPlanner.isPrivateMediaV1Compatible(at256))
+        #expect(at257.totalFragments == 257)
+        #expect(!BLEOutboundFragmentPlanner.isPrivateMediaV1Compatible(at257))
+    }
+
     private func makePacket(
         payload: Data,
         route: [Data]? = nil,

bitchatTests/Services/BLEOutboundFragmentTransferSchedulerTests.swift

@@ -20,6 +20,24 @@ struct BLEOutboundFragmentTransferSchedulerTests {
         }
     }
 
+    @Test
+    func explicitTransferIDReservesEncryptedPrivateFileFragments() {
+        var scheduler = BLEOutboundFragmentTransferScheduler()
+        let request = makeRequest(
+            type: MessageType.noiseEncrypted.rawValue,
+            transferId: "private-media"
+        )
+
+        let result = scheduler.submit(request, maxConcurrentTransfers: 1)
+
+        if case let .start(_, reservedTransferId) = result {
+            #expect(reservedTransferId == "private-media")
+            #expect(scheduler.activeCount == 1)
+        } else {
+            Issue.record("Expected encrypted private media to reserve its progress slot")
+        }
+    }
+
     @Test
     func submitQueuesFileTransferWhenSlotsAreFull() {
         var scheduler = BLEOutboundFragmentTransferScheduler()

bitchatTests/Services/BLEPeerRegistryTests.swift

@@ -42,6 +42,37 @@ struct BLEPeerRegistryTests {
         #expect(registry.info(for: peerID)?.nickname == "alice-renamed")
     }
 
+    @Test("registry preserves absent versus explicit empty capabilities")
+    func capabilitiesPresenceIsPreserved() {
+        var registry = BLEPeerRegistry()
+        let oldPeer = PeerID(str: "1122334455667788")
+        let modernPeer = PeerID(str: "8877665544332211")
+
+        _ = registry.upsertVerifiedAnnounce(
+            peerID: oldPeer,
+            nickname: "old",
+            noisePublicKey: Data(repeating: 0x11, count: 32),
+            signingPublicKey: Data(repeating: 0x12, count: 32),
+            isConnected: true,
+            now: Date(),
+            capabilities: nil
+        )
+        _ = registry.upsertVerifiedAnnounce(
+            peerID: modernPeer,
+            nickname: "modern",
+            noisePublicKey: Data(repeating: 0x21, count: 32),
+            signingPublicKey: Data(repeating: 0x22, count: 32),
+            isConnected: true,
+            now: Date(),
+            capabilities: []
+        )
+
+        #expect(registry.capabilities(for: oldPeer).isEmpty)
+        #expect(!registry.capabilitiesWereExplicitlyAdvertised(for: oldPeer))
+        #expect(registry.capabilities(for: modernPeer).isEmpty)
+        #expect(registry.capabilitiesWereExplicitlyAdvertised(for: modernPeer))
+    }
+
     @Test("reachability keeps recent verified offline peers only when mesh is attached")
     func reachabilityRequiresMeshAttachmentForOfflinePeers() {
         let offlinePeer = PeerID(str: "1122334455667788")

bitchatTests/Services/SecureIdentityStateManagerTests.swift

@@ -399,6 +399,59 @@ final class SecureIdentityStateManagerTests: XCTestCase {
         XCTAssertTrue(cleared)
     }
 
+    func test_privateMediaCapabilityPinPersistsMonotonicallyAndPanicClearRemovesIt() async {
+        let keychain = MockKeychain()
+        let fingerprint = Data(repeating: 0x42, count: 32).sha256Fingerprint()
+        let manager = SecureIdentityStateManager(keychain)
+
+        XCTAssertFalse(manager.hasObservedPrivateMediaCapability(fingerprint: fingerprint))
+        manager.markPrivateMediaCapable(fingerprint: fingerprint)
+        XCTAssertTrue(
+            manager.hasObservedPrivateMediaCapability(fingerprint: fingerprint),
+            "pin insertion must be synchronously visible to the next downgrade decision"
+        )
+
+        // Re-marking is idempotent, and the encrypted cache carries the pin
+        // across launches.
+        manager.markPrivateMediaCapable(fingerprint: fingerprint)
+        manager.forceSave()
+        let reloaded = SecureIdentityStateManager(keychain)
+        XCTAssertTrue(reloaded.hasObservedPrivateMediaCapability(fingerprint: fingerprint))
+
+        // ChatViewModel's panic path calls this same wipe after deleting
+        // keychain data; the in-memory pin must disappear immediately too.
+        reloaded.clearAllIdentityData()
+        let cleared = await waitUntil {
+            !reloaded.hasObservedPrivateMediaCapability(fingerprint: fingerprint)
+        }
+        XCTAssertTrue(cleared)
+    }
+
+    func test_noiseAuthenticatedSigningKeyBindingPersistsAndPanicClearRemovesIt() async {
+        let keychain = MockKeychain()
+        let fingerprint = Data(repeating: 0x31, count: 32).sha256Fingerprint()
+        let firstKey = Data(repeating: 0x41, count: 32)
+        let rotatedKey = Data(repeating: 0x42, count: 32)
+        let manager = SecureIdentityStateManager(keychain)
+
+        manager.bindAuthenticatedSigningPublicKey(firstKey, fingerprint: fingerprint)
+        XCTAssertEqual(manager.authenticatedSigningPublicKey(forFingerprint: fingerprint), firstKey)
+        // A later authenticated Noise session may legitimately rotate the
+        // announcement signing key.
+        manager.bindAuthenticatedSigningPublicKey(rotatedKey, fingerprint: fingerprint)
+        XCTAssertEqual(manager.authenticatedSigningPublicKey(forFingerprint: fingerprint), rotatedKey)
+
+        manager.forceSave()
+        let reloaded = SecureIdentityStateManager(keychain)
+        XCTAssertEqual(reloaded.authenticatedSigningPublicKey(forFingerprint: fingerprint), rotatedKey)
+
+        reloaded.clearAllIdentityData()
+        let cleared = await waitUntil {
+            reloaded.authenticatedSigningPublicKey(forFingerprint: fingerprint) == nil
+        }
+        XCTAssertTrue(cleared)
+    }
+
     func test_forceSave_withFailingCacheWriteDoesNotPersistCache() async {
         let keychain = FailingCacheSaveKeychain()
         let manager = SecureIdentityStateManager(keychain)

bitchatTests/Services/TransferProgressManagerTests.swift

@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ struct TransferProgressManagerTests {
                 recorder.append("updated:\(id):\(sent):\(total)")
             case .completed(let id, let total):
                 recorder.append("completed:\(id):\(total)")
-            case .cancelled:
+            case .cancelled, .rejected:
                 break
             }
         }
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ struct TransferProgressManagerTests {
                 recorder.append("started:\(id):\(total)")
             case .cancelled(let id, let sent, let total):
                 recorder.append("cancelled:\(id):\(sent):\(total)")
-            case .updated, .completed:
+            case .updated, .completed, .rejected:
                 break
             }
         }
@@ -105,6 +105,28 @@ struct TransferProgressManagerTests {
         #expect(manager.snapshot(id: transferID) == nil)
         _ = cancellable
     }
+
+    @Test("Preflight policy rejection publishes a visible failure reason")
+    @MainActor
+    func rejectBeforeStartPublishesReason() async {
+        let manager = TransferProgressManager()
+        let transferID = "transfer-visible-reject"
+        let recorder = EventRecorder()
+        let cancellable = manager.publisher.sink { event in
+            if case .rejected(let id, let reason) = event {
+                recorder.append("rejected:\(id):\(reason)")
+            }
+        }
+
+        manager.rejectBeforeStart(id: transferID, reason: "upgrade required")
+
+        let didReceive = await TestHelpers.waitUntil({
+            recorder.values == ["rejected:\(transferID):upgrade required"]
+        }, timeout: 5.0)
+        #expect(didReceive)
+        #expect(manager.snapshot(id: transferID) == nil)
+        _ = cancellable
+    }
 }
 
 private final class EventRecorder: @unchecked Sendable {

bitchatTests/Services/UnifiedPeerServiceTests.swift

@@ -266,6 +266,11 @@ private final class TestIdentityManager: SecureIdentityStateManagerProtocol {
         verified.removeAll()
     }
 
+    func markPrivateMediaCapable(fingerprint: String) {}
+    func hasObservedPrivateMediaCapability(fingerprint: String) -> Bool { false }
+    func bindAuthenticatedSigningPublicKey(_ signingPublicKey: Data, fingerprint: String) {}
+    func authenticatedSigningPublicKey(forFingerprint fingerprint: String) -> Data? { nil }
+
     func removeEphemeralSession(peerID: PeerID) {}
 
     func setVerified(fingerprint: String, verified: Bool) {

docs/PRIVATE-MEDIA-MIGRATION.md

@@ -0,0 +1,107 @@
+# Private-media wire migration
+
+Private files use the `BitchatFilePacket` TLV shared by iOS and Android. The
+preferred direct-message wire form encrypts that complete TLV inside the
+peer's Noise session before BLE fragmentation.
+
+## Wire values and capability
+
+- `NoisePayloadType.privateFile` is `0x20`, the value already deployed by the
+  Android client. New sends must use this value.
+- iOS temporarily accepts `0x09`, which appeared in prerelease builds of the
+  private-media change. Decoders canonicalize it to `privateFile`; they never
+  emit it.
+- `NoisePayloadType.authenticatedPeerState` is permanently assigned `0x21`.
+  It is emitted after every completed/rekeyed Noise XX session and echoed at
+  most once when the remote state arrives, so message-3/proof reordering over
+  different mesh links converges. This type is part of the protocol security
+  boundary and is not removed when the media migration ends.
+- The `0x21` payload starts with version `0x01`, followed by one-byte
+  type/length/value fields. Version 1 requires canonical TLV `0x01` (the
+  minimal little-endian `PeerCapabilities` bitfield, 1-8 bytes) and TLV `0x02`
+  (the 32-byte Ed25519 announcement signing key). Duplicate required fields,
+  non-minimal capabilities, malformed lengths, missing fields, and unknown
+  versions are ignored without changing state. Unknown TLVs are skipped.
+- The public `PeerCapabilities.privateMedia` announce bit is a discovery hint:
+  it starts a Noise handshake, but never selects encrypted sending or creates
+  a pin. A private transfer waits boundedly for the exact session's encrypted
+  `0x21`. A valid bit-8 proof selects Noise `0x20`; a valid no-bit proof or a
+  no-proof timeout reaches the explicit legacy-consent path for an unpinned
+  peer. No timeout automatically sends raw bytes.
+- An unpinned peer with a stable Noise key but without that capability is
+  eligible for one signed, directed
+  `fileTransfer`, matching the pre-migration wire form used by older iOS and
+  accepted by current Android clients, only after the sender confirms a
+  per-send warning that the file is not end-to-end encrypted and mesh relays
+  can see it. The
+  consent is consumed by that invocation and is never remembered.
+- A signed announce never creates a pin by itself: an attacker can copy a
+  victim's public Noise key, supply its own Ed25519 key and capability bits,
+  and self-sign an internally consistent announce. Only successfully
+  decrypted `0x21` state pins the authenticated Noise fingerprint and binds
+  the Ed25519 key used by later announces/public messages. A later valid
+  no-bit `0x21` is treated as a downgrade, and raw fallback is blocked even if
+  a caller presents legacy consent. Public no-bit announces cannot overwrite
+  current session-authenticated state.
+- During migration, both an absent capabilities TLV and an explicit TLV
+  without `privateMedia` are legacy-eligible when that stable fingerprint is
+  not pinned. This supports clients that added capability advertisement before
+  encrypted media. Neither shape bypasses a previously authenticated pin.
+
+Older clients decrypt and ignore unknown inner type `0x21`; they do not need to
+understand it to continue using text or the warned legacy media path. They are
+never inferred capable merely because the handshake succeeded.
+
+Removal gates are independent and must not share an arbitrary calendar date:
+
+- Remove the `0x09` receive alias only after every TestFlight/internal build
+  that emitted it has expired and minimum-supported-client policy excludes it.
+- Remove the signed directed raw `0x22` fallback only after minimum-supported
+  iOS and Android clients emit authenticated bit-8 `0x21` state and the legacy
+  population has aged out.
+- Nostr kind `1059` compatibility is a separate envelope migration. Its dual
+  publish/removal gate is not evidence that either BLE compatibility shape can
+  be removed.
+
+## Security boundary
+
+The encrypted form provides Noise confidentiality and peer authentication.
+The fallback is signed and its signature is required on receive, so relays
+cannot forge its sender or contents. It is not confidential: relays can see
+the raw file TLV. The UI says this explicitly and asks on every send. A peer
+without a stable Noise key from a verified registry entry cannot use the
+fallback. Keep it only for the mixed-version migration, and remove it only
+after minimum-supported Android and iOS releases emit authenticated bit-8
+`0x21` state and the legacy population has aged out. Never replace it with an
+unsigned fallback, persist blanket consent, or send both forms.
+
+Incoming clients accept all three migration-era shapes:
+
+| Sender | Inbound form | Result |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| Current Android | Noise `0x20` | Decrypt and deliver |
+| Prerelease iOS | Noise `0x09` | Decrypt, canonicalize, and deliver |
+| Older client | Signed directed `fileTransfer` | Verify signature and deliver |
+| Forged/unsigned raw sender | Directed `fileTransfer` | Reject |
+
+Panic wipe clears the persistent capability pins together with the rest of
+the encrypted identity cache.
+
+This migration path is mesh-Noise-only (BLE and compatible direct mesh links).
+Nostr private-media transport is unchanged and remains a follow-up. Nostr
+inbound paths explicitly ignore `0x21`; do not infer the mesh consent fallback
+or capability-pin semantics for Nostr delivery.
+
+## Size interoperability
+
+iOS bounds inbound file content at 1 MiB and applies the expanded allocation
+budget only after a large Noise ciphertext authenticates to `0x20` or the
+temporary `0x09` alias. Ordinary Noise messages retain their 64 KiB limit.
+
+Current Android builds cap each reassembly at 256 fragments. Depending on the
+negotiated BLE packet size and routing overhead, that is roughly 110-120 KiB,
+well below iOS's absolute inbound ceiling. Private-media v1 therefore runs the
+actual route-aware BLE fragment planner before both encrypted and consented
+legacy sends and rejects any plan above 256 fragments with a visible failure.
+This fragment-count contract, rather than a guessed byte threshold, stays
+correct as route overhead changes.

localPackages/BitFoundation/Sources/BitFoundation/PeerCapabilities.swift

@@ -24,6 +24,15 @@ public struct PeerCapabilities: OptionSet, Equatable, Hashable, Sendable {
     /// (uplink/downlink carriers for mesh-only peers). Advertised alongside
     /// a `bridgeGeohash` TLV carrying the rendezvous cell.
     public static let bridge = PeerCapabilities(rawValue: 1 << 7)
+    /// Finalized direct-message media encrypted as Noise payload `0x20`
+    /// before outer BLE fragmentation. Peers that omit this bit require the
+    /// signed directed raw-file migration fallback.
+    public static let privateMedia = PeerCapabilities(rawValue: 1 << 8)
+    /// Reserved for test builds that briefly advertised non-destructive Noise
+    /// replacement. Current clients intentionally do not advertise or act on
+    /// this bit; keep it decodable so the wire assignment is never reused.
+    public static let nonDestructiveNoiseReplacement =
+        PeerCapabilities(rawValue: 1 << 10)
 
     /// Minimal little-endian byte encoding; always at least one byte so an
     /// empty set is distinguishable from an absent TLV.

localPackages/BitFoundation/Tests/BitFoundationTests/PeerCapabilitiesTests.swift

@@ -16,11 +16,16 @@ struct PeerCapabilitiesTests {
         #expect(PeerCapabilities([]).encoded() == Data([0x00]))
         #expect(PeerCapabilities.prekeys.encoded() == Data([0x01]))
         #expect(PeerCapabilities.meshDiagnostics.encoded() == Data([0x40]))
+        #expect(PeerCapabilities.privateMedia.encoded() == Data([0x00, 0x01]))
 
         let high = PeerCapabilities(rawValue: 1 << 9)
         #expect(high.encoded() == Data([0x00, 0x02]))
+        #expect(
+            PeerCapabilities.nonDestructiveNoiseReplacement.encoded()
+                == Data([0x00, 0x04])
+        )
 
-        let all: PeerCapabilities = [.prekeys, .wifiBulk, .gateway, .groups, .board, .vouch, .meshDiagnostics]
+        let all: PeerCapabilities = [.prekeys, .wifiBulk, .gateway, .groups, .board, .vouch, .meshDiagnostics, .privateMedia]
         #expect(PeerCapabilities(encoded: all.encoded()) == all)
         #expect(PeerCapabilities(encoded: high.encoded()) == high)
         #expect(PeerCapabilities(encoded: PeerCapabilities([]).encoded()) == [])