Deliver live transport events synchronously

Preserve early Noise ciphertext across reconnects
Stabilize synchronous Noise restart tests
2026-07-25 19:25:20 +00:00 · 2026-07-25 20:09:15 +02:00 · 2026-07-25 20:09:06 +02:00 · 2026-07-25 20:08:28 +02:00 · 2026-07-25 19:05:39 +02:00 · 2026-07-25 18:41:15 +02:00
85 changed files with 13938 additions and 526 deletions
@@ -337,6 +337,7 @@
 				es,
 				ar,
 				de,
+				fa,
 				fr,
 				he,
 				id,
@@ -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
@@ -7,45 +7,146 @@ final class LocationPresenceStore: ObservableObject {
    @Published private(set) var geoNicknames: [String: String] = [:]
    @Published private(set) var teleportedGeo: Set<String> = []

+    private let teleportedGeoCapacity: Int
+    private var teleportedGeoOrder: [String] = []
+    private let geoNicknameCapacity: Int
+    private var geoNicknameOrder: [String] = []
+
+    init(
+        teleportedGeoCapacity: Int = TransportConfig.geoTeleportedParticipantsCap,
+        geoNicknameCapacity: Int = TransportConfig.geoNicknameParticipantsCap
+    ) {
+        self.teleportedGeoCapacity = max(0, teleportedGeoCapacity)
+        self.geoNicknameCapacity = max(0, geoNicknameCapacity)
+    }
+
    func setCurrentGeohash(_ geohash: String?) {
-        currentGeohash = geohash?.lowercased()
+        let normalized = geohash?.lowercased()
+        if currentGeohash != normalized {
+            // Presence markers are scoped to the active geohash channel.
+            clearTeleportedGeo()
+            clearGeoNicknames()
+        }
+        currentGeohash = normalized
    }

    func setNickname(_ nickname: String, for pubkeyHex: String) {
-        geoNicknames[pubkeyHex.lowercased()] = nickname
+        guard geoNicknameCapacity > 0 else {
+            clearGeoNicknames()
+            return
+        }
+
+        let key = pubkeyHex.lowercased()
+        if geoNicknames[key] != nil {
+            geoNicknames[key] = nickname
+            return
+        }
+
+        while geoNicknameOrder.count >= geoNicknameCapacity, let oldest = geoNicknameOrder.first {
+            geoNicknameOrder.removeFirst()
+            geoNicknames.removeValue(forKey: oldest)
+        }
+
+        geoNicknames[key] = nickname
+        geoNicknameOrder.append(key)
    }

    func replaceGeoNicknames(_ nicknames: [String: String]) {
-        geoNicknames = Dictionary(
-            uniqueKeysWithValues: nicknames.map { key, value in
-                (key.lowercased(), value)
-            }
-        )
+        guard geoNicknameCapacity > 0 else {
+            clearGeoNicknames()
+            return
+        }
+
+        var seen: Set<String> = []
+        var ordered: [String] = []
+        var normalized: [String: String] = [:]
+        for (key, value) in nicknames {
+            let lower = key.lowercased()
+            guard seen.insert(lower).inserted else { continue }
+            ordered.append(lower)
+            normalized[lower] = value
+        }
+        if ordered.count > geoNicknameCapacity {
+            let kept = Array(ordered.suffix(geoNicknameCapacity))
+            ordered = kept
+            normalized = Dictionary(uniqueKeysWithValues: kept.compactMap { key in
+                normalized[key].map { (key, $0) }
+            })
+        }
+        geoNicknameOrder = ordered
+        geoNicknames = normalized
    }

    func clearGeoNicknames() {
        geoNicknames.removeAll()
+        geoNicknameOrder.removeAll()
+    }
+
+    func retainGeoNicknames(keeping pubkeys: Set<String>) {
+        let allowed = Set(pubkeys.map { $0.lowercased() })
+        geoNicknameOrder = geoNicknameOrder.filter { allowed.contains($0) }
+        geoNicknames = geoNicknames.filter { allowed.contains($0.key) }
    }

    func markTeleported(_ pubkeyHex: String) {
-        teleportedGeo.insert(pubkeyHex.lowercased())
+        guard teleportedGeoCapacity > 0 else {
+            clearTeleportedGeo()
+            return
+        }
+
+        let key = pubkeyHex.lowercased()
+        guard !teleportedGeo.contains(key) else { return }
+
+        while teleportedGeoOrder.count >= teleportedGeoCapacity, let oldest = teleportedGeoOrder.first {
+            teleportedGeoOrder.removeFirst()
+            teleportedGeo.remove(oldest)
+        }
+
+        teleportedGeo.insert(key)
+        teleportedGeoOrder.append(key)
    }

    func clearTeleported(_ pubkeyHex: String) {
-        teleportedGeo.remove(pubkeyHex.lowercased())
+        let key = pubkeyHex.lowercased()
+        teleportedGeo.remove(key)
+        teleportedGeoOrder.removeAll { $0 == key }
    }

    func replaceTeleportedGeo(_ pubkeys: Set<String>) {
-        teleportedGeo = Set(pubkeys.map { $0.lowercased() })
+        guard teleportedGeoCapacity > 0 else {
+            clearTeleportedGeo()
+            return
+        }
+
+        var seen: Set<String> = []
+        var ordered: [String] = []
+        for key in pubkeys.map({ $0.lowercased() }) where !seen.contains(key) {
+            seen.insert(key)
+            ordered.append(key)
+        }
+        if ordered.count > teleportedGeoCapacity {
+            ordered = Array(ordered.suffix(teleportedGeoCapacity))
+        }
+        teleportedGeoOrder = ordered
+        teleportedGeo = Set(ordered)
+    }
+
+    func retainTeleportedGeo(keeping pubkeys: Set<String>) {
+        let allowed = Set(pubkeys.map { $0.lowercased() })
+        teleportedGeoOrder = teleportedGeoOrder.filter { allowed.contains($0) }
+        teleportedGeo = teleportedGeo.intersection(allowed)
    }

    func clearTeleportedGeo() {
        teleportedGeo.removeAll()
+        teleportedGeoOrder.removeAll()
    }

    func reset() {
        currentGeohash = nil
        geoNicknames.removeAll()
+        geoNicknameOrder.removeAll()
        teleportedGeo.removeAll()
+        teleportedGeoOrder.removeAll()
    }
 }
@@ -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
 }

 //
@@ -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) {
@@ -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
        }
        
@@ -6,14 +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
@@ -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 {
@@ -66,7 +66,10 @@ class NoiseSession {
            
            // Only initiator writes the first message
            if role == .initiator {
-                let message = try handshakeState!.writeMessage()
+                guard let handshake = handshakeState else {
+                    throw NoiseSessionError.invalidState
+                }
+                let message = try handshake.writeMessage()
                sentHandshakeMessages.append(message)
                return message
            } else {
@@ -11,4 +11,11 @@ enum NoiseSessionError: Error, Equatable {
    case notEstablished
    case sessionNotFound
    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
 }
@@ -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
        }
        
@@ -700,6 +700,10 @@ struct NostrEvent: Codable {
              let content = dict["content"] as? String else {
            throw NostrError.invalidEvent
        }
+
+        guard Self.isWithinInboundTagLimits(tags) else {
+            throw NostrError.invalidEvent
+        }
        
        self.id = dict["id"] as? String ?? ""
        self.pubkey = pubkey
@@ -709,6 +713,21 @@ struct NostrEvent: Codable {
        self.content = content
        self.sig = dict["sig"] as? String
    }
+
+    /// Bounds untrusted relay tag arrays so attackers cannot force large
+    /// allocations or expensive joins on the inbound hot path.
+    static func isWithinInboundTagLimits(_ tags: [[String]]) -> Bool {
+        guard tags.count <= TransportConfig.nostrMaxEventTags else { return false }
+
+        for tag in tags {
+            guard tag.count <= TransportConfig.nostrMaxEventTagValues else { return false }
+            guard tag.allSatisfy({ $0.utf8.count <= TransportConfig.nostrMaxEventTagValueBytes }) else {
+                return false
+            }
+        }
+
+        return true
+    }
    
    func sign(with key: P256K.Schnorr.PrivateKey) throws -> NostrEvent {
        let (eventId, eventIdHash) = try calculateEventId()
@@ -1480,7 +1480,7 @@ private enum ParsedInbound {
    case notice(String)
    
    init?(_ message: URLSessionWebSocketTask.Message) {
-        guard let data = message.data,
+        guard let data = message.dataWithinInboundLimit,
              let array = try? JSONSerialization.jsonObject(with: data) as? [Any],
              array.count >= 2,
              let type = array[0] as? String else {
@@ -1525,11 +1525,19 @@ private enum ParsedInbound {
 }

 private extension URLSessionWebSocketTask.Message {
-    var data: Data? {
+    /// Prefer rejecting oversized frames before UTF-8/Data materialization
+    /// where we can (string length), and always before JSON parse.
+    var dataWithinInboundLimit: Data? {
+        let maxBytes = TransportConfig.nostrMaxInboundMessageBytes
        switch self {
-        case .string(let text): text.data(using: .utf8)
-        case .data(let data):   data
-        @unknown default:       nil
+        case .string(let text):
+            guard text.utf8.count <= maxBytes else { return nil }
+            return text.data(using: .utf8)
+        case .data(let data):
+            guard data.count <= maxBytes else { return nil }
+            return data
+        @unknown default:
+            return nil
        }
    }
 }
@@ -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"
@@ -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
@@ -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]
 }
@@ -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
@@ -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)
        }
@@ -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)
    }
 }
@@ -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
        }

@@ -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,
@@ -43,13 +58,38 @@ 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
    }

-    func handleHandshake(_ packet: BitchatPacket, from peerID: PeerID) {
+    /// Returns true when the handshake message was processed successfully.
+    /// 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
        // Use NoiseEncryptionService for handshake processing
        if PeerID(hexData: packet.recipientID) == env.localPeerID() {
@@ -70,19 +110,50 @@ 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 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(
+                    "Rejected Noise handshake whose static key does not match \(peerID.id.prefix(8))…",
+                    category: .security
+                )
+                return false
            } catch {
                SecureLogger.error("Failed to process handshake: \(error)")
                // Try initiating a new handshake
                if !env.hasNoiseSession(peerID) {
                    env.initiateHandshake(peerID)
                }
+                return false
            }
        }
+        return false
    }

    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)
+    }
+
+    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)
@@ -98,35 +169,231 @@ 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
+            }
+        }
+    }
 }
@@ -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)
@@ -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()
+    }
+}
@@ -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
+    }
 }
@@ -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?,
@@ -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
@@ -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
        )

@@ -251,9 +251,9 @@ final class MessageFormattingEngine {
        isSelf: Bool,
        isMentioned: Bool
    ) -> AttributedString {
-        // For very long content without special tokens, use plain formatting
-        let containsCashu = containsCashuToken(content)
-        if (content.count > 4000 || content.hasVeryLongToken(threshold: 1024)) && !containsCashu {
+        // For very long content, use plain formatting to avoid expensive
+        // regex/detector work. Cashu presence must not disable this guard.
+        if content.isOversizedForRichFormatting() {
            return formatPlainContent(content, baseColor: baseColor, isSelf: isSelf)
        }

@@ -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
@@ -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 {
@@ -83,10 +83,31 @@ 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)
 }

+/// Optional typed-event contract for sinks that can synchronously decide
+/// whether an inbound message was accepted.
+protocol SynchronousMessageTransportEventDelegate: TransportEventDelegate {
+    @MainActor
+    func didReceiveTransportMessageSynchronously(_ message: BitchatMessage) -> Bool
+}
+
 protocol Transport: AnyObject {
    // Event sink
    var delegate: BitchatDelegate? { get set }
@@ -163,6 +184,12 @@ 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 +235,11 @@ 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 +310,16 @@ 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 +336,15 @@ 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) {
@@ -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
@@ -46,6 +52,7 @@ enum TransportConfig {
    static let privateChatCap: Int = 1337
    static let meshTimelineCap: Int = 1337
    static let geoTimelineCap: Int = 1337
+    static let geoNicknameParticipantsCap: Int = 1337
    static let contentLRUCap: Int = 2000
    static let geoSamplingEventLRUCap: Int = 2000

@@ -81,6 +88,11 @@ enum TransportConfig {
    static let nostrDuplicateEventLogInterval: Int = 50
    // Sample interval for per-event debug logs on the inbound hot path.
    static let nostrInboundEventLogInterval: Int = 100
+    // Reject oversized/untrusted relay frames before JSON parse / store.
+    static let nostrMaxInboundMessageBytes: Int = 256 * 1024
+    static let nostrMaxEventTags: Int = 64
+    static let nostrMaxEventTagValues: Int = 16
+    static let nostrMaxEventTagValueBytes: Int = 1024

    // Conversation store diagnostics (field observability)
    // Sample interval for the periodic store-audit "OK" heartbeat line
@@ -98,6 +110,12 @@ enum TransportConfig {
    static let uiSenderRateBucketRefillPerSec: Double = 1.0
    static let uiContentRateBucketCapacity: Double = 3
    static let uiContentRateBucketRefillPerSec: Double = 0.5
+    // Bound attacker-keyed bucket maps (sender IDs / content digests).
+    static let uiSenderRateBucketMaxEntries: Int = 2000
+    static let uiContentRateBucketMaxEntries: Int = 2000
+    static let uiRateBucketIdleTTL: TimeInterval = 10 * 60
+    // Cap teleported-participant markers so remote events cannot grow the set.
+    static let geoTeleportedParticipantsCap: Int = 1337

    // UI sleeps/delays
    static let uiStartupInitialDelaySeconds: TimeInterval = 1.0
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+import Foundation
+
+/// In-app override for the UI language, on top of the system per-app
+/// language. Apple resolves localization from the AppleLanguages default at
+/// process start, so a new choice takes effect on the next launch — callers
+/// surface a "restart to apply" note after changing it.
+enum AppLanguageSettings {
+    /// "" means no override: follow the device (or per-app system) language.
+    static let overrideKey = "app.languageOverride"
+    private static let appleLanguagesKey = "AppleLanguages"
+
+    /// Language codes the app ships translations for, straight from the
+    /// built bundle so this never drifts from the string catalog.
+    static var availableLanguages: [String] {
+        Bundle.main.localizations
+            .filter { $0 != "Base" }
+            .sorted { endonym(for: $0).localizedCaseInsensitiveCompare(endonym(for: $1)) == .orderedAscending }
+    }
+
+    /// The language's name in that language ("فارسی", "한국어") so every user
+    /// can find their own entry regardless of the current UI language.
+    static func endonym(for code: String) -> String {
+        let locale = Locale(identifier: code)
+        let name = locale.localizedString(forIdentifier: code) ?? code
+        return name.lowercased(with: locale)
+    }
+
+    /// Persists the override (nil clears it). AppleLanguages drives the
+    /// actual localization lookup on next launch.
+    static func setOverride(_ code: String?) {
+        let defaults = UserDefaults.standard
+        if let code, !code.isEmpty {
+            defaults.set(code, forKey: overrideKey)
+            defaults.set([code], forKey: appleLanguagesKey)
+        } else {
+            defaults.removeObject(forKey: overrideKey)
+            defaults.removeObject(forKey: appleLanguagesKey)
+        }
+    }
+}
@@ -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) {
@@ -75,12 +147,19 @@ 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] = [:]

-    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) {
@@ -98,16 +177,28 @@ 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

        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 else { return }
-                    self.registerTransfer(transferId: transferId, messageID: messageID)
+                    guard let self,
+                          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)
                    }
@@ -116,13 +207,19 @@ 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 else { return }
+                    guard let self,
+                          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 else { return }
+                    guard let self,
+                          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"))
                }
            }
@@ -193,7 +290,12 @@ 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)
                    }
@@ -253,17 +355,127 @@ 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 {
@@ -298,6 +510,9 @@ 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)
        }
    }

@@ -338,6 +553,13 @@ 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)
    }
@@ -71,12 +71,8 @@ final class ChatMessageFormatter {
            let content = message.content
            let nsContent = content as NSString
            let nsLen = nsContent.length
-            let containsCashuEarly: Bool = {
-                let regex = Patterns.quickCashuPresence
-                return regex.numberOfMatches(in: content, options: [], range: NSRange(location: 0, length: nsLen)) > 0
-            }()

-            if (content.count > 4000 || content.hasVeryLongToken(threshold: 1024)) && !containsCashuEarly {
+            if content.isOversizedForRichFormatting() {
                var plainStyle = AttributeContainer()
                plainStyle.foregroundColor = baseColor
                plainStyle.font = isSelf
@@ -100,9 +100,14 @@ final class ChatPeerListCoordinator: @unchecked Sendable {

    func didUpdatePeerList(_ peers: [PeerID]) {
        Task { @MainActor [weak self] in
-            self?.handlePeerListUpdate(peers)
+            self?.didUpdatePeerListSynchronously(peers)
        }
    }
+
+    @MainActor
+    func didUpdatePeerListSynchronously(_ peers: [PeerID]) {
+        handlePeerListUpdate(peers)
+    }
 }

 private extension ChatPeerListCoordinator {
@@ -163,21 +163,20 @@ final class ChatTransportEventCoordinator {
    }

    func didReceiveMessage(_ message: BitchatMessage) {
-        runOnMain { context in
-            guard !context.isMessageBlocked(message) else { return }
-            guard !message.content.trimmed.isEmpty || message.isPrivate else { return }
-
-            if message.isPrivate {
-                context.handlePrivateMessage(message)
-            } else {
-                context.handlePublicMessage(message)
-            }
-
-            context.checkForMentions(message)
-            context.sendHapticFeedback(for: message)
+        runOnMain { [self] context in
+            handleReceivedMessage(message, in: context)
        }
    }

+    /// Typed transport events already arrive on the main actor. Handle them
+    /// synchronously so observers see the ConversationStore mutation before
+    /// the transport completes delivery.
+    @MainActor
+    @discardableResult
+    func didReceiveMessageSynchronously(_ message: BitchatMessage) -> Bool {
+        handleReceivedMessage(message, in: context)
+    }
+
    func didReceivePublicMessage(
        from peerID: PeerID,
        nickname: String,
@@ -185,28 +184,36 @@ final class ChatTransportEventCoordinator {
        timestamp: Date,
        messageID: String?
    ) {
-        runOnMain { context in
-            let normalized = content.trimmed
-            let mentions = context.parseMentions(from: normalized)
-            let message = BitchatMessage(
-                id: messageID,
-                sender: nickname,
-                content: normalized,
+        runOnMain { [self] context in
+            handlePublicMessage(
+                from: peerID,
+                nickname: nickname,
+                content: content,
                timestamp: timestamp,
-                isRelay: false,
-                originalSender: nil,
-                isPrivate: false,
-                recipientNickname: nil,
-                senderPeerID: peerID,
-                mentions: mentions.isEmpty ? nil : mentions
+                messageID: messageID,
+                in: context
            )
-
-            context.handlePublicMessage(message)
-            context.checkForMentions(message)
-            context.sendHapticFeedback(for: message)
        }
    }

+    @MainActor
+    func didReceivePublicMessageSynchronously(
+        from peerID: PeerID,
+        nickname: String,
+        content: String,
+        timestamp: Date,
+        messageID: String?
+    ) {
+        handlePublicMessage(
+            from: peerID,
+            nickname: nickname,
+            content: content,
+            timestamp: timestamp,
+            messageID: messageID,
+            in: context
+        )
+    }
+
    func didReceiveNoisePayload(
        from peerID: PeerID,
        type: NoisePayloadType,
@@ -224,59 +231,134 @@ final class ChatTransportEventCoordinator {
        }
    }

+    @MainActor
+    func didReceiveNoisePayloadSynchronously(
+        from peerID: PeerID,
+        type: NoisePayloadType,
+        payload: Data,
+        timestamp: Date
+    ) {
+        handleNoisePayload(
+            from: peerID,
+            type: type,
+            payload: payload,
+            timestamp: timestamp,
+            in: context
+        )
+    }
+
    func didConnectToPeer(_ peerID: PeerID) {
-        SecureLogger.debug("🤝 Peer connected: \(peerID)", category: .session)
-
-        runOnMain { context in
-            context.isConnected = true
-            context.registerEphemeralSession(peerID: peerID)
-            context.notifyUIChanged()
-
-            if let peer = context.unifiedPeer(for: peerID) {
-                let stablePeerID = PeerID(hexData: peer.noisePublicKey)
-                context.cacheStablePeerID(stablePeerID, for: peerID)
-            }
-
-            context.flushRouterOutbox(for: peerID)
-            context.retryCourierDeposits(via: peerID)
+        runOnMain { [weak self] _ in
+            self?.didConnectToPeerSynchronously(peerID)
        }
    }

+    @MainActor
+    func didConnectToPeerSynchronously(_ peerID: PeerID) {
+        SecureLogger.debug("🤝 Peer connected: \(peerID)", category: .session)
+
+        context.isConnected = true
+        context.registerEphemeralSession(peerID: peerID)
+        context.notifyUIChanged()
+
+        if let peer = context.unifiedPeer(for: peerID) {
+            let stablePeerID = PeerID(hexData: peer.noisePublicKey)
+            context.cacheStablePeerID(stablePeerID, for: peerID)
+        }
+
+        context.flushRouterOutbox(for: peerID)
+        context.retryCourierDeposits(via: peerID)
+    }
+
    func didDisconnectFromPeer(_ peerID: PeerID) {
+        runOnMain { [weak self] _ in
+            self?.didDisconnectFromPeerSynchronously(peerID)
+        }
+    }
+
+    @MainActor
+    func didDisconnectFromPeerSynchronously(_ peerID: PeerID) {
        SecureLogger.debug("👋 Peer disconnected: \(peerID)", category: .session)

-        runOnMain { context in
-            context.removeEphemeralSession(peerID: peerID)
+        context.removeEphemeralSession(peerID: peerID)

-            var stablePeerID = context.cachedStablePeerID(for: peerID)
-            if stablePeerID == nil,
-               let key = context.noiseSessionPublicKeyData(for: peerID) {
-                let derivedPeerID = PeerID(hexData: key)
-                context.cacheStablePeerID(derivedPeerID, for: peerID)
-                stablePeerID = derivedPeerID
-            }
-
-            if let currentPeerID = context.selectedPrivateChatPeer,
-               currentPeerID == peerID,
-               let stablePeerID {
-                self.migrateSelectedConversationIfNeeded(
-                    from: peerID,
-                    to: stablePeerID,
-                    in: context
-                )
-            }
-
-            let receiptIDs = context.privateMessages(for: peerID)
-                .filter { $0.senderPeerID == peerID }
-                .map(\.id)
-            context.unmarkReadReceiptsSent(receiptIDs)
-
-            context.notifyUIChanged()
+        var stablePeerID = context.cachedStablePeerID(for: peerID)
+        if stablePeerID == nil,
+           let key = context.noiseSessionPublicKeyData(for: peerID) {
+            let derivedPeerID = PeerID(hexData: key)
+            context.cacheStablePeerID(derivedPeerID, for: peerID)
+            stablePeerID = derivedPeerID
        }
+
+        if let currentPeerID = context.selectedPrivateChatPeer,
+           currentPeerID == peerID,
+           let stablePeerID {
+            migrateSelectedConversationIfNeeded(
+                from: peerID,
+                to: stablePeerID,
+                in: context
+            )
+        }
+
+        let receiptIDs = context.privateMessages(for: peerID)
+            .filter { $0.senderPeerID == peerID }
+            .map(\.id)
+        context.unmarkReadReceiptsSent(receiptIDs)
+
+        context.notifyUIChanged()
    }
 }

 private extension ChatTransportEventCoordinator {
+    @MainActor
+    func handlePublicMessage(
+        from peerID: PeerID,
+        nickname: String,
+        content: String,
+        timestamp: Date,
+        messageID: String?,
+        in context: any ChatTransportEventContext
+    ) {
+        let normalized = content.trimmed
+        let mentions = context.parseMentions(from: normalized)
+        let message = BitchatMessage(
+            id: messageID,
+            sender: nickname,
+            content: normalized,
+            timestamp: timestamp,
+            isRelay: false,
+            originalSender: nil,
+            isPrivate: false,
+            recipientNickname: nil,
+            senderPeerID: peerID,
+            mentions: mentions.isEmpty ? nil : mentions
+        )
+
+        context.handlePublicMessage(message)
+        context.checkForMentions(message)
+        context.sendHapticFeedback(for: message)
+    }
+
+    @MainActor
+    @discardableResult
+    func handleReceivedMessage(
+        _ message: BitchatMessage,
+        in context: any ChatTransportEventContext
+    ) -> Bool {
+        guard !context.isMessageBlocked(message) else { return false }
+        guard !message.content.trimmed.isEmpty || message.isPrivate else { return false }
+
+        if message.isPrivate {
+            context.handlePrivateMessage(message)
+        } else {
+            context.handlePublicMessage(message)
+        }
+
+        context.checkForMentions(message)
+        context.sendHapticFeedback(for: message)
+        return true
+    }
+
    func runOnMain(_ action: @escaping @MainActor (any ChatTransportEventContext) -> Void) {
        Task { @MainActor [weak context = self.context] in
            guard let context else { return }
@@ -407,6 +489,13 @@ 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
        }
    }

@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ import UniformTypeIdentifiers
 /// Manages the application state and business logic for BitChat.
 /// Acts as the primary coordinator between UI components and backend services,
 /// implementing the BitchatDelegate protocol to handle network events.
-final class ChatViewModel: ObservableObject, BitchatDelegate, TransportEventDelegate, CommandContextProvider, GeohashParticipantContext, MessageFormattingContext {
+final class ChatViewModel: ObservableObject, BitchatDelegate, SynchronousMessageTransportEventDelegate, CommandContextProvider, GeohashParticipantContext, MessageFormattingContext {
    // Use MessageFormattingEngine.Patterns for regex matching (shared, precompiled)
    typealias Patterns = MessageFormattingEngine.Patterns

@@ -347,6 +347,8 @@ 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 {
@@ -1156,6 +1158,10 @@ final class ChatViewModel: ObservableObject, BitchatDelegate, TransportEventDele
    func panicClearAllData() {
        // Messages are processed immediately - nothing to flush

+        // 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)
@@ -1183,6 +1189,7 @@ final class ChatViewModel: ObservableObject, BitchatDelegate, TransportEventDele
        identityManager.clearAllIdentityData()
        peerIdentityStore.clearAll()
        locationPresenceStore.reset()
+        publicRateLimiter.reset()

        // Clear persistent favorites from keychain
        FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.clearAllFavorites()
@@ -1577,7 +1584,81 @@ final class ChatViewModel: ObservableObject, BitchatDelegate, TransportEventDele

    @MainActor
    func didReceiveTransportEvent(_ event: TransportEvent) {
-        receiveTransportEvent(event)
+        switch event {
+        case .messageReceived(let message):
+            _ = didReceiveTransportMessageSynchronously(message)
+
+        case let .publicMessageReceived(
+            peerID,
+            nickname,
+            content,
+            timestamp,
+            messageID
+        ):
+            transportEventCoordinator.didReceivePublicMessageSynchronously(
+                from: peerID,
+                nickname: nickname,
+                content: content,
+                timestamp: timestamp,
+                messageID: messageID
+            )
+
+        case let .noisePayloadReceived(peerID, type, payload, timestamp):
+            transportEventCoordinator.didReceiveNoisePayloadSynchronously(
+                from: peerID,
+                type: type,
+                payload: payload,
+                timestamp: timestamp
+            )
+
+        case let .groupMessageReceived(payload, timestamp):
+            groupCoordinator.handleGroupMessagePayload(
+                payload,
+                timestamp: timestamp
+            )
+
+        case let .publicVoiceFrameReceived(
+            peerID,
+            nickname,
+            payload,
+            timestamp
+        ):
+            liveVoiceCoordinator.handlePublicVoiceFramePayload(
+                from: peerID,
+                nickname: nickname,
+                payload: payload,
+                timestamp: timestamp
+            )
+
+        case .peerConnected(let peerID):
+            transportEventCoordinator.didConnectToPeerSynchronously(peerID)
+
+        case .peerDisconnected(let peerID):
+            transportEventCoordinator.didDisconnectFromPeerSynchronously(peerID)
+
+        case .peerListUpdated(let peers):
+            peerListCoordinator.didUpdatePeerListSynchronously(peers)
+            // A peer-list update follows every verified announce, which is
+            // where a peer's `.vouch` capability actually arrives.
+            vouchCoordinator.peersUpdated(peers)
+
+        case .peerSnapshotsUpdated:
+            break
+
+        case let .messageDeliveryStatusUpdated(messageID, status):
+            deliveryCoordinator.didUpdateMessageDeliveryStatus(
+                messageID,
+                status: status
+            )
+
+        case .bluetoothStateUpdated(let state):
+            updateBluetoothState(state)
+        }
+    }
+
+    @MainActor
+    func didReceiveTransportMessageSynchronously(_ message: BitchatMessage) -> Bool {
+        transportEventCoordinator.didReceiveMessageSynchronously(message)
    }

    func didReceiveMessage(_ message: BitchatMessage) {
@@ -1804,4 +1885,91 @@ 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($0.request.id)
+        }
+        if let currentID = legacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest?.id,
+           invalidatedIDs.contains(currentID) {
+            legacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest = nil
+            presentNextLegacyPrivateMediaConsentDeferred()
+        }
+    }
+
+    func cancelAllLegacyPrivateMediaConsents() {
+        let pending = pendingLegacyPrivateMediaConsents
+        pendingLegacyPrivateMediaConsents.removeAll()
+        legacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest = nil
+        for item in pending {
+            item.completion(false)
+        }
+    }
+
+    private func presentNextLegacyPrivateMediaConsentDeferred() {
+        guard legacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest == nil,
+              let nextRequestID = pendingLegacyPrivateMediaConsents.first?.request.id else {
+            return
+        }
+        DispatchQueue.main.async { [weak self] in
+            guard let self,
+                  self.legacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest == nil,
+                  self.pendingLegacyPrivateMediaConsents.first?.request.id == nextRequestID else {
+                return
+            }
+            self.legacyPrivateMediaConsentRequest = self.pendingLegacyPrivateMediaConsents[0].request
+        }
+    }
+}
 // End of ChatViewModel class
@@ -156,6 +156,17 @@ private extension ChatViewModelBootstrapper {
                viewModel?.objectWillChange.send()
            }
            .store(in: &viewModel.cancellables)
+
+        viewModel.participantTracker.$visiblePeople
+            .receive(on: DispatchQueue.main)
+            .sink { [weak viewModel] people in
+                Task { @MainActor [weak viewModel] in
+                    let visible = Set(people.map { $0.id })
+                    viewModel?.locationPresenceStore.retainTeleportedGeo(keeping: visible)
+                    viewModel?.locationPresenceStore.retainGeoNicknames(keeping: visible)
+                }
+            }
+            .store(in: &viewModel.cancellables)
    }

    func loadPersistedViewState() {
@@ -26,6 +26,10 @@ struct MessageRateLimiter {
            }
            return false
        }
+
+        func isIdle(since now: Date, idleTTL: TimeInterval) -> Bool {
+            now.timeIntervalSince(lastRefill) >= idleTTL
+        }
    }

    private var senderBuckets: [String: TokenBucket] = [:]
@@ -35,17 +39,26 @@ struct MessageRateLimiter {
    private let senderRefill: Double
    private let contentCapacity: Double
    private let contentRefill: Double
+    private let maxSenderBuckets: Int
+    private let maxContentBuckets: Int
+    private let bucketIdleTTL: TimeInterval

    init(
        senderCapacity: Double,
        senderRefillPerSec: Double,
        contentCapacity: Double,
-        contentRefillPerSec: Double
+        contentRefillPerSec: Double,
+        maxSenderBuckets: Int = TransportConfig.uiSenderRateBucketMaxEntries,
+        maxContentBuckets: Int = TransportConfig.uiContentRateBucketMaxEntries,
+        bucketIdleTTL: TimeInterval = TransportConfig.uiRateBucketIdleTTL
    ) {
        self.senderCapacity = senderCapacity
        self.senderRefill = senderRefillPerSec
        self.contentCapacity = contentCapacity
        self.contentRefill = contentRefillPerSec
+        self.maxSenderBuckets = max(1, maxSenderBuckets)
+        self.maxContentBuckets = max(1, maxContentBuckets)
+        self.bucketIdleTTL = bucketIdleTTL
    }

    /// - Parameter powBits: validated NIP-13 difficulty of the event
@@ -58,25 +71,83 @@ struct MessageRateLimiter {
        if powBits >= NostrPoW.rateLimitBypassBits {
            senderAllowed = true
        } else {
-            var senderBucket = senderBuckets[senderKey] ?? TokenBucket(
+            var senderBucket = Self.bucket(
+                for: senderKey,
+                in: &senderBuckets,
                capacity: senderCapacity,
-                tokens: senderCapacity,
                refillPerSec: senderRefill,
-                lastRefill: now
+                maxBuckets: maxSenderBuckets,
+                idleTTL: bucketIdleTTL,
+                now: now
            )
            senderAllowed = senderBucket.allow(now: now)
            senderBuckets[senderKey] = senderBucket
        }

-        var contentBucket = contentBuckets[contentKey] ?? TokenBucket(
+        // Rejected senders must not mint attacker-keyed content entries.
+        guard senderAllowed else { return false }
+
+        var contentBucket = Self.bucket(
+            for: contentKey,
+            in: &contentBuckets,
            capacity: contentCapacity,
-            tokens: contentCapacity,
            refillPerSec: contentRefill,
-            lastRefill: now
+            maxBuckets: maxContentBuckets,
+            idleTTL: bucketIdleTTL,
+            now: now
        )
        let contentAllowed = contentBucket.allow(now: now)
        contentBuckets[contentKey] = contentBucket

-        return senderAllowed && contentAllowed
+        return contentAllowed
+    }
+
+    mutating func reset() {
+        senderBuckets.removeAll()
+        contentBuckets.removeAll()
+    }
+
+    var bucketCountsForTesting: (sender: Int, content: Int) {
+        (senderBuckets.count, contentBuckets.count)
+    }
+
+    // Static so we can take `inout` on a stored dictionary without overlapping
+    // exclusive access through a mutating method on `self`.
+    private static func bucket(
+        for key: String,
+        in buckets: inout [String: TokenBucket],
+        capacity: Double,
+        refillPerSec: Double,
+        maxBuckets: Int,
+        idleTTL: TimeInterval,
+        now: Date
+    ) -> TokenBucket {
+        if let existing = buckets[key] {
+            return existing
+        }
+
+        evictIfNeeded(from: &buckets, maxBuckets: maxBuckets, idleTTL: idleTTL, now: now)
+        return TokenBucket(
+            capacity: capacity,
+            tokens: capacity,
+            refillPerSec: refillPerSec,
+            lastRefill: now
+        )
+    }
+
+    private static func evictIfNeeded(
+        from buckets: inout [String: TokenBucket],
+        maxBuckets: Int,
+        idleTTL: TimeInterval,
+        now: Date
+    ) {
+        guard buckets.count >= maxBuckets else { return }
+
+        buckets = buckets.filter { !$0.value.isIdle(since: now, idleTTL: idleTTL) }
+        guard buckets.count >= maxBuckets else { return }
+
+        if let oldestKey = buckets.min(by: { $0.value.lastRefill < $1.value.lastRefill })?.key {
+            buckets.removeValue(forKey: oldestKey)
+        }
    }
 }
@@ -196,7 +196,10 @@ final class NostrInboundPipeline {
        // Sampled: fires for every geo event and floods dev logs in busy geohashes.
        geoEventLogCount += 1
        if geoEventLogCount == 1 || geoEventLogCount.isMultiple(of: TransportConfig.nostrInboundEventLogInterval) {
-            SecureLogger.debug("GeoTeleport: recv #\(geoEventLogCount) pub=\(event.pubkey.prefix(8))… pow=\(powBits) tags=\(event.tags.map { "[" + $0.joined(separator: ",") + "]" }.joined(separator: ","))", category: .session)
+            SecureLogger.debug(
+                "GeoTeleport: recv #\(geoEventLogCount) pub=\(event.pubkey.prefix(8))… pow=\(powBits) tagCount=\(event.tags.count)",
+                category: .session
+            )
        }

        if context.isNostrBlocked(pubkeyHexLowercased: event.pubkey) {
@@ -307,7 +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
        }
    }
@@ -363,7 +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
        }
    }
@@ -446,7 +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
                        }
                    }
@@ -26,6 +26,10 @@ struct AppInfoView: View {
    /// introduction), and afterwards the sheet reopens wherever it was left.
    @AppStorage("appInfo.selectedPane") private var selectedPane: Pane = .info
    @State private var showPanicConfirmation = false
+    @AppStorage(AppLanguageSettings.overrideKey) private var languageOverride = ""
+    /// The override changed this session; localization resolves at process
+    /// start, so surface the restart hint.
+    @State private var showLanguageRestartNote = false

    private enum Pane: String {
        case settings
@@ -55,6 +59,11 @@ struct AppInfoView: View {

            static let connectivityTitle = String(localized: "app_info.settings.connectivity.title", defaultValue: "CONNECTIVITY", comment: "Section header (uppercase) for the connectivity toggles: mesh bridge, internet gateway, tor routing")

+            static let languageTitle = String(localized: "app_info.settings.language.title", defaultValue: "LANGUAGE", comment: "Section header (uppercase) for the app language picker in settings")
+            static let languagePickerLabel = String(localized: "app_info.settings.language.picker_label", defaultValue: "app language", comment: "Label of the app language picker row in settings")
+            static let languageSystem = String(localized: "app_info.settings.language.system", defaultValue: "system default", comment: "Menu option that clears the in-app language override so the app follows the device language")
+            static let languageRestartNote = String(localized: "app_info.settings.language.restart_note", defaultValue: "restart bitchat to apply the new language", comment: "Caption shown after the user picks a different app language; the change takes effect on next launch")
+
            static let bridgeTitle = String(localized: "app_info.settings.bridge.title", defaultValue: "mesh bridge", comment: "Title of the mesh bridge toggle in settings")
            static let bridgeSubtitle = String(localized: "app_info.settings.bridge.subtitle", defaultValue: "joins nearby mesh islands over the internet: what you say in the mesh channel also reaches people in your area beyond radio range, and their messages appear here marked with the network glyph. while you have internet, your device also carries bridge and location-channel traffic for phones around you that have none.", comment: "Subtitle explaining what the mesh bridge toggle does")
            static func bridgeCell(_ cell: String) -> String {
@@ -313,6 +322,52 @@ struct AppInfoView: View {
                }
            }

+            // Language — an in-app override so the UI language can differ
+            // from the device language (takes effect on next launch).
+            VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 12) {
+                SectionHeader(verbatim: Strings.Settings.languageTitle)
+
+                settingsCard {
+                    Menu {
+                        Button {
+                            selectLanguage(nil)
+                        } label: {
+                            menuItemLabel(Strings.Settings.languageSystem, isSelected: languageOverride.isEmpty)
+                        }
+                        Divider()
+                        ForEach(AppLanguageSettings.availableLanguages, id: \.self) { code in
+                            Button {
+                                selectLanguage(code)
+                            } label: {
+                                menuItemLabel(AppLanguageSettings.endonym(for: code), isSelected: languageOverride == code)
+                            }
+                        }
+                    } label: {
+                        HStack {
+                            Text(Strings.Settings.languagePickerLabel)
+                                .bitchatFont(size: 12, weight: .semibold)
+                                .foregroundColor(textColor)
+                            Spacer()
+                            Text(languageOverride.isEmpty ? Strings.Settings.languageSystem : AppLanguageSettings.endonym(for: languageOverride))
+                                .bitchatFont(size: 12)
+                                .foregroundColor(palette.accent)
+                            Image(systemName: "chevron.up.chevron.down")
+                                .font(.system(size: 10))
+                                .foregroundColor(secondaryTextColor)
+                        }
+                        .contentShape(Rectangle())
+                    }
+                    .buttonStyle(.plain)
+
+                    if showLanguageRestartNote {
+                        Text(Strings.Settings.languageRestartNote)
+                            .bitchatFont(size: 11)
+                            .foregroundColor(secondaryTextColor)
+                            .fixedSize(horizontal: false, vertical: true)
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+
            // Voice — same card + IRC pill as every other toggle setting.
            VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 12) {
                SectionHeader(Strings.Voice.title)
@@ -458,6 +513,24 @@ struct AppInfoView: View {
        .padding()
    }

+    private func selectLanguage(_ code: String?) {
+        let previous = languageOverride
+        AppLanguageSettings.setOverride(code)
+        languageOverride = code ?? ""
+        if languageOverride != previous {
+            showLanguageRestartNote = true
+        }
+    }
+
+    private func menuItemLabel(_ title: String, isSelected: Bool) -> some View {
+        HStack {
+            Text(title)
+            if isSelected {
+                Image(systemName: "checkmark")
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
    private var bridgeToggleBinding: Binding<Bool> {
        Binding(
            get: { bridgeService.isEnabled },
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ struct TextMessageView: View {
            // first text line; a fixed top padding left the lock's solid body
            // hanging below the line's visual center.
            HStack(alignment: .firstTextBaseline, spacing: 0) {
-                let isLong = (message.content.count > TransportConfig.uiLongMessageLengthThreshold || message.content.hasVeryLongToken(threshold: TransportConfig.uiVeryLongTokenThreshold)) && cashuLinks.isEmpty
+                let isLong = message.content.isLongForDisplay()
                let isExpanded = expandedMessageIDs.contains(message.id)
                if message.isPrivate {
                    Image(systemName: "lock.fill")
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ struct TextMessageView: View {
            }
            
            // Expand/Collapse for very long messages
-            if (message.content.count > TransportConfig.uiLongMessageLengthThreshold || message.content.hasVeryLongToken(threshold: TransportConfig.uiVeryLongTokenThreshold)) && cashuLinks.isEmpty {
+            if message.content.isLongForDisplay() {
                let isExpanded = expandedMessageIDs.contains(message.id)
                let labelKey = isExpanded ? LocalizedStringKey("content.message.show_less") : LocalizedStringKey("content.message.show_more")
                Button(labelKey) {
@@ -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
@@ -21,6 +21,26 @@ extension String {
        return current >= threshold
    }

+    /// True when the message should collapse behind Show more in the UI.
+    /// Length alone decides this — embedding a Cashu-looking token must not
+    /// disable the guard (remote DoS via unbounded layout).
+    func isLongForDisplay(
+        lengthThreshold: Int = TransportConfig.uiLongMessageLengthThreshold,
+        tokenThreshold: Int = TransportConfig.uiVeryLongTokenThreshold
+    ) -> Bool {
+        count > lengthThreshold || hasVeryLongToken(threshold: tokenThreshold)
+    }
+
+    /// True when rich formatting (regex / link detectors) should be skipped.
+    /// Cashu presence used to exempt oversized content from the plain path;
+    /// that let untrusted input force expensive formatting work.
+    func isOversizedForRichFormatting(
+        lengthThreshold: Int = 4000,
+        tokenThreshold: Int = 1024
+    ) -> Bool {
+        count > lengthThreshold || hasVeryLongToken(threshold: tokenThreshold)
+    }
+
    // Extract up to `max` distinct Cashu tokens (cashuA/cashuB), as the bare
    // bearer strings. Allow dot '.' and shorter lengths. The `cashu:` URI
    // form matches too — the token embedded after the scheme is the match.
@@ -38,6 +38,12 @@
            "comment" : "Fallback title when saving a shared link"
          }
        },
+        "fa" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "پیوند اشتراک‌گذاری‌شده"
+          }
+        },
        "fil" : {
          "stringUnit" : {
            "state" : "needs_review",
@@ -233,6 +239,12 @@
            "comment" : "Shown when the share payload cannot be encoded"
          }
        },
+        "fa" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "کدگذاری پیوند ناموفق بود"
+          }
+        },
        "fil" : {
          "stringUnit" : {
            "state" : "needs_review",
@@ -428,6 +440,12 @@
            "comment" : "Shown when provided content cannot be shared"
          }
        },
+        "fa" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "محتوای قابل اشتراک‌گذاری وجود ندارد"
+          }
+        },
        "fil" : {
          "stringUnit" : {
            "state" : "needs_review",
@@ -623,6 +641,12 @@
            "comment" : "Shown when the share extension receives no content"
          }
        },
+        "fa" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "چیزی برای اشتراک‌گذاری نیست"
+          }
+        },
        "fil" : {
          "stringUnit" : {
            "state" : "needs_review",
@@ -818,6 +842,12 @@
            "comment" : "Confirmation after successfully sharing a link"
          }
        },
+        "fa" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "✓ پیوند در bitchat به اشتراک گذاشته شد"
+          }
+        },
        "fil" : {
          "stringUnit" : {
            "state" : "needs_review",
@@ -1013,6 +1043,12 @@
            "comment" : "Confirmation after successfully sharing text"
          }
        },
+        "fa" : {
+          "stringUnit" : {
+            "state" : "translated",
+            "value" : "✓ متن در bitchat به اشتراک گذاشته شد"
+          }
+        },
        "fil" : {
          "stringUnit" : {
            "state" : "needs_review",
@@ -147,6 +147,44 @@ struct AppArchitectureTests {
        #expect(store.teleportedGeo.isEmpty)
    }

+    @Test("LocationPresenceStore bounds and prunes teleported geohash participants")
+    @MainActor
+    func locationPresenceStoreBoundsTeleportedParticipants() {
+        let store = LocationPresenceStore(teleportedGeoCapacity: 2)
+
+        store.setCurrentGeohash("u4pruy")
+        store.markTeleported("AAAAAA")
+        store.markTeleported("BBBBBB")
+        store.markTeleported("CCCCCC")
+
+        #expect(store.teleportedGeo == Set(["bbbbbb", "cccccc"]))
+
+        store.retainTeleportedGeo(keeping: Set(["CCCCCC"]))
+        #expect(store.teleportedGeo == Set(["cccccc"]))
+
+        store.setCurrentGeohash("u4pruz")
+        #expect(store.teleportedGeo.isEmpty)
+    }
+
+    @Test("LocationPresenceStore bounds geohash nicknames and clears on channel switch")
+    @MainActor
+    func locationPresenceStoreBoundsGeoNicknames() {
+        let store = LocationPresenceStore(geoNicknameCapacity: 2)
+
+        store.setCurrentGeohash("u4pruy")
+        store.setNickname("alice", for: "AAAAAA")
+        store.setNickname("bob", for: "BBBBBB")
+        store.setNickname("carol", for: "CCCCCC")
+
+        #expect(store.geoNicknames == ["bbbbbb": "bob", "cccccc": "carol"])
+
+        store.retainGeoNicknames(keeping: Set(["CCCCCC"]))
+        #expect(store.geoNicknames == ["cccccc": "carol"])
+
+        store.setCurrentGeohash("u4pruz")
+        #expect(store.geoNicknames.isEmpty)
+    }
+
    @Test("PeerHandle equality and hashing use the canonical identity only")
    func peerHandleEqualityUsesCanonicalIdentity() {
        let first = PeerHandle(id: "noise:abc123", routingPeerID: PeerID(str: "peer-a"))
@@ -99,6 +99,95 @@ struct BLEServiceCoreTests {
        #expect(ble.currentPeerSnapshots().isEmpty)
    }

+    @Test
+    func unsignedAndBadSignatureLeaveDoNotEvictOrRelayClaimedPeer() async throws {
+        let ble = makeService()
+        let alice = NoiseEncryptionService(keychain: MockKeychain())
+        let mallory = NoiseEncryptionService(keychain: MockKeychain())
+        let alicePeerID = PeerID(publicKey: alice.getStaticPublicKeyData())
+        let outbound = OutboundPacketTap()
+        ble._test_onOutboundPacket = outbound.record
+
+        let unsigned = makeLeavePacket(sender: alicePeerID, marker: "unsigned")
+        ble._test_handlePacket(
+            unsigned,
+            fromPeerID: alicePeerID,
+            signingPublicKey: alice.getSigningPublicKeyData()
+        )
+
+        let unsignedRelayed = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { outbound.count(ofType: .leave) > 0 },
+            timeout: TestConstants.shortTimeout
+        )
+        #expect(!unsignedRelayed)
+        #expect(ble.currentPeerSnapshots().contains { $0.peerID == alicePeerID })
+
+        let badSignature = try #require(
+            mallory.signPacket(makeLeavePacket(sender: alicePeerID, marker: "bad-signature"))
+        )
+        ble._test_handlePacket(
+            badSignature,
+            fromPeerID: alicePeerID,
+            signingPublicKey: alice.getSigningPublicKeyData()
+        )
+
+        let badSignatureRelayed = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { outbound.count(ofType: .leave) > 0 },
+            timeout: TestConstants.shortTimeout
+        )
+        #expect(!badSignatureRelayed)
+        #expect(ble.currentPeerSnapshots().contains { $0.peerID == alicePeerID })
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    func validSignedLeaveEvictsSessionAndRelays() async throws {
+        let ble = makeService()
+        let alice = NoiseEncryptionService(keychain: MockKeychain())
+        let alicePeerID = PeerID(publicKey: alice.getStaticPublicKeyData())
+
+        // Establish a real session so the leave regression also verifies that
+        // stale secure-delivery state is retired, not just the peer-list row.
+        let message1 = try ble._test_noiseInitiateHandshake(with: alicePeerID)
+        let message2 = try #require(
+            try alice.processHandshakeMessage(from: ble.myPeerID, message: message1)
+        )
+        let message3 = try #require(
+            try ble._test_noiseProcessHandshakeMessage(from: alicePeerID, message: message2)
+        )
+        _ = try alice.processHandshakeMessage(from: ble.myPeerID, message: message3)
+        #expect(ble.canDeliverSecurely(to: alicePeerID))
+        let centralUUID = "central-valid-leave"
+        ble._test_bindCentral(centralUUID, to: alicePeerID)
+        ble._test_markNoiseAuthenticatedCentral(centralUUID, to: alicePeerID)
+        #expect(ble._test_isNoiseAuthenticatedCentral(centralUUID, for: alicePeerID))
+
+        let outbound = OutboundPacketTap()
+        ble._test_onOutboundPacket = outbound.record
+        let signedLeave = try #require(
+            alice.signPacket(makeLeavePacket(sender: alicePeerID, marker: "valid"))
+        )
+        ble._test_handlePacket(
+            signedLeave,
+            fromPeerID: alicePeerID,
+            signingPublicKey: alice.getSigningPublicKeyData()
+        )
+
+        let evicted = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            {
+                !ble.currentPeerSnapshots().contains { $0.peerID == alicePeerID }
+                    && !ble.canDeliverSecurely(to: alicePeerID)
+                    && !ble._test_isNoiseAuthenticatedCentral(centralUUID, for: alicePeerID)
+            },
+            timeout: TestConstants.longTimeout
+        )
+        #expect(evicted)
+        let relayed = await TestHelpers.waitUntil(
+            { outbound.count(ofType: .leave) == 1 },
+            timeout: TestConstants.longTimeout
+        )
+        #expect(relayed)
+    }
+
    @Test
    func ingressAllowsRelayedSenderOnBoundLink() async throws {
        let ble = makeService()
@@ -413,14 +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) }
@@ -440,6 +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
@@ -664,6 +923,40 @@ 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 func makeService() -> BLEService {
@@ -690,6 +983,18 @@ private func makePublicPacket(content: String, sender: PeerID, timestamp: UInt64
    )
 }

+private func makeLeavePacket(sender: PeerID, marker: String) -> BitchatPacket {
+    BitchatPacket(
+        type: MessageType.leave.rawValue,
+        senderID: Data(hexString: sender.id) ?? Data(),
+        recipientID: nil,
+        timestamp: UInt64(Date().timeIntervalSince1970 * 1000),
+        payload: Data(marker.utf8),
+        signature: nil,
+        ttl: TransportConfig.messageTTLDefault
+    )
+}
+
 private final class PublicCaptureDelegate: BitchatDelegate {
    private let lock = NSLock()
    private(set) var publicMessages: [BitchatMessage] = []
@@ -723,4 +1028,5 @@ private final class PublicCaptureDelegate: BitchatDelegate {
        defer { lock.unlock() }
        return publicMessages
    }
+
 }
@@ -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
@@ -188,6 +306,20 @@ 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()
@@ -206,4 +338,249 @@ 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)
+    }
 }
@@ -104,6 +104,20 @@ private func makeMessage(id: String, senderPeerID: PeerID? = nil) -> BitchatMess
 /// no `ChatViewModel`.
 struct ChatPeerListCoordinatorContextTests {

+    @Test @MainActor
+    func synchronousPeerListUpdate_appliesBeforeReturning() {
+        let context = MockChatPeerListContext()
+        let coordinator = ChatPeerListCoordinator(context: context)
+        let peerID = PeerID(str: "0011223344556677")
+
+        coordinator.didUpdatePeerListSynchronously([peerID])
+
+        #expect(context.isConnected)
+        #expect(context.registeredEphemeralSessions == [peerID])
+        #expect(context.updateEncryptionStatusForPeersCount == 1)
+        #expect(context.cleanupOldReadReceiptsCount == 1)
+    }
+
    @Test @MainActor
    func didUpdatePeerList_updatesConnectionSessionsAndEncryptionStatus() async {
        let context = MockChatPeerListContext()
@@ -242,6 +242,30 @@ struct ChatTransportEventCoordinatorContextTests {
        #expect(context.hapticMessageIDs == ["pm", "pub"])
    }

+    @Test @MainActor
+    func synchronousMessageDeliveryReportsAcceptanceForAckGating() {
+        let context = MockChatTransportEventContext()
+        let coordinator = ChatTransportEventCoordinator(context: context)
+        let peerID = PeerID(str: "1122334455667788")
+        let blocked = makeMessage(
+            id: "blocked-private-media",
+            isPrivate: true,
+            senderPeerID: peerID
+        )
+        context.blockedMessageIDs = [blocked.id]
+
+        #expect(coordinator.didReceiveMessageSynchronously(blocked) == false)
+        #expect(context.handledPrivateMessages.isEmpty)
+
+        let accepted = makeMessage(
+            id: "accepted-private-media",
+            isPrivate: true,
+            senderPeerID: peerID
+        )
+        #expect(coordinator.didReceiveMessageSynchronously(accepted) == true)
+        #expect(context.handledPrivateMessages.map(\.id) == [accepted.id])
+    }
+
    @Test @MainActor
    func didReceivePublicMessage_trimsContentAndParsesMentions() async {
        let context = MockChatTransportEventContext()
@@ -295,6 +319,32 @@ struct ChatTransportEventCoordinatorContextTests {
        #expect(context.notifyUIChangedCount == 2)
    }

+    @Test @MainActor
+    func synchronousConnectAndDisconnect_applyBeforeReturning() {
+        let context = MockChatTransportEventContext()
+        let coordinator = ChatTransportEventCoordinator(context: context)
+        let peerID = PeerID(str: "2233445566778899")
+        let incoming = makeMessage(
+            id: "incoming-receipt",
+            isPrivate: true,
+            senderPeerID: peerID
+        )
+        context.privateChats[peerID] = [incoming]
+
+        coordinator.didConnectToPeerSynchronously(peerID)
+
+        #expect(context.isConnected)
+        #expect(context.registeredEphemeralSessions == [peerID])
+        #expect(context.flushedOutboxPeerIDs == [peerID])
+        #expect(context.courierRetryPeerIDs == [peerID])
+
+        coordinator.didDisconnectFromPeerSynchronously(peerID)
+
+        #expect(context.removedEphemeralSessions == [peerID])
+        #expect(context.unmarkedReadReceiptBatches == [[incoming.id]])
+        #expect(context.notifyUIChangedCount == 2)
+    }
+
    @Test @MainActor
    func didDisconnect_whileViewingChat_migratesConversationToStablePeerID() async {
        let context = MockChatTransportEventContext()
@@ -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()
@@ -646,6 +646,25 @@ struct ChatViewModelFormattingTests {
        #expect(String(formatted.characters) == "<@Alice#a1b2> hello #mesh [\(message.formattedTimestamp)]")
    }

+    @Test @MainActor
+    func formatMessageAsText_longCashuFallsBackToPlain() async {
+        let (viewModel, _) = makeTestableViewModel()
+        let cashu = "cashuA" + String(repeating: "a", count: 40)
+        let longContent = "hi @bob " + cashu + " " + String(repeating: "x", count: 4_100)
+        let message = BitchatMessage(
+            id: "fmt-long-cashu",
+            sender: "Alice#a1b2",
+            content: longContent,
+            timestamp: Date(timeIntervalSince1970: 1_700_010_123),
+            isRelay: false,
+            senderPeerID: PeerID(str: "00000000000000b3")
+        )
+
+        let formatted = viewModel.formatMessageAsText(message, colorScheme: .light)
+
+        #expect(String(formatted.characters) == "<@Alice#a1b2> \(longContent) [\(message.formattedTimestamp)]")
+    }
+
    @Test @MainActor
    func formatMessageHeader_formatsSenderHeader() async {
        let (viewModel, _) = makeTestableViewModel()
@@ -837,6 +856,80 @@ struct ChatViewModelPublicConversationTests {

 struct ChatViewModelPeerTests {

+    @Test @MainActor
+    func typedPeerLifecycleEvents_applyBeforeReturning() {
+        let (viewModel, _) = makeTestableViewModel()
+        let peerID = PeerID(str: "1122334455667788")
+        let incoming = BitchatMessage(
+            id: "typed-peer-incoming",
+            sender: "Alice",
+            content: "Hello",
+            timestamp: Date(),
+            isRelay: false,
+            isPrivate: true,
+            recipientNickname: viewModel.nickname,
+            senderPeerID: peerID
+        )
+        viewModel.seedPrivateChat([incoming], for: peerID)
+        viewModel.sentReadReceipts.insert(incoming.id)
+
+        viewModel.didReceiveTransportEvent(.peerConnected(peerID))
+
+        #expect(viewModel.isConnected)
+
+        viewModel.didReceiveTransportEvent(.peerDisconnected(peerID))
+
+        #expect(!viewModel.sentReadReceipts.contains(incoming.id))
+    }
+
+    @Test @MainActor
+    func typedPeerListDeliveryAndBluetoothEvents_applyBeforeReturning() {
+        let (viewModel, transport) = makeTestableViewModel()
+        let stalePeer = PeerID(str: "00000000000000a2")
+        let deliveryPeer = PeerID(str: "0102030405060708")
+        let messageID = "typed-delivery-status"
+        let delivered = DeliveryStatus.delivered(
+            to: "Alice",
+            at: Date(timeIntervalSince1970: 1_234)
+        )
+        let outgoing = BitchatMessage(
+            id: messageID,
+            sender: viewModel.nickname,
+            content: "On the way",
+            timestamp: Date(),
+            isRelay: false,
+            isPrivate: true,
+            recipientNickname: "Alice",
+            senderPeerID: transport.myPeerID,
+            deliveryStatus: .sent
+        )
+        viewModel.markPrivateChatUnread(stalePeer)
+        viewModel.seedPrivateChat([outgoing], for: deliveryPeer)
+
+        viewModel.didReceiveTransportEvent(.peerListUpdated([]))
+        #expect(!viewModel.unreadPrivateMessages.contains(stalePeer))
+
+        viewModel.didReceiveTransportEvent(
+            .messageDeliveryStatusUpdated(
+                messageID: messageID,
+                status: delivered
+            )
+        )
+        #expect(
+            viewModel.privateMessages(for: deliveryPeer).first?.deliveryStatus
+                == delivered
+        )
+
+        viewModel.didReceiveTransportEvent(.bluetoothStateUpdated(.poweredOff))
+        #expect(viewModel.bluetoothState == .poweredOff)
+        #expect(viewModel.showBluetoothAlert)
+
+        // Snapshot events belong to TransportPeerEventsDelegate and are
+        // intentionally ignored at this typed sink.
+        viewModel.didReceiveTransportEvent(.peerSnapshotsUpdated([]))
+        #expect(viewModel.bluetoothState == .poweredOff)
+    }
+
    @Test @MainActor
    func didConnectToPeer_notifiesDelegate() async {
        let (_, transport) = makeTestableViewModel()
@@ -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)")
@@ -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)
    }
 }
@@ -323,6 +323,32 @@ struct MessageFormattingEngineTests {
        // Exactly at threshold DOES trigger (uses >= comparison)
        #expect(content.hasVeryLongToken(threshold: 50))
    }
+
+    @Test func isLongForDisplay_doesNotIgnoreCashuLinks() {
+        let cashu = "cashuA" + String(repeating: "a", count: 40)
+        let content = String(repeating: "a", count: TransportConfig.uiLongMessageLengthThreshold + 1) + " " + cashu
+
+        #expect(content.extractCashuLinks().count == 1)
+        #expect(content.isLongForDisplay())
+    }
+
+    @MainActor
+    @Test func formatMessage_longCashuMessageFallsBackToPlainContentPath() {
+        let context = MockMessageFormattingContext(nickname: "carol")
+        let cashu = "cashuA" + String(repeating: "a", count: 40)
+        let longContent = "hi @bob " + cashu + " " + String(repeating: "x", count: 4_100)
+        let message = BitchatMessage(
+            id: "long-cashu",
+            sender: "alice",
+            content: longContent,
+            timestamp: Date(timeIntervalSince1970: 1_700_000_999),
+            isRelay: false
+        )
+
+        let formatted = MessageFormattingEngine.formatMessage(message, context: context, colorScheme: .light)
+
+        #expect(String(formatted.characters) == "<@alice> \(longContent) [\(message.formattedTimestamp)]")
+    }
 }

@MainActor
@@ -116,4 +116,87 @@ struct MessageRateLimiterTests {
        #expect(plain)
        #expect(!plainExhausted)
    }
+
+    @Test("Content buckets do not grow when sender is rate limited")
+    func contentBucketsDoNotGrowAfterSenderLimit() {
+        var limiter = MessageRateLimiter(
+            senderCapacity: 1,
+            senderRefillPerSec: 0,
+            contentCapacity: 1,
+            contentRefillPerSec: 0,
+            maxSenderBuckets: 10,
+            maxContentBuckets: 10,
+            bucketIdleTTL: 60
+        )
+        let now = Date()
+
+        let first = limiter.allow(senderKey: "sender", contentKey: "content-0", now: now)
+        var rejected = true
+        for index in 1...100 {
+            if limiter.allow(senderKey: "sender", contentKey: "content-\(index)", now: now) {
+                rejected = false
+            }
+        }
+
+        #expect(first)
+        #expect(rejected)
+        #expect(limiter.bucketCountsForTesting.sender == 1)
+        #expect(limiter.bucketCountsForTesting.content == 1)
+    }
+
+    @Test("Bucket maps evict entries at configured caps")
+    func bucketMapsEvictAtConfiguredCaps() {
+        let maxEntries = 3
+        var limiter = MessageRateLimiter(
+            senderCapacity: 1,
+            senderRefillPerSec: 0,
+            contentCapacity: 1,
+            contentRefillPerSec: 0,
+            maxSenderBuckets: maxEntries,
+            maxContentBuckets: maxEntries,
+            bucketIdleTTL: 60
+        )
+        let now = Date()
+
+        for index in 0..<25 {
+            _ = limiter.allow(
+                senderKey: "sender-\(index)",
+                contentKey: "content-\(index)",
+                now: now.addingTimeInterval(TimeInterval(index))
+            )
+        }
+
+        #expect(limiter.bucketCountsForTesting.sender == maxEntries)
+        #expect(limiter.bucketCountsForTesting.content == maxEntries)
+    }
+
+    @Test("PoW bypass still creates content buckets under the cap")
+    func powBypassCreatesBoundedContentBuckets() {
+        let maxEntries = 3
+        var limiter = MessageRateLimiter(
+            senderCapacity: 1,
+            senderRefillPerSec: 0,
+            contentCapacity: 100,
+            contentRefillPerSec: 0,
+            maxSenderBuckets: maxEntries,
+            maxContentBuckets: maxEntries,
+            bucketIdleTTL: 60
+        )
+        let now = Date()
+
+        var allAllowed = true
+        for index in 0..<10 {
+            let allowed = limiter.allow(
+                senderKey: "sender",
+                contentKey: "content-\(index)",
+                powBits: NostrPoW.rateLimitBypassBits,
+                now: now.addingTimeInterval(TimeInterval(index))
+            )
+            if !allowed { allAllowed = false }
+        }
+
+        #expect(allAllowed)
+        #expect(limiter.bucketCountsForTesting.sender == 0)
+        #expect(limiter.bucketCountsForTesting.content == maxEntries)
+    }
 }
@@ -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]] = [:]
@@ -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) {
@@ -5,15 +5,22 @@ 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()
    private let bobStaticKey = Curve25519.KeyAgreement.PrivateKey()
    private let charlieStaticKey = Curve25519.KeyAgreement.PrivateKey()

-    private let alicePeerID = PeerID(str: "0011223344556677")
-    private let bobPeerID = PeerID(str: "8899aabbccddeeff")
+    // Manager test dictionaries are keyed by the remote peer. Keep the
+    // historical names, but derive each wire ID from the static key that the
+    // corresponding manager authenticates during the handshake.
+    private var alicePeerID: PeerID {
+        PeerID(publicKey: bobStaticKey.publicKey.rawRepresentation)
+    }
+    private var bobPeerID: PeerID {
+        PeerID(publicKey: aliceStaticKey.publicKey.rawRepresentation)
+    }
    private let charliePeerID = PeerID(str: "fedcba9876543210")

    @Test("Protocol metadata and handshake patterns expose expected values")
@@ -535,8 +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)

@@ -622,8 +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)
@@ -643,13 +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(
@@ -844,7 +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()
@@ -866,3 +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
+    }
+}
@@ -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)
@@ -290,7 +290,65 @@ struct NostrProtocolTests {
        #expect(object["limit"] as? Int == 42)
    }

+
+    @Test func inboundNostrEventRejectsTooManyTags() throws {
+        var eventDict = Self.validInboundEventDict()
+        eventDict["tags"] = Array(
+            repeating: ["g", "u4pruyd"],
+            count: TransportConfig.nostrMaxEventTags + 1
+        )
+
+        #expect(throws: NostrError.invalidEvent) {
+            _ = try NostrEvent(from: eventDict)
+        }
+    }
+
+    @Test func inboundNostrEventRejectsTooManyTagValues() throws {
+        var eventDict = Self.validInboundEventDict()
+        eventDict["tags"] = [Array(
+            repeating: "value",
+            count: TransportConfig.nostrMaxEventTagValues + 1
+        )]
+
+        #expect(throws: NostrError.invalidEvent) {
+            _ = try NostrEvent(from: eventDict)
+        }
+    }
+
+    @Test func inboundNostrEventRejectsOversizedTagValues() throws {
+        var eventDict = Self.validInboundEventDict()
+        eventDict["tags"] = [[
+            "g",
+            String(repeating: "a", count: TransportConfig.nostrMaxEventTagValueBytes + 1)
+        ]]
+
+        #expect(throws: NostrError.invalidEvent) {
+            _ = try NostrEvent(from: eventDict)
+        }
+    }
+
+    @Test func inboundNostrEventAcceptsTagsWithinLimits() throws {
+        var eventDict = Self.validInboundEventDict()
+        eventDict["tags"] = [["g", "u4pruyd"], ["t", "teleport"]]
+
+        let event = try NostrEvent(from: eventDict)
+
+        #expect(event.tags.count == 2)
+    }
+
    // MARK: - Helpers
+    private static func validInboundEventDict() -> [String: Any] {
+        [
+            "id": String(repeating: "0", count: 64),
+            "pubkey": String(repeating: "1", count: 64),
+            "created_at": 1_234_567,
+            "kind": NostrProtocol.EventKind.ephemeralEvent.rawValue,
+            "tags": [["g", "u4pruyd"]],
+            "content": "hello",
+            "sig": String(repeating: "2", count: 128)
+        ]
+    }
+
    private static func base64URLDecode(_ s: String) -> Data? {
        var str = s.replacingOccurrences(of: "-", with: "+").replacingOccurrences(of: "_", with: "/")
        let rem = str.count % 4
@@ -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])
@@ -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
@@ -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(
@@ -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
        )

@@ -403,7 +461,8 @@ 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,
@@ -418,7 +477,7 @@ struct BLEFileTransferHandlerTests {
            recipientID: recipientID,
            timestamp: 900_000,
            payload: payload,
-            signature: nil,
+            signature: hasSignature ? Data(repeating: 0x5A, count: 64) : nil,
            ttl: ttl
        )
    }
@@ -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()
@@ -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)
+    }
 }
@@ -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))
+    }
+}
@@ -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)
+        ])
+    }
 }
@@ -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,
@@ -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()
@@ -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")
@@ -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)
@@ -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 {
@@ -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) {
@@ -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.
@@ -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.
@@ -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()) == [])
Author	SHA1	Message	Date
jack	f50ba7de97	Deliver live transport events synchronously	2026-07-25 20:09:15 +02:00
jack	5cbfe035fe	Preserve early Noise ciphertext across reconnects	2026-07-25 20:09:06 +02:00
jack	733bd010b6	Stabilize synchronous Noise restart tests	2026-07-25 20:08:28 +02:00
jack	27ed9937c9	Fix ordinary Noise handshake races	2026-07-25 19:05:39 +02:00
jack	0ce803fae7	Fix cached Noise reconnects atomically	2026-07-25 18:41:15 +02:00
jack	7a374579b7	Fix private media Noise round-trip fixture	2026-07-25 17:18:40 +02:00
jackandjack	758d759e32	Make Noise generation race test deterministic	2026-07-25 16:58:57 +02:00
jackandjack	73426f63d2	Avoid authentication callback queue starvation	2026-07-25 16:58:57 +02:00
jackandjack	7bf19a6ee5	Bind capability state to Noise generations	2026-07-25 16:58:57 +02:00
jackandjack	0e29885d43	Authenticate private media capabilities in Noise	2026-07-25 16:58:57 +02:00
jackandjack	024ae71f0a	Harden private media migration compatibility	2026-07-25 16:58:57 +02:00
jackandjack	f443913ed6	Encrypt private media before fragmentation	2026-07-25 16:58:57 +02:00
jackandjack	ae3339a1a5	Bind Noise sessions to claimed peer identities	2026-07-25 16:54:50 +02:00
Rod Bahmanyari GitHub Claude Fable 5 jack jack	ca18843bb0	Add Persian (fa) localization and an in-app language picker (#1443 ) * Add Persian (fa) localization and an in-app language picker Persian was the one notable gap in the 29-language catalog. Translate all 381 strings (plus the share extension) with proper plural substitutions, and register fa in knownRegions. Settings gains a LANGUAGE section: a picker over every language the bundle ships (native names via Locale), backed by an AppleLanguages override so users can run bitchat in a language different from the device's. Localization resolves at process start, so the picker surfaces a restart note. Co-Authored-By: Claude Fable 5 <noreply@anthropic.com> * Remove unused AppLanguageSettings.currentOverride (Periphery) AppInfoView reads the override via @AppStorage, so the accessor was dead code and failed the Periphery CI scan. Co-Authored-By: Claude Fable 5 <noreply@anthropic.com> --------- Co-authored-by: Claude Fable 5 <noreply@anthropic.com> Co-authored-by: jack <jackjackbits@users.noreply.github.com> Co-authored-by: jack <212554440+jackjackbits@users.noreply.github.com>	2026-07-25 15:42:17 +02:00
Taksh Kothari GitHub Cursor	593fd7d737	Harden public intake bounds against untrusted growth (#1451 ) * Bound public rate-limit buckets against attacker-keyed growth. Keep the NIP-13 PoW sender bypass, skip content-bucket minting on sender reject, and evict idle/oldest entries at a hard cap. Co-authored-by: Cursor <cursoragent@cursor.com> * Stop Cashu-looking text from skipping long-message guards. Oversized public content always collapses and takes the plain formatting path so remote tokens cannot force layout/regex DoS. Co-authored-by: Cursor <cursoragent@cursor.com> * Cap teleported geohash participant markers. Bound the set with FIFO eviction, clear it on channel switch, and prune markers that leave the visible participant list. Co-authored-by: Cursor <cursoragent@cursor.com> * Bound untrusted Nostr relay frames and event tags. Reject oversized inbound messages before JSON parse, cap tag arrays/values at decode, and stop logging raw tag contents. Co-authored-by: Cursor <cursoragent@cursor.com> * Fail soft when Noise handshake state is unexpectedly missing. Replace the initiator startHandshake force unwrap with a guard that throws invalidState instead of crashing. Co-authored-by: Cursor <cursoragent@cursor.com> * Cap geohash nickname cache from remote Nostr events. FIFO-evict at capacity, clear on channel switch, and prune nicknames that leave the visible participant list. Co-authored-by: Cursor <cursoragent@cursor.com> * Avoid overlapping exclusive access in the rate limiter. Make bucket helpers static so inout dictionary updates do not conflict with a mutating call on self. Co-authored-by: Cursor <cursoragent@cursor.com> * Fix rate-limiter tests for mutating allow under #expect. Call allow outside the macro so Swift Testing does not capture an immutable copy of the struct. Co-authored-by: Cursor <cursoragent@cursor.com> * Drop unused WebSocket data helper; reset rate limiter on panic wipe. dataWithinInboundLimit replaced the unbounded path, and panic clear should not leave public intake buckets behind. Co-authored-by: Cursor <cursoragent@cursor.com> --------- Co-authored-by: Cursor <cursoragent@cursor.com>	2026-07-25 12:25:46 +02:00