Fix private media Noise round-trip fixture

Make Noise generation race test deterministic
Avoid authentication callback queue starvation
2026-07-25 16:45:19 +00:00 · 2026-07-25 17:18:40 +02:00 · 2026-07-25 16:58:57 +02:00 · 2026-07-25 16:58:57 +02:00 · 2026-07-25 16:58:57 +02:00 · 2026-07-25 16:58:57 +02:00
197 changed files with 22083 additions and 1639 deletions
@@ -131,10 +131,10 @@ jobs:
            echo "No coverage data found; skipping summary."
          fi

-  # SPM tests above only compile the macOS slice; this job covers the
-  # iOS-conditional code paths (UIKit, CoreBluetooth restoration, etc.).
+  # SPM tests do not link the shipping app targets. This job covers the
+  # iOS-conditional paths and both universal Release link configurations.
  ios-build:
-    name: Build iOS app (simulator)
+    name: Build Release apps (universal)
    runs-on: macos-latest
    timeout-minutes: 15

@@ -143,14 +143,29 @@ jobs:
        uses: actions/checkout@v5

      - name: Build iOS (simulator, no signing)
-        # arm64 only: the vendored arti.xcframework has no x86_64 simulator slice.
+        # Build both simulator architectures so CI validates every vendored
+        # Arti simulator slice and the configuration that ships.
        run: |
          set -o pipefail
          xcodebuild -project bitchat.xcodeproj \
            -scheme "bitchat (iOS)" \
+            -configuration Release \
            -sdk iphonesimulator \
            -destination 'generic/platform=iOS Simulator' \
-            ARCHS=arm64 \
+            ARCHS='arm64 x86_64' \
+            ONLY_ACTIVE_ARCH=NO \
+            CODE_SIGNING_ALLOWED=NO \
+            build
+
+      - name: Build macOS (universal, no signing)
+        run: |
+          set -o pipefail
+          xcodebuild -project bitchat.xcodeproj \
+            -scheme "bitchat (macOS)" \
+            -configuration Release \
+            -destination 'generic/platform=macOS' \
+            ARCHS='arm64 x86_64' \
+            ONLY_ACTIVE_ARCH=NO \
            CODE_SIGNING_ALLOWED=NO \
            build

@@ -1 +1 @@
-{"v1":{"usrs":["param-buf-arti_bootstrap_summary(_:_:)-s:3Tor22arti_bootstrap_summary33_954FD7701B4E47ABB5F166D1CF862DC9LLys5Int32VSpys4Int8VG_AEtF","param-dataDir-arti_start(_:_:)-s:3Tor10arti_start33_954FD7701B4E47ABB5F166D1CF862DC9LLys5Int32VSPys4Int8VG_s6UInt16VtF","param-len-arti_bootstrap_summary(_:_:)-s:3Tor22arti_bootstrap_summary33_954FD7701B4E47ABB5F166D1CF862DC9LLys5Int32VSpys4Int8VG_AEtF","param-socksPort-arti_start(_:_:)-s:3Tor10arti_start33_954FD7701B4E47ABB5F166D1CF862DC9LLys5Int32VSPys4Int8VG_s6UInt16VtF","s:13BitFoundation16PeerCapabilitiesV8wifiBulkACvpZ","s:13BitFoundation18KeychainReadResultO18isRecoverableErrorSbvp","s:13BitFoundation23KeychainManagerProtocolP11secureClearyySSzF","s:18bitchatTests_macOS12MockKeychainC11secureClearyySSzF","s:18bitchatTests_macOS20TrackingMockKeychainC11resetCountsyyF","s:18bitchatTests_macOS20TrackingMockKeychainC11secureClearyySSzF","s:18bitchatTests_macOS20TrackingMockKeychainC25totalSecureClearCallCountSivp","s:18bitchatTests_macOS20TrackingMockKeychainC26secureClearStringCallCountSivp","s:18bitchatTests_macOS20TrackingMockKeychainC27_secureClearStringCallCount06_AB6D1M24FD239F2969C82F4108818260LLSivp","s:18bitchatTests_macOS24FailingCacheSaveKeychain33_22380C7A11A569A0B83FA83F34C498A7LLC11secureClearyySSzF","s:18bitchatTests_macOS24MockGeohashPresenceTimer33_483587EFB96650EE130EFB09BBA2A1AALLC7handleryycvp","s:3Tor0A7ManagerC21goDormantOnBackgroundyyF","s:7bitchat10AppRuntimeC24handleScreenshotCaptured33_C8B369AD8BC1D9963A50CEDA77A4332ALLyyF","s:7bitchat10AppRuntimeC33handleDidBecomeActiveNotificationyyF","s:7bitchat10BLEServiceC18logBluetoothStatus33_69191C53E68500C17D98DBCF2BDA7100LLyySSF","s:7bitchat10BLEServiceC20centralRestorationID33_69191C53E68500C17D98DBCF2BDA7100LLSSvpZ","s:7bitchat10BLEServiceC22captureBluetoothStatus33_69191C53E68500C17D98DBCF2BDA7100LL7contextySS_tF","s:7bitchat10BLEServiceC23peripheralRestorationID33_69191C53E68500C17D98DBCF2BDA7100LLSSvpZ","s:7bitchat10BLEServiceC29scheduleBluetoothStatusSample33_69191C53E68500C17D98DBCF2BDA7100LL5after7contextySd_SStF","s:7bitchat10QRScanViewV8isActiveSbvp","s:7bitchat15BLEPeerRegistryV5countSivp","s:7bitchat15KeychainManagerC11secureClearyySSzF","s:7bitchat15PaymentChipViewV7openURL33_10AC50641B1EBCD52E5092A2E521D236LL7SwiftUI13OpenURLActionVvp","s:7bitchat15TransportConfigO29uiBatchDispatchStaggerSecondsSdvpZ","s:7bitchat15TransportConfigO35uiShareExtensionDismissDelaySecondsSdvpZ","s:7bitchat15TransportConfigO38bleBackgroundPendingConnectSlotReserveSivpZ","s:7bitchat17GossipSyncManagerC10persistNowyyF","s:7bitchat17NostrRelayManagerC15InboundEventKey33_E4160FE8A9A2C9D6308EAAD5A8B5CB07LLV7eventIDSSvp","s:7bitchat17PrekeyBundleStoreC12StoredBundleV8noiseKey10Foundation4DataVvp","s:7bitchat25LocationNotesDependenciesV3now10Foundation4DateVycvp","s:7bitchat25NWPathReachabilityMonitorC7monitor33_84633C9DBCAF57538179C1E04DB8E015LL7Network0bD0CSgvp"]}}
+{"v1":{"usrs":["param-buf-arti_bootstrap_summary(_:_:)-s:3Tor22arti_bootstrap_summary33_954FD7701B4E47ABB5F166D1CF862DC9LLys5Int32VSpys4Int8VG_AEtF","param-dataDir-arti_start(_:_:)-s:3Tor10arti_start33_954FD7701B4E47ABB5F166D1CF862DC9LLys5Int32VSPys4Int8VG_s6UInt16VtF","param-len-arti_bootstrap_summary(_:_:)-s:3Tor22arti_bootstrap_summary33_954FD7701B4E47ABB5F166D1CF862DC9LLys5Int32VSpys4Int8VG_AEtF","param-socksPort-arti_start(_:_:)-s:3Tor10arti_start33_954FD7701B4E47ABB5F166D1CF862DC9LLys5Int32VSPys4Int8VG_s6UInt16VtF","s:13BitFoundation16PeerCapabilitiesV8wifiBulkACvpZ","s:13BitFoundation18KeychainReadResultO18isRecoverableErrorSbvp","s:13BitFoundation23KeychainManagerProtocolP11secureClearyySSzF","s:18bitchatTests_macOS12MockKeychainC11secureClearyySSzF","s:18bitchatTests_macOS20TrackingMockKeychainC11resetCountsyyF","s:18bitchatTests_macOS20TrackingMockKeychainC11secureClearyySSzF","s:18bitchatTests_macOS20TrackingMockKeychainC25totalSecureClearCallCountSivp","s:18bitchatTests_macOS20TrackingMockKeychainC26secureClearStringCallCountSivp","s:18bitchatTests_macOS20TrackingMockKeychainC27_secureClearStringCallCount06_AB6D1M24FD239F2969C82F4108818260LLSivp","s:18bitchatTests_macOS24FailingCacheSaveKeychain33_22380C7A11A569A0B83FA83F34C498A7LLC11secureClearyySSzF","s:18bitchatTests_macOS24MockGeohashPresenceTimer33_483587EFB96650EE130EFB09BBA2A1AALLC7handleryycvp","s:3Tor0A7ManagerC21goDormantOnBackgroundyyF","s:7bitchat10AppRuntimeC24handleScreenshotCaptured33_C8B369AD8BC1D9963A50CEDA77A4332ALLyyF","s:7bitchat10AppRuntimeC33handleDidBecomeActiveNotificationyyF","s:7bitchat10BLEServiceC18logBluetoothStatus33_69191C53E68500C17D98DBCF2BDA7100LLyySSF","s:7bitchat10BLEServiceC20centralRestorationID33_69191C53E68500C17D98DBCF2BDA7100LLSSvpZ","s:7bitchat10BLEServiceC22captureBluetoothStatus33_69191C53E68500C17D98DBCF2BDA7100LL7contextySS_tF","s:7bitchat10BLEServiceC23peripheralRestorationID33_69191C53E68500C17D98DBCF2BDA7100LLSSvpZ","s:7bitchat10BLEServiceC29scheduleBluetoothStatusSample33_69191C53E68500C17D98DBCF2BDA7100LL5after7contextySd_SStF","s:7bitchat10QRScanViewV8isActiveSbvp","s:7bitchat15BLEPeerRegistryV5countSivp","s:7bitchat15KeychainManagerC11secureClearyySSzF","s:7bitchat15PaymentChipViewV7openURL33_10AC50641B1EBCD52E5092A2E521D236LL7SwiftUI13OpenURLActionVvp","s:7bitchat15TransportConfigO29uiBatchDispatchStaggerSecondsSdvpZ","s:7bitchat15TransportConfigO35uiShareExtensionDismissDelaySecondsSdvpZ","s:7bitchat15TransportConfigO38bleBackgroundPendingConnectSlotReserveSivpZ","s:7bitchat17GossipSyncManagerC10persistNowyyF","s:7bitchat17NostrRelayManagerC15InboundEventKey33_E4160FE8A9A2C9D6308EAAD5A8B5CB07LLV7eventIDSSvp","s:7bitchat25LocationNotesDependenciesV3now10Foundation4DateVycvp","s:7bitchat25NWPathReachabilityMonitorC7monitor33_84633C9DBCAF57538179C1E04DB8E015LL7Network0bD0CSgvp"]}}
@@ -10,5 +10,12 @@ project: bitchat.xcodeproj
 schemes:
  - bitchat (macOS)
 retain_swift_ui_previews: true
+# Codable properties are (de)serialized via synthesized conformances the
+# indexer doesn't always attribute reads to: PrekeyBundleStore.StoredBundle
+# .noiseKey flaked CI as "assign-only" even while read in loadFromDisk —
+# and slipped past its baselined USR. Retaining Codable properties outright
+# is deterministic; a truly-dead Codable field is a persisted-format change
+# anyway, never a safe mechanical delete.
+retain_codable_properties: true
 relative_results: true
 baseline: .periphery.baseline.json
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 # (CI checkouts are fresh, so this only matters in a working tree).
 excluded:
  - .build
+  - .claude
  - .swiftpm
  - .DerivedData
  - DerivedData
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-MARKETING_VERSION = 1.7.0
+MARKETING_VERSION = 1.7.1
 CURRENT_PROJECT_VERSION = 1

 IPHONEOS_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET = 16.0
@@ -1,165 +1,155 @@
 # bitchat Privacy Policy

-*Last updated: June 2026*
+*Last updated: July 2026*

 ## Our Commitment

-bitchat is designed with privacy as its foundation. We believe private communication is a fundamental human right. This policy explains how bitchat protects your privacy.
+bitchat is designed for private, account-free communication. This policy describes what the app keeps on your device, what it sends when you use mesh or optional internet features, and how long local data can remain.

 ## Summary

- **No personal data collection** - We don't collect names, emails, or phone numbers
- **No accounts or company servers** - Mesh chat works peer-to-peer; optional Nostr features use public or user-selected relays
- **No tracking** - We have no analytics, telemetry, or user tracking
- **Open source** - You can verify these claims by reading our code
+- **No project-operated accounts or messaging servers** — Bluetooth mesh is peer-to-peer; optional internet features use public or user-selected Nostr relays.
+- **No analytics, advertising, telemetry, or tracking** — the app does not contain an analytics or advertising SDK.
+- **No sale of data** — the project does not sell user data or build advertising profiles.
+- **Open source** — the storage, networking, and cryptography described here can be inspected in the source code.

-## What Information bitchat Stores
+## What bitchat Stores on Your Device

-### On Your Device Only
+1. **Identity and cryptographic keys**
+   - Noise, signing, group, prekey, and optional Nostr identity material is generated locally.
+   - Secret keys are stored in the system keychain. Public keys are shared when required for messaging, verification, groups, or Nostr events.
+   - Keys remain until they are rotated, removed by the relevant feature, erased with panic wipe, or removed with the app.

-1. **Identity Keys**
-   - Cryptographic private keys generated on first launch or when optional Nostr identities are created
-   - Stored locally in your device's secure storage
-   - Allows you to maintain "favorite" relationships across app restarts
-   - Private keys never leave your device; public keys are shared when needed for messaging
+2. **Nickname, preferences, and relationships**
+   - Your nickname, settings, favorites, petnames, read-receipt identifiers, and bounded operational metadata are stored locally.
+   - The share extension briefly places content you choose to share in the app-group preferences so the main app can import it.

-2. **Nickname**
-   - The display name you choose (or auto-generated)
-   - Stored only on your device
-   - Shared with peers you communicate with
+3. **Private group state**
+   - Group names, rosters, creator identity, and key epoch are stored as protected files in Application Support.
+   - Current group keys are stored in the keychain. Group state remains until you leave or remove the group, panic-wipe the app, or remove the app.

-3. **Message History** (if enabled)
-   - When room owners enable retention, messages are saved locally
-   - Stored encrypted on your device
-   - You can delete this at any time
+4. **Queued and carried private messages**
+   - An outgoing private message that has not been acknowledged may remain for up to 24 hours in a bounded, encrypted outbox. The outbox is sealed with ChaCha20-Poly1305 and its key is stored in the keychain.
+   - A device acting as a courier may store a bounded opaque end-to-end encrypted envelope for another user for up to 24 hours. The courier cannot read its message content.
+   - A panic wipe deletes both stores.

-4. **Favorite Peers**
-   - Public keys of peers you mark as favorites
-   - Stored only on your device
-   - Allows you to recognize these peers in future sessions
+5. **Recent public mesh messages and notices**
+   - Signed public mesh messages may be kept in a protected local gossip archive for up to 15 minutes so they can cross mesh partitions and survive a short relaunch.
+   - Public bulletin-board posts and deletion tombstones persist until the post's author-selected expiry, at most seven days. Both stores are bounded and panic-wipeable.
+   - These items are public to the mesh or board where they are posted; they are not confidential messages.

-5. **Optional Location Channel State**
-   - Your selected geohash channel, bookmarked geohashes, teleport flags, and bookmark display names
-   - Stored locally on your device so the location-channel UI can restore your choices
-   - Per-geohash Nostr identities are derived locally from a device seed stored in secure storage
-   - Exact latitude and longitude are not persisted by bitchat
+6. **Media attachments**
+   - Voice notes and images you send or receive can be stored under Application Support so they remain playable while referenced by the app.
+   - Incoming media is subject to a 100 MB quota with oldest-file eviction. Media is deleted by panic wipe or app removal; some outgoing media can otherwise remain on disk.

-### Temporary Session Data
+7. **Optional location-channel state**
+   - Your selected geohash channel, bookmarks, teleport flags, and bookmark display names are stored locally so the UI can restore them.
+   - Per-geohash Nostr identities are derived locally from a device seed stored in the keychain.
+   - bitchat does not persist exact latitude or longitude and does not include exact coordinates in mesh or Nostr messages.

-During each session, bitchat temporarily maintains:
- Active peer connections (forgotten when app closes)
- Routing information for message delivery
- Cached messages for offline peers (12 hours max)
- Your current location while optional location channels are enabled, used locally to compute geohash channels and friendly place names
+## Temporary Session Data

-## What Information is Shared
+While running, bitchat maintains active connections, routing state, deduplication state, and bounded in-memory conversation timelines. Closing the app clears the in-memory timelines and active connections, but it does not erase the persistent stores listed above.

-### With Other bitchat Users
+## What Is Shared

-When you use bitchat, nearby peers can see:
- Your chosen nickname
- Your ephemeral public key (changes each session)
- Messages you send to public rooms or directly to them
- Your approximate Bluetooth signal strength (for connection quality)
+### With Nearby Mesh Users

-### With Room Members
+Depending on the feature you use, nearby peers can receive:

-When you join a password-protected room:
- Your messages are visible to others with the password
- Your nickname appears in the member list
- Room owners can see you've joined
+- Your chosen nickname and public Noise/signing identity material.
+- Announce metadata such as supported capability flags and a bounded list of short direct-neighbor identifiers. When the bridge is enabled, an announce can also include its coarse rendezvous geohash cell.
+- Public mesh messages, public notices, and group-control packets you intentionally send.
+- Private ciphertext addressed to them, or opaque courier ciphertext they agree to carry.
+- Radio metadata available to the receiver, such as approximate Bluetooth signal strength.

-### With Nostr Relays (Optional Features)
+Noise identity keys can persist across sessions; do not treat them as anonymous identifiers. Panic wipe rotates local identity state.

-If you enable Nostr-backed features:
- Private fallback messages to mutual favorites are sent as encrypted NIP-17 gift wraps. Relays can see event metadata, but not message content.
- Public location-channel messages, location notes, and presence are scoped with geohash tags. Relays and other participants can see the geohash tag, event kind, timestamp, and public key used for that geohash.
- Exact GPS coordinates are not included in Nostr events by bitchat. The geohash precision you choose can still reveal an approximate area, from region-level to building-level.
- Automatic presence heartbeats are limited to low-precision geohashes (region, province, and city). More precise geohash posts happen only when you use those channels or location notes.
+### With Private Group Members

-## What We DON'T Do
+Private group members receive the group's name, roster, key epoch, and encrypted group traffic needed to participate. Group messages are confidential to devices holding the current group key, subject to the security of those devices and members.

-bitchat **never**:
- Collects personal information
- Sells or shares your exact GPS location
- Stores data on servers we operate
- Sells your data to advertisers or data brokers
- Uses analytics or telemetry
- Creates user profiles
- Requires registration
+### With Nostr Relays and Internet Gateways

-## Encryption
+Internet-backed features are optional. When enabled or used:

-All private messages use end-to-end encryption:
- **X25519** for key exchange
- **AES-256-GCM** for message encryption
- **Ed25519** for digital signatures
- **Argon2id** for password-protected rooms
+- Private fallback messages use encrypted NIP-17 gift wraps. Relays can observe event and network metadata but not the message plaintext.
+- Public location-channel messages, notes, notices, and presence include a geohash tag, event kind, timestamp, and a public key. A geohash reveals an approximate area; finer precision reveals a smaller area.
+- The optional mesh bridge publishes bridge-enabled public mesh messages and presence to a neighborhood rendezvous cell. Those messages are public to participants and relays for that cell. A per-message “nearby only” choice prevents that message from crossing the bridge.
+- Bridge courier drops contain opaque end-to-end encrypted envelopes and a rotating recipient tag. Relays still observe timing and network metadata.
+- A device with gateway features enabled may relay signed bridge/location traffic or opaque courier envelopes for nearby mesh devices.

-## Your Rights
+Nostr relays are operated by third parties. Their retention, logging, availability, and privacy practices are outside the project's control. Public events and encrypted events may remain on relays according to each relay's policy.

-You have complete control:
- **Delete Local State**: Triple-tap the logo to instantly wipe local keys, sessions, caches, and preferences
- **Leave Anytime**: Close the app and local presence stops; relay-backed presence ages out
- **No Account**: No account record exists for you to delete from us
- **Portability**: Your local state stays on your device unless you send messages, use optional relay-backed features, or export it
+## Location and Apple Services

-## Bluetooth & Permissions
+Location permission is optional and requested as when-in-use access. It is used to compute geohash channels, bridge rendezvous cells, and nearby place labels.

-bitchat requires Bluetooth permission to function:
- Used only for peer-to-peer communication
- Bluetooth is not used for tracking
- You can revoke this permission at any time in system settings
+- Exact coordinates are not included in bitchat mesh or Nostr payloads and are not persisted by bitchat.
+- A selected geohash can still reveal an approximate area to peers and relays.
+- When bitchat asks the operating system for a friendly place name, Apple's `CLGeocoder` service may process the location under Apple's privacy terms.
+- Revoking location permission stops live location sampling. Saved bookmarks remain until you remove them, panic-wipe the app, or remove the app.

-## Location Permission
+## Microphone, Camera, and Media Permissions

-Location permission is optional and is used only for location channels:
- Used to compute local geohash channels and display names
- Requested as when-in-use permission
- Exact coordinates are not shared in messages or stored by bitchat
- Selected and bookmarked geohashes may persist locally until you remove them, use panic wipe, or delete the app
- You can revoke this permission at any time in system settings
+- Microphone access is used only while you record a voice note or actively hold live push-to-talk. The resulting audio is sent to the mesh conversation you selected; public-conversation audio is public to that mesh, while private-conversation audio uses the private transport protections described below.
+- Voice-note and live-audio files can remain in Application Support under the media retention rules above.
+- Camera access is used to scan peer-verification QR codes. Photo-library access is used when you choose an image to send.
+- These permissions can be revoked in system settings. bitchat does not record microphone or camera input while the related capture UI is inactive.
+
+## Cryptography
+
+Private and public features use different protections:
+
+- Mesh private sessions use Noise XX with X25519, ChaCha20-Poly1305, and SHA-256.
+- Private group messages use ChaCha20-Poly1305; group state and relevant mesh packets use Ed25519 signatures.
+- Nostr events use secp256k1 Schnorr signatures. NIP-44 v2 private payloads use secp256k1 key agreement, HKDF-SHA256, and XChaCha20-Poly1305.
+- The persistent private-message outbox uses ChaCha20-Poly1305 with a key held in the keychain. Some other protected local identity state uses AES-GCM.
+- Public mesh, bridge, geohash, and board content is signed or authenticated as appropriate but is intentionally not confidential.
+
+No cryptographic system can protect content after a recipient reads, copies, screenshots, or exports it.
+
+## Data Retention Summary
+
+- **In-memory chat timelines and active connections:** until the app closes or state is cleared.
+- **Queued outgoing private messages:** until acknowledged, dropped by bounded policy, or 24 hours, whichever comes first.
+- **Opaque courier envelopes:** until handed off, evicted by bounded policy, or 24 hours, whichever comes first.
+- **Recent public mesh gossip:** up to 15 minutes.
+- **Public board posts and tombstones:** until expiry, at most seven days.
+- **Groups, favorites, preferences, identity keys, bookmarks, and media:** until removed by the feature, panic wipe, quota eviction where applicable, or app removal.
+- **Nostr data:** according to the policies of the relays that receive it.
+
+## Your Controls
+
+- **Panic wipe:** Triple-tap the logo to clear local keys, sessions, preferences, groups, queues, carried mail, public archives, board data, and media managed by the app.
+- **Feature controls:** Location channels, mesh bridge, internet gateway, and related internet behaviors can be disabled in the app. Some already-published relay data cannot be recalled.
+- **System permissions:** Bluetooth, location, microphone, camera, and photo-library access can be revoked in system settings.
+- **No account:** The project operates no account record for you to request or export.
+
+## What the Project Does Not Do
+
+bitchat does not:
+
+- Operate an account database or project-owned messaging backend.
+- Include advertising, analytics, or tracking SDKs.
+- Sell user data or create advertising profiles.
+- Include exact GPS coordinates in bitchat mesh or Nostr message payloads.

 ## Children's Privacy

-bitchat does not knowingly collect information from children. The app has no age verification because it collects no personal information from anyone.
-
-## Data Retention
-
- **Messages**: Deleted from memory when app closes (unless room retention is enabled)
- **Identity Key**: Persists until you delete the app
- **Favorites**: Persist until you remove them or delete the app
- **Location channel choices**: Selected/bookmarked geohashes persist locally until removed, panic-wiped, or the app is deleted
- **Nostr relay data**: Public geohash events and encrypted gift wraps may be retained by relays according to each relay's policy
- **Everything Else**: Exists only during active sessions
-
-## Security Measures
-
- All communication is encrypted
- No accounts or company servers
- Optional Nostr relays receive only the events needed for Nostr-backed private fallback or public location channels
- Open source code for public audit
- Regular security updates
- Cryptographic signatures prevent tampering
+The project does not knowingly operate a service that collects children's personal data. The app has no account registration or age-verification system. Users and guardians should understand that public mesh, board, bridge, and location-channel posts are visible to other participants and may be relayed.

 ## Changes to This Policy

-If we update this policy:
- The "Last updated" date will change
- The updated policy will be included in the app
- No retroactive changes can make us collect data already held only in your app
+Material behavior changes will be reflected in this document and its “Last updated” date. Updating this policy cannot retroactively retrieve data that remained only on a user's device.

 ## Contact

 bitchat is an open source project. For privacy questions:
- View our source code: [https://github.com/permissionlesstech/bitchat/tree/main](https://github.com/permissionlesstech/bitchat/tree/main)
- Open an issue on GitHub
- Join the discussion in public rooms

-## Philosophy
-
-Privacy isn't just a feature—it's the entire point. bitchat proves that modern communication doesn't require surrendering your privacy. No accounts, no company servers, no analytics. Just people talking freely.
+- View the source: [https://github.com/permissionlesstech/bitchat](https://github.com/permissionlesstech/bitchat)
+- Open an issue on GitHub.

 ---

-*This policy is released into the public domain under The Unlicense, just like bitchat itself.*
+*This policy is released into the public domain under The Unlicense, like the project itself.*
@@ -92,7 +92,8 @@
 		A6E32D232E762EAB0032EA8A /* Exceptions for "bitchatShareExtension" folder in "bitchatShareExtension" target */ = {
 			isa = PBXFileSystemSynchronizedBuildFileExceptionSet;
 			membershipExceptions = (
-				ShareViewController.swift,
+				Info.plist,
+				bitchatShareExtension.entitlements,
 			);
 			target = 57CA17A36A2532A6CFF367BB /* bitchatShareExtension */;
 		};
@@ -258,9 +259,13 @@
 			buildConfigurationList = E4EA6DC648DF55FF84032EB5 /* Build configuration list for PBXNativeTarget "bitchatShareExtension" */;
 			buildPhases = (
 				0A08E70F08F55FD5BA8C7EF3 /* Sources */,
+				7E9B64F63F93443FB7BA12DF /* Resources */,
 			);
 			buildRules = (
 			);
+			fileSystemSynchronizedGroups = (
+				A6E32D212E762EAB0032EA8A /* bitchatShareExtension */,
+			);
 			name = bitchatShareExtension;
 			productName = bitchatShareExtension;
 			productReference = 61F92EBA29C47C0FCC482F1F /* bitchatShareExtension.appex */;
@@ -332,6 +337,7 @@
 				es,
 				ar,
 				de,
+				fa,
 				fr,
 				he,
 				id,
@@ -388,6 +394,13 @@
 				E0A1B2C3D4E5F6012345678E /* relays/online_relays_gps.csv in Resources */,
 			);
 		};
+		7E9B64F63F93443FB7BA12DF /* Resources */ = {
+			isa = PBXResourcesBuildPhase;
+			buildActionMask = 2147483647;
+			files = (
+			);
+			runOnlyForDeploymentPostprocessing = 0;
+		};
 /* End PBXResourcesBuildPhase section */

 /* Begin PBXSourcesBuildPhase section */
@@ -313,21 +313,29 @@ private extension AppRuntime {
    }

    func checkForSharedContent() {
-        guard let userDefaults = UserDefaults(suiteName: BitchatApp.groupID),
-              let sharedContent = userDefaults.string(forKey: "sharedContent"),
+        guard let userDefaults = UserDefaults(suiteName: BitchatApp.groupID) else { return }
+        let clearSharedContent = {
+            userDefaults.removeObject(forKey: "sharedContent")
+            userDefaults.removeObject(forKey: "sharedContentType")
+            userDefaults.removeObject(forKey: "sharedContentDate")
+        }
+
+        guard let sharedContent = userDefaults.string(forKey: "sharedContent"),
              let sharedDate = userDefaults.object(forKey: "sharedContentDate") as? Date else {
+            // A partial or malformed handoff must not linger in the shared
+            // app-group container indefinitely.
+            clearSharedContent()
            return
        }

        guard Date().timeIntervalSince(sharedDate) < TransportConfig.uiShareAcceptWindowSeconds else {
+            clearSharedContent()
            return
        }

        let contentKind = SharedContentKind(rawValue: userDefaults.string(forKey: "sharedContentType") ?? "") ?? .text

-        userDefaults.removeObject(forKey: "sharedContent")
-        userDefaults.removeObject(forKey: "sharedContentType")
-        userDefaults.removeObject(forKey: "sharedContentDate")
+        clearSharedContent()

        switch contentKind {
        case .url:
@@ -225,8 +225,25 @@ final class Conversation: ObservableObject, Identifiable {
        guard let current else { return false }
        if current == new { return true }

+        // Never downgrade to a weaker delivery state. Ordering of certainty:
+        // sending < sent < carried < delivered < read. A late `.sent` write
+        // (e.g. the optimistic stamp after routing) must not clobber the
+        // `.carried` the router already set when it handed a copy to a
+        // courier/bridge, nor a `.delivered`/`.read` ack. A late asynchronous
+        // failure is weaker than a confirmed recipient receipt too, so it may
+        // not replace `.delivered`/`.read`. Same for the
+        // `.sending` stamp a pre-handshake resend emits asynchronously: it
+        // can land after the message already reached `.sent`, and "Sent" was
+        // already truthful. (`.failed` → `.sending` stays allowed so a real
+        // failure retry is visible.)
        switch (current, new) {
-        case (.read, .delivered), (.read, .sent):
+        case (.read, .delivered), (.read, .carried), (.read, .sent), (.read, .sending), (.read, .failed):
+            return true
+        case (.delivered, .carried), (.delivered, .sent), (.delivered, .sending), (.delivered, .failed):
+            return true
+        case (.carried, .sent), (.carried, .sending):
+            return true
+        case (.sent, .sending):
            return true
        default:
            return false
@@ -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()
    }
 }
@@ -17,16 +17,52 @@ final class NearbyNotesCounter: ObservableObject {
    static let shared = NearbyNotesCounter()

    @Published private(set) var noteCount = 0
+    /// Whether an explicit notes act (the empty-timeline "check for notes"
+    /// tap, opening the notices sheet's geo tab, or a successful /drop) has
+    /// unlocked the counter this session. Until then nothing subscribes:
+    /// merely looking at the mesh timeline must not open a building-precision
+    /// relay REQ that leaks location passively.
+    @Published private(set) var revealed = false

    private var manager: LocationNotesManager?
    private var managerCancellable: AnyCancellable?
    private var channelsCancellable: AnyCancellable?
+    private var permissionCancellable: AnyCancellable?
    private var settingCancellable: AnyCancellable?
    private var activeHolders = 0
    private let locationManager: LocationChannelManager
+    private let managerFactory: @MainActor (String) -> LocationNotesManager
+    private let releaseManager: @MainActor (LocationNotesManager?) -> Void

-    init(locationManager: LocationChannelManager = .shared) {
+    init(
+        locationManager: LocationChannelManager = .shared,
+        managerFactory: @escaping @MainActor (String) -> LocationNotesManager = { LocationNotesPool.shared.acquire($0) },
+        releaseManager: @escaping @MainActor (LocationNotesManager?) -> Void = { LocationNotesPool.shared.release($0) }
+    ) {
        self.locationManager = locationManager
+        self.managerFactory = managerFactory
+        self.releaseManager = releaseManager
+    }
+
+    /// Whether the empty-timeline "check for notes" hint should render.
+    /// The permission gate matters: `retarget()` never subscribes without
+    /// location authorization, so offering the hint to an unauthorized
+    /// install would be a silent dead-end — tap, `revealed` flips, the hint
+    /// vanishes, and nothing else happens for the session. The hint never
+    /// prompts; it simply stays hidden until permission exists. The caller
+    /// passes its own observed permission state so the hint re-renders when
+    /// authorization changes.
+    func offersRevealHint(permissionState: LocationChannelManager.PermissionState) -> Bool {
+        !revealed && LocationNotesSettings.enabled && permissionState == .authorized
+    }
+
+    /// Marks the one explicit act that lets the counter subscribe. Sticky for
+    /// the rest of the session (the singleton's lifetime); `deactivate()`
+    /// deliberately does not reset it.
+    func reveal() {
+        guard !revealed else { return }
+        revealed = true
+        retarget()
    }

    /// Begins (or keeps) the notes subscription for the current building
@@ -38,6 +74,13 @@ final class NearbyNotesCounter: ObservableObject {
        channelsCancellable = locationManager.$availableChannels
            .receive(on: DispatchQueue.main)
            .sink { [weak self] _ in self?.retarget() }
+        // CoreLocation can revoke authorization while the view remains
+        // mounted. `availableChannels` deliberately retains its last value,
+        // so permission must be an independent invalidation signal or the
+        // building REQ survives on stale coordinates.
+        permissionCancellable = locationManager.$permissionState
+            .receive(on: DispatchQueue.main)
+            .sink { [weak self] _ in self?.retarget() }
        // The app-info kill switch must take effect immediately, not on the
        // next location change or remount.
        settingCancellable = NotificationCenter.default
@@ -51,33 +94,39 @@ final class NearbyNotesCounter: ObservableObject {
        activeHolders = max(0, activeHolders - 1)
        guard activeHolders == 0 else { return }
        channelsCancellable = nil
+        permissionCancellable = nil
        settingCancellable = nil
        managerCancellable = nil
-        manager?.cancel()
+        releaseManager(manager)
        manager = nil
        noteCount = 0
    }

    private func retarget() {
        guard activeHolders > 0,
+              revealed,
              LocationNotesSettings.enabled,
              locationManager.permissionState == .authorized,
              let geohash = locationManager.availableChannels
                  .first(where: { $0.level == .building })?.geohash
        else {
            managerCancellable = nil
-            manager?.cancel()
+            releaseManager(manager)
            manager = nil
            noteCount = 0
            return
        }

        if let manager {
-            manager.setGeohash(geohash)
-            return
+            guard manager.geohash != geohash.lowercased() else { return }
+            // Pooled managers are shared; never retarget one in place —
+            // release the old cell and acquire the new one.
+            managerCancellable = nil
+            releaseManager(manager)
+            self.manager = nil
        }

-        let fresh = LocationNotesManager(geohash: geohash)
+        let fresh = managerFactory(geohash)
        manager = fresh
        managerCancellable = fresh.$notes
            .receive(on: DispatchQueue.main)
@@ -0,0 +1,472 @@
+//
+// AudioSessionCoordinator.swift
+// bitchat
+//
+// This is free and unencumbered software released into the public domain.
+// For more information, see <https://unlicense.org>
+//
+
+import AVFoundation
+import BitLogger
+import Foundation
+
+/// The raw audio-session calls the coordinator makes, abstracted so the
+/// state machine is unit-testable with a mock (and compiles on the macOS
+/// test host, where `AVAudioSession` doesn't exist).
+///
+/// Calls arrive on the coordinator's private serial queue — never the main
+/// thread. `setCategory`/`setActive` block on IPC to the audio server
+/// (observed >1 s under contention on device, tripping the system gesture
+/// gate), and Apple explicitly recommends activating the session off the
+/// main thread.
+protocol SessionApplying: Sendable {
+    func setCategory(_ category: AudioSessionCoordinator.Category) throws
+    func setActive(_ active: Bool, notifyOthersOnDeactivation: Bool) throws
+}
+
+/// Sole owner of `AVAudioSession` category/activation for voice features.
+///
+/// Talk-over means capture (push-to-talk) and playback (inbound bursts,
+/// voice notes) can be live simultaneously; letting each engine configure
+/// the shared session directly made them stomp each other's category and
+/// route mid-flight (the AURemoteIO -10851 dead-input class). Instead every
+/// client acquires a `Token` and the coordinator:
+///
+/// - reference-counts activation: `setActive(true)` only on the first
+///   holder, `setActive(false, notifyOthersOnDeactivation:)` only when the
+///   last one releases — no client can deactivate another's session;
+/// - keeps one escalating category: playback-only holders get `.playback`,
+///   any capture holder escalates to `.playAndRecord`, and the category is
+///   never downgraded while anyone still holds a token (capture ending must
+///   not yank the route out from under live playback);
+/// - fans out `onInterrupted` on system interruptions and when the active
+///   route's device disappears (no auto-resume: bursts are transient, the
+///   next press or burst simply re-acquires). The escalating category change
+///   fans out separately as `onCategoryEscalated` — the session stays live,
+///   so holders that can rebuild their engine against the new configuration
+///   keep playing (talk-over is bidirectional); holders that don't provide
+///   it fall back to `onInterrupted`.
+///
+/// Threading: all state lives on a private serial queue, which both
+/// serializes rapid acquire/release pairs and keeps the blocking session IPC
+/// off the main thread (`acquire` is `async` for exactly that hop; `release`
+/// is fire-and-forget onto the queue). Holder callbacks always run on the
+/// main actor.
+///
+/// Microphone *permission* queries stay with their callers; this type owns
+/// only category and activation.
+///
+/// `@unchecked Sendable`: every mutable property is confined to `queue`.
+final class AudioSessionCoordinator: @unchecked Sendable {
+    enum Use {
+        case playback
+        case capture
+    }
+
+    /// The session category the coordinator has applied (the `SessionApplying`
+    /// adapter maps these to concrete `AVAudioSession` category/mode/options).
+    enum Category {
+        case playback
+        case playAndRecord
+    }
+
+    /// Opaque handle for one client's hold on the session. Release exactly
+    /// once when done (extra releases are ignored).
+    ///
+    /// `@unchecked` because the stored callbacks are `@MainActor`-isolated
+    /// closures (non-Sendable as stored types). Lifecycle state is protected
+    /// by `stateLock`, and callbacks are only ever invoked on the main actor.
+    final class Token: @unchecked Sendable {
+        fileprivate enum CallbackKind: Sendable {
+            case interrupted
+            case categoryEscalated
+        }
+
+        /// A callback snapshot is only valid for the lifecycle epoch in which
+        /// it was captured. `release` advances the epoch synchronously before
+        /// its queue work, so a callback already headed to the main actor can't
+        /// reach a client that has since released this token and reacquired a
+        /// different one.
+        fileprivate struct CallbackTicket: Sendable {
+            let token: Token
+            let kind: CallbackKind
+            let lifecycleEpoch: UInt64
+        }
+
+        private enum Lifecycle {
+            /// Registered on the session queue, but `acquire` has not yet
+            /// returned into the client's main-actor call frame.
+            case acquiring
+            case ready
+            case released
+        }
+
+        fileprivate let onInterrupted: @MainActor () -> Void
+        fileprivate let onCategoryEscalated: (@MainActor () -> Void)?
+        private let stateLock = NSLock()
+        private var lifecycle = Lifecycle.acquiring
+        private var lifecycleEpoch: UInt64 = 0
+        /// A terminal event that lands while the token is registered but not
+        /// yet handed off invalidates the acquire before its caller can start.
+        private var terminalEventPendingHandoff = false
+
+        fileprivate init(
+            onInterrupted: @escaping @MainActor () -> Void,
+            onCategoryEscalated: (@MainActor () -> Void)?
+        ) {
+            self.onInterrupted = onInterrupted
+            self.onCategoryEscalated = onCategoryEscalated
+        }
+
+        /// Records an event at the same linearization point at which the
+        /// coordinator snapshots its holders. An acquiring token cannot safely
+        /// receive a callback yet: terminal events invalidate the acquire,
+        /// while category escalation needs no callback because its engine will
+        /// start against the already-escalated configuration.
+        fileprivate func record(_ kind: CallbackKind) -> CallbackTicket? {
+            stateLock.withLock {
+                switch lifecycle {
+                case .acquiring:
+                    switch kind {
+                    case .interrupted:
+                        terminalEventPendingHandoff = true
+                    case .categoryEscalated:
+                        break
+                    }
+                    return nil
+                case .ready:
+                    return CallbackTicket(token: self, kind: kind, lifecycleEpoch: lifecycleEpoch)
+                case .released:
+                    return nil
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        /// Completes the main-actor ownership handoff if no terminal event
+        /// invalidated it. Because `acquire` itself is main-actor isolated, a
+        /// successful handoff returns directly into the caller without another
+        /// actor hop; no callback can interleave before the caller stores the
+        /// returned token.
+        fileprivate func completeHandoff() -> Bool {
+            stateLock.withLock {
+                guard lifecycle == .acquiring,
+                      !terminalEventPendingHandoff
+                else { return false }
+                lifecycle = .ready
+                return true
+            }
+        }
+
+        /// Marks the token dead synchronously, before the asynchronous holder
+        /// removal. Returns false for an already-released token.
+        fileprivate func markReleased() -> Bool {
+            stateLock.withLock {
+                guard lifecycle != .released else { return false }
+                lifecycle = .released
+                lifecycleEpoch &+= 1
+                terminalEventPendingHandoff = false
+                return true
+            }
+        }
+
+        /// Revalidates a queue snapshot at the main-actor delivery boundary.
+        /// The lock is deliberately released before invoking client code: real
+        /// callbacks commonly call `release` on this same token.
+        @MainActor
+        fileprivate func deliver(_ ticket: CallbackTicket) {
+            let isLive = stateLock.withLock {
+                lifecycle == .ready && lifecycleEpoch == ticket.lifecycleEpoch
+            }
+            guard isLive else { return }
+            switch ticket.kind {
+            case .interrupted:
+                onInterrupted()
+            case .categoryEscalated:
+                (onCategoryEscalated ?? onInterrupted)()
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Deterministic suspension points for lifecycle race tests. Production
+    /// instances use the nil defaults; the hooks never move session calls off
+    /// the coordinator queue or callback execution off the main actor.
+    struct TestingHooks: Sendable {
+        let beforeAcquireHandoff: (@Sendable () async -> Void)?
+        let beforeCallbackDelivery: (@Sendable () async -> Void)?
+
+        init(
+            beforeAcquireHandoff: (@Sendable () async -> Void)? = nil,
+            beforeCallbackDelivery: (@Sendable () async -> Void)? = nil
+        ) {
+            self.beforeAcquireHandoff = beforeAcquireHandoff
+            self.beforeCallbackDelivery = beforeCallbackDelivery
+        }
+    }
+
+    static let shared = AudioSessionCoordinator(session: SystemAudioSession())
+
+    private let session: SessionApplying
+    private let testingHooks: TestingHooks
+    /// Confines all mutable state, serializes whole acquire/release
+    /// operations (two rapid presses can't interleave their category and
+    /// activation calls), and hosts the blocking session IPC off main.
+    private let queue = DispatchQueue(label: "chat.bitchat.audio-session", qos: .userInitiated)
+
+    // Queue-confined state.
+    private var holders: [ObjectIdentifier: Token] = [:]
+    private var currentCategory: Category?
+    private var sessionActive = false
+    /// Written once in init, read in deinit — never touched concurrently.
+    private var observers: [NSObjectProtocol] = []
+
+    init(session: SessionApplying, testingHooks: TestingHooks = TestingHooks()) {
+        self.session = session
+        self.testingHooks = testingHooks
+        observeSystemNotifications()
+    }
+
+    deinit {
+        for observer in observers {
+            NotificationCenter.default.removeObserver(observer)
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Configures + activates the session for `use` and registers the caller
+    /// as a holder. The blocking `AVAudioSession` calls run on the session
+    /// queue — the caller suspends instead of stalling its thread (a PTT
+    /// press used to block main >1 s in `setActive`, tripping the system
+    /// gesture gate). `onInterrupted` fires (on the main actor) when the
+    /// client must stop using the session: a system interruption began or
+    /// its route's device went away. The client should stop its engine,
+    /// finalize any artifacts, and release — resuming means acquiring again.
+    ///
+    /// `onCategoryEscalated` fires instead when the session category
+    /// escalated underneath the holder (a capture client joined): the session
+    /// stays active, so a holder that can rebuild its engine against the new
+    /// configuration should restart and keep going. Holders that pass `nil`
+    /// get `onInterrupted` for escalation too. Escalation is delivered before
+    /// `acquire` returns, so the new holder starts its engine strictly after
+    /// existing ones were told to rebuild. Main-actor isolation is also the
+    /// ownership handoff boundary: if interruption or route loss lands after
+    /// queue registration but before that boundary, the provisional holder is
+    /// removed and `acquire` throws `CancellationError` instead of returning a
+    /// token whose callback already fired.
+    @MainActor
+    func acquire(
+        _ use: Use,
+        onInterrupted: @escaping @MainActor () -> Void,
+        onCategoryEscalated: (@MainActor () -> Void)? = nil
+    ) async throws -> Token {
+        let token = Token(onInterrupted: onInterrupted, onCategoryEscalated: onCategoryEscalated)
+        let reconfigured: [Token.CallbackTicket] = try await withCheckedThrowingContinuation { continuation in
+            queue.async {
+                do {
+                    continuation.resume(returning: try self.activateOnQueue(use, registering: token))
+                } catch {
+                    continuation.resume(throwing: error)
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        // Escalating playback -> playAndRecord reconfigures the hardware
+        // route; engines started against the old configuration must restart.
+        if !reconfigured.isEmpty {
+            SecureLogger.info("AudioSession: category escalated to playAndRecord with \(reconfigured.count) live holder(s)", category: .session)
+            await deliver(reconfigured)
+        }
+        if let beforeAcquireHandoff = testingHooks.beforeAcquireHandoff {
+            await beforeAcquireHandoff()
+        }
+        guard token.completeHandoff() else {
+            // A call/Siri interruption or route loss landed after registration
+            // but before ownership handoff. Remove the provisional holder and
+            // fail instead of starting a client engine after the stop event.
+            release(token)
+            throw CancellationError()
+        }
+        return token
+    }
+
+    /// Drops one holder. Deactivates the session (notifying other apps) only
+    /// when the last holder releases. Safe to call more than once, from any
+    /// thread (including `deinit` paths): the work is fire-and-forget onto
+    /// the session queue, so the blocking deactivation IPC never runs on the
+    /// caller.
+    func release(_ token: Token) {
+        guard token.markReleased() else { return }
+        queue.async {
+            self.releaseOnQueue(token)
+        }
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Queue-confined core
+
+    /// Returns callback tickets for pre-existing live holders whose engines
+    /// must restart because this acquire escalated the category.
+    private func activateOnQueue(_ use: Use, registering token: Token) throws -> [Token.CallbackTicket] {
+        let target: Category = (use == .capture || currentCategory == .playAndRecord) ? .playAndRecord : .playback
+        let categoryChanged = target != currentCategory
+        let previousCategory = currentCategory
+        if categoryChanged {
+            try session.setCategory(target)
+            currentCategory = target
+        }
+        if !sessionActive {
+            do {
+                try session.setActive(true, notifyOthersOnDeactivation: false)
+            } catch {
+                // Activation failed (e.g. a phone call owns the hardware):
+                // with no holder registered, an escalated category recorded
+                // here would stick and pin later playback-only acquires to
+                // .playAndRecord. Existing holders keep the category the
+                // hardware really has.
+                if categoryChanged, holders.isEmpty {
+                    currentCategory = previousCategory
+                }
+                throw error
+            }
+            sessionActive = true
+        }
+
+        let reconfigured = categoryChanged
+            ? holders.values.compactMap { $0.record(.categoryEscalated) }
+            : []
+        holders[ObjectIdentifier(token)] = token
+        return reconfigured
+    }
+
+    private func releaseOnQueue(_ token: Token) {
+        guard holders.removeValue(forKey: ObjectIdentifier(token)) != nil else { return }
+        guard holders.isEmpty else { return }
+        currentCategory = nil
+        guard sessionActive else { return }
+        sessionActive = false
+        do {
+            try session.setActive(false, notifyOthersOnDeactivation: true)
+        } catch {
+            SecureLogger.error("AudioSession: deactivation failed: \(error)", category: .session)
+        }
+    }
+
+    private func onQueue<T: Sendable>(_ body: @escaping @Sendable () -> T) async -> T {
+        await withCheckedContinuation { continuation in
+            queue.async {
+                continuation.resume(returning: body())
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    @MainActor
+    private func deliver(_ tickets: [Token.CallbackTicket]) async {
+        guard !tickets.isEmpty else { return }
+        if let beforeCallbackDelivery = testingHooks.beforeCallbackDelivery {
+            await beforeCallbackDelivery()
+        }
+        for ticket in tickets {
+            ticket.token.deliver(ticket)
+        }
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - System events (internal so tests can drive them directly)
+
+    /// A system interruption began: the session is already deactivated by the
+    /// OS, so just mark it inactive and tell every ready holder (on the main
+    /// actor) to stop. A provisional acquiring holder is invalidated instead.
+    /// No auto-resume — the next acquire re-activates.
+    func handleInterruptionBegan() async {
+        let tickets = await onQueue { () -> [Token.CallbackTicket] in
+            self.sessionActive = false
+            return self.holders.values.compactMap { $0.record(.interrupted) }
+        }
+        await deliver(tickets)
+    }
+
+    /// The active route's input/output device disappeared (e.g. BT headset
+    /// off): ready holders' engines are wedged against a dead route — stop
+    /// them; invalidate a holder whose acquire has not returned yet.
+    func handleRouteDeviceUnavailable() async {
+        let tickets = await onQueue {
+            self.holders.values.compactMap { $0.record(.interrupted) }
+        }
+        await deliver(tickets)
+    }
+
+    /// Test hook: suspends until every session operation enqueued before this
+    /// call — including fire-and-forget `release`s — has completed.
+    func drain() async {
+        await onQueue {}
+    }
+
+    private func observeSystemNotifications() {
+        #if os(iOS)
+        let center = NotificationCenter.default
+        observers.append(center.addObserver(
+            forName: AVAudioSession.interruptionNotification,
+            object: AVAudioSession.sharedInstance(),
+            queue: .main
+        ) { [weak self] note in
+            guard let raw = note.userInfo?[AVAudioSessionInterruptionTypeKey] as? UInt,
+                  AVAudioSession.InterruptionType(rawValue: raw) == .began,
+                  let self
+            else { return }
+            SecureLogger.info("AudioSession: interruption began", category: .session)
+            Task { await self.handleInterruptionBegan() }
+        })
+        observers.append(center.addObserver(
+            forName: AVAudioSession.routeChangeNotification,
+            object: AVAudioSession.sharedInstance(),
+            queue: .main
+        ) { [weak self] note in
+            guard let raw = note.userInfo?[AVAudioSessionRouteChangeReasonKey] as? UInt,
+                  AVAudioSession.RouteChangeReason(rawValue: raw) == .oldDeviceUnavailable,
+                  let self
+            else { return }
+            SecureLogger.info("AudioSession: route device became unavailable", category: .session)
+            Task { await self.handleRouteDeviceUnavailable() }
+        })
+        #endif
+    }
+}
+
+// MARK: - Production adapter
+
+#if os(iOS)
+private struct SystemAudioSession: SessionApplying {
+    func setCategory(_ category: AudioSessionCoordinator.Category) throws {
+        let session = AVAudioSession.sharedInstance()
+        switch category {
+        case .playback:
+            try session.setCategory(.playback, mode: .spokenAudio, options: [.mixWithOthers])
+        case .playAndRecord:
+            // allowBluetoothHFP is not available on iOS Simulator
+            #if targetEnvironment(simulator)
+            try session.setCategory(
+                .playAndRecord,
+                mode: .default,
+                options: [.defaultToSpeaker, .allowBluetoothA2DP, .mixWithOthers]
+            )
+            #else
+            try session.setCategory(
+                .playAndRecord,
+                mode: .default,
+                options: [.defaultToSpeaker, .allowBluetoothA2DP, .allowBluetoothHFP, .mixWithOthers]
+            )
+            #endif
+        }
+    }
+
+    func setActive(_ active: Bool, notifyOthersOnDeactivation: Bool) throws {
+        try AVAudioSession.sharedInstance().setActive(
+            active,
+            options: notifyOthersOnDeactivation ? [.notifyOthersOnDeactivation] : []
+        )
+    }
+}
+#else
+/// macOS has no app-level audio session; the coordinator still runs its
+/// bookkeeping so client code is identical across platforms.
+private struct SystemAudioSession: SessionApplying {
+    func setCategory(_ category: AudioSessionCoordinator.Category) throws {}
+    func setActive(_ active: Bool, notifyOthersOnDeactivation: Bool) throws {}
+}
+#endif
@@ -6,10 +6,142 @@
 // For more information, see <https://unlicense.org>
 //

-import AVFoundation
+@preconcurrency import AVFoundation
 import BitLogger
 import Foundation

+/// The engine operations behind live-burst playback, abstracted so the
+/// player's lifecycle (jitter start, category-escalation restart, stop) is
+/// unit-testable without real audio hardware.
+@MainActor
+protocol PTTPlaybackEngine: AnyObject {
+    /// The object `AVAudioEngineConfigurationChange` notifications are posted
+    /// for (nil for mocks — no observer is registered).
+    var configChangeObject: AnyObject? { get }
+    func start() throws
+    func play()
+    func stop()
+    func schedule(
+        _ buffer: AVAudioPCMBuffer,
+        completionType: PTTPlaybackCompletionType,
+        completionHandler: @escaping @Sendable (PTTPlaybackCompletionEvent) -> Void
+    )
+}
+
+/// The lifecycle point requested from `AVAudioPlayerNode` for a scheduled
+/// buffer. `dataConsumed` only means the node no longer needs the bytes; it
+/// may arrive before the render pipeline has made the audio audible.
+enum PTTPlaybackCompletionType: Equatable, Sendable {
+    case dataConsumed
+    case dataPlayedBack
+}
+
+enum PTTPlaybackCompletionEvent: Equatable, Sendable {
+    case dataConsumed
+    case dataPlayedBack
+    /// AVAudioPlayerNode invokes the requested callback when the node is
+    /// stopped too. That is not audible completion and must remain replayable.
+    case playbackStopped
+}
+
+/// One `AVAudioEngine` + `AVAudioPlayerNode` pair. Created fresh per (re)start:
+/// an engine instantiated against an earlier audio-session configuration keeps
+/// rendering to the stale route (same class of failure as the capture side's
+/// fresh-engine-per-press rule).
+@MainActor
+private final class SystemPTTPlaybackEngine: PTTPlaybackEngine {
+    private let engine = AVAudioEngine()
+    private let node = AVAudioPlayerNode()
+
+    init(format: AVAudioFormat) {
+        engine.attach(node)
+        engine.connect(node, to: engine.mainMixerNode, format: format)
+    }
+
+    var configChangeObject: AnyObject? { engine }
+
+    func start() throws {
+        engine.prepare()
+        try engine.start()
+    }
+
+    func play() {
+        node.play()
+    }
+
+    func stop() {
+        node.stop()
+        engine.stop()
+    }
+
+    func schedule(
+        _ buffer: AVAudioPCMBuffer,
+        completionType: PTTPlaybackCompletionType,
+        completionHandler: @escaping @Sendable (PTTPlaybackCompletionEvent) -> Void
+    ) {
+        let callbackType: AVAudioPlayerNodeCompletionCallbackType = switch completionType {
+        case .dataConsumed: .dataConsumed
+        case .dataPlayedBack: .dataPlayedBack
+        }
+        let scheduledEngine = engine
+        node.scheduleBuffer(buffer, completionCallbackType: callbackType) { [weak scheduledEngine] callbackType in
+            // The API invokes this callback when the player is stopped as
+            // well. A configuration change can stop the engine before its
+            // notification reaches MainActor, so do not misclassify that
+            // flushed tail as audible playback.
+            guard scheduledEngine?.isRunning == true else {
+                completionHandler(.playbackStopped)
+                return
+            }
+            switch callbackType {
+            case .dataConsumed:
+                completionHandler(.dataConsumed)
+            case .dataRendered:
+                completionHandler(.dataConsumed)
+            case .dataPlayedBack:
+                completionHandler(.dataPlayedBack)
+            @unknown default:
+                completionHandler(.playbackStopped)
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/// Completion callbacks arrive off the main actor, while engine rebuilds are
+/// serialized on it. This small lock-backed latch lets a rebuild atomically
+/// claim only buffers whose completion has not already fired — even when the
+/// callback's hop back to the main actor is still queued.
+private final class PTTPlaybackCompletionState: @unchecked Sendable {
+    private enum State {
+        case scheduled
+        case completed
+        case retired
+    }
+
+    private let lock = NSLock()
+    private var state: State = .scheduled
+
+    /// Returns true exactly once when playback completion wins the race with
+    /// an engine rebuild or stop.
+    func complete() -> Bool {
+        lock.withLock {
+            guard case .scheduled = state else { return false }
+            state = .completed
+            return true
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Returns true exactly once when a rebuild or stop claims this
+    /// still-pending schedule. Later callbacks from that engine are stale.
+    func retireIfPending() -> Bool {
+        lock.withLock {
+            guard case .scheduled = state else { return false }
+            state = .retired
+            return true
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 /// Plays one inbound live voice burst with a small jitter buffer.
 ///
 /// Frames are decoded and scheduled back-to-back on an `AVAudioPlayerNode`;
@@ -17,27 +149,77 @@ import Foundation
 /// buffer arrives, which self-heals timing without explicit silence
 /// insertion. Playback starts once `TransportConfig.pttJitterBufferSeconds`
 /// of audio is queued or `pttJitterDeadlineSeconds` has elapsed.
+///
+/// Talk-over is bidirectional: when push-to-talk capture starts while this
+/// burst plays, the session category escalates underneath the engine — the
+/// player rebuilds a fresh engine against the new configuration and keeps
+/// streaming instead of dying. Real interruptions (phone call, route device
+/// gone) still stop it; the burst keeps assembling to file either way.
@MainActor
 final class PTTBurstPlayer {
-    private let engine = AVAudioEngine()
-    private let node = AVAudioPlayerNode()
+    /// Restart-on-reconfigure ceiling: a burst is at most ~2 minutes, so a
+    /// handful of category/route changes is plenty — beyond it something is
+    /// thrashing and stopping cleanly beats an engine-rebuild loop.
+    private static let maxEngineRestarts = 8
+
+    private let makeEngine: @MainActor () -> PTTPlaybackEngine
+    private var engine: PTTPlaybackEngine
    private let decoder: PTTFrameDecoder
+    private let coordinator: AudioSessionCoordinator
+    /// Injectable so tests don't fight over the app-wide exclusive-playback
+    /// slot (a parallel test's `play()` would stop this player mid-test).
+    private let exclusivity: VoiceNotePlaybackCoordinator

    private var queuedBuffers: [AVAudioPCMBuffer] = []
    private var queuedDuration: TimeInterval = 0
-    private var scheduledCount = 0
+    private struct ScheduledBuffer {
+        let id: UInt64
+        let buffer: AVAudioPCMBuffer
+        let completionState: PTTPlaybackCompletionState
+    }
+    /// Buffers handed to the current engine whose completion has not yet
+    /// been processed on the main actor. Keeping the buffers themselves lets
+    /// a category-escalation rebuild replay the unfinished tail in order.
+    private var scheduledBuffers: [ScheduledBuffer] = []
+    private var nextScheduledBufferID: UInt64 = 0
+    /// Bumped on every engine rebuild or stop so completion tasks from a
+    /// torn-down engine cannot mutate the current generation's pending list.
+    private var engineGeneration = 0
+    private var engineRestarts = 0
    private var engineStarted = false
    private var finished = false
-    private var stopped = false
+    /// Latched off (internal read so tests can await the async failure path).
+    private(set) var stopped = false
+    /// A session acquire is in flight (it suspends off-main for the blocking
+    /// session IPC); gates `startIfReady` against double acquisition.
+    private var acquiringSession = false
    private var deadlineTask: Task<Void, Never>?
+    private var sessionToken: AudioSessionCoordinator.Token?
+    /// Reserved before the session acquire suspends. Activation succeeds only
+    /// if no newer playback request claimed the floor in the meantime.
+    private var playbackReservation: VoiceNotePlaybackCoordinator.Reservation?
+    private var configChangeObserver: NSObjectProtocol?

    private(set) var isPlaying = false

-    init?() {
+    /// Fires exactly once when the player stops for good (drain-out, cancel,
+    /// interruption, failure). `ChatLiveVoiceCoordinator` uses it to unpark
+    /// the draining player it keeps alive after the assembly — the player's
+    /// only long-lived owner — is discarded on burst END.
+    var onStopped: (() -> Void)?
+
+    init?(
+        coordinator: AudioSessionCoordinator? = nil,
+        exclusivity: VoiceNotePlaybackCoordinator? = nil,
+        makeEngine: (@MainActor () -> PTTPlaybackEngine)? = nil
+    ) {
        guard let format = PTTAudioFormat.pcmFormat, let decoder = PTTFrameDecoder() else { return nil }
        self.decoder = decoder
-        engine.attach(node)
-        engine.connect(node, to: engine.mainMixerNode, format: format)
+        self.coordinator = coordinator ?? .shared
+        self.exclusivity = exclusivity ?? .shared
+        let factory = makeEngine ?? { SystemPTTPlaybackEngine(format: format) }
+        self.makeEngine = factory
+        self.engine = factory()

        deadlineTask = Task { [weak self] in
            try? await Task.sleep(nanoseconds: UInt64(TransportConfig.pttJitterDeadlineSeconds * 1_000_000_000))
@@ -45,6 +227,21 @@ final class PTTBurstPlayer {
        }
    }

+    deinit {
+        // Backstop for an owner dropping the player before it stopped: the
+        // session coordinator retains registered tokens strongly, so a token
+        // leaked here would keep the session active (and pin any escalated
+        // category) for the app's lifetime. `release` is fire-and-forget
+        // onto the coordinator's queue, so it is deinit-safe.
+        if let token = sessionToken {
+            coordinator.release(token)
+        }
+        if let observer = configChangeObserver {
+            NotificationCenter.default.removeObserver(observer)
+        }
+        deadlineTask?.cancel()
+    }
+
    /// Decodes and queues frames (in burst order). Starts playback when the
    /// jitter buffer fills.
    func enqueue(_ frames: [Data]) {
@@ -64,49 +261,119 @@ final class PTTBurstPlayer {
    /// The burst ended: stop once everything scheduled has played out.
    func finishAfterDrain() {
        finished = true
+        // The complete burst is queued — no jitter left to wait for. This
+        // also matters when END lands while the async session acquire is
+        // still in flight: the queued audio must play out, not be treated
+        // as already drained.
+        startIfReady(force: true)
        stopIfDrained()
    }

-    /// Immediate stop (cancel, another playback taking over, teardown).
+    /// Immediate stop (cancel, another playback taking over, interruption,
+    /// teardown).
    func stop() {
        guard !stopped else { return }
        stopped = true
        deadlineTask?.cancel()
+        removeConfigObserver()
        queuedBuffers = []
+        retireScheduledBuffers()
        if engineStarted {
-            node.stop()
            engine.stop()
        }
        isPlaying = false
-        VoiceNotePlaybackCoordinator.shared.deactivate(self)
+        releaseSessionToken()
+        exclusivity.deactivate(self)
+        onStopped?()
    }

    private func startIfReady(force: Bool) {
-        guard !engineStarted, !stopped, !queuedBuffers.isEmpty else { return }
+        guard !engineStarted, !acquiringSession, !stopped, !queuedBuffers.isEmpty else { return }
        guard force || queuedDuration >= TransportConfig.pttJitterBufferSeconds else { return }

-        #if os(iOS)
-        do {
-            let session = AVAudioSession.sharedInstance()
-            try session.setCategory(.playback, mode: .spokenAudio, options: [.mixWithOthers])
-            try session.setActive(true, options: [])
-        } catch {
-            SecureLogger.error("PTT playback session activation failed: \(error)", category: .session)
+        // Acquiring the session suspends for its blocking IPC (off the main
+        // actor); frames arriving meanwhile keep queueing and are flushed
+        // onto the engine once it starts.
+        acquiringSession = true
+        playbackReservation = exclusivity.reserve(self)
+        Task { [weak self] in
+            await self?.acquireSessionAndStart()
+        }
    }
-        #endif

-        engine.prepare()
+    private func acquireSessionAndStart() async {
+        let token: AudioSessionCoordinator.Token
+        do {
+            token = try await coordinator.acquire(
+                .playback,
+                onInterrupted: { [weak self] in self?.stop() },
+                onCategoryEscalated: { [weak self] in self?.restartEngine() }
+            )
+        } catch {
+            acquiringSession = false
+            SecureLogger.error("PTT playback session activation failed: \(error)", category: .session)
+            // Playing unregistered would leave the engine exposed: another
+            // holder's last release deactivates the session mid-play, and no
+            // interruption/escalation fan-out ever reaches us. Bail like the
+            // engine-start failure below; the burst still assembles to file.
+            // (stop() also fires onStopped so a parked draining player is
+            // unparked instead of leaking.)
+            stop()
+            return
+        }
+        acquiringSession = false
+        // stop() (cancel, exclusivity, teardown) may have landed while the
+        // session was activating: hand the token straight back.
+        guard !stopped else {
+            coordinator.release(token)
+            return
+        }
+        sessionToken = token
+        guard let playbackReservation,
+              exclusivity.isCurrent(playbackReservation, for: self)
+        else {
+            // The request was superseded while audio-session activation was
+            // suspended. Do not even start the retired engine.
+            stop()
+            return
+        }
+
+        // Observe reconfiguration before starting so nothing lands between.
+        registerConfigObserver()
+        do {
+            try engine.start()
+        } catch {
+            // A capture racing this start can reconfigure the session while
+            // the engine spins up (its escalation fan-out no-ops on a player
+            // that never started): rebuild once against the settled
+            // configuration — counted against the restart cap — before
+            // giving up.
+            SecureLogger.warning("PTT playback engine failed to start (\(error)) — rebuilding once", category: .session)
+            removeConfigObserver()
+            engineRestarts += 1
+            engine = makeEngine()
+            registerConfigObserver()
            do {
                try engine.start()
            } catch {
                SecureLogger.error("PTT playback engine failed to start: \(error)", category: .session)
-            stopped = true
+                // stop() removes the observer, hands the token back, and
+                // fires onStopped for any parked draining owner.
+                stop()
                return
            }
+        }
        engineStarted = true
+        guard exclusivity.activate(self, reservation: playbackReservation)
+        else {
+            // A newer user-initiated playback reserved the floor while this
+            // older PTT request was suspended in audio-session activation.
+            // Never let the late completion steal playback back.
+            stop()
+            return
+        }
        isPlaying = true
-        VoiceNotePlaybackCoordinator.shared.activate(self)
-        node.play()
+        engine.play()

        let buffered = queuedBuffers
        queuedBuffers = []
@@ -116,21 +383,119 @@ final class PTTBurstPlayer {
        }
    }

-    private func schedule(_ buffer: AVAudioPCMBuffer) {
-        scheduledCount += 1
-        node.scheduleBuffer(buffer) { [weak self] in
+    /// The audio session was reconfigured underneath the running engine
+    /// (category escalation for talk-over, or an engine configuration
+    /// change): rebuild a fresh engine against the new configuration and
+    /// keep streaming. Buffers already completed stay completed; the
+    /// unfinished scheduled tail is replayed in order on the fresh engine,
+    /// and frames still arriving continue scheduling after it.
+    private func restartEngine() {
+        guard engineStarted, !stopped else { return }
+        engineRestarts += 1
+        guard engineRestarts <= Self.maxEngineRestarts else {
+            SecureLogger.warning("PTT playback: engine reconfigured \(engineRestarts) times in one burst — stopping", category: .session)
+            stop()
+            return
+        }
+
+        removeConfigObserver()
+        // Claim the unfinished tail before stopping the old engine. Stopping
+        // a player node may itself invoke its completion handlers; retiring
+        // the claimed entries first makes those callbacks unambiguously stale.
+        // A completion that fired just before this rebuild wins the latch and
+        // is excluded even if its MainActor task has not run yet.
+        let buffersToReplay = scheduledBuffers.compactMap { scheduled in
+            scheduled.completionState.retireIfPending() ? scheduled.buffer : nil
+        }
+        scheduledBuffers = []
+        engineGeneration += 1
+        engine.stop()
+        engine = makeEngine()
+        registerConfigObserver()
+        do {
+            try engine.start()
+        } catch {
+            SecureLogger.error("PTT playback engine failed to restart after session reconfigure: \(error)", category: .session)
+            stop()
+            return
+        }
+        engine.play()
+        for buffer in buffersToReplay {
+            schedule(buffer)
+        }
+        SecureLogger.info("PTT playback: engine restarted after session reconfigure", category: .session)
+        // If every old buffer completed before the rebuild, a finished burst
+        // can stop now. Otherwise the replayed tail keeps it alive until its
+        // new-generation completions arrive.
+        stopIfDrained()
+    }
+
+    private func registerConfigObserver() {
+        guard let object = engine.configChangeObject else { return }
+        configChangeObserver = NotificationCenter.default.addObserver(
+            forName: .AVAudioEngineConfigurationChange,
+            object: object,
+            queue: .main
+        ) { [weak self] _ in
            Task { @MainActor [weak self] in
-                guard let self else { return }
-                self.scheduledCount -= 1
+                self?.restartEngine()
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    private func removeConfigObserver() {
+        if let observer = configChangeObserver {
+            NotificationCenter.default.removeObserver(observer)
+            configChangeObserver = nil
+        }
+    }
+
+    private func schedule(_ buffer: AVAudioPCMBuffer) {
+        let id = nextScheduledBufferID
+        nextScheduledBufferID &+= 1
+        let completionState = PTTPlaybackCompletionState()
+        scheduledBuffers.append(ScheduledBuffer(
+            id: id,
+            buffer: buffer,
+            completionState: completionState
+        ))
+        let generation = engineGeneration
+        engine.schedule(buffer, completionType: .dataPlayedBack) { [weak self, completionState] event in
+            guard event == .dataPlayedBack else { return }
+            // Mark completion before hopping to MainActor. A rebuild can then
+            // distinguish already-completed audio from an unfinished tail
+            // even when this task has not run yet.
+            guard completionState.complete() else { return }
+            Task { @MainActor [weak self] in
+                guard let self, self.engineGeneration == generation else { return }
+                self.scheduledBuffers.removeAll { $0.id == id }
                self.stopIfDrained()
            }
        }
    }

+    private func retireScheduledBuffers() {
+        engineGeneration += 1
+        for scheduled in scheduledBuffers {
+            _ = scheduled.completionState.retireIfPending()
+        }
+        scheduledBuffers = []
+    }
+
    private func stopIfDrained() {
-        guard finished, scheduledCount <= 0 else { return }
+        guard finished, scheduledBuffers.isEmpty else { return }
+        // Started: everything scheduled has played out. Never started with
+        // nothing queued or in flight (e.g. no decodable frames): nothing
+        // will ever play. Otherwise the engine start is still pending (the
+        // async session acquire) and the queued audio must play out first.
+        guard engineStarted || (!acquiringSession && queuedBuffers.isEmpty) else { return }
        stop()
    }
+
+    private func releaseSessionToken() {
+        sessionToken.map(coordinator.release)
+        sessionToken = nil
+    }
 }

 extension PTTBurstPlayer: ExclusivePlayback {
@@ -10,12 +10,85 @@ import AVFoundation
 import BitLogger
 import Foundation

+/// Owns one capture token and returns it even when the capture engine's owner
+/// disappears without reaching its normal stop/cancel path. The coordinator
+/// retains registered tokens strongly, so relying on `Token.deinit` cannot
+/// reclaim an abandoned hold.
+final class PTTCaptureSessionLease: @unchecked Sendable {
+    private let coordinator: AudioSessionCoordinator
+    private let lock = NSLock()
+    private var token: AudioSessionCoordinator.Token?
+
+    init(coordinator: AudioSessionCoordinator) {
+        self.coordinator = coordinator
+    }
+
+    func install(_ token: AudioSessionCoordinator.Token) {
+        let previous = lock.withLock {
+            let previous = self.token
+            self.token = token
+            return previous
+        }
+        previous.map(coordinator.release)
+    }
+
+    func release() {
+        let token = lock.withLock {
+            let token = self.token
+            self.token = nil
+            return token
+        }
+        token.map(coordinator.release)
+    }
+
+    deinit {
+        release()
+    }
+}
+
+/// Monotonic capture identity shared by main-actor lifecycle code and queued
+/// engine callbacks. Removing a notification observer does not cancel a block
+/// already enqueued on the main queue, so every callback must also prove it
+/// still belongs to the current hold before mutating capture state.
+final class PTTCaptureGeneration: @unchecked Sendable {
+    private let lock = NSLock()
+    private var value: UInt = 0
+
+    func begin() -> UInt {
+        lock.withLock {
+            value &+= 1
+            return value
+        }
+    }
+
+    func invalidate() {
+        lock.withLock { value &+= 1 }
+    }
+
+    func invalidate(ifCurrent generation: UInt) -> Bool {
+        lock.withLock {
+            guard value == generation else { return false }
+            value &+= 1
+            return true
+        }
+    }
+
+    func isCurrent(_ generation: UInt) -> Bool {
+        lock.withLock { value == generation }
+    }
+}
+
 /// Captures microphone audio for a live push-to-talk burst, producing both:
 /// - live AAC frames via `onFrames` (called on the capture queue), and
 /// - a finalized `.m4a` voice note on `stop()` — the same artifact
 ///   `VoiceRecorder` produces, so the existing voice-note send pipeline
 ///   handles delivery to receivers that missed the live stream.
-final class PTTCaptureEngine {
+/// `@unchecked Sendable`: every mutable property is confined to one executor —
+/// the capture `queue` (resampler/encoder/file/counters) or the main actor
+/// (`engine`, `engineStarted`, `sessionLease`, `configChangeObserver`) — so
+/// weak references may cross the `@Sendable` tap/notification closures, which
+/// immediately hop back to the owning executor.
+final class PTTCaptureEngine: @unchecked Sendable {
    /// Hard cap matching `VoiceRecorder.maxRecordingDuration`: past it the
    /// engine keeps running (the UI owns the gesture) but stops encoding.
    private static let maxCaptureDuration: TimeInterval = 120
@@ -26,6 +99,9 @@ final class PTTCaptureEngine {
    /// enable the mic (AURemoteIO -10851, observed on iPhone field tests).
    private var engine = AVAudioEngine()
    private let queue = DispatchQueue(label: "chat.bitchat.ptt.capture", qos: .userInitiated)
+    private let coordinator: AudioSessionCoordinator
+    private let sessionLease: PTTCaptureSessionLease
+    private let captureGeneration = PTTCaptureGeneration()

    // Capture-queue-confined state.
    private var resampler: PTTInputResampler?
@@ -35,10 +111,10 @@ final class PTTCaptureEngine {
    private var encodedFrameCount = 0
    private var running = false
    private var captureStart = Date()
-    /// Whether `engine.start()` succeeded for the current capture (main-actor
-    /// callers only; see `stopEngineIfStarted`).
-    private var engineStarted = false
-
+    /// Whether `engine.start()` succeeded for the current capture
+    /// (see `stopEngineIfStarted`).
+    @MainActor private var engineStarted = false
+    @MainActor private var configChangeObserver: NSObjectProtocol?
    /// Called on the capture queue with each batch of encoded AAC frames.
    var onFrames: (([Data]) -> Void)?

@@ -47,11 +123,41 @@ final class PTTCaptureEngine {
        case audioSetupFailed
    }

-    func start(outputURL: URL) throws {
-        #if os(iOS)
-        try Self.configureAudioSession()
-        #endif
+    init(coordinator: AudioSessionCoordinator = .shared) {
+        self.coordinator = coordinator
+        self.sessionLease = PTTCaptureSessionLease(coordinator: coordinator)
+    }

+    deinit {
+        sessionLease.release()
+    }
+
+    /// Async because acquiring the session hops its blocking IPC off the main
+    /// actor (a PTT press used to stall main >1 s in `setActive`); the engine
+    /// itself still starts back on main once the session is configured.
+    @MainActor
+    func start(outputURL: URL) async throws {
+        let generation = captureGeneration.begin()
+        let token = try await coordinator.acquire(.capture) { [weak self] in
+            self?.handleInterruption(for: generation)
+        }
+        // The hold ended (stop/cancel) while the session was activating:
+        // starting the engine now would leave a hot mic after release.
+        guard captureGeneration.isCurrent(generation) else {
+            coordinator.release(token)
+            throw CancellationError()
+        }
+        sessionLease.install(token)
+        do {
+            try beginCapture(outputURL: outputURL, generation: generation)
+        } catch {
+            releaseSessionToken()
+            throw error
+        }
+    }
+
+    @MainActor
+    private func beginCapture(outputURL: URL, generation: UInt) throws {
        // Fresh engine per capture so its input unit binds to the session
        // that is active *now* (see `engine` doc comment).
        engine = AVAudioEngine()
@@ -83,13 +189,30 @@ final class PTTCaptureEngine {
        }

        engine.inputNode.installTap(onBus: 0, bufferSize: 4096, format: inputFormat) { [weak self] buffer, _ in
-            self?.queue.async { self?.process(buffer) }
+            self?.queue.async { self?.process(buffer, generation: generation) }
+        }
+        // Route/category changes reconfigure the engine underneath the tap;
+        // stop and finalize cleanly — the .m4a captured so far still sends.
+        // Registered before start() so no reconfigure lands unobserved
+        // (handleInterruption also validates this capture generation).
+        configChangeObserver = NotificationCenter.default.addObserver(
+            forName: .AVAudioEngineConfigurationChange,
+            object: engine,
+            queue: .main
+        ) { [weak self] _ in
+            Task { @MainActor [weak self] in
+                self?.handleInterruption(for: generation)
+            }
        }
        engine.prepare()
        do {
            try engine.start()
        } catch {
            SecureLogger.error("PTT: capture engine failed to start (input: \(Int(inputFormat.sampleRate)) Hz, \(inputFormat.channelCount) ch): \(error)", category: .session)
+            if let observer = configChangeObserver {
+                NotificationCenter.default.removeObserver(observer)
+                configChangeObserver = nil
+            }
            engine.inputNode.removeTap(onBus: 0)
            queue.sync { self.teardown(deleteFile: true) }
            throw error
@@ -100,7 +223,9 @@ final class PTTCaptureEngine {

    /// Stops capture and finalizes the `.m4a`. Returns the file URL and the
    /// number of encoded AAC frames (each `PTTAudioFormat.frameDuration` long).
+    @MainActor
    func stop() -> (url: URL?, encodedFrames: Int) {
+        captureGeneration.invalidate()
        stopEngineIfStarted()
        let result: (URL?, Int) = queue.sync {
            let url = fileURL
@@ -108,34 +233,70 @@ final class PTTCaptureEngine {
            teardown(deleteFile: false)
            return (url, frames)
        }
-        #if os(iOS)
-        Self.deactivateAudioSession()
-        #endif
+        releaseSessionToken()
        return result
    }

+    @MainActor
    func cancel() {
+        captureGeneration.invalidate()
        stopEngineIfStarted()
        queue.sync { teardown(deleteFile: true) }
-        #if os(iOS)
-        Self.deactivateAudioSession()
-        #endif
+        releaseSessionToken()
+    }
+
+    /// Audio session interrupted (call, Siri) or the engine was reconfigured
+    /// mid-capture: behave like `stop()` — finalize the `.m4a` container but
+    /// keep `fileURL`/`encodedFrameCount` so the caller's pending `stop()`
+    /// still returns the note for delivery.
+    @MainActor
+    private func handleInterruption(for generation: UInt) {
+        // Also invalidate a start whose acquire has registered its token but
+        // has not returned to this actor yet. Without this bump the callback
+        // is lost while `engineStarted == false`, and the resumed start can
+        // open the mic after the stop signal.
+        guard captureGeneration.invalidate(ifCurrent: generation) else { return }
+        guard engineStarted else {
+            releaseSessionToken()
+            return
+        }
+        stopEngineIfStarted()
+        queue.sync {
+            running = false
+            // Releasing the AVAudioFile finalizes the .m4a container.
+            file = nil
+            encoder = nil
+            resampler = nil
+        }
+        releaseSessionToken()
+        SecureLogger.info("PTT: capture interrupted — burst finalized early", category: .session)
    }

    /// Touching `inputNode` on an engine that never started instantiates its
    /// input unit against whatever session is active and spams AURemoteIO
    /// errors — a canceled-before-start hold must not touch the engine.
+    @MainActor
    private func stopEngineIfStarted() {
+        if let observer = configChangeObserver {
+            NotificationCenter.default.removeObserver(observer)
+            configChangeObserver = nil
+        }
        guard engineStarted else { return }
        engineStarted = false
        engine.inputNode.removeTap(onBus: 0)
        engine.stop()
    }

+    @MainActor
+    private func releaseSessionToken() {
+        sessionLease.release()
+    }
+
    // MARK: - Capture queue

-    private func process(_ buffer: AVAudioPCMBuffer) {
-        guard running,
+    private func process(_ buffer: AVAudioPCMBuffer, generation: UInt) {
+        guard captureGeneration.isCurrent(generation),
+              running,
              Date().timeIntervalSince(captureStart) < Self.maxCaptureDuration,
              let resampled = resampler?.resample(buffer)
        else { return }
@@ -162,22 +323,4 @@ final class PTTCaptureEngine {
        }
        fileURL = nil
    }
-
-    // MARK: - Audio session (iOS)
-
-    #if os(iOS)
-    private static func configureAudioSession() throws {
-        let session = AVAudioSession.sharedInstance()
-        #if targetEnvironment(simulator)
-        try session.setCategory(.playAndRecord, mode: .default, options: [.defaultToSpeaker, .allowBluetoothA2DP])
-        #else
-        try session.setCategory(.playAndRecord, mode: .default, options: [.defaultToSpeaker, .allowBluetoothA2DP, .allowBluetoothHFP])
-        #endif
-        try session.setActive(true, options: .notifyOthersOnDeactivation)
-    }
-
-    private static func deactivateAudioSession() {
-        try? AVAudioSession.sharedInstance().setActive(false, options: .notifyOthersOnDeactivation)
-    }
-    #endif
 }
@@ -31,25 +31,45 @@ protocol VoiceCaptureSession: AnyObject {
 /// The classic record-then-send backend, wrapping the shared `VoiceRecorder`.
@MainActor
 final class VoiceNoteCaptureSession: VoiceCaptureSession {
+    private let recorder: VoiceRecorder
+    private let owner = VoiceRecorder.RecordingOwner()
+
    var isLive: Bool { false }

+    init(recorder: VoiceRecorder = .shared) {
+        self.recorder = recorder
+    }
+
    func requestPermission() async -> Bool {
-        await VoiceRecorder.shared.requestPermission()
+        await recorder.requestPermission()
    }

    func start() async throws {
-        try await VoiceRecorder.shared.startRecording()
+        try await recorder.startRecording(owner: owner)
    }

    func finish() async -> URL? {
-        await VoiceRecorder.shared.stopRecording()
+        await recorder.stopRecording(owner: owner)
    }

    func cancel() async {
-        await VoiceRecorder.shared.cancelRecording()
+        await recorder.cancelRecording(owner: owner)
    }
 }

+/// Testable surface of the live capture engine. Production uses
+/// `PTTCaptureEngine`; tests can supply captured-frame counts without opening
+/// real audio hardware.
+@MainActor
+protocol PTTCapturing: AnyObject {
+    var onFrames: (([Data]) -> Void)? { get set }
+    func start(outputURL: URL) async throws
+    func stop() -> (url: URL?, encodedFrames: Int)
+    func cancel()
+}
+
+extension PTTCaptureEngine: PTTCapturing {}
+
 /// Live push-to-talk backend: streams `VoiceBurstPacket`s to one peer while
 /// recording, then finalizes the same audio as a standard voice note whose
 /// file name carries the burst ID (`voice_<burstID>.m4a`) so receivers that
@@ -60,7 +80,8 @@ final class PTTLiveVoiceSession: VoiceCaptureSession {
    let burstID: Data

    private let sendPacket: (Data) -> Void
-    private let capture = PTTCaptureEngine()
+    private let capture: any PTTCapturing
+    private let now: () -> Date
    /// Capture-queue-confined stream state: packetizes frames and lazily
    /// emits START so packet order is guaranteed by queue serialization.
    private final class StreamState {
@@ -79,10 +100,17 @@ final class PTTLiveVoiceSession: VoiceCaptureSession {
    /// - Parameter sendPacket: delivers one encoded `VoiceBurstPacket` to the
    ///   target peer; must be safe to call from any queue (BLEService hops to
    ///   its own message queue internally).
-    init(sendPacket: @escaping (Data) -> Void) {
-        self.burstID = VoiceBurstPacket.makeBurstID()
+    init(
+        sendPacket: @escaping (Data) -> Void,
+        capture: (any PTTCapturing)? = nil,
+        now: @escaping () -> Date = Date.init,
+        burstID: Data? = nil
+    ) {
+        self.burstID = burstID ?? VoiceBurstPacket.makeBurstID()
        self.sendPacket = sendPacket
-        self.stream = StreamState(burstID: burstID)
+        self.capture = capture ?? PTTCaptureEngine()
+        self.now = now
+        self.stream = StreamState(burstID: self.burstID)
    }

    func requestPermission() async -> Bool {
@@ -117,16 +145,31 @@ final class PTTLiveVoiceSession: VoiceCaptureSession {
            }
        }
        do {
-            try capture.start(outputURL: outputURL)
+            try await capture.start(outputURL: outputURL)
+        } catch is CancellationError {
+            // The hold was released/canceled while the session acquire was
+            // in flight: the engine never started and the capture already
+            // handed its token back — nothing to retry. A coordinator-side
+            // interruption during handoff also cancels acquire, but that is
+            // not a successful start and must propagate to the view model.
+            guard completed else { throw CancellationError() }
+            return
        } catch {
            // The HAL can briefly report a dead input right after the audio
            // session (re)activates while the route settles; one retry after
            // a short pause covers it (observed on iPhone field tests).
            SecureLogger.warning("PTT: capture start failed (\(error)) — retrying once after route settle", category: .session)
            try? await Task.sleep(nanoseconds: 150_000_000)
-            try capture.start(outputURL: outputURL)
+            // The hold may have been released/canceled during the retry pause.
+            // Starting the mic now would leave it live and streaming after the
+            // user let go, so bail instead of opening a hot mic.
+            guard !completed else {
+                capture.cancel()
+                return
            }
-        startDate = Date()
+            try await capture.start(outputURL: outputURL)
+        }
+        startDate = now()
        SecureLogger.info("PTT: live burst \(burstID.hexEncodedString()) capture started", category: .session)
    }

@@ -134,11 +177,16 @@ final class PTTLiveVoiceSession: VoiceCaptureSession {
        guard !completed else { return nil }
        completed = true

-        let elapsed = startDate.map { Date().timeIntervalSince($0) } ?? 0
+        let elapsed = startDate.map { now().timeIntervalSince($0) } ?? 0
        let (url, encodedFrames) = capture.stop()
        // stop() drained the capture queue, so touching `stream` is safe now.

-        guard elapsed >= VoiceRecorder.minRecordingDuration, let url else {
+        let capturedDuration = Double(encodedFrames) * PTTAudioFormat.frameDuration
+
+        guard elapsed >= VoiceRecorder.minRecordingDuration,
+              capturedDuration >= VoiceRecorder.minRecordingDuration,
+              let url
+        else {
            sendControlPacket(.canceled)
            if let url {
                try? FileManager.default.removeItem(at: url)
@@ -149,18 +197,24 @@ final class PTTLiveVoiceSession: VoiceCaptureSession {
        for packet in stream.packetizer.flush() {
            sendPacket(packet)
        }
-        let durationMs = UInt32((Double(encodedFrames) * PTTAudioFormat.frameDuration * 1000).rounded())
+        let durationMs = UInt32((capturedDuration * 1000).rounded())
        sendControlPacket(.end(totalDataPackets: stream.packetizer.dataPacketCount, durationMs: durationMs))
        SecureLogger.info("PTT: live burst \(burstID.hexEncodedString()) finished — \(stream.packetizer.dataPacketCount) data packets, \(encodedFrames) frames, \(durationMs) ms", category: .session)
        return url
    }

    func cancel() async {
-        guard !completed else { return }
+        let alreadyCompleted = completed
        completed = true
+        // Always tear down the capture, even if a quick-release already marked
+        // us completed: the engine can start late (during start()'s retry
+        // pause), and only capture.cancel() stops the mic and deactivates the
+        // session. It is idempotent, so a redundant call is harmless.
        capture.cancel()
+        if !alreadyCompleted {
            sendControlPacket(.canceled)
        }
+    }

    private func sendControlPacket(_ kind: VoiceBurstPacket.Kind) {
        guard let packet = VoiceBurstPacket(burstID: burstID, seq: stream.packetizer.nextSeq, kind: kind) else { return }
@@ -9,6 +9,9 @@ final class VoiceNotePlaybackController: NSObject, ObservableObject, AVAudioPlay
    @Published private(set) var duration: TimeInterval = 0
    @Published private(set) var progress: Double = 0

+    /// Internal lifecycle visibility for deterministic acquisition tests.
+    var isPlaybackStartPending: Bool { sessionAcquireInFlight }
+
    /// rounded so 4.9s shows "00:05"
    var roundedDuration: Int {
        guard duration.isFinite else { return 0 }
@@ -24,9 +27,24 @@ final class VoiceNotePlaybackController: NSObject, ObservableObject, AVAudioPlay
    private var player: AVAudioPlayer?
    private var timer: Timer?
    private var url: URL
+    /// Test seam; `AudioSessionCoordinator.shared` when nil.
+    private let sessionCoordinatorOverride: AudioSessionCoordinator?
+    /// Injectable so tests don't fight over the app-wide exclusive-playback
+    /// slot (a parallel test's `play()` would pause this controller mid-test).
+    private let exclusivity: VoiceNotePlaybackCoordinator
+    private var sessionToken: AudioSessionCoordinator.Token?
+    /// A session acquire is in flight (it suspends off-main for the blocking
+    /// session IPC); gates against double acquisition on rapid play taps.
+    private var sessionAcquireInFlight = false

-    init(url: URL) {
+    init(
+        url: URL,
+        sessionCoordinator: AudioSessionCoordinator? = nil,
+        exclusivity: VoiceNotePlaybackCoordinator? = nil
+    ) {
        self.url = url
+        self.sessionCoordinatorOverride = sessionCoordinator
+        self.exclusivity = exclusivity ?? .shared
        super.init()
        // Don't load anything eagerly - wait until user interaction or view is fully displayed
    }
@@ -51,6 +69,16 @@ final class VoiceNotePlaybackController: NSObject, ObservableObject, AVAudioPlay

    deinit {
        timer?.invalidate()
+        player?.stop()
+        // A per-row @StateObject can be discarded mid-playback (navigating
+        // away). Leaking the token here would hold the session forever —
+        // never deactivating it, and pinning any escalated category for the
+        // app's lifetime. `release` is fire-and-forget onto the coordinator's
+        // queue, so it is deinit-safe: only the Sendable token crosses.
+        if let token = sessionToken {
+            sessionToken = nil
+            (sessionCoordinatorOverride ?? .shared).release(token)
+        }
    }

    func replaceURL(_ url: URL) {
@@ -68,11 +96,15 @@ final class VoiceNotePlaybackController: NSObject, ObservableObject, AVAudioPlay

    func play() {
        guard ensurePlayerReady() else { return }
-        VoiceNotePlaybackCoordinator.shared.activate(self)
-        player?.play()
+        exclusivity.activate(self)
+        isPlaying = true
        startTimer()
        updateProgress()
-        isPlaying = true
+        // Acquired here (not in ensurePlayerReady): scrubbing a paused note
+        // must not hold the session while nothing is audible. The session
+        // calls block on audio-server IPC, so they run off the main thread;
+        // the player starts once the session is configured.
+        startPlayerAfterAcquiringSession()
    }

    func pause() {
@@ -80,6 +112,7 @@ final class VoiceNotePlaybackController: NSObject, ObservableObject, AVAudioPlay
        stopTimer()
        updateProgress()
        isPlaying = false
+        releaseSession()
    }

    func stop() {
@@ -88,7 +121,8 @@ final class VoiceNotePlaybackController: NSObject, ObservableObject, AVAudioPlay
        stopTimer()
        updateProgress()
        isPlaying = false
-        VoiceNotePlaybackCoordinator.shared.deactivate(self)
+        releaseSession()
+        exclusivity.deactivate(self)
    }

    func seek(to fraction: Double) {
@@ -96,8 +130,11 @@ final class VoiceNotePlaybackController: NSObject, ObservableObject, AVAudioPlay
        let clamped = max(0, min(1, fraction))
        if let player = player {
            player.currentTime = clamped * player.duration
-            if isPlaying {
-                player.play()
+            // While the session acquire is still in flight, don't start
+            // audio pre-activation — the pending acquire's completion starts
+            // playback (from the new position) once the session resolves.
+            if isPlaying, !sessionAcquireInFlight {
+                startPreparedPlayer()
            }
            updateProgress()
        }
@@ -112,18 +149,20 @@ final class VoiceNotePlaybackController: NSObject, ObservableObject, AVAudioPlay
            self.stopTimer()
            self.updateProgress()
            self.isPlaying = false
-            VoiceNotePlaybackCoordinator.shared.deactivate(self)
+            self.releaseSession()
+            self.exclusivity.deactivate(self)
        }
    }

    // MARK: - Private Helpers

    private func preparePlayer(for url: URL) {
-        // Prepare player synchronously (only called when playback is requested)
+        // Load metadata synchronously, but do not call prepareToPlay here:
+        // paused scrubbing reaches this path and must not acquire playback
+        // hardware outside the AudioSessionCoordinator token lifetime.
        do {
            let player = try AVAudioPlayer(contentsOf: url)
            player.delegate = self
-            player.prepareToPlay()
            self.player = player
            duration = player.duration
            currentTime = player.currentTime
@@ -141,16 +180,79 @@ final class VoiceNotePlaybackController: NSObject, ObservableObject, AVAudioPlay
        if player == nil {
            preparePlayer(for: url)
        }
-        #if os(iOS)
-        let session = AVAudioSession.sharedInstance()
+        return player != nil
+    }
+
+    /// All entry points (SwiftUI actions, `pauseForExclusivity`, the
+    /// delegate's main-queue hop) run on the main thread; the acquire itself
+    /// suspends while the blocking session IPC runs on the coordinator's
+    /// queue, and the player starts when it resolves. An acquire failure
+    /// leaves playback stopped: starting without a registered token would
+    /// bypass interruption fan-out and the coordinator's refcount. A
+    /// pause/stop landing mid-acquire hands the token straight back.
+    private func startPlayerAfterAcquiringSession() {
+        if sessionToken != nil {
+            startPreparedPlayer()
+            return
+        }
+        guard !sessionAcquireInFlight else { return }
+        sessionAcquireInFlight = true
+        let coordinator = sessionCoordinatorOverride ?? AudioSessionCoordinator.shared
+        Task { @MainActor [weak self] in
+            var token: AudioSessionCoordinator.Token?
            do {
-            try session.setCategory(.playback, mode: .spokenAudio, options: [.mixWithOthers])
-            try session.setActive(true, options: [])
+                token = try await coordinator.acquire(.playback) { [weak self] in
+                    self?.pause()
+                }
            } catch {
                SecureLogger.error("Failed to activate audio session: \(error)", category: .session)
            }
-        #endif
-        return player != nil
+            guard let self else {
+                // The row was discarded while acquiring; deinit had no token
+                // to release yet.
+                token.map(coordinator.release)
+                return
+            }
+            self.sessionAcquireInFlight = false
+            guard self.isPlaying else {
+                // Paused/stopped while the session was activating.
+                token.map(coordinator.release)
+                return
+            }
+            guard let token else {
+                self.failPlaybackStart()
+                return
+            }
+            self.sessionToken = token
+            self.startPreparedPlayer()
+        }
+    }
+
+    @discardableResult
+    private func startPreparedPlayer() -> Bool {
+        guard let player,
+              player.prepareToPlay(),
+              player.play()
+        else {
+            SecureLogger.error("Voice note player refused to start " + url.lastPathComponent, category: .session)
+            failPlaybackStart()
+            return false
+        }
+        return true
+    }
+
+    private func failPlaybackStart() {
+        player?.pause()
+        stopTimer()
+        updateProgress()
+        isPlaying = false
+        releaseSession()
+        exclusivity.deactivate(self)
+    }
+
+    private func releaseSession() {
+        sessionToken.map((sessionCoordinatorOverride ?? .shared).release)
+        sessionToken = nil
    }

    private func startTimer() {
@@ -197,21 +299,59 @@ extension VoiceNotePlaybackController: ExclusivePlayback {
 final class VoiceNotePlaybackCoordinator {
    static let shared = VoiceNotePlaybackCoordinator()

+    struct Reservation: Equatable {
+        fileprivate let generation: UInt64
+    }
+
    private weak var activeController: (any ExclusivePlayback)?
+    private weak var latestReservedController: (any ExclusivePlayback)?
+    private var latestReservation = Reservation(generation: 0)

-    private init() {}
+    /// Internal so tests can isolate their own exclusivity slot; the app
+    /// uses `shared`.
+    init() {}

-    func activate(_ controller: any ExclusivePlayback) {
+    /// Records playback intent without interrupting audio that is already
+    /// audible. Async starters reserve before suspension, then activate only
+    /// after their audio resource is ready.
+    func reserve(_ controller: any ExclusivePlayback) -> Reservation {
+        latestReservation = Reservation(generation: latestReservation.generation &+ 1)
+        latestReservedController = controller
+        return latestReservation
+    }
+
+    /// Immediate activation for synchronous/user-initiated playback.
+    @discardableResult
+    func activate(_ controller: any ExclusivePlayback) -> Reservation {
+        let reservation = reserve(controller)
+        _ = activate(controller, reservation: reservation)
+        return reservation
+    }
+
+    /// Commits an earlier reservation only when it is still the newest
+    /// playback request. This prevents an older async acquire from stealing
+    /// the floor after a newer play gesture.
+    @discardableResult
+    func activate(_ controller: any ExclusivePlayback, reservation: Reservation) -> Bool {
+        guard isCurrent(reservation, for: controller) else { return false }
        if activeController === controller {
-            return
+            return true
        }
        activeController?.pauseForExclusivity()
        activeController = controller
+        return true
+    }
+
+    func isCurrent(_ reservation: Reservation, for controller: any ExclusivePlayback) -> Bool {
+        latestReservation == reservation && latestReservedController === controller
    }

    func deactivate(_ controller: any ExclusivePlayback) {
        if activeController === controller {
            activeController = nil
        }
+        if latestReservedController === controller {
+            latestReservedController = nil
+        }
    }
 }
@@ -1,21 +1,95 @@
 import Foundation
 import AVFoundation

+/// The small surface of `AVAudioRecorder` that `VoiceRecorder` owns. Keeping
+/// it behind a protocol lets lifecycle races be tested without opening the
+/// microphone on the test host.
+protocol VoiceAudioRecording: AnyObject {
+    var isRecording: Bool { get }
+    var isMeteringEnabled: Bool { get set }
+    func prepareToRecord() -> Bool
+    func record(forDuration duration: TimeInterval) -> Bool
+    func stop()
+}
+
+extension AVAudioRecorder: VoiceAudioRecording {}
+
+protocol VoiceAudioRecorderCreating {
+    func makeRecorder(url: URL) throws -> any VoiceAudioRecording
+}
+
+private struct SystemVoiceAudioRecorderFactory: VoiceAudioRecorderCreating {
+    func makeRecorder(url: URL) throws -> any VoiceAudioRecording {
+        let settings: [String: Any] = [
+            AVFormatIDKey: kAudioFormatMPEG4AAC,
+            AVSampleRateKey: 16_000,
+            AVNumberOfChannelsKey: 1,
+            AVEncoderBitRateKey: 16_000
+        ]
+        return try AVAudioRecorder(url: url, settings: settings)
+    }
+}
+
 /// Manages audio capture for mesh voice notes with predictable encoding settings.
 actor VoiceRecorder {
-    enum RecorderError: Error {
+    enum RecorderError: Error, Equatable {
        case microphoneAccessDenied
        case recordingInProgress
+        case failedToStartRecording
    }

    static let shared = VoiceRecorder()

-    private let paddingInterval: TimeInterval = 0.5
-    private let maxRecordingDuration: TimeInterval = 120
    static let minRecordingDuration: TimeInterval = 1

-    private var recorder: AVAudioRecorder?
+    /// Identity of one press/hold. Every lifecycle mutation must present the
+    /// same owner that started the recorder, so a stale finish or cancel from
+    /// another hold cannot stop or delete the current recording.
+    final class RecordingOwner: @unchecked Sendable {}
+
+    /// Test-only scheduling seams for lifecycle boundaries that otherwise rely
+    /// on wall-clock sleeps. Production uses the real padding delay.
+    struct TestingHooks: Sendable {
+        let waitForStopPadding: (@Sendable (TimeInterval) async -> Void)?
+
+        init(waitForStopPadding: (@Sendable (TimeInterval) async -> Void)? = nil) {
+            self.waitForStopPadding = waitForStopPadding
+        }
+    }
+
+    private let sessionCoordinator: AudioSessionCoordinator
+    private let recorderFactory: any VoiceAudioRecorderCreating
+    private let permissionGranted: () -> Bool
+    private let paddingInterval: TimeInterval
+    private let maxRecordingDuration: TimeInterval
+    private let outputDirectory: URL?
+    private let testingHooks: TestingHooks
+
+    private var recorder: (any VoiceAudioRecording)?
    private var currentURL: URL?
+    private var sessionToken: AudioSessionCoordinator.Token?
+    private var activeOwner: RecordingOwner?
+    /// True only while `startRecording()` is suspended in session acquire.
+    /// A second start is rejected instead of superseding the first one.
+    private var startInFlight = false
+
+    init(
+        sessionCoordinator: AudioSessionCoordinator = .shared,
+        recorderFactory: any VoiceAudioRecorderCreating = SystemVoiceAudioRecorderFactory(),
+        permissionGranted: (() -> Bool)? = nil,
+        paddingInterval: TimeInterval = 0.5,
+        maxRecordingDuration: TimeInterval = 120,
+        outputDirectory: URL? = nil,
+        testingHooks: TestingHooks = TestingHooks()
+    ) {
+        self.sessionCoordinator = sessionCoordinator
+        self.recorderFactory = recorderFactory
+        self.permissionGranted = permissionGranted ?? Self.hasSystemPermission
+        self.paddingInterval = paddingInterval
+        self.maxRecordingDuration = maxRecordingDuration
+        self.outputDirectory = outputDirectory
+        self.testingHooks = testingHooks
+    }

    // MARK: - Permissions

@@ -41,82 +115,130 @@ actor VoiceRecorder {
    // MARK: - Recording Lifecycle

    @discardableResult
-    func startRecording() throws -> URL {
-        if recorder?.isRecording == true {
+    func startRecording(owner: RecordingOwner) async throws -> URL {
+        if activeOwner != nil {
            throw RecorderError.recordingInProgress
        }

-        #if os(iOS)
-        let session = AVAudioSession.sharedInstance()
-        guard session.recordPermission == .granted else {
+        guard permissionGranted() else {
            throw RecorderError.microphoneAccessDenied
        }
-        #if targetEnvironment(simulator)
-        // allowBluetoothHFP is not available on iOS Simulator
-        try session.setCategory(
-            .playAndRecord,
-            mode: .default,
-            options: [.defaultToSpeaker, .allowBluetoothA2DP]
-        )
-        #else
-        try session.setCategory(
-            .playAndRecord,
-            mode: .default,
-            options: [.defaultToSpeaker, .allowBluetoothA2DP, .allowBluetoothHFP]
-        )
-        #endif
-        try session.setActive(true, options: .notifyOthersOnDeactivation)
-        #endif
-        #if os(macOS)
-        guard AVCaptureDevice.authorizationStatus(for: .audio) == .authorized else {
-            throw RecorderError.microphoneAccessDenied
+
+        activeOwner = owner
+        startInFlight = true
+
+        // The acquire suspends while the blocking session IPC runs on the
+        // coordinator's queue (never this actor's thread or main).
+        let token: AudioSessionCoordinator.Token
+        do {
+            token = try await sessionCoordinator.acquire(.capture) { [weak self] in
+                Task { await self?.handleSessionInterruption(for: owner) }
+            }
+        } catch {
+            guard activeOwner === owner else {
+                throw CancellationError()
+            }
+            startInFlight = false
+            activeOwner = nil
+            throw error
        }
-        #endif

-        let outputURL = try makeOutputURL()
-        let settings: [String: Any] = [
-            AVFormatIDKey: kAudioFormatMPEG4AAC,
-            AVSampleRateKey: 16_000,
-            AVNumberOfChannelsKey: 1,
-            AVEncoderBitRateKey: 16_000
-        ]
+        // Actor reentrancy: release/cancel may have ended this hold while the
+        // blocking session activation was still in progress.
+        guard activeOwner === owner, startInFlight else {
+            sessionCoordinator.release(token)
+            throw CancellationError()
+        }
+        startInFlight = false
+        sessionToken = token

-        let audioRecorder = try AVAudioRecorder(url: outputURL, settings: settings)
+        var outputURL: URL?
+        do {
+            let newURL = try makeOutputURL()
+            outputURL = newURL
+            let audioRecorder = try recorderFactory.makeRecorder(url: newURL)
            audioRecorder.isMeteringEnabled = true
-        audioRecorder.prepareToRecord()
-        audioRecorder.record(forDuration: maxRecordingDuration)
+            guard audioRecorder.prepareToRecord() else {
+                throw RecorderError.failedToStartRecording
+            }
+            guard audioRecorder.record(forDuration: maxRecordingDuration) else {
+                throw RecorderError.failedToStartRecording
+            }

            recorder = audioRecorder
-        currentURL = outputURL
-        return outputURL
+            currentURL = newURL
+            return newURL
+        } catch {
+            releaseSessionToken()
+            recorder = nil
+            currentURL = nil
+            activeOwner = nil
+            if let outputURL {
+                try? FileManager.default.removeItem(at: outputURL)
+            }
+            throw error
+        }
    }

-    func stopRecording() async -> URL? {
-        guard let recorder, recorder.isRecording else {
-            return currentURL
+    func stopRecording(owner: RecordingOwner) async -> URL? {
+        guard activeOwner === owner else { return nil }
+
+        // `finish()` can race a still-suspended start on a direct caller even
+        // though the UI normally routes quick releases through cancel().
+        if startInFlight {
+            activeOwner = nil
+            startInFlight = false
+            return nil
+        }
+
+        guard let activeRecorder = recorder else {
+            let sessionURL = currentURL
+            releaseSessionToken()
+            currentURL = nil
+            activeOwner = nil
+            return sessionURL
        }

        let sessionURL = currentURL

+        if activeRecorder.isRecording, paddingInterval > 0 {
+            if let waitForStopPadding = testingHooks.waitForStopPadding {
+                await waitForStopPadding(paddingInterval)
+            } else {
                try? await Task.sleep(nanoseconds: UInt64(paddingInterval * 1_000_000_000))
+            }
+        }

-        recorder.stop()
+        // Cancellation or interruption may have run during the padding sleep.
+        // Only the recorder whose stop began here may be finalized by it.
+        guard activeOwner === owner,
+              let recorder = self.recorder,
+              recorder === activeRecorder
+        else { return nil }

-        // A new session may have started during the sleep — don't touch its state
-        if self.recorder === recorder {
-            cleanupSession()
+        if activeRecorder.isRecording {
+            activeRecorder.stop()
+        }
+        releaseSessionToken()
        self.recorder = nil
        currentURL = nil
-        }
+        activeOwner = nil

        return sessionURL
    }

-    func cancelRecording() {
+    func cancelRecording(owner: RecordingOwner) async {
+        guard activeOwner === owner else { return }
+
+        // Invalidate ownership before cleanup. An actor-reentrant start whose
+        // session acquire resumes later will observe the mismatch and release
+        // its token without opening the microphone.
+        activeOwner = nil
+        startInFlight = false
        if let recorder, recorder.isRecording {
            recorder.stop()
        }
-        cleanupSession()
+        releaseSessionToken()
        if let currentURL {
            try? FileManager.default.removeItem(at: currentURL)
        }
@@ -124,14 +246,45 @@ actor VoiceRecorder {
        currentURL = nil
    }

+    /// The audio session was interrupted (call, Siri) or reconfigured: stop
+    /// the recorder but keep `recorder`/`currentURL` so the caller's pending
+    /// `stopRecording()` still returns the partial note.
+    private func handleSessionInterruption(for owner: RecordingOwner) async {
+        // A callback captured for a released token must never stop a newer
+        // recording. Conversely, an interruption delivered while acquire is
+        // still suspended invalidates that acquire before it can open the mic.
+        guard activeOwner === owner else { return }
+        if startInFlight {
+            activeOwner = nil
+            startInFlight = false
+            return
+        }
+        startInFlight = false
+        if let recorder, recorder.isRecording {
+            recorder.stop()
+        }
+        releaseSessionToken()
+    }
+
    // MARK: - Helpers

+    private static func hasSystemPermission() -> Bool {
+        #if os(iOS)
+        AVAudioSession.sharedInstance().recordPermission == .granted
+        #elseif os(macOS)
+        AVCaptureDevice.authorizationStatus(for: .audio) == .authorized
+        #else
+        true
+        #endif
+    }
+
    private func makeOutputURL() throws -> URL {
        let formatter = DateFormatter()
        formatter.dateFormat = "yyyyMMdd_HHmmss"
-        let fileName = "voice_\(formatter.string(from: Date())).m4a"
+        let fileName = "voice_\(formatter.string(from: Date()))_\(UUID().uuidString).m4a"

-        let baseDirectory = try applicationFilesDirectory().appendingPathComponent("voicenotes/outgoing", isDirectory: true)
+        let baseDirectory = try outputDirectory
+            ?? applicationFilesDirectory().appendingPathComponent("voicenotes/outgoing", isDirectory: true)
        try FileManager.default.createDirectory(at: baseDirectory, withIntermediateDirectories: true, attributes: nil)
        return baseDirectory.appendingPathComponent(fileName)
    }
@@ -146,9 +299,11 @@ actor VoiceRecorder {
        #endif
    }

-    private func cleanupSession() {
-        #if os(iOS)
-        try? AVAudioSession.sharedInstance().setActive(false, options: .notifyOthersOnDeactivation)
-        #endif
+    /// Fire-and-forget: the coordinator hops the blocking deactivation IPC
+    /// onto its own queue.
+    private func releaseSessionToken() {
+        guard let token = sessionToken else { return }
+        sessionToken = nil
+        sessionCoordinator.release(token)
    }
 }
@@ -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.
@@ -371,6 +381,66 @@ final class SecureIdentityStateManager: SecureIdentityStateManagerProtocol {
        }
    }

+    // 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) {
            let previousClaimedNickname = self.cache.socialIdentities[identity.fingerprint]?.claimedNickname
@@ -31,6 +31,8 @@
 	</array>
 	<key>CFBundleVersion</key>
 	<string>$(CURRENT_PROJECT_VERSION)</string>
+	<key>LSApplicationCategoryType</key>
+	<string>public.app-category.social-networking</string>
 	<key>LSMinimumSystemVersion</key>
 	<string>$(MACOSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET)</string>
 	<key>NSBluetoothAlwaysUsageDescription</key>
@@ -40,9 +42,9 @@
 	<key>NSCameraUsageDescription</key>
 	<string>bitchat uses the camera to scan QR codes to verify peers.</string>
 	<key>NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription</key>
-	<string>bitchat uses your approximate location to compute local geohash channels for optional public chats. Exact GPS is never shared.</string>
+	<string>bitchat uses your location to compute optional geohash channels, bridge cells, and nearby place labels. Exact coordinates are not included in bitchat messages.</string>
 	<key>NSMicrophoneUsageDescription</key>
-	<string>bitchat uses the microphone to record voice notes that relay across the mesh.</string>
+	<string>bitchat uses the microphone while you record voice notes or hold live push-to-talk, then sends that audio to your selected mesh conversation.</string>
 	<key>NSPhotoLibraryUsageDescription</key>
 	<string>bitchat lets you pick images from your photo library to share with nearby peers.</string>
 	<key>UIBackgroundModes</key>
@@ -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
        }
        
@@ -6,15 +6,37 @@
 // 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
+    
    // Session timeout - sessions older than this should be renegotiated
    static let sessionTimeout: TimeInterval = 86400 // 24 hours
    
@@ -15,6 +15,19 @@ struct NoiseSecurityValidator {
        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 {
        return data.count <= NoiseSecurityConstants.maxHandshakeMessageSize
@@ -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 +11,5 @@ enum NoiseSessionError: Error, Equatable {
    case notEstablished
    case sessionNotFound
    case alreadyEstablished
+    case peerIdentityMismatch
 }
@@ -13,11 +13,20 @@ import BitFoundation

 final class NoiseSessionManager {
    private var sessions: [PeerID: NoiseSession] = [:]
+    /// Opaque identity for each exact entry in `sessions`. The generation is
+    /// created and removed under the same barrier as the session itself, so a
+    /// caller can never authenticate data with one session and lease another.
+    private var sessionGenerations: [PeerID: UUID] = [:]
+    /// A responder rehandshake must not evict a working transport session
+    /// before the candidate proves that its authenticated static key belongs
+    /// to the claimed wire ID. Candidates therefore live outside `sessions`
+    /// until the XX handshake completes and the binding is validated.
+    private var responderCandidates: [PeerID: NoiseSession] = [:]
    private let sessionFactory: (PeerID, NoiseRole) -> NoiseSession
    private let managerQueue = DispatchQueue(label: "chat.bitchat.noise.manager", attributes: .concurrent)
    
    // Callbacks
-    var onSessionEstablished: ((PeerID, Curve25519.KeyAgreement.PublicKey) -> Void)?
+    var onSessionEstablished: ((PeerID, Curve25519.KeyAgreement.PublicKey, UUID) -> Void)?
    var onSessionFailed: ((PeerID, Error) -> Void)?
    
    init(localStaticKey: Curve25519.KeyAgreement.PrivateKey, keychain: KeychainManagerProtocol) {
@@ -54,6 +63,10 @@ final class NoiseSessionManager {
            if let session = sessions.removeValue(forKey: peerID) {
                session.reset() // Clear sensitive data before removing
            }
+            sessionGenerations.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
+            if let candidate = responderCandidates.removeValue(forKey: peerID) {
+                candidate.reset()
+            }
        }
    }

@@ -62,7 +75,12 @@ final class NoiseSessionManager {
            for (_, session) in sessions {
                session.reset()
            }
+            for (_, candidate) in responderCandidates {
+                candidate.reset()
+            }
            sessions.removeAll()
+            sessionGenerations.removeAll()
+            responderCandidates.removeAll()
        }
    }
    
@@ -79,11 +97,14 @@ final class NoiseSessionManager {
            // Remove any existing non-established session
            if let existingSession = sessions[peerID], !existingSession.isEstablished() {
                _ = sessions.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
+                sessionGenerations.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
+                existingSession.reset()
            }
            
            // Create new initiator session
            let session = sessionFactory(peerID, .initiator)
            sessions[peerID] = session
+            sessionGenerations[peerID] = UUID()
            
            do {
                let handshakeData = try session.startHandshake()
@@ -91,6 +112,8 @@ final class NoiseSessionManager {
            } catch {
                // Clean up failed session
                _ = sessions.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
+                sessionGenerations.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
+                session.reset()
                SecureLogger.error(.handshakeFailed(peerID: peerID.id, error: error.localizedDescription))
                throw error
            }
@@ -98,41 +121,64 @@ final class NoiseSessionManager {
    }
    
    func handleIncomingHandshake(from peerID: PeerID, message: Data) throws -> Data? {
-        // Process everything within the synchronized block to prevent race conditions
-        return try managerQueue.sync(flags: .barrier) {
-            var shouldCreateNew = false
-            var existingSession: NoiseSession? = nil
-            
-            if let existing = sessions[peerID] {
-                // If we have an established session, the peer must have cleared their session
-                // for a good reason (e.g., decryption failure, restart, etc.)
-                // We should accept the new handshake to re-establish encryption
-                if existing.isEstablished() {
-                    SecureLogger.info("Accepting handshake from \(peerID) despite existing session - peer likely cleared their session", category: .session)
-                    _ = sessions.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
-                    shouldCreateNew = true
-                } else {
-                    // If we're in the middle of a handshake and receive a new initiation,
-                    // reset and start fresh (the other side may have restarted)
-                    if existing.getState() == .handshaking && message.count == 32 {
-                        _ = sessions.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
-                        shouldCreateNew = true
-                    } else {
-                        existingSession = existing
-                    }
-                }
-            } else {
-                shouldCreateNew = true
-            }
-            
-            // Get or create session
+        // Process everything within the synchronized block to prevent race conditions.
+        // Return establishment metadata and publish the callback only after the
+        // manager barrier is released, avoiding both a deadlock and a window in
+        // which `processHandshakeMessage` returns before authentication state.
+        let result: (
+            response: Data?,
+            establishedSession: (
+                remoteKey: Curve25519.KeyAgreement.PublicKey,
+                generation: UUID
+            )?
+        ) = try managerQueue.sync(flags: .barrier) {
            let session: NoiseSession
-            if shouldCreateNew {
+            let isReplacementCandidate: Bool
+
+            if let candidate = responderCandidates[peerID] {
+                // A fresh XX message 1 supersedes an incomplete candidate,
+                // but never the established session it is trying to replace.
+                if message.count == NoiseSecurityConstants.xxInitialMessageSize {
+                    candidate.reset()
+                    let replacement = sessionFactory(peerID, .responder)
+                    responderCandidates[peerID] = replacement
+                    session = replacement
+                } else {
+                    session = candidate
+                }
+                isReplacementCandidate = true
+            } else if let existing = sessions[peerID] {
+                if existing.isEstablished() {
+                    SecureLogger.info(
+                        "Validating replacement handshake from \(peerID) while preserving the established session",
+                        category: .session
+                    )
+                    let candidate = sessionFactory(peerID, .responder)
+                    responderCandidates[peerID] = candidate
+                    session = candidate
+                    isReplacementCandidate = true
+                } else if existing.getState() == .handshaking,
+                          message.count == NoiseSecurityConstants.xxInitialMessageSize {
+                    // No established transport state exists to preserve. A
+                    // fresh initiation replaces the incomplete handshake.
+                    _ = sessions.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
+                    sessionGenerations.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
+                    existing.reset()
+                    let replacement = sessionFactory(peerID, .responder)
+                    sessions[peerID] = replacement
+                    sessionGenerations[peerID] = UUID()
+                    session = replacement
+                    isReplacementCandidate = false
+                } else {
+                    session = existing
+                    isReplacementCandidate = false
+                }
+            } else {
                let newSession = sessionFactory(peerID, .responder)
                sessions[peerID] = newSession
+                sessionGenerations[peerID] = UUID()
                session = newSession
-            } else {
-                session = existingSession!
+                isReplacementCandidate = false
            }
            
            // Process the handshake message within the synchronized block
@@ -140,19 +186,46 @@ final class NoiseSessionManager {
                let response = try session.processHandshakeMessage(message)
                
                // Check if session is established after processing
+                var establishedSession: (
+                    remoteKey: Curve25519.KeyAgreement.PublicKey,
+                    generation: UUID
+                )?
                if session.isEstablished() {
-                    if let remoteKey = session.getRemoteStaticPublicKey() {
-                        // Schedule callback outside the synchronized block to prevent deadlock
-                        DispatchQueue.global().async { [weak self] in
-                            self?.onSessionEstablished?(peerID, remoteKey)
-                        }
-                    }
+                    guard let remoteKey = session.getRemoteStaticPublicKey(),
+                          authenticatedRemoteKey(remoteKey, matches: peerID) else {
+                        throw NoiseSessionError.peerIdentityMismatch
                    }

-                return response
+                    if isReplacementCandidate {
+                        _ = responderCandidates.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
+                        let previous = sessions.updateValue(session, forKey: peerID)
+                        sessionGenerations[peerID] = UUID()
+                        if let previous, previous !== session {
+                            previous.reset()
+                        }
+                    }
+                    guard let generation = sessionGenerations[peerID] else {
+                        throw NoiseEncryptionError.sessionNotEstablished
+                    }
+                    establishedSession = (remoteKey, generation)
+                }
+                
+                return (response, establishedSession)
            } catch {
-                // Reset the session on handshake failure so next attempt can start fresh
+                // A failed candidate is discarded without touching the
+                // established session. Ordinary failed handshakes retain the
+                // historical cleanup behavior.
+                if isReplacementCandidate {
+                    if let storedCandidate = responderCandidates[peerID],
+                       storedCandidate === session {
+                        _ = responderCandidates.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
+                    }
+                } else if let storedSession = sessions[peerID],
+                          storedSession === session {
                    _ = sessions.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
+                    sessionGenerations.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
+                }
+                session.reset()
                
                // Schedule callback outside the synchronized block to prevent deadlock
                DispatchQueue.global().async { [weak self] in
@@ -163,24 +236,102 @@ final class NoiseSessionManager {
                throw error
            }
        }
+
+        if let established = result.establishedSession {
+            onSessionEstablished?(peerID, established.remoteKey, established.generation)
+        }
+        return result.response
+    }
+
+    /// Mesh handshakes normally use a 16-hex wire ID. Full Noise-key IDs are
+    /// also accepted by internal callers when they exactly match the static
+    /// key. Non-wire identifiers remain available to protocol test harnesses;
+    /// BLE packet ingress always supplies a short hexadecimal ID.
+    private func authenticatedRemoteKey(
+        _ remoteKey: Curve25519.KeyAgreement.PublicKey,
+        matches claimedPeerID: PeerID
+    ) -> Bool {
+        let rawKey = remoteKey.rawRepresentation
+        if claimedPeerID.isShort {
+            return PeerID(publicKey: rawKey) == claimedPeerID
+        }
+        if let claimedNoiseKey = claimedPeerID.noiseKey {
+            return claimedNoiseKey == rawKey
+        }
+        return true
    }
    
    // MARK: - Encryption/Decryption
    
    func encrypt(_ plaintext: Data, for peerID: PeerID) throws -> Data {
-        guard let session = getSession(for: peerID) else {
+        try managerQueue.sync {
+            guard let session = sessions[peerID] else {
                throw NoiseSessionError.sessionNotFound
            }
-        
            return try session.encrypt(plaintext)
        }
+    }
+
+    /// Encrypts only if `expected` still names the current established entry.
+    /// A rekey between capability proof and media encryption therefore fails
+    /// closed instead of sending on an unproven replacement session.
+    func encrypt(
+        _ plaintext: Data,
+        for peerID: PeerID,
+        expectedSessionGeneration expected: UUID
+    ) throws -> Data {
+        try managerQueue.sync {
+            guard let session = sessions[peerID],
+                  session.isEstablished(),
+                  sessionGenerations[peerID] == expected else {
+                throw NoiseEncryptionError.sessionNotEstablished
+            }
+            return try session.encrypt(plaintext)
+        }
+    }
    
    func decrypt(_ ciphertext: Data, from peerID: PeerID) throws -> Data {
-        guard let session = getSession(for: peerID) else {
-            throw NoiseSessionError.sessionNotFound
+        try decryptWithSessionGeneration(ciphertext, from: peerID).plaintext
    }

-        return try session.decrypt(ciphertext)
+    func sessionGeneration(for peerID: PeerID) -> UUID? {
+        managerQueue.sync {
+            guard sessions[peerID]?.isEstablished() == true else { return nil }
+            return sessionGenerations[peerID]
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Decrypts while holding the manager's read lease. Session promotion and
+    /// removal require its barrier, so the returned generation always names
+    /// the exact session object that authenticated these bytes.
+    func decryptWithSessionGeneration(
+        _ ciphertext: Data,
+        from peerID: PeerID
+    ) throws -> (plaintext: Data, sessionGeneration: UUID) {
+        try managerQueue.sync {
+            guard let session = sessions[peerID] else {
+                throw NoiseSessionError.sessionNotFound
+            }
+            guard session.isEstablished(),
+                  let generation = sessionGenerations[peerID] else {
+                throw NoiseEncryptionError.sessionNotEstablished
+            }
+            return (try session.decrypt(ciphertext), generation)
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Runs a state commit under a read lease for the exact established
+    /// session. Rekey, replacement, and removal all need the same barrier.
+    func withCurrentSessionGeneration<Result>(
+        for peerID: PeerID,
+        expected: UUID,
+        _ body: () -> Result
+    ) -> Result? {
+        managerQueue.sync {
+            guard sessions[peerID]?.isEstablished() == true,
+                  sessionGenerations[peerID] == expected else { return nil }
+            return body()
+        }
    }
    
    // MARK: - Key Management
@@ -207,11 +358,11 @@ final class NoiseSessionManager {
        }
    }
    
-    func initiateRekey(for peerID: PeerID) throws {
+    func initiateRekey(for peerID: PeerID) throws -> Data {
        // Remove old session
        removeSession(for: peerID)
        
        // Initiate new handshake
-        _ = try initiateHandshake(with: peerID)
+        return try initiateHandshake(with: peerID)
    }
 }
@@ -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
        }
        
@@ -264,22 +264,32 @@ struct NostrProtocol {

    /// Create a mesh-bridge public message (kind 20000) for a geohash-cell
    /// rendezvous. The distinct `r` tag keeps bridge traffic out of geohash
-    /// channel subscriptions (which filter on `#g`); `m` carries the original
-    /// mesh message ID so receivers dedup the bridged copy against the radio
-    /// copy by timeline ID.
+    /// channel subscriptions (which filter on `#g`); `m` is
+    /// `[stable ID, mesh sender ID, wire timestamp in ms]`. Element 1 is the
+    /// content-stable mesh message ID (`MeshMessageIdentity`) for v1.7.0
+    /// parsers, which key their dedup on `m[1]` unconditionally and need it
+    /// per-message-unique. Current parsers key bridge rows by the authenticated
+    /// event ID and recompute elements 2-3 only as a radio-copy hint; the mesh
+    /// coordinates are public and cannot authenticate the Nostr signer.
    static func createBridgeMeshEvent(
        content: String,
        cell: String,
        senderIdentity: NostrIdentity,
        nickname: String? = nil,
-        meshMessageID: String? = nil
+        meshSenderID: String? = nil,
+        meshTimestampMs: UInt64? = nil
    ) throws -> NostrEvent {
        var tags = [["r", cell]]
        if let nickname = nickname?.trimmedOrNilIfEmpty {
            tags.append(["n", nickname])
        }
-        if let meshMessageID = meshMessageID?.trimmedOrNilIfEmpty {
-            tags.append(["m", meshMessageID])
+        if let meshSenderID = meshSenderID?.trimmedOrNilIfEmpty, let meshTimestampMs {
+            let stableID = MeshMessageIdentity.stableID(
+                senderIDHex: meshSenderID,
+                timestampMs: meshTimestampMs,
+                content: content
+            )
+            tags.append(["m", stableID, meshSenderID, String(meshTimestampMs)])
        }
        let event = NostrEvent(
            pubkey: senderIdentity.publicKeyHex,
@@ -325,7 +335,7 @@ struct NostrProtocol {
    ) throws -> NostrEvent {
        let tags = [
            ["x", recipientTagHex],
-            ["expiration", String(Int(expiresAt.timeIntervalSince1970))],
+            ["expiration", String(Int(expiresAt.timeIntervalSince1970))]
        ]
        let event = NostrEvent(
            pubkey: senderIdentity.publicKeyHex,
@@ -691,6 +701,10 @@ struct NostrEvent: Codable {
            throw NostrError.invalidEvent
        }

+        guard Self.isWithinInboundTagLimits(tags) else {
+            throw NostrError.invalidEvent
+        }
+        
        self.id = dict["id"] as? String ?? ""
        self.pubkey = pubkey
        self.created_at = createdAt
@@ -700,6 +714,21 @@ struct NostrEvent: Codable {
        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()
        
@@ -216,6 +216,15 @@ final class NostrRelayManager: ObservableObject {
    }
    private var messageQueue: [PendingSend] = []
    private let messageQueueLock = NSLock()
+    /// Non-queued sends whose callers require relay durability. A WebSocket
+    /// write only proves bytes left this process; NIP-20 OK is the relay's
+    /// accept/reject acknowledgment.
+    private struct ConfirmedSendState {
+        let token: UUID
+        var awaitingRelays: Set<String>
+        let completion: (Bool) -> Void
+    }
+    private var confirmedSends: [String: ConfirmedSendState] = [:]
    // Total pending sends dropped at the queue cap; drives the sampled
    // overflow warning (first + every Nth drop).
    private var pendingSendDropCount = 0
@@ -312,6 +321,9 @@ final class NostrRelayManager: ObservableObject {
        for (_, tracker) in trackers {
            tracker.callback()
        }
+        let confirmed = confirmedSends.values.map(\.completion)
+        confirmedSends.removeAll()
+        confirmed.forEach { $0(false) }
        pendingTorConnectionURLs.removeAll()
        awaitingTorForConnections = false
        torReadyWaitAttempts = 0
@@ -345,6 +357,7 @@ final class NostrRelayManager: ObservableObject {
        duplicateInboundEventDropCountBySubscription.removeAll()
        inboundEventLogCount = 0
        Self.pendingGiftWrapIDs.removeAll()
+        confirmedSends.removeAll()

        messageQueueLock.lock()
        messageQueue.removeAll()
@@ -419,6 +432,97 @@ final class NostrRelayManager: ObservableObject {
        }
    }

+    /// Attempts an event only on currently connected target relays and
+    /// reports whether at least one relay explicitly accepted it via NIP-20
+    /// OK. A successful WebSocket write alone is not durable acceptance.
+    /// Unlike `sendEvent`, this never enters the process-local pending queue;
+    /// callers use it when success unlocks durable state or user-visible
+    /// delivery progress.
+    func sendEventImmediately(
+        _ event: NostrEvent,
+        to relayUrls: [String]? = nil,
+        completion: @escaping (Bool) -> Void
+    ) {
+        guard dependencies.activationAllowed() else {
+            completion(false)
+            return
+        }
+        guard !(shouldUseTor && dependencies.torEnforced() && !dependencies.torIsReady()) else {
+            completion(false)
+            return
+        }
+
+        let requestedRelays = relayUrls ?? Self.defaultRelays
+        let targetRelays = allowedRelayList(from: requestedRelays)
+        let connectedTargets = targetRelays.compactMap { relayUrl -> (String, NostrRelayConnectionProtocol)? in
+            guard let connection = connectedConnection(for: relayUrl) else { return nil }
+            return (relayUrl, connection)
+        }
+        guard !connectedTargets.isEmpty else {
+            completion(false)
+            return
+        }
+
+        let token = UUID()
+        let eventID = event.id
+        if let replaced = confirmedSends.removeValue(forKey: eventID) {
+            replaced.completion(false)
+        }
+        confirmedSends[eventID] = ConfirmedSendState(
+            token: token,
+            awaitingRelays: Set(connectedTargets.map(\.0)),
+            completion: completion
+        )
+        dependencies.scheduleAfter(TransportConfig.nostrConfirmedSendAckTimeoutSeconds) { [weak self] in
+            Task { @MainActor [weak self] in
+                self?.timeoutConfirmedSend(eventID: eventID, token: token)
+            }
+        }
+
+        for (relayUrl, connection) in connectedTargets {
+            sendToRelay(event: event, connection: connection, relayUrl: relayUrl) { [weak self] succeeded in
+                guard let self else { return }
+                // Success only means the bytes reached the socket; wait for
+                // the matching relay OK. A failed write settles this target
+                // as rejected because no OK can arrive for it.
+                if !succeeded {
+                    self.resolveConfirmedSend(
+                        eventID: eventID,
+                        relayURL: relayUrl,
+                        accepted: false,
+                        token: token
+                    )
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    private func resolveConfirmedSend(
+        eventID: String,
+        relayURL: String,
+        accepted: Bool,
+        token: UUID? = nil
+    ) {
+        guard var state = confirmedSends[eventID],
+              token == nil || state.token == token,
+              state.awaitingRelays.remove(relayURL) != nil else { return }
+        if accepted {
+            confirmedSends.removeValue(forKey: eventID)
+            state.completion(true)
+        } else if state.awaitingRelays.isEmpty {
+            confirmedSends.removeValue(forKey: eventID)
+            state.completion(false)
+        } else {
+            confirmedSends[eventID] = state
+        }
+    }
+
+    private func timeoutConfirmedSend(eventID: String, token: UUID) {
+        guard let state = confirmedSends[eventID], state.token == token else { return }
+        confirmedSends.removeValue(forKey: eventID)
+        state.completion(false)
+    }
+
    private func enqueuePendingSend(_ event: NostrEvent, pendingRelays: Set<String>) {
        messageQueueLock.lock()
        messageQueue.append(PendingSend(event: event, pendingRelays: pendingRelays))
@@ -923,6 +1027,7 @@ final class NostrRelayManager: ObservableObject {
        // Send initial ping to verify connection
        task.sendPing { [weak self] error in
            DispatchQueue.main.async {
+                guard self?.connections[urlString] === task else { return }
                if error == nil {
                    SecureLogger.debug("✅ Connected to Nostr relay: \(urlString)", category: .session)
                    self?.updateRelayStatus(urlString, isConnected: true)
@@ -932,7 +1037,11 @@ final class NostrRelayManager: ObservableObject {
                    SecureLogger.error("❌ Failed to connect to Nostr relay \(urlString): \(error?.localizedDescription ?? "Unknown error")", category: .session)
                    self?.updateRelayStatus(urlString, isConnected: false, error: error)
                    // Trigger disconnection handler for proper backoff
-                    self?.handleDisconnection(relayUrl: urlString, error: error ?? NSError(domain: "NostrRelay", code: -1, userInfo: nil))
+                    self?.handleDisconnection(
+                        relayUrl: urlString,
+                        error: error ?? NSError(domain: "NostrRelay", code: -1, userInfo: nil),
+                        connection: task
+                    )
                }
            }
        }
@@ -990,18 +1099,20 @@ final class NostrRelayManager: ObservableObject {
                Task.detached(priority: .utility) {
                    guard let parsed = ParsedInbound(message) else { return }
                    await MainActor.run {
+                        guard self.connections[relayUrl] === task else { return }
                        self.handleParsedMessage(parsed, from: relayUrl)
                    }
                }
                
                // Continue receiving
                Task { @MainActor in
+                    guard self.connections[relayUrl] === task else { return }
                    self.receiveMessage(from: task, relayUrl: relayUrl)
                }
                
            case .failure(let error):
                DispatchQueue.main.async {
-                    self.handleDisconnection(relayUrl: relayUrl, error: error)
+                    self.handleDisconnection(relayUrl: relayUrl, error: error, connection: task)
                }
            }
        }
@@ -1055,6 +1166,7 @@ final class NostrRelayManager: ObservableObject {
                }
            }
        case .ok(let eventId, let success, let reason):
+            resolveConfirmedSend(eventID: eventId, relayURL: relayUrl, accepted: success)
            if success {
                _ = Self.pendingGiftWrapIDs.remove(eventId)
                SecureLogger.debug("✅ Accepted id=\(eventId.prefix(16))… relay=\(relayUrl)", category: .session)
@@ -1071,7 +1183,12 @@ final class NostrRelayManager: ObservableObject {
        }
    }
    
-    private func sendToRelay(event: NostrEvent, connection: NostrRelayConnectionProtocol, relayUrl: String) {
+    private func sendToRelay(
+        event: NostrEvent,
+        connection: NostrRelayConnectionProtocol,
+        relayUrl: String,
+        completion: ((Bool) -> Void)? = nil
+    ) {
        let req = NostrRequest.event(event)
        
        do {
@@ -1084,17 +1201,20 @@ final class NostrRelayManager: ObservableObject {
                DispatchQueue.main.async {
                    if let error = error {
                        SecureLogger.error("❌ Failed to send event to \(relayUrl): \(error)", category: .session)
+                        completion?(false)
                    } else {
                        // SecureLogger.debug("✅ Event sent to relay: \(relayUrl)", category: .session)
                        // Update relay stats
                        if let index = self?.relays.firstIndex(where: { $0.url == relayUrl }) {
                            self?.relays[index].messagesSent += 1
                        }
+                        completion?(true)
                    }
                }
            }
        } catch {
            SecureLogger.error("Failed to encode event: \(error)", category: .session)
+            completion?(false)
        }
    }
    
@@ -1158,9 +1278,20 @@ final class NostrRelayManager: ObservableObject {
        eoseTrackers[id] = tracker
    }

-    private func handleDisconnection(relayUrl: String, error: Error) {
+    private func handleDisconnection(
+        relayUrl: String,
+        error: Error,
+        connection: NostrRelayConnectionProtocol? = nil
+    ) {
+        if let connection, connections[relayUrl] !== connection { return }
        connections.removeValue(forKey: relayUrl)
        subscriptions.removeValue(forKey: relayUrl)
+        let awaitingConfirmation = confirmedSends.compactMap { eventID, state in
+            state.awaitingRelays.contains(relayUrl) ? eventID : nil
+        }
+        for eventID in awaitingConfirmation {
+            resolveConfirmedSend(eventID: eventID, relayURL: relayUrl, accepted: false)
+        }
        updateRelayStatus(relayUrl, isConnected: false, error: error)
        settleEOSETrackers(droppingRelay: relayUrl)
        // If networking is disallowed, do not schedule reconnection
@@ -1349,7 +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 {
@@ -1394,11 +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
        }
    }
 }
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
+<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
+<plist version="1.0">
+<dict>
+	<key>NSPrivacyTracking</key>
+	<false/>
+	<key>NSPrivacyTrackingDomains</key>
+	<array/>
+	<key>NSPrivacyCollectedDataTypes</key>
+	<array/>
+	<key>NSPrivacyAccessedAPITypes</key>
+	<array>
+		<dict>
+			<key>NSPrivacyAccessedAPIType</key>
+			<string>NSPrivacyAccessedAPICategoryFileTimestamp</string>
+			<key>NSPrivacyAccessedAPITypeReasons</key>
+			<array>
+				<string>C617.1</string>
+				<string>3B52.1</string>
+			</array>
+		</dict>
+		<dict>
+			<key>NSPrivacyAccessedAPIType</key>
+			<string>NSPrivacyAccessedAPICategorySystemBootTime</string>
+			<key>NSPrivacyAccessedAPITypeReasons</key>
+			<array>
+				<string>35F9.1</string>
+			</array>
+		</dict>
+		<dict>
+			<key>NSPrivacyAccessedAPIType</key>
+			<string>NSPrivacyAccessedAPICategoryUserDefaults</string>
+			<key>NSPrivacyAccessedAPITypeReasons</key>
+			<array>
+				<string>CA92.1</string>
+				<string>1C8F.1</string>
+			</array>
+		</dict>
+	</array>
+</dict>
+</plist>
@@ -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"
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+//
+// MeshMessageIdentity.swift
+// bitchat
+//
+// This is free and unencumbered software released into the public domain.
+// For more information, see <https://unlicense.org>
+//
+
+import BitFoundation
+import Foundation
+
+/// Content-derived identity for public mesh messages.
+///
+/// The BLE wire carries no message ID for public broadcasts, so every device
+/// recomputes the same stable ID from the signed wire fields (sender ID,
+/// millisecond timestamp, content). That gives the mesh bridge a
+/// cross-device-consistent radio identity with zero wire change. Bridge events
+/// carry this value only as a hint for detecting a radio copy that is already
+/// present: sender/timestamp/content are public, so a different Nostr signer
+/// can copy them and must never be allowed to reserve the genuine event's
+/// authenticated dedup slot.
+enum MeshMessageIdentity {
+    /// Matches the wire truncation in `BLEService.sendMessage`.
+    static func millisecondTimestamp(_ date: Date) -> UInt64 {
+        UInt64(date.timeIntervalSince1970 * 1000)
+    }
+
+    static func stableID(senderIDHex: String, timestampMs: UInt64, content: String) -> String {
+        let input = senderIDHex.lowercased() + "|" + String(timestampMs) + "|" + content.trimmed
+        return String(Data(input.utf8).sha256Hex().prefix(32))
+    }
+}
@@ -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]
 }
@@ -16,10 +16,19 @@ 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).
    let linkState: (PeerID) -> (hasPeripheral: Bool, hasCentral: Bool)
+    /// Whether the link this packet arrived on is already bound to a
+    /// different peer ID (ingress-registry + BLE-queue read). Directness
+    /// rides on the unsigned TTL, so a replayed announce can look "direct"
+    /// on the replayer's link; that link must not shortcut an absent peer
+    /// into "connected".
+    let linkBoundToOtherPeer: (_ packet: BitchatPacket, _ peerID: PeerID) -> Bool
    /// Runs the registry mutation phase under the collections barrier.
    let withRegistryBarrier: (() -> Void) -> Void
    /// Upserts the verified announce into the peer registry.
@@ -124,17 +133,44 @@ 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
        var isReconnectedPeer = false
        let directLinkState = env.linkState(peerID)
        let isDirectAnnounce = packet.ttl == env.messageTTL
+        // A "direct" announce arriving on a link that another peer already
+        // owns is either a rotation heal or a replay with its TTL restored;
+        // both are ambiguous, so only the rebind (which containment-checks
+        // the claimed identity) may promote it — never this shortcut.
+        //
+        // Known limitation: denying the shortcut cannot prevent forged
+        // presence outright. A rebind that passes the containment checks
+        // promotes the claimed peer to connected — it must, or a legitimate
+        // rotation on an open link would read as disconnected — so a replay
+        // that wins the rebind (absent victim, cooldown clear) still forges
+        // presence. That residue is presence display only: DMs stay gated on
+        // canDeliverSecurely (no Noise session means retain + courier, see
+        // MessageRouter.sendPrivate). What this check buys: the ambiguous
+        // announce alone never flips presence — forging requires winning the
+        // containment-checked rebind (never steals an identity that owns a
+        // live link; at most one rebind per link per cooldown window).
+        let linkBoundToOtherPeer = isDirectAnnounce && env.linkBoundToOtherPeer(packet, peerID)

        env.withRegistryBarrier {
            let hasPeripheralConnection = directLinkState.hasPeripheral
@@ -152,7 +188,7 @@ final class BLEAnnounceHandler {
            let update = env.upsertVerifiedAnnounce(
                peerID,
                announcement,
-                isDirectAnnounce || hasPeripheralConnection || hasCentralSubscription,
+                hasPeripheralConnection || hasCentralSubscription || (isDirectAnnounce && !linkBoundToOtherPeer),
                now
            )
            isNewPeer = update.isNewPeer
@@ -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)
        }
@@ -15,7 +15,10 @@ enum BLEFanoutSelector {
        excludedLinks: Set<BLEIngressLinkID> = [],
        peripheralPeerBindings: [String: PeerID] = [:],
        centralPeerBindings: [String: PeerID] = [:],
+        preferredPeripheralPerPeer: [PeerID: String] = [:],
+        collapseDuplicatePeerLinks: Bool = true,
        directedPeerHint: PeerID?,
+        requireDirectPeerLink: Bool = false,
        packetType: UInt8,
        messageID: String
    ) -> BLEFanoutSelection {
@@ -31,10 +34,14 @@ enum BLEFanoutSelector {
               to: directedPeerHint,
               links: rawAllowed,
               peripheralPeerBindings: peripheralPeerBindings,
-               centralPeerBindings: centralPeerBindings
+               centralPeerBindings: centralPeerBindings,
+               preferredPeripheralPerPeer: preferredPeripheralPerPeer
           ) {
            return directedSelection
        }
+        if directedPeerHint != nil, requireDirectPeerLink {
+            return BLEFanoutSelection(peripheralIDs: [], centralIDs: [])
+        }
        if let directedPeerHint,
           hasBoundLink(
               to: directedPeerHint,
@@ -46,11 +53,20 @@ enum BLEFanoutSelector {
            return BLEFanoutSelection(peripheralIDs: [], centralIDs: [])
        }

-        let allowed = collapseDuplicateLinksPerPeer(
+        // Direct announces are the packet that binds a link to its peer
+        // (BLEService's raw bind and verified rebind). Collapsing them per
+        // peer starves duplicate same-peer links of the announce they need to
+        // become bound — the duplicates then look "pre-announce" forever and
+        // every broadcast sprays down all of them. Announces are small and
+        // throttled, so they go on every live link.
+        let allowed = collapseDuplicatePeerLinks
+            ? collapseDuplicateLinksPerPeer(
                rawAllowed,
                peripheralPeerBindings: peripheralPeerBindings,
-            centralPeerBindings: centralPeerBindings
+                centralPeerBindings: centralPeerBindings,
+                preferredPeripheralPerPeer: preferredPeripheralPerPeer
            )
+            : rawAllowed

        guard shouldSubset(packetType: packetType, directedPeerHint: directedPeerHint) else {
            return BLEFanoutSelection(
@@ -97,7 +113,8 @@ enum BLEFanoutSelector {
        to peerID: PeerID,
        links: (peripheralIDs: [String], centralIDs: [String]),
        peripheralPeerBindings: [String: PeerID],
-        centralPeerBindings: [String: PeerID]
+        centralPeerBindings: [String: PeerID],
+        preferredPeripheralPerPeer: [PeerID: String]
    ) -> BLEFanoutSelection? {
        let directLinks = collapseDuplicateLinksPerPeer(
            (
@@ -105,7 +122,8 @@ enum BLEFanoutSelector {
                centralIDs: links.centralIDs.filter { centralPeerBindings[$0] == peerID }
            ),
            peripheralPeerBindings: peripheralPeerBindings,
-            centralPeerBindings: centralPeerBindings
+            centralPeerBindings: centralPeerBindings,
+            preferredPeripheralPerPeer: preferredPeripheralPerPeer
        )

        guard !directLinks.peripheralIDs.isEmpty || !directLinks.centralIDs.isEmpty else {
@@ -140,7 +158,8 @@ enum BLEFanoutSelector {
    private static func collapseDuplicateLinksPerPeer(
        _ links: (peripheralIDs: [String], centralIDs: [String]),
        peripheralPeerBindings: [String: PeerID],
-        centralPeerBindings: [String: PeerID]
+        centralPeerBindings: [String: PeerID],
+        preferredPeripheralPerPeer: [PeerID: String]
    ) -> (peripheralIDs: [String], centralIDs: [String]) {
        guard !peripheralPeerBindings.isEmpty || !centralPeerBindings.isEmpty else {
            return links
@@ -148,13 +167,30 @@ enum BLEFanoutSelector {

        var seenPeers = Set<PeerID>()
        var keptPeripheralIDs: [String] = []
+        // When a peer has several bound peripheral links (duplicate
+        // connections after a restore), collapse onto its preferred one (the
+        // most recently bound) instead of dictionary order — an arbitrary
+        // pick could route a peer's single collapsed copy down a stale link.
        for id in links.peripheralIDs {
-            if let peer = peripheralPeerBindings[id], !seenPeers.insert(peer).inserted {
-                continue
+            guard let peer = peripheralPeerBindings[id],
+                  preferredPeripheralPerPeer[peer] == id,
+                  seenPeers.insert(peer).inserted else { continue }
+            keptPeripheralIDs.append(id)
+        }
+        for id in links.peripheralIDs {
+            if let peer = peripheralPeerBindings[id] {
+                if preferredPeripheralPerPeer[peer] == id { continue }
+                if !seenPeers.insert(peer).inserted { continue }
            }
            keptPeripheralIDs.append(id)
        }

+        // Known limitation: centrals collapse in subscription order (oldest
+        // first) — there is no recency signal like the peripheral reverse
+        // map. A central-only peer with duplicate subscriptions rides the
+        // oldest one until the remote side (which owns those connections)
+        // consolidates on its next verified announce (bounded by its
+        // retirement cooldown).
        var keptCentralIDs: [String] = []
        for id in links.centralIDs {
            if let peer = centralPeerBindings[id], !seenPeers.insert(peer).inserted {
@@ -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 {
+        guard packet.signature != 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,
+            // The packet signature authenticates the announced peer; the old
+            // connected-but-unsigned leniency is not involved.
            allowConnectedUnverified: true
-            ) ?? env.signedSenderDisplayName(packet, peerID)
-        }
-
-        // 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 }
-
-        return BLEPeerSenderDisplayName.resolveKnownPeer(
-            peerID: peerID,
-            localPeerID: env.localPeerID(),
-            localNickname: env.localNickname(),
-            peers: peers,
-            allowConnectedUnverified: false
-        ) ?? signedDisplayName
+        ) ?? 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
        }

@@ -5,7 +5,16 @@ import Foundation
 struct BLEIncomingFileStore {
    private static let quotaBytes: Int64 = 100 * 1024 * 1024

-    private let fileManager: FileManager
+    /// Name prefix of in-flight live voice captures (progressively written by
+    /// `ChatLiveVoiceCoordinator`). Quota eviction skips them by pattern —
+    /// deleting one mid-stream unlinks the inode under an open `FileHandle`
+    /// and kills playback — and the coordinator's startup sweep deletes any
+    /// orphans a previous session left behind.
+    static let liveCapturePrefix = "voice_live_"
+
+    /// Exposed so callers that write progressively into the store's
+    /// directories (live voice captures) share the same file manager.
+    let fileManager: FileManager
    private let baseDirectory: URL?
    private let dateProvider: () -> Date

@@ -15,6 +24,14 @@ struct BLEIncomingFileStore {
        self.dateProvider = dateProvider
    }

+    /// Resolves (and creates) an incoming-media directory for callers that
+    /// write progressively instead of via `save` (live voice captures).
+    func incomingDirectory(subdirectory: String) throws -> URL {
+        let directory = try filesDirectory().appendingPathComponent(subdirectory, isDirectory: true)
+        try fileManager.createDirectory(at: directory, withIntermediateDirectories: true, attributes: nil)
+        return directory
+    }
+
    func save(
        data: Data,
        preferredName: String?,
@@ -39,6 +56,11 @@ struct BLEIncomingFileStore {
        }
    }

+    /// Frees least-recently-modified incoming files until `reservingBytes`
+    /// fits under the quota. Files named `voice_live_*` (in-flight live
+    /// captures) are never evicted regardless of who triggers enforcement —
+    /// a finalized transfer can arrive at quota while a burst is still
+    /// streaming — but they still count toward usage.
    func enforceQuota(reservingBytes: Int) {
        do {
            let base = try filesDirectory()
@@ -72,6 +94,7 @@ struct BLEIncomingFileStore {
            var freedSpace: Int64 = 0
            for file in allFiles.sorted(by: { $0.modified < $1.modified }) {
                guard freedSpace < needToFree else { break }
+                guard !file.url.lastPathComponent.hasPrefix(Self.liveCapturePrefix) else { continue }
                do {
                    try fileManager.removeItem(at: file.url)
                    freedSpace += file.size
@@ -164,7 +164,11 @@ final class BLELinkStateStore {
        guard let peerID else { return [] }

        var links: Set<BLEIngressLinkID> = []
-        if let peripheralUUID = peerToPeripheralUUID[peerID] {
+        // Scan all states rather than the 1:1 reverse map: after a state
+        // restoration the same device can hold several live peripheral links
+        // bound to one peer (it reappears under a fresh UUID while the
+        // restored connection lives on).
+        for (peripheralUUID, state) in peripherals where state.peerID == peerID {
            links.insert(.peripheral(peripheralUUID))
        }
        for (centralUUID, mappedPeerID) in centralToPeerID where mappedPeerID == peerID {
@@ -173,6 +177,13 @@ final class BLELinkStateStore {
        return links
    }

+    /// The peer's most recently bound peripheral link, per peer. Used to keep
+    /// duplicate-link fanout collapse deterministic (see BLEFanoutSelector).
+    var preferredPeripheralBindings: [PeerID: String] {
+        assertOwned()
+        return peerToPeripheralUUID
+    }
+
    func peerID(forPeripheralID peripheralID: String) -> PeerID? {
        assertOwned()
        return peripherals[peripheralID]?.peerID
@@ -221,9 +232,20 @@ final class BLELinkStateStore {
    func removePeripheral(_ peripheralID: String) -> PeerID? {
        assertOwned()
        let peerID = peripherals.removeValue(forKey: peripheralID)?.peerID
-        if let peerID {
+        // Only clear (or repair) the reverse map when it points at the removed
+        // link: with duplicate links to one peer, removing a stale duplicate
+        // must not strand the peer's surviving bound link.
+        if let peerID, peerToPeripheralUUID[peerID] == peripheralID {
+            // Prefer a writable survivor: repairing onto a link that is
+            // mid-service-rediscovery would strand directed sends until the
+            // characteristic comes back.
+            let survivors = peripherals.filter { $0.value.peerID == peerID && $0.value.isConnected }
+            if let survivorUUID = survivors.first(where: { $0.value.characteristic != nil })?.key ?? survivors.first?.key {
+                peerToPeripheralUUID[peerID] = survivorUUID
+            } else {
                peerToPeripheralUUID.removeValue(forKey: peerID)
            }
+        }
        return peerID
    }

@@ -2,6 +2,11 @@ import BitFoundation
 import BitLogger
 import Foundation

+struct BLENoiseDecryptionResult {
+    let plaintext: Data
+    let sessionGeneration: UUID
+}
+
 /// Narrow environment for `BLENoisePacketHandler`.
 ///
 /// All queue hops (collections barrier writes, main-actor UI notification)
@@ -27,9 +32,16 @@ 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,
@@ -49,7 +61,11 @@ final class BLENoisePacketHandler {
        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 replacement completion
+    /// from a rejected candidate while an older session remains established.
+    @discardableResult
+    func handleHandshake(_ packet: BitchatPacket, from peerID: PeerID) -> Bool {
        let env = environment
        // Use NoiseEncryptionService for handshake processing
        if PeerID(hexData: packet.recipientID) == env.localPeerID() {
@@ -72,14 +88,26 @@ final class BLENoisePacketHandler {

                // Session establishment will trigger onPeerAuthenticated callback
                // which will send any pending messages at the right time
+                return true
+            } catch NoiseSessionError.peerIdentityMismatch {
+                // The candidate 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) {
@@ -98,20 +126,30 @@ 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.sessionNotEstablished {
@@ -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)
@@ -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?,
@@ -7,10 +7,54 @@ struct BLEOutboundFragmentTransferRequest {
    let maxChunk: Int?
    let directedPeer: PeerID?
    let transferId: String?
+    let requireDirectPeerLink: Bool
+    let requireNoiseAuthenticatedPeerLink: Bool
+
+    init(
+        packet: BitchatPacket,
+        pad: Bool,
+        maxChunk: Int?,
+        directedPeer: PeerID?,
+        transferId: String?,
+        requireDirectPeerLink: Bool = false,
+        requireNoiseAuthenticatedPeerLink: Bool = false
+    ) {
+        self.packet = packet
+        self.pad = pad
+        self.maxChunk = maxChunk
+        self.directedPeer = directedPeer
+        self.transferId = transferId
+        self.requireDirectPeerLink = requireDirectPeerLink
+        self.requireNoiseAuthenticatedPeerLink = requireNoiseAuthenticatedPeerLink
+    }

    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
+    /// same file resent through another path (gossip-sync replay, retry)
+    /// arrives with a different explicit transferId but identical payload.
+    var contentKey: String? {
+        guard packet.type == MessageType.fileTransfer.rawValue else { return nil }
+        return packet.payload.sha256Hex()
+    }
+}
+
+/// Transactional admission for strict fragment trains. Durable callers may
+/// commit only when every fragment was accepted; the first rejection stops
+/// the train and reports failure so the original remains retryable.
+enum BLEStrictFragmentAdmission {
+    static func admitAll<Fragment>(
+        _ fragments: [Fragment],
+        accepting: (Fragment) -> Bool
+    ) -> Bool {
+        for fragment in fragments where !accepting(fragment) {
+            return false
+        }
+        return true
    }
 }

@@ -23,6 +67,16 @@ struct BLEOutboundFragmentTransferScheduler {
    enum SubmitResult {
        case start(request: BLEOutboundFragmentTransferRequest, reservedTransferId: String?)
        case queued(request: BLEOutboundFragmentTransferRequest, transferId: String?, position: QueuePosition)
+        /// Strict direct-link requests are transactional: returning false to
+        /// their durable owner must mean no process-local copy remains that
+        /// can transmit later. They are therefore start-or-reject, never
+        /// admitted to `pendingTransfers`.
+        case rejectedStrict(request: BLEOutboundFragmentTransferRequest, transferId: String?)
+        /// The same file is already being (or waiting to be) fragmented out
+        /// to an audience covering this request; sending it again would just
+        /// double the airtime (field-verified: one 41KB voice file went out
+        /// as two complete fragment streams).
+        case droppedDuplicate(request: BLEOutboundFragmentTransferRequest, activeTransferId: String?)
    }

    enum CancelResult {
@@ -38,14 +92,34 @@ struct BLEOutboundFragmentTransferScheduler {
    }

    private struct ActiveTransferState {
-        let totalFragments: Int
+        var totalFragments: Int
        var sentFragments: Int
        var workItems: [DispatchWorkItem]
+        var contentKey: String?
+        var directedPeer: PeerID?
    }

    private var activeTransfers: [String: ActiveTransferState] = [:]
    private var pendingTransfers: [BLEOutboundFragmentTransferRequest] = []

+    /// A transfer of the same content whose audience covers `directedPeer`:
+    /// a broadcast covers every peer; a directed transfer covers only its
+    /// recipient. A directed resend to a peer NOT covered by what's in
+    /// flight (different recipient of a private file) is never a duplicate.
+    private func coveringDuplicate(contentKey: String, directedPeer: PeerID?) -> String? {
+        for (transferId, state) in activeTransfers where state.contentKey == contentKey {
+            if state.directedPeer == nil || state.directedPeer == directedPeer {
+                return transferId
+            }
+        }
+        for request in pendingTransfers where request.contentKey == contentKey {
+            if request.directedPeer == nil || request.directedPeer == directedPeer {
+                return request.resolvedTransferId
+            }
+        }
+        return nil
+    }
+
    var activeCount: Int {
        activeTransfers.count
    }
@@ -69,17 +143,39 @@ struct BLEOutboundFragmentTransferScheduler {
            return .start(request: request, reservedTransferId: nil)
        }

+        // Only requests without an explicit transferId are dropped as
+        // duplicates: those are resend paths (gossip-sync replay, directed
+        // spool) with no UI waiting on them. An app-initiated send carries a
+        // transferId whose progress events the UI tracks, so it always runs.
+        if request.transferId == nil,
+           let contentKey = request.contentKey,
+           let coveringId = coveringDuplicate(contentKey: contentKey, directedPeer: request.directedPeer) {
+            return .droppedDuplicate(request: request, activeTransferId: coveringId)
+        }
+
        guard activeTransfers.count < maxConcurrentTransfers else {
+            if request.requireDirectPeerLink {
+                return .rejectedStrict(request: request, transferId: transferId)
+            }
            pendingTransfers.append(request)
            return .queued(request: request, transferId: transferId, position: .back)
        }

        guard activeTransfers[transferId] == nil else {
+            if request.requireDirectPeerLink {
+                return .rejectedStrict(request: request, transferId: transferId)
+            }
            pendingTransfers.insert(request, at: 0)
            return .queued(request: request, transferId: transferId, position: .front)
        }

-        activeTransfers[transferId] = ActiveTransferState(totalFragments: 0, sentFragments: 0, workItems: [])
+        activeTransfers[transferId] = ActiveTransferState(
+            totalFragments: 0,
+            sentFragments: 0,
+            workItems: [],
+            contentKey: request.contentKey,
+            directedPeer: request.directedPeer
+        )
        return .start(request: request, reservedTransferId: transferId)
    }

@@ -88,12 +184,11 @@ struct BLEOutboundFragmentTransferScheduler {
        totalFragments: Int,
        workItems: [DispatchWorkItem]
    ) -> Bool {
-        guard activeTransfers[transferId] != nil else { return false }
-        activeTransfers[transferId] = ActiveTransferState(
-            totalFragments: totalFragments,
-            sentFragments: 0,
-            workItems: workItems
-        )
+        guard var state = activeTransfers[transferId] else { return false }
+        state.totalFragments = totalFragments
+        state.sentFragments = 0
+        state.workItems = workItems
+        activeTransfers[transferId] = state
        return true
    }

@@ -149,13 +244,25 @@ struct BLEOutboundFragmentTransferScheduler {

        while availableSlots > 0, !pendingTransfers.isEmpty {
            let request = pendingTransfers.removeFirst()
-            availableSlots -= 1

            guard let transferId = request.resolvedTransferId else {
+                availableSlots -= 1
                results.append(.start(request: request, reservedTransferId: nil))
                continue
            }

+            // A queued duplicate of content that started while it waited
+            // must not resend the whole file once the slot frees up (same
+            // explicit-transferId exemption as submit).
+            if request.transferId == nil,
+               let contentKey = request.contentKey,
+               let coveringId = coveringDuplicate(contentKey: contentKey, directedPeer: request.directedPeer) {
+                results.append(.droppedDuplicate(request: request, activeTransferId: coveringId))
+                continue
+            }
+
+            availableSlots -= 1
+
            guard activeTransfers.count < maxConcurrentTransfers else {
                pendingTransfers.insert(request, at: 0)
                results.append(.queued(request: request, transferId: transferId, position: .front))
@@ -168,7 +275,13 @@ struct BLEOutboundFragmentTransferScheduler {
                continue
            }

-            activeTransfers[transferId] = ActiveTransferState(totalFragments: 0, sentFragments: 0, workItems: [])
+            activeTransfers[transferId] = ActiveTransferState(
+                totalFragments: 0,
+                sentFragments: 0,
+                workItems: [],
+                contentKey: request.contentKey,
+                directedPeer: request.directedPeer
+            )
            results.append(.start(request: request, reservedTransferId: transferId))
        }

@@ -20,22 +20,15 @@ enum BLEOutboundLinkPlanner {
        excludedLinks: Set<BLEIngressLinkID>,
        peripheralPeerBindings: [String: PeerID] = [:],
        centralPeerBindings: [String: PeerID] = [:],
-        directedOnlyPeer: PeerID?
+        preferredPeripheralPerPeer: [PeerID: String] = [:],
+        directAnnounceTTL: UInt8 = TransportConfig.messageTTLDefault,
+        directedOnlyPeer: PeerID?,
+        requireDirectPeerLink: Bool = false
    ) -> BLEOutboundLinkPlan {
-        if let minLimit = minimumLinkLimit(
-            peripheralWriteLimits: peripheralWriteLimits,
-            centralNotifyLimits: centralNotifyLimits
-        ), packet.type != MessageType.fragment.rawValue,
-           dataCount > minLimit {
-            return BLEOutboundLinkPlan(
-                directedPeerHint: directedPeerHint(for: packet, explicitPeer: directedOnlyPeer),
-                fragmentChunkSize: BLEOutboundPacketPolicy.fragmentChunkSize(forLinkLimit: minLimit),
-                selectedLinks: BLEFanoutSelection(peripheralIDs: [], centralIDs: []),
-                shouldSpoolDirectedPacket: false
-            )
-        }
-
        let directedPeerHint = directedPeerHint(for: packet, explicitPeer: directedOnlyPeer)
+        // Direct announces bypass the per-peer duplicate-link collapse so
+        // every live link gets bound (see BLEFanoutSelector.selectLinks).
+        let isDirectAnnounce = packet.type == MessageType.announce.rawValue && packet.ttl == directAnnounceTTL
        let selectedLinks = BLEFanoutSelector.selectLinks(
            peripheralIDs: peripheralIDs,
            centralIDs: centralIDs,
@@ -43,11 +36,37 @@ enum BLEOutboundLinkPlanner {
            excludedLinks: excludedLinks,
            peripheralPeerBindings: peripheralPeerBindings,
            centralPeerBindings: centralPeerBindings,
+            preferredPeripheralPerPeer: preferredPeripheralPerPeer,
+            collapseDuplicatePeerLinks: !isDirectAnnounce,
            directedPeerHint: directedPeerHint,
+            requireDirectPeerLink: requireDirectPeerLink,
            packetType: packet.type,
            messageID: BLEOutboundPacketPolicy.messageID(for: packet)
        )

+        // Fragment only for links that this packet can actually use. Looking
+        // at every connected link before directed-peer selection lets an
+        // unrelated peer's MTU make an oversized directed send look routable,
+        // even though every resulting fragment will select zero target links.
+        let selectedPeripheralLimits = zip(peripheralIDs, peripheralWriteLimits).compactMap { id, limit in
+            selectedLinks.peripheralIDs.contains(id) ? limit : nil
+        }
+        let selectedCentralLimits = zip(centralIDs, centralNotifyLimits).compactMap { id, limit in
+            selectedLinks.centralIDs.contains(id) ? limit : nil
+        }
+        if let minLimit = minimumLinkLimit(
+            peripheralWriteLimits: selectedPeripheralLimits,
+            centralNotifyLimits: selectedCentralLimits
+        ), packet.type != MessageType.fragment.rawValue,
+           dataCount > minLimit {
+            return BLEOutboundLinkPlan(
+                directedPeerHint: directedPeerHint,
+                fragmentChunkSize: BLEOutboundPacketPolicy.fragmentChunkSize(forLinkLimit: minLimit),
+                selectedLinks: selectedLinks,
+                shouldSpoolDirectedPacket: false
+            )
+        }
+
        return BLEOutboundLinkPlan(
            directedPeerHint: directedPeerHint,
            fragmentChunkSize: nil,
@@ -44,4 +44,16 @@ struct BLEOutboundNotificationBuffer<Target> {
        guard !pending.isEmpty else { return }
        notifications.insert(contentsOf: pending, at: 0)
    }
+
+    /// Removes a disconnected target from target-specific retries. Broadcast
+    /// entries (`targets == nil`) remain valid for the surviving subscriber
+    /// set; an entry with no targets left is discarded entirely.
+    mutating func removeTarget(where matches: (Target) -> Bool) {
+        notifications = notifications.compactMap { notification in
+            guard let targets = notification.targets else { return notification }
+            let remaining = targets.filter { !matches($0) }
+            guard !remaining.isEmpty else { return nil }
+            return BLEPendingNotification(data: notification.data, targets: remaining)
+        }
+    }
 }
@@ -46,8 +46,25 @@ struct BLEOutboundWriteBuffer {
        priority: BLEOutboundWritePriority,
        capBytes: Int
    ) -> EnqueueResult {
+        enqueueReportingAcceptance(
+            data: data,
+            for: peripheralID,
+            priority: priority,
+            capBytes: capBytes
+        ).result
+    }
+
+    /// Enqueues while also reporting whether the newly offered write survived
+    /// priority trimming. `EnqueueResult.enqueued` alone cannot express that:
+    /// a full queue may immediately trim the new lowest-priority item.
+    mutating func enqueueReportingAcceptance(
+        data: Data,
+        for peripheralID: String,
+        priority: BLEOutboundWritePriority,
+        capBytes: Int
+    ) -> (result: EnqueueResult, accepted: Bool) {
        guard data.count <= capBytes else {
-            return .oversized(bytes: data.count)
+            return (.oversized(bytes: data.count), false)
        }

        var queue = writesByPeripheralID[peripheralID] ?? []
@@ -65,7 +82,8 @@ struct BLEOutboundWriteBuffer {
        }

        writesByPeripheralID[peripheralID] = queue.isEmpty ? nil : queue
-        return .enqueued(trimmedBytes: trimmedBytes, remainingBytes: total)
+        let accepted = insertIndex < queue.count
+        return (.enqueued(trimmedBytes: trimmedBytes, remainingBytes: total), accepted)
    }

    mutating func takeAll(for peripheralID: String) -> [BLEPendingWrite] {
@@ -74,6 +92,13 @@ struct BLEOutboundWriteBuffer {
        return items
    }

+    /// Drops link-specific ciphertext when that physical link is gone. Keeping
+    /// the dictionary entry would let rotating peripheral UUIDs accumulate a
+    /// fresh per-link byte cap indefinitely.
+    mutating func discardAll(for peripheralID: String) {
+        writesByPeripheralID[peripheralID] = nil
+    }
+
    mutating func prepend(_ items: [BLEPendingWrite], for peripheralID: String) {
        guard !items.isEmpty else { return }
        var existing = writesByPeripheralID[peripheralID] ?? []
@@ -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)
@@ -158,12 +165,30 @@ struct BLEPeerRegistry {
        peers[peerID] = info
    }

+    /// Flips an already-known peer to connected. Returns false when the peer
+    /// is unknown or already connected (nothing changed).
+    @discardableResult
+    mutating func markConnected(_ peerID: PeerID) -> Bool {
+        guard var info = peers[peerID], !info.isConnected else { return false }
+        info.isConnected = true
+        peers[peerID] = info
+        return true
+    }
+
    mutating func updateLastSeen(_ peerID: PeerID, at date: Date) {
        guard var peer = peers[peerID] else { return }
        peer.lastSeen = date
        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,
@@ -171,7 +196,7 @@ struct BLEPeerRegistry {
        signingPublicKey: Data?,
        isConnected: Bool,
        now: Date,
-        capabilities: PeerCapabilities = [],
+        capabilities: PeerCapabilities? = nil,
        bridgeGeohash: String? = nil
    ) -> BLEPeerAnnounceUpdate {
        let existing = peers[peerID]
@@ -189,7 +214,8 @@ struct BLEPeerRegistry {
            signingPublicKey: signingPublicKey,
            isVerifiedNickname: true,
            lastSeen: now,
-            capabilities: capabilities,
+            capabilities: capabilities ?? [],
+            capabilitiesWereExplicitlyAdvertised: capabilities != nil,
            bridgeGeohash: bridgeGeohash
        )

@@ -122,10 +122,18 @@ final class BLEPublicMessageHandler {
        SecureLogger.debug("💬 [\(senderNickname)] TTL:\(packet.ttl) (\(pathTag)) chars=\(content.count) bytes=\(packet.payload.count)", category: .session)

        let ts = Date(timeIntervalSince1970: Double(packet.timestamp) / 1000)
-        var resolvedSelfMessageID: String? = nil
+        let messageID: String?
        if peerID == env.localPeerID() {
-            resolvedSelfMessageID = env.takeSelfBroadcastMessageID(packet)
+            messageID = env.takeSelfBroadcastMessageID(packet)
+        } else {
+            // The wire carries no message ID; derive the stable one every
+            // device agrees on so bridged copies dedup against the radio copy.
+            messageID = MeshMessageIdentity.stableID(
+                senderIDHex: peerID.id,
+                timestampMs: packet.timestamp,
+                content: content
+            )
        }
-        env.deliverPublicMessage(peerID, senderNickname, content, ts, resolvedSelfMessageID)
+        env.deliverPublicMessage(peerID, senderNickname, content, ts, messageID)
    }
 }
@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+import BitFoundation
+import Foundation
+
+/// Decides which central-role connections (peripheral links we own) are
+/// redundant duplicates of a peer's live link.
+///
+/// One connection per role per peer is the normal dual-role topology (each
+/// device is both central and peripheral). After a BLE state-restoration
+/// relaunch, though, the same phone can reappear under a fresh peripheral
+/// UUID while the restored connection lives on — leaving several live
+/// central-role connections to one peer, each carrying every packet
+/// (field-verified: 2-3x airtime on all traffic). Only same-role duplicates
+/// are retired; the peer's central-role subscription on our peripheral
+/// manager is its own connection to manage, and it runs the same policy.
+enum BLERedundantLinkPolicy {
+    struct PeripheralLink: Equatable {
+        let uuid: String
+        let peerID: PeerID?
+        let isConnected: Bool
+        /// Whether the link has a discovered characteristic (is writable).
+        /// A link mid-service-rediscovery (didModifyServices cleared it)
+        /// must never be kept over a writable duplicate.
+        let hasCharacteristic: Bool
+
+        init(uuid: String, peerID: PeerID?, isConnected: Bool, hasCharacteristic: Bool) {
+            self.uuid = uuid
+            self.peerID = peerID
+            self.isConnected = isConnected
+            self.hasCharacteristic = hasCharacteristic
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// The link to keep when a peer has several connected bound peripheral
+    /// links, or nil when there is nothing to consolidate. Prefers the
+    /// ingress link of the verified direct announce that triggered the check
+    /// (the strongest liveness proof available), falling back to the peer's
+    /// most recently bound link — but only among writable links while any
+    /// exist: keeping a characteristic-less link and cancelling the writable
+    /// duplicate would strand outbound traffic on the central link until
+    /// rediscovery finishes. When neither anchor is a viable candidate,
+    /// consolidation waits for a later announce rather than guessing.
+    static func keptPeripheralUUID(
+        ingressPeripheralUUID: String?,
+        mostRecentlyBoundUUID: String?,
+        links: [PeripheralLink],
+        peerID: PeerID
+    ) -> String? {
+        let bound = links.filter { $0.peerID == peerID && $0.isConnected }
+        guard bound.count > 1 else { return nil }
+
+        let writable = bound.filter(\.hasCharacteristic)
+        let candidates = writable.isEmpty ? bound : writable
+
+        if let ingressPeripheralUUID, candidates.contains(where: { $0.uuid == ingressPeripheralUUID }) {
+            return ingressPeripheralUUID
+        }
+        if let mostRecentlyBoundUUID, candidates.contains(where: { $0.uuid == mostRecentlyBoundUUID }) {
+            return mostRecentlyBoundUUID
+        }
+        return nil
+    }
+
+    /// Connected peripheral links bound to the peer other than the kept one.
+    static func peripheralUUIDsToRetire(
+        links: [PeripheralLink],
+        peerID: PeerID,
+        keeping keptUUID: String
+    ) -> [String] {
+        links
+            .filter { $0.peerID == peerID && $0.isConnected && $0.uuid != keptUUID }
+            .map(\.uuid)
+    }
+}
@@ -200,6 +200,10 @@ final class CommandProcessor {
              LocationNotesManager.postDrop(content: content, nickname: nickname, geohash: geohash) else {
            return .error(message: "no geo relays reachable — note not left")
        }
+        // Leaving a note is an explicit notes act: it unlocks the passive
+        // nearby-notes counter (tap-to-reveal) so the sender sees their own
+        // drop counted on the timeline.
+        NearbyNotesCounter.shared.reveal()
        return .success(message: "📍 note left here — it fades in 24h")
    }

@@ -365,6 +369,9 @@ final class CommandProcessor {
                )
                identityManager.updateSocialIdentity(blockedIdentity)
            }
+            // Scrub their carried public messages now, while the peerID is
+            // resolvable, so they can't resurface as archived echoes.
+            meshService?.purgeArchivedPublicMessages(from: peerID)
            return .success(message: "blocked \(nickname). you will no longer receive messages from them")
        }
        // Mesh lookup failed; try geohash (Nostr) participant by display name
@@ -10,6 +10,9 @@ import BitFoundation
 import BitLogger
 import Combine
 import Foundation
+#if os(iOS)
+import UIKit
+#endif

 /// Trust level of a courier deposit, decided by the caller's policy.
 /// Favorites get the larger quota and are never evicted to make room for
@@ -120,13 +123,45 @@ final class CourierStore {
    private let queue = DispatchQueue(label: "chat.bitchat.courier.store")
    private let fileURL: URL?
    private let now: () -> Date
+    private let readData: (URL) throws -> Data
+    /// A protected file can be present but unreadable during an iOS
+    /// background restoration before first unlock. Keep that distinct from
+    /// an absent file: mutations may proceed in memory, but must not replace
+    /// the unreadable durable snapshot until it can be merged.
+    private var diskLoadDeferred = false
+    #if os(iOS)
+    private var protectedDataObserver: NSObjectProtocol?
+    #endif

    /// - Parameter fileURL: Overrides the on-disk location (tests). Ignored
    ///   when `persistsToDisk` is false.
-    init(persistsToDisk: Bool = true, fileURL: URL? = nil, now: @escaping () -> Date = Date.init) {
+    init(
+        persistsToDisk: Bool = true,
+        fileURL: URL? = nil,
+        now: @escaping () -> Date = Date.init,
+        readData: @escaping (URL) throws -> Data = { try Data(contentsOf: $0) }
+    ) {
        self.now = now
        self.fileURL = persistsToDisk ? (fileURL ?? Self.defaultFileURL()) : nil
+        self.readData = readData
        loadFromDisk()
+        #if os(iOS)
+        protectedDataObserver = NotificationCenter.default.addObserver(
+            forName: UIApplication.protectedDataDidBecomeAvailableNotification,
+            object: nil,
+            queue: nil
+        ) { [weak self] _ in
+            self?.retryDeferredPersistence()
+        }
+        #endif
+    }
+
+    deinit {
+        #if os(iOS)
+        if let protectedDataObserver {
+            NotificationCenter.default.removeObserver(protectedDataObserver)
+        }
+        #endif
    }

    // MARK: - Depositing (courier side)
@@ -154,10 +189,16 @@ final class CourierStore {
        return queue.sync {
            pruneExpiredLocked(at: date)

-            // Identical ciphertext is the same envelope; accept idempotently,
-            // keeping the larger spray budget (bounded by maxCopies either way).
+            // Identical ciphertext is the same envelope. Before any spray,
+            // a carry-only copy may legitimately arrive ahead of the original
+            // higher-budget copy, so keep the larger initial budget. Once a
+            // branch has sprayed, however, replaying the depositor's original
+            // packet must never replenish spent copies: that would defeat
+            // spray-and-wait and let `sprayedTo` grow without bound.
            if let existing = envelopes.firstIndex(where: { $0.ciphertext == envelope.ciphertext }) {
+                if envelopes[existing].sprayedTo.isEmpty {
                    envelopes[existing].copies = max(envelopes[existing].copies, envelope.copies)
+                }
                persistLocked()
                return true
            }
@@ -207,20 +248,52 @@ final class CourierStore {
    // MARK: - Handover (on encountering a peer)

    /// Remove and return all envelopes addressed to the given peer, matching
-    /// the rotating recipient tag across adjacent days. Envelopes are removed
-    /// optimistically: handover happens over a live link, and the depositor's
-    /// outbox still retains the original for direct delivery.
+    /// the rotating recipient tag across adjacent days. This compatibility
+    /// helper accepts every offer; transport callers should use
+    /// `handoverEnvelopes(for:accepting:)` so failed sends remain durable.
    func takeEnvelopes(for noiseStaticKey: Data) -> [CourierEnvelope] {
+        var handedOver: [CourierEnvelope] = []
+        handoverEnvelopes(for: noiseStaticKey) { envelope in
+            handedOver.append(envelope)
+            return true
+        }
+        return handedOver
+    }
+
+    /// Attempts direct handover without retiring the durable carried copy
+    /// until the transport accepts it onto the intended peer's physical link.
+    /// A failed encode, stale binding, or backpressure rejection leaves the
+    /// envelope unchanged for the next authenticated encounter.
+    @discardableResult
+    func handoverEnvelopes(
+        for noiseStaticKey: Data,
+        accepting: (CourierEnvelope) -> Bool
+    ) -> Int {
        let date = now()
        let candidates = CourierEnvelope.candidateTags(noiseStaticKey: noiseStaticKey, around: date)
-        return queue.sync {
+        let offered = queue.sync {
            pruneExpiredLocked(at: date)
-            let matched = envelopes.filter { candidates.contains($0.recipientTag) }
-            guard !matched.isEmpty else { return [] }
-            envelopes.removeAll { stored in matched.contains(stored) }
-            persistLocked()
-            return matched.map(\.envelope)
+            return envelopes
+                .filter { candidates.contains($0.recipientTag) }
+                .map(\.envelope)
        }
+
+        var acceptedCount = 0
+        for envelope in offered where accepting(envelope) {
+            // Do not hold the store queue while the acceptance closure enters
+            // BLE/collections queues. Commit in a second short critical
+            // section, rechecking that another handover did not win first.
+            let committed = queue.sync {
+                guard let index = envelopes.firstIndex(where: { $0.ciphertext == envelope.ciphertext }) else {
+                    return false
+                }
+                envelopes.remove(at: index)
+                persistLocked()
+                return true
+            }
+            if committed { acceptedCount += 1 }
+        }
+        return acceptedCount
    }

    /// Envelopes addressed to a recipient we heard from via a *relayed*
@@ -247,27 +320,33 @@ final class CourierStore {
        }
    }

-    /// Envelopes to park on relays as bridge courier drops. Non-destructive
-    /// like remote handover — the relay copy is speculative, so the carried
-    /// copy stays until direct handover or expiry. The per-envelope cooldown
-    /// keeps relay churn from republishing the same mail; publishing relays
-    /// dedup identical events by ID anyway.
+    /// Envelopes eligible to park on relays as bridge courier drops. Merely
+    /// offering one does not start its cooldown: the caller commits that only
+    /// after a relay explicitly accepts the event via NIP-20 OK.
    func envelopesForBridgePublish(cooldown: TimeInterval) -> [CourierEnvelope] {
        let date = now()
        return queue.sync {
            pruneExpiredLocked(at: date)
-            var matched: [CourierEnvelope] = []
-            for index in envelopes.indices {
-                if let last = envelopes[index].lastBridgePublishAt,
+            return envelopes.compactMap { stored in
+                if let last = stored.lastBridgePublishAt,
                   date.timeIntervalSince(last) < cooldown {
-                    continue
+                    return nil
+                }
+                // The relay copy carries no spray budget.
+                return stored.envelope.withCopies(1)
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Starts the bridge-publish cooldown only for a relay-confirmed copy.
+    func markBridgePublished(_ envelope: CourierEnvelope) {
+        let date = now()
+        queue.sync {
+            guard let index = envelopes.firstIndex(where: { $0.ciphertext == envelope.ciphertext }) else {
+                return
            }
            envelopes[index].lastBridgePublishAt = date
-                // The relay copy carries no spray budget.
-                matched.append(envelopes[index].envelope.withCopies(1))
-            }
-            if !matched.isEmpty { persistLocked() }
-            return matched
+            persistLocked()
        }
    }

@@ -278,25 +357,60 @@ final class CourierStore {
    /// deposited, envelopes addressed to them (those ride the handover path),
    /// carry-only envelopes, and couriers already sprayed.
    func takeSprayCopies(for courierNoiseKey: Data) -> [CourierEnvelope] {
+        var sprayed: [CourierEnvelope] = []
+        transferSprayCopies(to: courierNoiseKey) { envelope in
+            sprayed.append(envelope)
+            return true
+        }
+        return sprayed
+    }
+
+    /// Offers binary-spray copies one at a time and commits the reduced local
+    /// budget plus `sprayedTo` marker only after the directed transport accepts
+    /// that copy. A false result is a rollback: retrying the same courier sees
+    /// the original budget and eligibility.
+    @discardableResult
+    func transferSprayCopies(
+        to courierNoiseKey: Data,
+        accepting: (CourierEnvelope) -> Bool
+    ) -> Int {
        let date = now()
        let courierTags = CourierEnvelope.candidateTags(noiseStaticKey: courierNoiseKey, around: date)
-        return queue.sync {
+        let offered = queue.sync {
            pruneExpiredLocked(at: date)
-            var sprayed: [CourierEnvelope] = []
-            for index in envelopes.indices {
-                let stored = envelopes[index]
+            return envelopes.compactMap { stored -> CourierEnvelope? in
                guard stored.copies > 1,
                      stored.depositorNoiseKey != courierNoiseKey,
                      !stored.sprayedTo.contains(courierNoiseKey),
-                      !courierTags.contains(stored.recipientTag) else { continue }
-                let given = stored.copies / 2
-                envelopes[index].copies = stored.copies - given
+                      !courierTags.contains(stored.recipientTag) else { return nil }
+                return stored.envelope.withCopies(stored.copies / 2)
+            }
+        }
+
+        var acceptedCount = 0
+        for copy in offered where accepting(copy) {
+            // As with direct handover, BLE acceptance runs outside the store
+            // queue. Revalidate and commit the exact budget that left this
+            // device; a competing successful transfer makes this a no-op.
+            let committed = queue.sync {
+                guard let index = envelopes.firstIndex(where: { $0.ciphertext == copy.ciphertext }) else {
+                    return false
+                }
+                let stored = envelopes[index]
+                guard stored.copies > copy.copies,
+                      stored.depositorNoiseKey != courierNoiseKey,
+                      !stored.sprayedTo.contains(courierNoiseKey),
+                      !courierTags.contains(stored.recipientTag) else {
+                    return false
+                }
+                envelopes[index].copies = stored.copies - copy.copies
                envelopes[index].sprayedTo.insert(courierNoiseKey)
-                sprayed.append(stored.envelope.withCopies(given))
+                persistLocked()
+                return true
            }
-            if !sprayed.isEmpty { persistLocked() }
-            return sprayed
+            if committed { acceptedCount += 1 }
        }
+        return acceptedCount
    }

    // MARK: - Maintenance
@@ -305,6 +419,7 @@ final class CourierStore {
    func wipe() {
        queue.sync {
            envelopes.removeAll()
+            diskLoadDeferred = false
            if let fileURL {
                try? FileManager.default.removeItem(at: fileURL)
            }
@@ -312,6 +427,16 @@ final class CourierStore {
        }
    }

+    /// Retries a protected-data read and merges any envelopes accepted while
+    /// the file was unavailable. Internal so persistence tests can drive the
+    /// same transition as iOS's protected-data notification.
+    func retryDeferredPersistence() {
+        queue.sync {
+            guard diskLoadDeferred, resolveDeferredLoadLocked() else { return }
+            persistLocked()
+        }
+    }
+
    // MARK: - Internals (call only on `queue`)

    private func pruneExpiredLocked(at date: Date) {
@@ -332,6 +457,12 @@ final class CourierStore {
    private func persistLocked() {
        publishCountLocked()
        guard let fileURL else { return }
+        // Never turn a transient protected-data read failure into an
+        // authoritative empty/new file. Once readable, resolve first by
+        // merging the durable and in-memory snapshots.
+        if diskLoadDeferred, !resolveDeferredLoadLocked() {
+            return
+        }
        do {
            if envelopes.isEmpty {
                try? FileManager.default.removeItem(at: fileURL)
@@ -344,7 +475,7 @@ final class CourierStore {
            let data = try JSONEncoder().encode(envelopes)
            var options: Data.WritingOptions = [.atomic]
            #if os(iOS)
-            options.insert(.completeFileProtection)
+            options.insert(.completeFileProtectionUntilFirstUserAuthentication)
            #endif
            try data.write(to: fileURL, options: options)
        } catch {
@@ -355,14 +486,133 @@ final class CourierStore {
    private func loadFromDisk() {
        guard let fileURL else { return }
        queue.sync {
-            guard let data = try? Data(contentsOf: fileURL),
-                  let stored = try? JSONDecoder().decode([StoredEnvelope].self, from: data) else {
+            guard FileManager.default.fileExists(atPath: fileURL.path) else {
+                diskLoadDeferred = false
                return
            }
-            envelopes = stored
+            do {
+                let data = try readData(fileURL)
+                do {
+                    envelopes = try JSONDecoder().decode([StoredEnvelope].self, from: data)
+                    diskLoadDeferred = false
                    pruneExpiredLocked(at: now())
                    publishCountLocked()
+                    Self.migrateFileProtectionIfNeeded(at: fileURL)
+                } catch {
+                    // The bytes were readable, so this is corruption/schema
+                    // failure rather than protected-data unavailability.
+                    diskLoadDeferred = false
+                    SecureLogger.error("Failed to decode courier store: \(error)", category: .session)
                }
+            } catch {
+                diskLoadDeferred = true
+                SecureLogger.warning("Courier store unavailable; deferring load until protected data is available: \(error)", category: .session)
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Must be called on `queue`.
+    private func resolveDeferredLoadLocked() -> Bool {
+        guard diskLoadDeferred, let fileURL else { return true }
+        guard FileManager.default.fileExists(atPath: fileURL.path) else {
+            diskLoadDeferred = false
+            return true
+        }
+        do {
+            let data = try readData(fileURL)
+            let durable = try JSONDecoder().decode([StoredEnvelope].self, from: data)
+            envelopes = Self.merge(durable: durable, inMemory: envelopes)
+            diskLoadDeferred = false
+            pruneExpiredLocked(at: now())
+            publishCountLocked()
+            Self.migrateFileProtectionIfNeeded(at: fileURL)
+            return true
+        } catch let error as DecodingError {
+            // Readability returned but the snapshot is corrupt. Do not pin
+            // persistence forever; retain the valid in-memory snapshot.
+            diskLoadDeferred = false
+            SecureLogger.error("Failed to decode deferred courier store: \(error)", category: .session)
+            return true
+        } catch {
+            SecureLogger.warning("Courier store still unavailable: \(error)", category: .session)
+            return false
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static func merge(durable: [StoredEnvelope], inMemory: [StoredEnvelope]) -> [StoredEnvelope] {
+        var merged = durable
+        for candidate in inMemory {
+            if let index = merged.firstIndex(where: { $0.ciphertext == candidate.ciphertext }) {
+                // Union progress before deciding the budget. Once either copy
+                // has sprayed, the lower remaining budget is authoritative;
+                // an older durable/original snapshot must not replenish it.
+                let durableHasProgress = !merged[index].sprayedTo.isEmpty
+                let memoryHasProgress = !candidate.sprayedTo.isEmpty
+                let combinedSprayedTo = merged[index].sprayedTo.union(candidate.sprayedTo)
+                switch (durableHasProgress, memoryHasProgress) {
+                case (false, false):
+                    merged[index].copies = max(merged[index].copies, candidate.copies)
+                case (true, false):
+                    break // durable progress owns its remaining budget
+                case (false, true):
+                    merged[index].copies = candidate.copies
+                case (true, true):
+                    // Concurrent progress can only spend budget; choosing the
+                    // lower branch prevents a merge from minting copies.
+                    merged[index].copies = min(merged[index].copies, candidate.copies)
+                }
+                merged[index].sprayedTo = combinedSprayedTo
+                if candidate.tier == .favorite { merged[index].tier = .favorite }
+                merged[index].lastRemoteHandoverAt = [merged[index].lastRemoteHandoverAt, candidate.lastRemoteHandoverAt]
+                    .compactMap { $0 }
+                    .max()
+                merged[index].lastBridgePublishAt = [merged[index].lastBridgePublishAt, candidate.lastBridgePublishAt]
+                    .compactMap { $0 }
+                    .max()
+            } else {
+                merged.append(candidate)
+            }
+        }
+
+        // A long locked wake can accept new mail alongside a full durable
+        // store. Re-apply deposit quotas: existing per-depositor mail keeps
+        // its slot, while total-cap eviction sheds oldest verified mail first.
+        merged.sort { $0.storedAt < $1.storedAt }
+        var perDepositorCounts: [Data: Int] = [:]
+        merged = merged.filter { envelope in
+            let limit = envelope.tier == .favorite
+                ? Limits.maxPerFavoriteDepositor
+                : Limits.maxPerVerifiedDepositor
+            let count = perDepositorCounts[envelope.depositorNoiseKey, default: 0]
+            guard count < limit else { return false }
+            perDepositorCounts[envelope.depositorNoiseKey] = count + 1
+            return true
+        }
+        while merged.filter({ $0.tier == .verified }).count > Limits.maxVerifiedEnvelopes {
+            guard let victim = merged.firstIndex(where: { $0.tier == .verified }) else { break }
+            merged.remove(at: victim)
+        }
+        while merged.count > Limits.maxEnvelopes {
+            if let victim = merged.firstIndex(where: { $0.tier == .verified }) {
+                merged.remove(at: victim)
+            } else {
+                merged.removeFirst()
+            }
+        }
+        return merged
+    }
+
+    private static func migrateFileProtectionIfNeeded(at fileURL: URL) {
+        #if os(iOS)
+        do {
+            try FileManager.default.setAttributes(
+                [.protectionKey: FileProtectionType.completeUntilFirstUserAuthentication],
+                ofItemAtPath: fileURL.path
+            )
+        } catch {
+            SecureLogger.warning("Failed to migrate courier store file protection: \(error)", category: .session)
+        }
+        #endif
    }

    private static func defaultFileURL() -> URL? {
@@ -11,6 +11,9 @@ import BitLogger
 import CryptoKit
 import Foundation
 import Security
+#if os(iOS)
+import UIKit
+#endif

 /// Disk persistence for the MessageRouter outbox, so private messages queued
 /// for an offline peer survive an app kill instead of silently evaporating.
@@ -60,76 +63,550 @@ final class MessageOutboxStore {
    private static let keychainService = "chat.bitchat.outbox"
    private static let keychainKey = "outbox-encryption-key"

+    typealias Snapshot = [PeerID: [QueuedMessage]]
+
+    private enum DiskState {
+        case unknown
+        case loaded
+        case deferred
+    }
+
+    private enum DiskReadResult {
+        case missing
+        case loaded(Snapshot)
+        case deferred(Error?)
+        case corrupt(Error)
+    }
+
+    private enum EncryptionKeyReadResult {
+        case available(SymmetricKey)
+        case missing
+        case invalid
+        case unavailable(Error?)
+    }
+
+    private struct RecoveredSnapshot {
+        let snapshot: Snapshot
+        let generation: UInt64
+        let unseenDurable: Snapshot
+    }
+
    private let fileURL: URL?
    private let keychain: KeychainManagerProtocol
+    private let readData: (URL) throws -> Data
+    private let writeData: (Data, URL, Data.WritingOptions) throws -> Void
+    private let beforeRecoveryNotification: () -> Void
+    private let lock = NSLock()
+    private var diskState: DiskState = .unknown
+    private var cachedSnapshot: Snapshot = [:]
+    /// Mutations made after a protected-data load failed. They are merged
+    /// with the durable snapshot once it becomes readable, never written on
+    /// top of an unreadable file.
+    private var pendingSnapshot: Snapshot?
+    /// True after a write failed after the durable baseline was already
+    /// loaded. That full-router snapshot includes removals and must replace,
+    /// rather than union with, the older disk contents on retry.
+    private var pendingSnapshotIsAuthoritative = false
+    /// Delivery/read acknowledgments received before a deferred cold-load
+    /// reveals the durable queue. Applied to every merge before persistence.
+    private var pendingRemovalMessageIDs = Set<String>()
+    private var recoveryHandler: (@MainActor (Snapshot) -> Void)?
+    /// Recovery loaded durable state that MessageRouter has not merged yet.
+    /// While true, router saves must union with `cachedSnapshot` instead of
+    /// replacing unseen durable messages.
+    private var recoveryDeliveryPending = false
+    /// Recovery read durable state and classified the unseen subset, but the
+    /// merged snapshot could not yet be persisted. Preserve that classification
+    /// across retries instead of treating the cached union as router-known.
+    private var unseenRecoveryPendingPersistence = false
+    /// MessageRouter's latest authoritative in-memory snapshot while a
+    /// recovery classification is awaiting persistence or delivery. This is
+    /// deliberately separate from `pendingSnapshot`, which may contain the
+    /// union of router-known and unseen durable work after a failed write.
+    private var recoveryRouterSnapshot: Snapshot = [:]
+    /// The durable messages absent from MessageRouter's locked-wake snapshot
+    /// when recovery completed. Only this subset is unioned into authoritative
+    /// router saves before the recovery callback is claimed.
+    private var unseenRecoveredSnapshot: Snapshot = [:]
+    /// Covers the narrow launch race where protected data becomes available
+    /// after `load()` returned but before MessageRouter installs its handler.
+    private var unreportedRecoveredSnapshot: RecoveredSnapshot?
+    /// Invalidates recovery callbacks already queued onto the main actor when
+    /// panic wipe begins.
+    private var lifecycleGeneration: UInt64 = 0
+    #if os(iOS)
+    private var protectedDataObserver: NSObjectProtocol?
+    #endif

-    init(keychain: KeychainManagerProtocol, fileURL: URL? = nil) {
+    init(
+        keychain: KeychainManagerProtocol,
+        fileURL: URL? = nil,
+        readData: @escaping (URL) throws -> Data = { try Data(contentsOf: $0) },
+        writeData: @escaping (Data, URL, Data.WritingOptions) throws -> Void = {
+            try $0.write(to: $1, options: $2)
+        },
+        beforeRecoveryNotification: @escaping () -> Void = {}
+    ) {
        self.keychain = keychain
        self.fileURL = fileURL ?? Self.defaultFileURL()
+        self.readData = readData
+        self.writeData = writeData
+        self.beforeRecoveryNotification = beforeRecoveryNotification
+        #if os(iOS)
+        protectedDataObserver = NotificationCenter.default.addObserver(
+            forName: UIApplication.protectedDataDidBecomeAvailableNotification,
+            object: nil,
+            queue: nil
+        ) { [weak self] _ in
+            self?.retryDeferredLoad()
+        }
+        #endif
+    }
+
+    deinit {
+        #if os(iOS)
+        if let protectedDataObserver {
+            NotificationCenter.default.removeObserver(protectedDataObserver)
+        }
+        #endif
    }

    // MARK: - API (call from the router's actor; IO is small and atomic)

-    func load() -> [PeerID: [QueuedMessage]] {
-        guard let fileURL,
-              let sealed = try? Data(contentsOf: fileURL),
-              let key = encryptionKey(createIfMissing: false),
-              let box = try? ChaChaPoly.SealedBox(combined: sealed),
-              let plaintext = try? ChaChaPoly.open(box, using: key),
-              let decoded = try? JSONDecoder().decode([String: [QueuedMessage]].self, from: plaintext) else {
-            return [:]
+    func load() -> Snapshot {
+        lock.lock()
+        defer { lock.unlock() }
+
+        if case .loaded = diskState {
+            return cachedSnapshot
        }
-        var outbox: [PeerID: [QueuedMessage]] = [:]
-        for (peerID, queue) in decoded where !queue.isEmpty {
-            outbox[PeerID(str: peerID)] = queue
-        }
-        return outbox
+        // Once a deferred recovery has classified the durable baseline,
+        // `cachedSnapshot` is the only safe synchronous view. Re-reading via
+        // the generic load path would confuse its durable+router union with a
+        // fully router-known authoritative snapshot.
+        if unseenRecoveryPendingPersistence || recoveryDeliveryPending {
+            return cachedSnapshot
        }

-    func save(_ outbox: [PeerID: [QueuedMessage]]) {
-        guard let fileURL else { return }
-        let flattened = outbox.filter { !$0.value.isEmpty }
-        guard !flattened.isEmpty else {
-            try? FileManager.default.removeItem(at: fileURL)
-            return
+        let wasDeferred = diskState == .deferred
+        switch readSnapshotLocked() {
+        case .loaded(let durable):
+            cachedSnapshot = applyingPendingRemovalsLocked(pendingSnapshotIsAuthoritative
+                ? (pendingSnapshot ?? [:])
+                : Self.merge(durable, pendingSnapshot ?? [:]))
+            diskState = .loaded
+            if pendingSnapshot != nil || !pendingRemovalMessageIDs.isEmpty {
+                if persistSnapshotAndClearRemovalsLocked(cachedSnapshot) {
+                    pendingSnapshot = nil
+                    pendingSnapshotIsAuthoritative = false
+                } else {
+                    pendingSnapshot = cachedSnapshot
+                    pendingSnapshotIsAuthoritative = true
+                    diskState = .deferred
                }
-        guard let key = encryptionKey(createIfMissing: true) else {
-            SecureLogger.error("Outbox not persisted: no encryption key available", category: .session)
-            return
            }
-        do {
-            let keyed = Dictionary(uniqueKeysWithValues: flattened.map { ($0.key.id, $0.value) })
-            let plaintext = try JSONEncoder().encode(keyed)
-            let sealed = try ChaChaPoly.seal(plaintext, using: key).combined
-            try FileManager.default.createDirectory(
-                at: fileURL.deletingLastPathComponent(),
-                withIntermediateDirectories: true
+            // The recovery callback is driven by `retryDeferredLoad`; `load`
+            // itself returns the recovered value synchronously to its caller.
+            return cachedSnapshot
+
+        case .missing:
+            cachedSnapshot = applyingPendingRemovalsLocked(pendingSnapshot ?? [:])
+            diskState = .loaded
+            if pendingSnapshot != nil || !pendingRemovalMessageIDs.isEmpty {
+                if persistSnapshotAndClearRemovalsLocked(cachedSnapshot) {
+                    pendingSnapshot = nil
+                    pendingSnapshotIsAuthoritative = false
+                } else {
+                    pendingSnapshot = cachedSnapshot
+                    pendingSnapshotIsAuthoritative = true
+                    diskState = .deferred
+                }
+            }
+            return cachedSnapshot
+
+        case .deferred(let error):
+            diskState = .deferred
+            if !wasDeferred {
+                SecureLogger.warning("Outbox unavailable; deferring load until protected data is available: \(String(describing: error))", category: .session)
+            }
+            return pendingSnapshot ?? [:]
+
+        case .corrupt(let error):
+            diskState = .loaded
+            cachedSnapshot = applyingPendingRemovalsLocked(pendingSnapshot ?? [:])
+            SecureLogger.error("Failed to decode encrypted outbox: \(error)", category: .session)
+            if pendingSnapshot != nil || !pendingRemovalMessageIDs.isEmpty {
+                if persistSnapshotAndClearRemovalsLocked(cachedSnapshot) {
+                    pendingSnapshot = nil
+                    pendingSnapshotIsAuthoritative = false
+                } else {
+                    pendingSnapshot = cachedSnapshot
+                    pendingSnapshotIsAuthoritative = true
+                    diskState = .deferred
+                }
+            }
+            return cachedSnapshot
+        }
+    }
+
+    func save(_ outbox: Snapshot) {
+        var recovered: RecoveredSnapshot?
+
+        lock.lock()
+        let recoveryWasPending = recoveryDeliveryPending
+        let unseenClassificationWasPending = unseenRecoveryPendingPersistence
+        let recoveryStateWasPending = recoveryWasPending || unseenClassificationWasPending
+        let flattened = applyingPendingRemovalsLocked(outbox.filter { !$0.value.isEmpty })
+        if recoveryStateWasPending {
+            // `save` is the router's complete current view. Keep it separate
+            // from the durable union retained for disk retry.
+            recoveryRouterSnapshot = flattened
+        }
+        switch diskState {
+        case .loaded:
+            cachedSnapshot = applyingPendingRemovalsLocked(
+                recoveryStateWasPending
+                    ? Self.merge(unseenRecoveredSnapshot, recoveryRouterSnapshot)
+                    : flattened
            )
-            var options: Data.WritingOptions = [.atomic]
-            #if os(iOS)
-            options.insert(.completeFileProtection)
-            #endif
-            try sealed.write(to: fileURL, options: options)
-        } catch {
-            SecureLogger.error("Failed to persist outbox: \(error)", category: .session)
+            if !persistSnapshotAndClearRemovalsLocked(cachedSnapshot) {
+                // Retain the latest complete router snapshot. Because its
+                // durable baseline was already loaded, it replaces the older
+                // disk file after protected data returns (preserving removals).
+                pendingSnapshot = cachedSnapshot
+                pendingSnapshotIsAuthoritative = true
+                diskState = .deferred
            }
+
+        case .unknown, .deferred:
+            let wasDeferred = diskState == .deferred
+            // A non-authoritative deferred snapshot means the initial cold
+            // load never completed. An authoritative deferred snapshot with
+            // no recovery state is merely an ordinary post-load write retry.
+            let isRecoveryAttempt = recoveryStateWasPending ||
+                (wasDeferred && !pendingSnapshotIsAuthoritative)
+            switch readSnapshotLocked() {
+            case .loaded(let durable):
+                // `save` before a successful `load` is not authoritative over
+                // an unreadable snapshot. Union by message ID so neither the
+                // durable queue nor work accepted during the locked wake is
+                // lost.
+                let newlyUnseen = recoveryStateWasPending
+                    ? unseenRecoveredSnapshot
+                    : (isRecoveryAttempt
+                        ? applyingPendingRemovalsLocked(Self.excludingKnownMessages(from: durable, known: flattened))
+                        : [:])
+                if isRecoveryAttempt && !recoveryStateWasPending {
+                    unseenRecoveredSnapshot = newlyUnseen
+                    recoveryRouterSnapshot = flattened
+                    unseenRecoveryPendingPersistence = true
+                }
+                let preservesUnseenRecovery = recoveryStateWasPending || unseenRecoveryPendingPersistence
+                let merged = preservesUnseenRecovery
+                    ? Self.merge(unseenRecoveredSnapshot, recoveryRouterSnapshot)
+                    : (pendingSnapshotIsAuthoritative ? flattened : Self.merge(durable, flattened))
+                cachedSnapshot = applyingPendingRemovalsLocked(merged)
+                diskState = .loaded
+                if persistSnapshotAndClearRemovalsLocked(cachedSnapshot) {
+                    pendingSnapshot = nil
+                    pendingSnapshotIsAuthoritative = false
+                    if isRecoveryAttempt && !recoveryWasPending {
+                        recovered = RecoveredSnapshot(
+                            snapshot: cachedSnapshot,
+                            generation: lifecycleGeneration,
+                            unseenDurable: newlyUnseen
+                        )
+                    }
+                } else {
+                    pendingSnapshot = cachedSnapshot
+                    pendingSnapshotIsAuthoritative = true
+                    diskState = .deferred
+                }
+
+            case .missing:
+                if isRecoveryAttempt && !recoveryStateWasPending {
+                    unseenRecoveredSnapshot = [:]
+                    recoveryRouterSnapshot = flattened
+                    unseenRecoveryPendingPersistence = true
+                }
+                let preservesUnseenRecovery = recoveryStateWasPending || unseenRecoveryPendingPersistence
+                let merged = applyingPendingRemovalsLocked(
+                    preservesUnseenRecovery
+                        ? Self.merge(unseenRecoveredSnapshot, recoveryRouterSnapshot)
+                        : flattened
+                )
+                cachedSnapshot = merged
+                diskState = .loaded
+                if persistSnapshotAndClearRemovalsLocked(merged) {
+                    pendingSnapshot = nil
+                    pendingSnapshotIsAuthoritative = false
+                    if isRecoveryAttempt && !recoveryWasPending {
+                        recovered = RecoveredSnapshot(
+                            snapshot: merged,
+                            generation: lifecycleGeneration,
+                            unseenDurable: unseenRecoveredSnapshot
+                        )
+                    }
+                } else {
+                    pendingSnapshot = merged
+                    pendingSnapshotIsAuthoritative = true
+                    diskState = .deferred
+                }
+
+            case .deferred:
+                // `save` receives MessageRouter's complete current in-memory
+                // snapshot. Replace prior locked-wake state so delivery acks
+                // and expiry removals become tombstones for that state; only
+                // the still-unknown durable snapshot is unioned on recovery.
+                pendingSnapshot = applyingPendingRemovalsLocked(
+                    recoveryStateWasPending
+                        ? Self.merge(unseenRecoveredSnapshot, recoveryRouterSnapshot)
+                        : flattened
+                )
+                diskState = .deferred
+
+            case .corrupt(let error):
+                SecureLogger.error("Failed to decode encrypted outbox: \(error)", category: .session)
+                if isRecoveryAttempt && !recoveryStateWasPending {
+                    unseenRecoveredSnapshot = [:]
+                    recoveryRouterSnapshot = flattened
+                    unseenRecoveryPendingPersistence = true
+                }
+                let preservesUnseenRecovery = recoveryStateWasPending || unseenRecoveryPendingPersistence
+                let merged = applyingPendingRemovalsLocked(
+                    preservesUnseenRecovery
+                        ? Self.merge(unseenRecoveredSnapshot, recoveryRouterSnapshot)
+                        : flattened
+                )
+                cachedSnapshot = merged
+                diskState = .loaded
+                if persistSnapshotAndClearRemovalsLocked(merged) {
+                    pendingSnapshot = nil
+                    pendingSnapshotIsAuthoritative = false
+                    if isRecoveryAttempt && !recoveryWasPending {
+                        recovered = RecoveredSnapshot(
+                            snapshot: merged,
+                            generation: lifecycleGeneration,
+                            unseenDurable: unseenRecoveredSnapshot
+                        )
+                    }
+                } else {
+                    pendingSnapshot = merged
+                    pendingSnapshotIsAuthoritative = true
+                    diskState = .deferred
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        if let recovered {
+            unseenRecoveryPendingPersistence = false
+            recoveryDeliveryPending = true
+            unseenRecoveredSnapshot = recovered.unseenDurable
+        }
+        lock.unlock()
+
+        if let recovered {
+            beforeRecoveryNotification()
+            notifyRecovered(recovered.snapshot, generation: recovered.generation)
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Installs the router-side merge hook used when a cold, locked launch
+    /// initially received an empty snapshot and protected data later becomes
+    /// readable.
+    func setRecoveryHandler(_ handler: @escaping @MainActor (Snapshot) -> Void) {
+        lock.lock()
+        recoveryHandler = handler
+        let unreported = unreportedRecoveredSnapshot
+        unreportedRecoveredSnapshot = nil
+        lock.unlock()
+        if let unreported {
+            Task { @MainActor [weak self] in
+                guard let latest = self?.claimPendingRecovery(generation: unreported.generation) else { return }
+                handler(latest)
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Records an ack even when a locked cold-load has not revealed the
+    /// matching durable message yet. The next `save`/recovery applies this
+    /// tombstone before writing or notifying MessageRouter.
+    func recordRemoval(messageID: String) {
+        lock.lock()
+        pendingRemovalMessageIDs.insert(messageID)
+        cachedSnapshot = Self.removing([messageID], from: cachedSnapshot)
+        unseenRecoveredSnapshot = Self.removing([messageID], from: unseenRecoveredSnapshot)
+        recoveryRouterSnapshot = Self.removing([messageID], from: recoveryRouterSnapshot)
+        if let pendingSnapshot {
+            self.pendingSnapshot = Self.removing([messageID], from: pendingSnapshot)
+        }
+        lock.unlock()
+    }
+
+    /// Retries a deferred protected-data load. The returned snapshot includes
+    /// both durable messages and any messages queued during the locked wake.
+    @discardableResult
+    func retryDeferredLoad() -> Snapshot? {
+        var recovered: RecoveredSnapshot?
+        lock.lock()
+        guard diskState == .deferred else {
+            lock.unlock()
+            return nil
+        }
+        let recoveryWasPending = recoveryDeliveryPending
+        let unseenClassificationWasPending = unseenRecoveryPendingPersistence
+        let recoveryStateWasPending = recoveryWasPending || unseenClassificationWasPending
+        // `pendingSnapshotIsAuthoritative` alone means a normal write failed
+        // after the router had already loaded its baseline. It must retry, but
+        // must not masquerade as cold-load recovery or schedule a callback.
+        let isRecoveryAttempt = recoveryStateWasPending || !pendingSnapshotIsAuthoritative
+        switch readSnapshotLocked() {
+        case .loaded(let durable):
+            let known = recoveryStateWasPending ? recoveryRouterSnapshot : (pendingSnapshot ?? [:])
+            let newlyUnseen = recoveryStateWasPending
+                ? unseenRecoveredSnapshot
+                : (isRecoveryAttempt
+                    ? applyingPendingRemovalsLocked(Self.excludingKnownMessages(from: durable, known: known))
+                    : [:])
+            if isRecoveryAttempt && !recoveryStateWasPending {
+                unseenRecoveredSnapshot = newlyUnseen
+                recoveryRouterSnapshot = known
+                unseenRecoveryPendingPersistence = true
+            }
+            let preservesUnseenRecovery = recoveryStateWasPending || unseenRecoveryPendingPersistence
+            let merged = applyingPendingRemovalsLocked(preservesUnseenRecovery
+                ? Self.merge(unseenRecoveredSnapshot, recoveryRouterSnapshot)
+                : (pendingSnapshotIsAuthoritative ? known : Self.merge(durable, known)))
+            cachedSnapshot = merged
+            diskState = .loaded
+            if (pendingSnapshot == nil && pendingRemovalMessageIDs.isEmpty) ||
+                persistSnapshotAndClearRemovalsLocked(merged) {
+                pendingSnapshot = nil
+                pendingSnapshotIsAuthoritative = false
+                if isRecoveryAttempt && !recoveryWasPending {
+                    recovered = RecoveredSnapshot(
+                        snapshot: merged,
+                        generation: lifecycleGeneration,
+                        unseenDurable: newlyUnseen
+                    )
+                }
+            } else {
+                pendingSnapshot = merged
+                pendingSnapshotIsAuthoritative = true
+                diskState = .deferred
+            }
+        case .missing:
+            let known = recoveryStateWasPending ? recoveryRouterSnapshot : (pendingSnapshot ?? [:])
+            if isRecoveryAttempt && !recoveryStateWasPending {
+                unseenRecoveredSnapshot = [:]
+                recoveryRouterSnapshot = known
+                unseenRecoveryPendingPersistence = true
+            }
+            let preservesUnseenRecovery = recoveryStateWasPending || unseenRecoveryPendingPersistence
+            let merged = applyingPendingRemovalsLocked(preservesUnseenRecovery
+                ? Self.merge(unseenRecoveredSnapshot, recoveryRouterSnapshot)
+                : known)
+            cachedSnapshot = merged
+            diskState = .loaded
+            if (pendingSnapshot == nil && pendingRemovalMessageIDs.isEmpty) ||
+                persistSnapshotAndClearRemovalsLocked(merged) {
+                pendingSnapshot = nil
+                pendingSnapshotIsAuthoritative = false
+                if isRecoveryAttempt && !recoveryWasPending {
+                    recovered = RecoveredSnapshot(
+                        snapshot: merged,
+                        generation: lifecycleGeneration,
+                        unseenDurable: unseenRecoveredSnapshot
+                    )
+                }
+            } else {
+                pendingSnapshot = merged
+                pendingSnapshotIsAuthoritative = true
+                diskState = .deferred
+            }
+        case .deferred:
+            break
+        case .corrupt(let error):
+            SecureLogger.error("Failed to decode encrypted outbox after protected-data recovery: \(error)", category: .session)
+            let known = recoveryStateWasPending ? recoveryRouterSnapshot : (pendingSnapshot ?? [:])
+            if isRecoveryAttempt && !recoveryStateWasPending {
+                unseenRecoveredSnapshot = [:]
+                recoveryRouterSnapshot = known
+                unseenRecoveryPendingPersistence = true
+            }
+            let preservesUnseenRecovery = recoveryStateWasPending || unseenRecoveryPendingPersistence
+            let merged = applyingPendingRemovalsLocked(preservesUnseenRecovery
+                ? Self.merge(unseenRecoveredSnapshot, recoveryRouterSnapshot)
+                : known)
+            cachedSnapshot = merged
+            diskState = .loaded
+            if (pendingSnapshot == nil && pendingRemovalMessageIDs.isEmpty) ||
+                persistSnapshotAndClearRemovalsLocked(merged) {
+                pendingSnapshot = nil
+                pendingSnapshotIsAuthoritative = false
+                if isRecoveryAttempt && !recoveryWasPending {
+                    recovered = RecoveredSnapshot(
+                        snapshot: merged,
+                        generation: lifecycleGeneration,
+                        unseenDurable: unseenRecoveredSnapshot
+                    )
+                }
+            } else {
+                pendingSnapshot = merged
+                pendingSnapshotIsAuthoritative = true
+                diskState = .deferred
+            }
+        }
+        if let recovered {
+            unseenRecoveryPendingPersistence = false
+            recoveryDeliveryPending = true
+            unseenRecoveredSnapshot = recovered.unseenDurable
+        }
+        lock.unlock()
+
+        if let recovered {
+            beforeRecoveryNotification()
+            notifyRecovered(recovered.snapshot, generation: recovered.generation)
+        }
+        return recovered?.snapshot
    }

    /// Panic wipe: drop the queued mail and the key that could ever read it.
    func wipe() {
+        lock.lock()
+        diskState = .loaded
+        cachedSnapshot = [:]
+        pendingSnapshot = nil
+        pendingSnapshotIsAuthoritative = false
+        pendingRemovalMessageIDs.removeAll()
+        recoveryDeliveryPending = false
+        unseenRecoveryPendingPersistence = false
+        unseenRecoveredSnapshot = [:]
+        recoveryRouterSnapshot = [:]
+        unreportedRecoveredSnapshot = nil
+        lifecycleGeneration &+= 1
        if let fileURL {
            try? FileManager.default.removeItem(at: fileURL)
        }
        keychain.delete(key: Self.keychainKey, service: Self.keychainService)
+        lock.unlock()
    }

    // MARK: - Internals

    private func encryptionKey(createIfMissing: Bool) -> SymmetricKey? {
-        if let data = keychain.load(key: Self.keychainKey, service: Self.keychainService), data.count == 32 {
-            return SymmetricKey(data: data)
+        switch readEncryptionKey() {
+        case .available(let key):
+            return key
+        case .missing:
+            break
+        case .invalid:
+            guard createIfMissing else { return nil }
+            keychain.delete(key: Self.keychainKey, service: Self.keychainService)
+        case .unavailable:
+            return nil
        }
        guard createIfMissing else { return nil }
+
        let key = SymmetricKey(size: .bits256)
        let data = key.withUnsafeBytes { Data($0) }
        // After-first-unlock so queued mail can flush from background BLE wakes.
@@ -139,9 +616,222 @@ final class MessageOutboxStore {
            service: Self.keychainService,
            accessible: kSecAttrAccessibleAfterFirstUnlockThisDeviceOnly
        )
+        // The protocol's generic save predates result-bearing writes. Verify
+        // the item before sealing a file: otherwise a locked/full Keychain
+        // could drop the key while we successfully write unrecoverable mail.
+        guard case .success(let stored) = keychain.loadWithResult(
+            key: Self.keychainKey,
+            service: Self.keychainService
+        ), stored == data else {
+            keychain.delete(key: Self.keychainKey, service: Self.keychainService)
+            SecureLogger.error("Outbox encryption key was not retained by Keychain", category: .session)
+            return nil
+        }
        return key
    }

+    private func readEncryptionKey() -> EncryptionKeyReadResult {
+        switch keychain.loadWithResult(key: Self.keychainKey, service: Self.keychainService) {
+        case .success(let data):
+            guard data.count == 32 else { return .invalid }
+            return .available(SymmetricKey(data: data))
+        case .itemNotFound:
+            return .missing
+        case .deviceLocked, .authenticationFailed:
+            return .unavailable(nil)
+        case .accessDenied:
+            return .unavailable(NSError(domain: NSOSStatusErrorDomain, code: Int(errSecNotAvailable)))
+        case .otherError(let status):
+            return .unavailable(NSError(domain: NSOSStatusErrorDomain, code: Int(status)))
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Must be called with `lock` held.
+    private func readSnapshotLocked() -> DiskReadResult {
+        guard let fileURL,
+              FileManager.default.fileExists(atPath: fileURL.path) else {
+            return .missing
+        }
+        let sealed: Data
+        do {
+            sealed = try readData(fileURL)
+        } catch {
+            return .deferred(error)
+        }
+        // A locked Keychain is transient; a genuine item-not-found next to an
+        // existing sealed file is permanent (notably after restoring onto a
+        // new device, because the key is ThisDeviceOnly). Remove that
+        // unrecoverable ciphertext before allowing a replacement key/file.
+        let key: SymmetricKey
+        switch readEncryptionKey() {
+        case .available(let availableKey):
+            key = availableKey
+        case .missing:
+            return discardOrphanedSnapshotLocked(reason: "encryption key is missing")
+        case .invalid:
+            keychain.delete(key: Self.keychainKey, service: Self.keychainService)
+            return discardOrphanedSnapshotLocked(reason: "encryption key has an invalid length")
+        case .unavailable(let error):
+            return .deferred(error)
+        }
+        do {
+            let box = try ChaChaPoly.SealedBox(combined: sealed)
+            let plaintext = try ChaChaPoly.open(box, using: key)
+            let decoded = try JSONDecoder().decode([String: [QueuedMessage]].self, from: plaintext)
+            var outbox: Snapshot = [:]
+            for (peerID, queue) in decoded where !queue.isEmpty {
+                outbox[PeerID(str: peerID)] = queue
+            }
+            Self.migrateFileProtectionIfNeeded(at: fileURL)
+            return .loaded(outbox)
+        } catch {
+            return .corrupt(error)
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Must be called with `lock` held. A ciphertext whose ThisDeviceOnly key
+    /// is definitively absent can never become readable; removing it is safer
+    /// than deferring forever or overwriting it while pretending it loaded.
+    private func discardOrphanedSnapshotLocked(reason: String) -> DiskReadResult {
+        guard let fileURL else { return .missing }
+        do {
+            try FileManager.default.removeItem(at: fileURL)
+            SecureLogger.warning("Removed unrecoverable encrypted outbox because its \(reason)", category: .session)
+            return .missing
+        } catch {
+            SecureLogger.error("Could not remove unrecoverable encrypted outbox: \(error)", category: .session)
+            return .deferred(error)
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Must be called with `lock` held.
+    @discardableResult
+    private func persistSnapshotLocked(_ snapshot: Snapshot) -> Bool {
+        guard let fileURL else { return true }
+        do {
+            if snapshot.isEmpty {
+                if FileManager.default.fileExists(atPath: fileURL.path) {
+                    try FileManager.default.removeItem(at: fileURL)
+                }
+                return true
+            }
+            guard let key = encryptionKey(createIfMissing: true) else {
+                SecureLogger.error("Outbox not persisted: no encryption key available", category: .session)
+                return false
+            }
+            let keyed = Dictionary(uniqueKeysWithValues: snapshot.map { ($0.key.id, $0.value) })
+            let plaintext = try JSONEncoder().encode(keyed)
+            let sealed = try ChaChaPoly.seal(plaintext, using: key).combined
+            try FileManager.default.createDirectory(
+                at: fileURL.deletingLastPathComponent(),
+                withIntermediateDirectories: true
+            )
+            var options: Data.WritingOptions = [.atomic]
+            #if os(iOS)
+            options.insert(.completeFileProtectionUntilFirstUserAuthentication)
+            #endif
+            try writeData(sealed, fileURL, options)
+            return true
+        } catch {
+            SecureLogger.error("Failed to persist outbox: \(error)", category: .session)
+            return false
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Must be called with `lock` held.
+    private func persistSnapshotAndClearRemovalsLocked(_ snapshot: Snapshot) -> Bool {
+        guard persistSnapshotLocked(snapshot) else { return false }
+        pendingRemovalMessageIDs.removeAll()
+        return true
+    }
+
+    /// Must be called with `lock` held.
+    private func applyingPendingRemovalsLocked(_ snapshot: Snapshot) -> Snapshot {
+        Self.removing(pendingRemovalMessageIDs, from: snapshot)
+    }
+
+    private static func removing(_ messageIDs: Set<String>, from snapshot: Snapshot) -> Snapshot {
+        guard !messageIDs.isEmpty else { return snapshot }
+        var filtered: Snapshot = [:]
+        for (peerID, queue) in snapshot {
+            let remaining = queue.filter { !messageIDs.contains($0.messageID) }
+            if !remaining.isEmpty { filtered[peerID] = remaining }
+        }
+        return filtered
+    }
+
+    private static func excludingKnownMessages(from durable: Snapshot, known: Snapshot) -> Snapshot {
+        let knownIDs = Set(known.values.flatMap { $0.map(\.messageID) })
+        return removing(knownIDs, from: durable)
+    }
+
+    private static func merge(_ durable: Snapshot, _ pending: Snapshot) -> Snapshot {
+        var merged = durable
+        for (peerID, pendingQueue) in pending {
+            var queue = merged[peerID] ?? []
+            for var candidate in pendingQueue {
+                if let index = queue.firstIndex(where: { $0.messageID == candidate.messageID }) {
+                    candidate.sendAttempts = max(candidate.sendAttempts, queue[index].sendAttempts)
+                    candidate.depositedCourierKeys.formUnion(queue[index].depositedCourierKeys)
+                    queue[index] = candidate
+                } else {
+                    queue.append(candidate)
+                }
+            }
+            queue.sort { $0.timestamp < $1.timestamp }
+            if !queue.isEmpty { merged[peerID] = queue }
+        }
+        return merged.filter { !$0.value.isEmpty }
+    }
+
+    private func notifyRecovered(_ snapshot: Snapshot, generation: UInt64) {
+        lock.lock()
+        guard lifecycleGeneration == generation else {
+            lock.unlock()
+            return
+        }
+        let handler = recoveryHandler
+        if handler == nil {
+            unreportedRecoveredSnapshot = RecoveredSnapshot(
+                snapshot: snapshot,
+                generation: generation,
+                unseenDurable: unseenRecoveredSnapshot
+            )
+        }
+        lock.unlock()
+        guard let handler else { return }
+        Task { @MainActor [weak self] in
+            guard let latest = self?.claimPendingRecovery(generation: generation) else { return }
+            handler(latest)
+        }
+    }
+
+    private func claimPendingRecovery(generation: UInt64) -> Snapshot? {
+        lock.lock()
+        defer { lock.unlock() }
+        guard lifecycleGeneration == generation, recoveryDeliveryPending else { return nil }
+        let latest = cachedSnapshot
+        recoveryDeliveryPending = false
+        unseenRecoveryPendingPersistence = false
+        unseenRecoveredSnapshot = [:]
+        recoveryRouterSnapshot = [:]
+        unreportedRecoveredSnapshot = nil
+        return latest
+    }
+
+    private static func migrateFileProtectionIfNeeded(at fileURL: URL) {
+        #if os(iOS)
+        do {
+            try FileManager.default.setAttributes(
+                [.protectionKey: FileProtectionType.completeUntilFirstUserAuthentication],
+                ofItemAtPath: fileURL.path
+            )
+        } catch {
+            SecureLogger.warning("Failed to migrate outbox file protection: \(error)", category: .session)
+        }
+        #endif
+    }
+
    private static func defaultFileURL() -> URL? {
        guard let base = try? FileManager.default.url(
            for: .applicationSupportDirectory,
@@ -9,7 +9,11 @@
 import BitFoundation
 import BitLogger
 import Foundation
-import Security
+#if os(iOS)
+import UIKit
+#elseif os(macOS)
+import AppKit
+#endif

 /// Courier delivery over the internet bridge: sealed courier envelopes are
 /// parked on relays as kind-1401 "drops" tagged with their rotating
@@ -49,6 +53,10 @@ final class BridgeCourierService: ObservableObject {
        /// Encoded envelope cap for a drop (16 KiB ciphertext + TLV slack).
        static let maxDropEnvelopeBytes = 20 * 1024
        static let maxTrackedIDs = 512
+        /// Coalescing window for dedup-record writes: a backlog re-fetch
+        /// mutates the seen set once per event, and each snapshot save is a
+        /// full JSON encode + atomic write on the main actor.
+        static let dedupPersistCoalesceSeconds: TimeInterval = 1.0
    }

    static let shared = BridgeCourierService()
@@ -57,8 +65,11 @@ final class BridgeCourierService: ObservableObject {

    var bridgeEnabled: (@MainActor () -> Bool)?
    var relaysConnected: (@MainActor () -> Bool)?
-    /// Publishes a signed drop event to the default (DM) relays.
-    var publishEvent: (@MainActor (NostrEvent) -> Void)?
+    /// Publishes a signed drop event directly to connected default (DM)
+    /// relays. Completion is true only after at least one relay explicitly
+    /// accepts the event via NIP-20 OK; this must never mean "queued in RAM"
+    /// or merely "written to a socket".
+    var publishEvent: (@MainActor (NostrEvent, @escaping @MainActor (Bool) -> Void) -> Void)?
    /// (Re)opens the drop subscription for the given hex tags.
    var openSubscription: (@MainActor ([String]) -> Void)?
    var closeSubscription: (@MainActor () -> Void)?
@@ -68,12 +79,21 @@ final class BridgeCourierService: ObservableObject {
    var localVerifiedPeers: (@MainActor () -> [(peerID: PeerID, noiseKey: Data)])?
    /// Seals content into a carry-only envelope for a recipient key.
    var sealEnvelope: (@MainActor (String, String, Data) -> CourierEnvelope?)?
-    /// Opens a drop addressed to us (tag verified inside).
-    var openEnvelope: (@MainActor (CourierEnvelope) -> Void)?
+    /// Opens a drop addressed to us. True means the inner envelope was
+    /// delivered, deduplicated, or intentionally rejected after decryption;
+    /// false leaves the relay event retryable after a transient crypto/key
+    /// failure.
+    var openEnvelope: (@MainActor (CourierEnvelope) -> Bool)?
    /// Hands a drop to a matching local peer as a directed courier packet.
-    var deliverToPeer: (@MainActor (CourierEnvelope, PeerID) -> Void)?
+    /// Returns true only when the transport accepted the packet onto a live
+    /// physical link or its link-specific backpressure queue. Stale
+    /// reachability and process-local directed spooling return false so the
+    /// drop event stays retryable.
+    var deliverToPeer: (@MainActor (CourierEnvelope, PeerID) -> Bool)?
    /// Held envelopes eligible for (re)publish, honoring the cooldown.
    var heldEnvelopes: (@MainActor (TimeInterval) -> [CourierEnvelope])?
+    /// Commits a held envelope's cooldown after confirmed relay acceptance.
+    var markHeldEnvelopePublished: (@MainActor (CourierEnvelope) -> Void)?
    /// Timer injection for tests; nil arms a real `Task`.
    var scheduleTimer: (@MainActor (TimeInterval, @escaping @MainActor () -> Void) -> Void)?

@@ -81,39 +101,156 @@ final class BridgeCourierService: ObservableObject {

    private(set) var myTagsHex: Set<String> = []
    private(set) var watchedPeerTags: [(peerID: PeerID, tagsHex: Set<String>)] = []
-    private(set) var pendingDrops: [(envelope: CourierEnvelope, dedupKey: String?)] = []
-    /// Message IDs already published as drops (sender-side dedup).
-    private var publishedDropKeys: BoundedIDSet
-    /// Drop event IDs already handled (multi-relay dedup).
-    private var seenDropEventIDs: BoundedIDSet
+    private(set) var pendingDrops: [(
+        envelope: CourierEnvelope,
+        dedupKey: String?,
+        operationID: UUID?
+    )] = []
+    /// Message IDs already published as drops (sender-side dedup) and drop
+    /// event IDs already handled (multi-relay dedup). Both persist across
+    /// relaunches: relays hold drops for the full 24h NIP-40 window and the
+    /// persisted outbox keeps re-depositing, so in-memory-only dedup meant
+    /// every relaunch republished the same message as a fresh drop and every
+    /// gateway relaunch re-delivered the whole backlog (field-verified
+    /// amplification storm). Entries age out with the 24h drop window.
+    private var publishedDropKeys: ExpiringIDSet
+    private var seenDropEventIDs: ExpiringIDSet
    private var subscriptionOpen = false
    private var lastSubscribedTags: Set<String> = []
    private var refreshTimerArmed = false
+    private var announceRefreshTimerArmed = false
    private var lastAnnounceRefresh = Date.distantPast
+    private struct ActiveDropOperation {
+        let id: UUID
+        let completion: @MainActor (Bool) -> Void
+    }
+    /// Sender operations queued locally or awaiting relay confirmation.
+    /// The per-attempt ID prevents a stale pre-wipe callback from completing
+    /// a newer attempt for the same message.
+    private var activeDropOperations: [String: ActiveDropOperation] = [:]
+    /// Held-envelope publishes have no sender message ID, but still need an
+    /// in-flight identity: repeated refreshes inside the NIP-20 wait window
+    /// must not mint duplicate relay events for the same opaque envelope.
+    private var heldDropOperations: [Data: UUID] = [:]
+    /// Deterministically invalid envelopes are suppressed for this process,
+    /// but never persisted as if a relay accepted them. Bound and age them so
+    /// rotating oversize IDs cannot grow process memory forever.
+    private var rejectedDropKeys = ExpiringIDSet(
+        capacity: Limits.maxTrackedIDs,
+        lifetime: CourierEnvelope.maxLifetimeSeconds
+    )

    private let now: () -> Date
+    private let dedupStore: BridgeDropDedupStore

-    init(now: @escaping () -> Date = Date.init) {
+    private var dedupPersistScheduled = false
+
+    init(now: @escaping () -> Date = Date.init, dedupStore: BridgeDropDedupStore? = nil) {
        self.now = now
-        self.publishedDropKeys = BoundedIDSet(capacity: Limits.maxTrackedIDs)
-        self.seenDropEventIDs = BoundedIDSet(capacity: Limits.maxTrackedIDs)
+        self.dedupStore = dedupStore ?? BridgeDropDedupStore(persistsToDisk: !TestEnvironment.isRunningTests)
+        let snapshot = self.dedupStore.load()
+        let date = now()
+        self.publishedDropKeys = ExpiringIDSet(
+            capacity: Limits.maxTrackedIDs,
+            lifetime: CourierEnvelope.maxLifetimeSeconds,
+            entries: snapshot.publishedDropKeys,
+            now: date
+        )
+        self.seenDropEventIDs = ExpiringIDSet(
+            capacity: Limits.maxTrackedIDs,
+            lifetime: CourierEnvelope.maxLifetimeSeconds,
+            entries: snapshot.seenDropEventIDs,
+            now: date
+        )
+        // A coalesced dedup write scheduled just before a background kill
+        // would be lost; flush when the app backgrounds or terminates.
+        #if os(iOS)
+        let flushNotifications = [UIApplication.didEnterBackgroundNotification, UIApplication.willTerminateNotification]
+        #else
+        let flushNotifications = [NSApplication.willTerminateNotification]
+        #endif
+        for name in flushNotifications {
+            NotificationCenter.default.addObserver(forName: name, object: nil, queue: .main) { [weak self] _ in
+                MainActor.assumeIsolated { self?.flushDedupSnapshot() }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Schedules a coalesced write of the dedup record (see
+    /// `Limits.dedupPersistCoalesceSeconds`); lifecycle notifications flush
+    /// any scheduled write before a background kill could drop it.
+    private func persistDedup() {
+        guard !dedupPersistScheduled else { return }
+        dedupPersistScheduled = true
+        Task { @MainActor [weak self] in
+            try? await Task.sleep(nanoseconds: UInt64(Limits.dedupPersistCoalesceSeconds * 1_000_000_000))
+            guard let self else { return }
+            self.dedupPersistScheduled = false
+            self.flushDedupSnapshot()
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Writes the dedup record now. `publishedDropKeys` contains only drops
+    /// a relay explicitly accepted; queued and in-flight keys
+    /// live in `activeDropOperations` and are intentionally process-local.
+    func flushDedupSnapshot() {
+        dedupStore.save(BridgeDropDedupStore.Snapshot(
+            publishedDropKeys: publishedDropKeys.entries,
+            seenDropEventIDs: seenDropEventIDs.entries
+        ))
+    }
+
+    /// Panic wipe: forget queued drops and the persisted dedup record.
+    func wipe() {
+        cancelActivePublishes()
+        rejectedDropKeys = ExpiringIDSet(
+            capacity: Limits.maxTrackedIDs,
+            lifetime: CourierEnvelope.maxLifetimeSeconds
+        )
+        publishedDropKeys = ExpiringIDSet(capacity: Limits.maxTrackedIDs, lifetime: CourierEnvelope.maxLifetimeSeconds)
+        seenDropEventIDs = ExpiringIDSet(capacity: Limits.maxTrackedIDs, lifetime: CourierEnvelope.maxLifetimeSeconds)
+        dedupStore.wipe()
    }

    // MARK: - Sender role

    /// Parallel-deposit a sealed copy of an outbound private message as a
    /// relay drop. Called by the message router alongside physical courier
-    /// deposits; idempotent per message ID. Returns true when a fresh drop
-    /// was sealed (published now or queued for the next relay connection) —
-    /// the router marks the message "carried" so the sender sees progress.
-    @discardableResult
-    func depositDrop(content: String, messageID: String, recipientNoiseKey: Data) -> Bool {
-        guard bridgeEnabled?() ?? false else { return false }
-        guard !publishedDropKeys.contains(messageID) else { return false }
-        guard let envelope = sealEnvelope?(content, messageID, recipientNoiseKey) else { return false }
-        publishedDropKeys.insert(messageID)
-        publishDrop(envelope)
-        return true
+    /// deposits; idempotent per message ID. Completion becomes true only
+    /// after a real relay acceptance arrives, which is when the router may
+    /// show "carried".
+    func depositDrop(
+        content: String,
+        messageID: String,
+        recipientNoiseKey: Data,
+        completion: @escaping @MainActor (Bool) -> Void = { _ in }
+    ) {
+        guard bridgeEnabled?() ?? false else {
+            completion(false)
+            return
+        }
+        guard !publishedDropKeys.contains(messageID, now: now()),
+              activeDropOperations[messageID] == nil,
+              !rejectedDropKeys.contains(messageID, now: now()) else {
+            completion(false)
+            return
+        }
+        guard let envelope = sealEnvelope?(content, messageID, recipientNoiseKey) else {
+            completion(false)
+            return
+        }
+        // An envelope that can't encode within the drop size caps fails the
+        // same way on every attempt (size is a function of the content, not
+        // of the sealing); suppress it in-memory so the retry sweep does not
+        // churn, but never persist it as a published drop.
+        guard let encoded = envelope.encode(), encoded.count <= Limits.maxDropEnvelopeBytes else {
+            rejectedDropKeys.insert(messageID, now: now())
+            completion(false)
+            return
+        }
+        let operationID = UUID()
+        activeDropOperations[messageID] = ActiveDropOperation(id: operationID, completion: completion)
+        publishDrop(envelope, messageID: messageID, operationID: operationID)
    }

    /// Publishes held envelopes (mail we carry for others) as drops,
@@ -121,22 +258,61 @@ final class BridgeCourierService: ObservableObject {
    func publishHeldEnvelopes() {
        guard bridgeEnabled?() ?? false, relaysConnected?() ?? false else { return }
        for envelope in heldEnvelopes?(Limits.heldEnvelopePublishCooldown) ?? [] {
-            publishDrop(envelope)
+            let key = envelope.ciphertext
+            guard heldDropOperations[key] == nil else { continue }
+            let operationID = UUID()
+            heldDropOperations[key] = operationID
+            publishDrop(envelope) { [weak self] succeeded in
+                guard let self, self.heldDropOperations[key] == operationID else { return }
+                self.heldDropOperations.removeValue(forKey: key)
+                if succeeded {
+                    self.markHeldEnvelopePublished?(envelope)
+                }
+            }
        }
    }

-    private func publishDrop(_ envelope: CourierEnvelope) {
+    /// Publishes a drop, or queues it when relays are down. `messageID` is the
+    /// sender-side dedup key (nil for held/relayed envelopes we don't track);
+    /// it rides the pending queue so an evicted or failed drop can release its
+    /// in-flight slot. Completion reports actual NIP-20 relay acceptance.
+    private func publishDrop(
+        _ envelope: CourierEnvelope,
+        messageID: String? = nil,
+        operationID: UUID? = nil,
+        untrackedCompletion: (@MainActor (Bool) -> Void)? = nil
+    ) {
        guard let encoded = envelope.encode(),
              encoded.count <= Limits.maxDropEnvelopeBytes,
-              !envelope.isExpired else { return }
+              !envelope.isExpired else {
+            finishPublish(
+                messageID: messageID,
+                operationID: operationID,
+                succeeded: false,
+                untrackedCompletion: untrackedCompletion
+            )
+            return
+        }
        guard relaysConnected?() ?? false else {
-            pendingDrops.append((envelope, nil))
-            if pendingDrops.count > Limits.maxPendingDrops {
-                pendingDrops.removeFirst(pendingDrops.count - Limits.maxPendingDrops)
+            // Held mail remains in CourierStore and has no sender operation to
+            // recover after an in-memory queue loss. Leave its cooldown unset
+            // and let the next connected refresh offer it again.
+            guard messageID != nil else {
+                untrackedCompletion?(false)
+                return
+            }
+            pendingDrops.append((envelope, messageID, operationID))
+            while pendingDrops.count > Limits.maxPendingDrops {
+                let evicted = pendingDrops.removeFirst()
+                finishPublish(
+                    messageID: evicted.dedupKey,
+                    operationID: evicted.operationID,
+                    succeeded: false
+                )
            }
            return
        }
-        guard let identity = Self.makeThrowawayIdentity(),
+        guard let identity = try? NostrIdentity.generate(),
              let event = try? NostrProtocol.createCourierDropEvent(
                envelope: encoded,
                recipientTagHex: envelope.recipientTag.hexEncodedString(),
@@ -144,10 +320,63 @@ final class BridgeCourierService: ObservableObject {
                senderIdentity: identity
              ) else {
            SecureLogger.error("📦🌉 Failed to compose courier drop", category: .encryption)
+            finishPublish(
+                messageID: messageID,
+                operationID: operationID,
+                succeeded: false,
+                untrackedCompletion: untrackedCompletion
+            )
            return
        }
-        publishEvent?(event)
+        guard let publishEvent else {
+            SecureLogger.error("📦🌉 Courier drop publisher is not configured", category: .session)
+            finishPublish(
+                messageID: messageID,
+                operationID: operationID,
+                succeeded: false,
+                untrackedCompletion: untrackedCompletion
+            )
+            return
+        }
+        publishEvent(event) { [weak self] succeeded in
+            guard let self else { return }
+            guard self.finishPublish(
+                messageID: messageID,
+                operationID: operationID,
+                succeeded: succeeded,
+                untrackedCompletion: untrackedCompletion
+            ) else { return }
+            if succeeded {
                SecureLogger.debug("📦🌉 Published courier drop for tag \(envelope.recipientTag.hexEncodedString().prefix(8))…", category: .session)
+            } else {
+                SecureLogger.warning("📦🌉 No relay accepted courier drop", category: .session)
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    @discardableResult
+    private func finishPublish(
+        messageID: String?,
+        operationID: UUID?,
+        succeeded: Bool,
+        untrackedCompletion: (@MainActor (Bool) -> Void)? = nil
+    ) -> Bool {
+        guard let messageID else {
+            untrackedCompletion?(succeeded)
+            return true
+        }
+        // Missing/mismatched means this callback was duplicated, invalidated
+        // by panic wipe, or belongs to an older attempt for the same key.
+        guard let operationID,
+              let operation = activeDropOperations[messageID],
+              operation.id == operationID else { return false }
+        activeDropOperations.removeValue(forKey: messageID)
+        if succeeded {
+            publishedDropKeys.insert(messageID, now: now())
+            persistDedup()
+        }
+        operation.completion(succeeded)
+        return true
    }

    /// Drops queued while relays were unreachable publish on reconnect.
@@ -156,7 +385,11 @@ final class BridgeCourierService: ObservableObject {
        let queued = pendingDrops
        pendingDrops.removeAll()
        for item in queued {
-            publishDrop(item.envelope)
+            publishDrop(
+                item.envelope,
+                messageID: item.dedupKey,
+                operationID: item.operationID
+            )
        }
    }

@@ -167,7 +400,15 @@ final class BridgeCourierService: ObservableObject {
    /// (tags rotate daily); idempotent.
    func refresh() {
        armRefreshTimerIfNeeded()
-        guard bridgeEnabled?() ?? false, relaysConnected?() ?? false else {
+        guard bridgeEnabled?() ?? false else {
+            cancelActivePublishes()
+            if subscriptionOpen {
+                closeSubscription?()
+                subscriptionOpen = false
+            }
+            return
+        }
+        guard relaysConnected?() ?? false else {
            if subscriptionOpen {
                closeSubscription?()
                subscriptionOpen = false
@@ -209,11 +450,37 @@ final class BridgeCourierService: ObservableObject {

    /// Announce-driven refresh, debounced — a newly verified peer should be
    /// watched promptly, but announce storms must not thrash subscriptions.
+    /// Calls inside the window coalesce into one trailing refresh so peers
+    /// learned after the leading edge are not omitted until the 30-minute
+    /// periodic timer.
    func refreshAfterVerifiedAnnounce() {
        guard bridgeEnabled?() ?? false else { return }
-        guard now().timeIntervalSince(lastAnnounceRefresh) >= Limits.announceRefreshDebounceSeconds else { return }
-        lastAnnounceRefresh = now()
+        let date = now()
+        let elapsed = date.timeIntervalSince(lastAnnounceRefresh)
+        if elapsed >= Limits.announceRefreshDebounceSeconds {
+            lastAnnounceRefresh = date
            refresh()
+            return
+        }
+
+        guard !announceRefreshTimerArmed else { return }
+        announceRefreshTimerArmed = true
+        let delay = max(0, Limits.announceRefreshDebounceSeconds - elapsed)
+        let fire: @MainActor () -> Void = { [weak self] in
+            guard let self else { return }
+            self.announceRefreshTimerArmed = false
+            guard self.bridgeEnabled?() ?? false else { return }
+            self.lastAnnounceRefresh = self.now()
+            self.refresh()
+        }
+        if let scheduleTimer {
+            scheduleTimer(delay, fire)
+        } else {
+            Task { @MainActor in
+                try? await Task.sleep(nanoseconds: UInt64(delay * 1_000_000_000))
+                fire()
+            }
+        }
    }

    private func armRefreshTimerIfNeeded() {
@@ -241,7 +508,10 @@ final class BridgeCourierService: ObservableObject {
    func handleDropEvent(_ event: NostrEvent) {
        guard bridgeEnabled?() ?? false else { return }
        guard event.kind == NostrProtocol.EventKind.courierDrop.rawValue else { return }
-        guard seenDropEventIDs.insert(event.id) else { return }
+        // A resubscribe can still deliver an event from the old watch set.
+        // Do not durably consume it until it actually belongs to us/current
+        // local peer and is opened or accepted for physical delivery.
+        guard !seenDropEventIDs.contains(event.id, now: now()) else { return }
        guard let data = Data(base64Encoded: event.content),
              data.count <= Limits.maxDropEnvelopeBytes,
              let envelope = CourierEnvelope.decode(data),
@@ -256,29 +526,40 @@ final class BridgeCourierService: ObservableObject {

        if myTagsHex.contains(tagHex) {
            SecureLogger.info("📦🌉 Courier drop for us arrived via bridge", category: .session)
-            openEnvelope?(envelope)
+            if openEnvelope?(envelope) == true {
+                seenDropEventIDs.insert(event.id, now: now())
+                persistDedup()
+            }
            return
        }
        if let match = watchedPeerTags.first(where: { $0.tagsHex.contains(tagHex) }) {
            SecureLogger.info("📦🌉 Courier drop fetched for local peer \(match.peerID.id.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
-            deliverToPeer?(envelope, match.peerID)
+            if deliverToPeer?(envelope, match.peerID) == true {
+                seenDropEventIDs.insert(event.id, now: now())
+                persistDedup()
+            }
        }
    }

    // MARK: - Helpers

-    /// A fresh random Nostr identity for signing one drop.
+    /// Cancels queued and in-flight sender operations after bridge disable or
+    /// panic wipe. Invalidate first, then resolve false so callback re-entry
+    /// cannot be mistaken for an active operation; late relay callbacks no-op.
+    private func cancelActivePublishes() {
+        let invalidated = activeDropOperations.values.map(\.completion)
+        pendingDrops.removeAll()
+        activeDropOperations.removeAll()
+        // Untracked held publishes are invalidated too. Their late relay
+        // callbacks compare operation IDs and no-op after this reset.
+        heldDropOperations.removeAll()
+        invalidated.forEach { $0(false) }
+    }
+
+    /// A fresh random Nostr identity for signing one drop. Delegates to the
+    /// canonical generator (Schnorr key that can't fail validity) instead of
+    /// hand-rolling SecRandom + retry.
    static func makeThrowawayIdentity() -> NostrIdentity? {
-        for _ in 0..<10 {
-            var bytes = Data(count: 32)
-            let status = bytes.withUnsafeMutableBytes { ptr in
-                SecRandomCopyBytes(kSecRandomDefault, 32, ptr.baseAddress!)
-            }
-            guard status == errSecSuccess else { return nil }
-            if let identity = try? NostrIdentity(privateKeyData: bytes) {
-                return identity
-            }
-        }
-        return nil
+        try? NostrIdentity.generate()
    }
 }
@@ -0,0 +1,137 @@
+//
+// BridgeDropDedupStore.swift
+// bitchat
+//
+// This is free and unencumbered software released into the public domain.
+// For more information, see <https://unlicense.org>
+//
+
+import BitLogger
+import Foundation
+
+/// ID set with per-entry timestamps: entries expire after `lifetime` and the
+/// oldest are evicted past `capacity`. The bridge's dedup caches use this
+/// instead of `BoundedIDSet` because their contents persist across relaunches
+/// and must age out with the 24h drop window they guard.
+struct ExpiringIDSet {
+    private(set) var entries: [String: Date]
+    let capacity: Int
+    let lifetime: TimeInterval
+
+    init(capacity: Int, lifetime: TimeInterval, entries: [String: Date] = [:], now: Date = Date()) {
+        self.capacity = capacity
+        self.lifetime = lifetime
+        self.entries = entries
+        prune(now: now)
+    }
+
+    func contains(_ id: String, now: Date) -> Bool {
+        guard let recorded = entries[id] else { return false }
+        return now.timeIntervalSince(recorded) <= lifetime
+    }
+
+    /// Returns false when the ID was already present (and unexpired).
+    @discardableResult
+    mutating func insert(_ id: String, now: Date) -> Bool {
+        guard !contains(id, now: now) else { return false }
+        entries[id] = now
+        prune(now: now)
+        return true
+    }
+
+    /// Releases a previously inserted ID so it can be re-added later (e.g. a
+    /// queued drop evicted before it ever published must become retryable).
+    mutating func remove(_ id: String) {
+        entries.removeValue(forKey: id)
+    }
+
+    private mutating func prune(now: Date) {
+        if entries.contains(where: { now.timeIntervalSince($0.value) > lifetime }) {
+            entries = entries.filter { now.timeIntervalSince($0.value) <= lifetime }
+        }
+        let overflow = entries.count - capacity
+        guard overflow > 0 else { return }
+        for (id, _) in entries.sorted(by: { $0.value < $1.value }).prefix(overflow) {
+            entries.removeValue(forKey: id)
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/// Disk persistence for the bridge courier's drop-dedup record. Relays hold
+/// drops for the full 24h NIP-40 window and redeliver them on every launch,
+/// and the 120s outbox sweep re-deposits anything undelivered — so with
+/// in-memory-only dedup every relaunch republished the same message as a
+/// fresh drop (fresh throwaway seal, undeduplicatable downstream) and every
+/// gateway relaunch re-delivered the whole backlog. Field-verified: ~20
+/// copies of one DM delivered in 40ms fed the storm behind a permanent
+/// device freeze. Persisting both sides caps this at one drop per message
+/// ID per 24h regardless of relaunch count.
+///
+/// Contents are opaque IDs (message UUIDs, relay event IDs) — no plaintext,
+/// no peer identities — so until-first-unlock protection matches
+/// `NostrProcessedEventStore`, and the file must load during a
+/// locked-background restoration relaunch. Wiped on panic with the rest of
+/// the courier state.
+final class BridgeDropDedupStore {
+    struct Snapshot: Codable {
+        var publishedDropKeys: [String: Date]
+        var seenDropEventIDs: [String: Date]
+    }
+
+    private let fileURL: URL?
+
+    /// - Parameter fileURL: Overrides the on-disk location (tests). Ignored
+    ///   when `persistsToDisk` is false.
+    init(persistsToDisk: Bool = true, fileURL: URL? = nil) {
+        self.fileURL = persistsToDisk ? (fileURL ?? Self.defaultFileURL()) : nil
+    }
+
+    func load() -> Snapshot {
+        guard let fileURL,
+              let data = try? Data(contentsOf: fileURL),
+              let snapshot = try? JSONDecoder().decode(Snapshot.self, from: data) else {
+            return Snapshot(publishedDropKeys: [:], seenDropEventIDs: [:])
+        }
+        return snapshot
+    }
+
+    func save(_ snapshot: Snapshot) {
+        guard let fileURL else { return }
+        guard !(snapshot.publishedDropKeys.isEmpty && snapshot.seenDropEventIDs.isEmpty) else {
+            try? FileManager.default.removeItem(at: fileURL)
+            return
+        }
+        do {
+            try FileManager.default.createDirectory(
+                at: fileURL.deletingLastPathComponent(),
+                withIntermediateDirectories: true
+            )
+            let data = try JSONEncoder().encode(snapshot)
+            var options: Data.WritingOptions = [.atomic]
+            #if os(iOS)
+            options.insert(.completeFileProtectionUntilFirstUserAuthentication)
+            #endif
+            try data.write(to: fileURL, options: options)
+        } catch {
+            SecureLogger.error("Failed to persist bridge drop dedup record: \(error)", category: .session)
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Panic wipe: forget which drops we published or handled.
+    func wipe() {
+        guard let fileURL else { return }
+        try? FileManager.default.removeItem(at: fileURL)
+    }
+
+    private static func defaultFileURL() -> URL? {
+        guard let base = try? FileManager.default.url(
+            for: .applicationSupportDirectory,
+            in: .userDomainMask,
+            appropriateFor: nil,
+            create: true
+        ) else { return nil }
+        return base
+            .appendingPathComponent("courier", isDirectory: true)
+            .appendingPathComponent("bridge-drop-dedup.json")
+    }
+}
@@ -47,9 +47,15 @@ import Foundation
 ///    already holds the radio copy (`isMessageSeenLocally` on the event's
 ///    mesh message ID) — remote islands' traffic is the only thing worth
 ///    airtime.
-/// Receivers additionally dedup by timeline message ID: a bridged copy
-/// carries the original mesh message ID in its `m` tag, so the store's
-/// insert-by-ID absorbs radio/bridge duplicates in either arrival order.
+/// Receivers key bridge rows by the signed Nostr event ID. The event's `m` tag
+/// is only a radio-copy hint: its mesh sender/timestamp fields are public and
+/// cannot authenticate the event signer, so letting them own the timeline ID
+/// would allow a different signer to front-run the genuine event's dedup slot.
+/// When the radio copy is already present the hint avoids duplicate rendering
+/// and downlink airtime. If the bridge copy wins the race, a later
+/// authenticated radio copy replaces every bridge row that claimed the same
+/// hint; the untrusted hint can therefore merge a duplicate but can never
+/// suppress the radio-authenticated origin.
 ///
 /// All dependencies are closure-injected (repo convention) so the policy
 /// layer is unit-testable without relays, radios, or CoreLocation.
@@ -69,11 +75,25 @@ final class BridgeService: ObservableObject {
        static let maxEventAgeSeconds: TimeInterval = 15 * 60
        /// Bounded loop-prevention ID caches (oldest evicted).
        static let maxTrackedEventIDs = 512
+        /// Keep radio-replacement aliases for every bridge row that can still
+        /// be visible in the bounded mesh timeline. Retiring an alias earlier
+        /// would let valid high-volume ingress delete otherwise visible
+        /// history merely to preserve the radio-wins invariant.
+        static let maxTrackedRadioAliases = TransportConfig.meshTimelineCap
        /// Presence heartbeat cadence while the bridge is active.
        static let presenceIntervalSeconds: TimeInterval = 4 * 60
        /// A rendezvous participant counts toward "via bridge" for this long
        /// after their last event.
        static let participantFreshnessSeconds: TimeInterval = 10 * 60
+        /// Relay ingress is adversarial: bound both accepted work and the
+        /// people-sheet state even when an attacker rotates signing keys.
+        static let inboundEventsPerMinute = 600
+        static let inboundEventsPerMinutePerSigner = 120
+        /// Cheap pre-crypto gate for both valid and invalid ingress. Without
+        /// it, invalid carrier events could force unbounded Schnorr work while
+        /// never reaching the accepted-event limiter below.
+        static let signatureVerificationAttemptsPerMinute = 720
+        static let maxParticipants = 128
        /// Content cap, matching the public-message pipeline's own limit.
        static let maxContentBytes = 16_000
        /// Geohash-cell precision of the rendezvous (neighborhood, ~1.2 km).
@@ -89,7 +109,11 @@ final class BridgeService: ObservableObject {
    /// A validated rendezvous message ready for the timeline.
    struct InboundBridgeMessage {
        let messageID: String
+        /// Unauthenticated mesh coordinates can only be used to notice that a
+        /// verified radio copy is already present; they never own bridge dedup.
+        let radioMessageIDHint: String?
        let senderNickname: String
+        let participantNickname: String?
        let senderPubkey: String
        let content: String
        let timestamp: Date
@@ -114,10 +138,9 @@ final class BridgeService: ObservableObject {
    /// The user toggle. While true this device publishes its own public mesh
    /// messages to the rendezvous and subscribes to it when online.
    @Published private(set) var isEnabled: Bool
-    /// Distinct remote rendezvous participants seen within the freshness
-    /// window. Approximate by design: local participants are subtracted by
-    /// matching their events' mesh message IDs against the local timeline,
-    /// which cannot attribute silent (presence-only) local peers.
+    /// Distinct rendezvous participants seen within the freshness window.
+    /// Radio-copy hints never alter signer locality: their public coordinates
+    /// can suppress a duplicate row but cannot authenticate a Nostr signer.
    @Published private(set) var bridgedPeerCount: Int = 0
    /// The people behind the count, newest activity first.
    @Published private(set) var bridgedParticipants: [BridgedParticipant] = []
@@ -157,6 +180,13 @@ final class BridgeService: ObservableObject {
    var broadcastToMesh: (@MainActor (Data) -> Void)?
    /// Delivers a validated inbound bridge message to the mesh timeline.
    var injectInbound: (@MainActor (InboundBridgeMessage) -> Void)?
+    /// Removes a previously injected bridge row when an authenticated radio
+    /// copy arrives later. The UI hook also discards a not-yet-flushed row.
+    var removeInjectedInbound: (@MainActor (String) -> Void)?
+    /// Exact liveness check for a bridge row in either the pending UI pipeline
+    /// or bounded conversation store. Alias pruning may discard proof only
+    /// after the corresponding row is already gone.
+    var isInjectedInboundPresent: (@MainActor (String) -> Bool)?
    /// True when the mesh timeline already holds this message ID (the radio
    /// copy) — used to skip pointless downlink airtime.
    var isMessageSeenLocally: (@MainActor (String) -> Bool)?
@@ -183,32 +213,56 @@ final class BridgeService: ObservableObject {
    private var rebroadcastEventIDs: BoundedIDSet
    /// Timeline message IDs already injected (either arrival path).
    private var injectedMessageIDs: BoundedIDSet
+    /// Signed relay/carrier events already accepted. Kept separate from the
+    /// loop caches so a mesh arrival can still mark loop suppression even when
+    /// the relay copy won the race.
+    private var receivedEventIDs: BoundedIDSet
+    /// Authenticated radio IDs observed this session. These close the
+    /// bridge-first race even before the UI pipeline flushes its radio row.
+    private var observedRadioMessageIDs: BoundedIDSet
+    /// event ID -> untrusted radio hint. Event IDs own bridge
+    /// dedup; this bounded reverse index is used only to replace bridge rows
+    /// after the genuine radio packet has authenticated successfully.
+    private var injectedRadioAliases: [String: String] = [:]
+    private var injectedRadioAliasOrder: [String] = []

    /// Cells the rendezvous subscription covers (own + neighbor ring).
    private(set) var subscribedCells: Set<String> = []
    private(set) var queuedUplinks: [QueuedUplink] = []
    private var uplinkDepositTimes: [PeerID: [Date]] = [:]
    private var downlinkSendTimes: [Date] = []
+    private var inboundEventTimes: [Date] = []
+    private var inboundEventTimesBySigner: [String: [Date]] = [:]
+    private var signatureVerificationTokens = Double(Limits.signatureVerificationAttemptsPerMinute)
+    private var signatureVerificationLastRefillAt: Date?
    private var pendingDownlinks: [(event: NostrEvent, cell: String)] = []
    private var downlinkDrainScheduled = false
    private var presenceTimerArmed = false
    private var lastPresenceAt = Date.distantPast

-    /// pubkey -> (lastSeen, attributed-to-local-island, last known nickname).
-    private var participants: [String: (lastSeen: Date, isLocal: Bool, nickname: String?)] = [:]
+    /// pubkey -> (lastSeen, last known nickname).
+    private var participants: [String: (lastSeen: Date, nickname: String?)] = [:]

    private let defaults: UserDefaults
    private let now: () -> Date
+    private let verifyEventSignature: (NostrEvent) -> Bool
    private static let enabledKey = "bridge.userEnabled"

-    init(defaults: UserDefaults = .standard, now: @escaping () -> Date = Date.init) {
+    init(
+        defaults: UserDefaults = .standard,
+        now: @escaping () -> Date = Date.init,
+        verifyEventSignature: @escaping (NostrEvent) -> Bool = { $0.isValidSignature() }
+    ) {
        self.defaults = defaults
        self.now = now
+        self.verifyEventSignature = verifyEventSignature
        self.isEnabled = defaults.bool(forKey: Self.enabledKey)
        self.meshBroadcastEventIDs = BoundedIDSet(capacity: Limits.maxTrackedEventIDs)
        self.publishedEventIDs = BoundedIDSet(capacity: Limits.maxTrackedEventIDs)
        self.rebroadcastEventIDs = BoundedIDSet(capacity: Limits.maxTrackedEventIDs)
        self.injectedMessageIDs = BoundedIDSet(capacity: Limits.maxTrackedEventIDs)
+        self.receivedEventIDs = BoundedIDSet(capacity: Limits.maxTrackedEventIDs)
+        self.observedRadioMessageIDs = BoundedIDSet(capacity: Limits.maxTrackedEventIDs)
    }

    // MARK: - Toggle & lifecycle
@@ -221,6 +275,8 @@ final class BridgeService: ObservableObject {
            queuedUplinks.removeAll()
            pendingDownlinks.removeAll()
            uplinkDepositTimes.removeAll()
+            inboundEventTimes.removeAll()
+            inboundEventTimesBySigner.removeAll()
            participants.removeAll()
            bridgedPeerCount = 0
            bridgedParticipants = []
@@ -292,22 +348,27 @@ final class BridgeService: ObservableObject {
    /// Composes and ships the bridged copy of an outgoing public mesh
    /// message. Call after the radio send; no-op when the bridge is off,
    /// no cell is known, or the message was flagged nearby-only upstream.
-    func bridgeOutgoing(content: String, messageID: String) {
+    /// `senderPeerID`/`timestamp` are the origin coordinates of the radio
+    /// send — they (with the content) derive the cross-device-stable mesh
+    /// message ID that receivers dedup on.
+    func bridgeOutgoing(content: String, senderPeerID: PeerID, timestamp: Date) {
        guard isEnabled, !nearbyOnly, let cell = activeCell ?? currentCell() else { return }
        guard content.utf8.count <= Limits.maxContentBytes else { return }
+        let timestampMs = MeshMessageIdentity.millisecondTimestamp(timestamp)
        guard let identity = try? deriveIdentity?(cell),
              let event = try? NostrProtocol.createBridgeMeshEvent(
                content: content,
                cell: cell,
                senderIdentity: identity,
                nickname: myNickname?(),
-                meshMessageID: messageID
+                meshSenderID: senderPeerID.id,
+                meshTimestampMs: timestampMs
              ) else {
            SecureLogger.error("🌉 Bridge: failed to compose rendezvous event", category: .session)
            return
        }
        publishedEventIDs.insert(event.id)
-        injectedMessageIDs.insert(messageID) // our own timeline already has it
+        injectedMessageIDs.insert(event.id) // our own timeline already has it
        if relaysConnected?() ?? false {
            publishToRelays?(event, cell)
        } else if let carrier = NostrCarrierPacket(direction: .toBridge, geohash: cell, event: event),
@@ -376,7 +437,6 @@ final class BridgeService: ObservableObject {
              subscribedCells.contains(cell) else {
            return
        }
-        guard let kind = classify(event, cell: cell) else { return }
        // Events we published come back from our own subscription; they are
        // presence-neutral (we never count ourselves) and never re-injected
        // or rebroadcast. Two layers: the published-ID cache (this session)
@@ -389,18 +449,23 @@ final class BridgeService: ObservableObject {
            publishedEventIDs.insert(event.id) // never downlink it either
            return
        }
-        guard event.isValidSignature() else { return }
+        guard allowSignatureVerificationAttempt(), verifyEventSignature(event) else { return }
+        guard receivedEventIDs.insert(event.id), allowInboundEvent(from: event.pubkey) else { return }
+        guard let kind = classify(event, cell: cell) else { return }

        switch kind {
        case .presence:
-            recordParticipant(event.pubkey, isLocal: false, nickname: nil)
+            recordParticipant(event.pubkey, nickname: nil)
        case .message(let message):
-            let isLocalRadioCopy = isMessageSeenLocally?(message.messageID) ?? false
+            let isLocalRadioCopy = message.radioMessageIDHint.map(radioCopyAlreadyPresent) ?? false
            if isLocalRadioCopy {
-                SecureLogger.debug("🌉 Bridge: radio copy of \(message.messageID.prefix(8))… already present; sender counted as local", category: .session)
+                // The public m-tag proves only that identical radio content is
+                // already present, not that this Nostr signer authored it.
+                // Skip the duplicate row without changing signer locality.
+                SecureLogger.debug("🌉 Bridge: authenticated radio copy already present; bridge alias skipped", category: .session)
+            } else if inject(message) {
+                recordParticipant(event.pubkey, nickname: message.participantNickname)
            }
-            recordParticipant(event.pubkey, isLocal: isLocalRadioCopy, nickname: message.senderNickname)
-            inject(message)
            // Serving duty: carry remote islands' messages onto the radio for
            // mesh-only peers. Local-origin events are skipped — the island
            // already heard them (loop rule 3). The drain is jitter-delayed:
@@ -419,6 +484,33 @@ final class BridgeService: ObservableObject {
        }
    }

+    /// Called only after the BLE public-message signature has authenticated.
+    /// A bridge hint is not trusted enough to drop this radio row. Instead,
+    /// the radio row wins and any earlier bridge aliases are removed, which
+    /// gives both arrival orders one timeline row without restoring the
+    /// origin-spoof vulnerability.
+    func handleAuthenticatedRadioMessage(messageID: String) {
+        guard !messageID.isEmpty else { return }
+        observedRadioMessageIDs.insert(messageID)
+
+        let matching = injectedRadioAliases.filter { $0.value == messageID }
+        guard !matching.isEmpty else { return }
+        let eventIDs = Set(matching.keys)
+        for eventID in matching.keys {
+            removeInjectedInbound?(eventID)
+            injectedRadioAliases.removeValue(forKey: eventID)
+        }
+        injectedRadioAliasOrder.removeAll { eventIDs.contains($0) }
+
+        // A relay event can already be waiting inside the multi-gateway jitter
+        // window. Remove it now so it cannot consume BLE airtime after the
+        // authenticated radio packet proved this island already has a copy.
+        pendingDownlinks.removeAll { item in
+            guard case .message(let message)? = classify(item.event, cell: item.cell) else { return false }
+            return message.radioMessageIDHint == messageID
+        }
+    }
+
    // MARK: - Mesh carrier ingress (both roles)

    /// Entry point for received `nostrCarrier` packets with bridge
@@ -455,7 +547,7 @@ final class BridgeService: ObservableObject {
            SecureLogger.debug("🌉 Bridge: rate-limited deposit from \(depositor.id.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
            return
        }
-        guard event.isValidSignature() else {
+        guard allowSignatureVerificationAttempt(), verifyEventSignature(event) else {
            SecureLogger.debug("🌉 Bridge: rejected deposit from \(depositor.id.prefix(8))… (bad signature)", category: .security)
            return
        }
@@ -511,6 +603,52 @@ final class BridgeService: ObservableObject {
        return true
    }

+    /// Bounds relay/carrier work independently of the downlink airtime budget.
+    /// A valid signature proves control of one key, not that the sender is
+    /// entitled to unbounded main-actor state or CPU.
+    private func allowInboundEvent(from signer: String) -> Bool {
+        let date = now()
+        let cutoff = date.addingTimeInterval(-60)
+        inboundEventTimes.removeAll { $0 < cutoff }
+        guard inboundEventTimes.count < Limits.inboundEventsPerMinute else { return false }
+
+        var signerTimes = inboundEventTimesBySigner[signer, default: []]
+        signerTimes.removeAll { $0 < cutoff }
+        guard signerTimes.count < Limits.inboundEventsPerMinutePerSigner else {
+            inboundEventTimesBySigner[signer] = signerTimes
+            return false
+        }
+
+        inboundEventTimes.append(date)
+        signerTimes.append(date)
+        inboundEventTimesBySigner[signer] = signerTimes
+        if inboundEventTimesBySigner.count > Limits.maxTrackedEventIDs {
+            inboundEventTimesBySigner = inboundEventTimesBySigner.filter { entry in
+                entry.value.contains { $0 >= cutoff }
+            }
+        }
+        return true
+    }
+
+    /// Bounds expensive signature checks before signer identity is trusted.
+    /// Kept independent from accepted-event accounting so invalid events do
+    /// not create signer state or poison any dedup cache.
+    private func allowSignatureVerificationAttempt() -> Bool {
+        let date = now()
+        if let lastRefillAt = signatureVerificationLastRefillAt {
+            let elapsed = max(0, date.timeIntervalSince(lastRefillAt))
+            let refillPerSecond = Double(Limits.signatureVerificationAttemptsPerMinute) / 60
+            signatureVerificationTokens = min(
+                Double(Limits.signatureVerificationAttemptsPerMinute),
+                signatureVerificationTokens + elapsed * refillPerSecond
+            )
+        }
+        signatureVerificationLastRefillAt = date
+        guard signatureVerificationTokens >= 1 else { return false }
+        signatureVerificationTokens -= 1
+        return true
+    }
+
    // MARK: - Downlink (gateway role: internet -> mesh)

    private func drainPendingDownlinks() {
@@ -521,9 +659,15 @@ final class BridgeService: ObservableObject {
            let (event, cell) = pendingDownlinks.removeFirst()
            guard isFresh(event) else { continue }
            // Suppression recheck at send time: another gateway may have
-            // broadcast this event during our jitter holdoff.
+            // broadcast this event, or the authenticated radio copy may have
+            // arrived, during our jitter holdoff.
            guard !meshBroadcastEventIDs.contains(event.id),
                  !rebroadcastEventIDs.contains(event.id) else { continue }
+            if case .message(let message)? = classify(event, cell: cell),
+               let radioMessageID = message.radioMessageIDHint,
+               radioCopyAlreadyPresent(radioMessageID) {
+                continue
+            }
            guard let carrier = NostrCarrierPacket(direction: .fromBridge, geohash: cell, event: event),
                  let payload = carrier.encode() else { continue }
            broadcastToMesh?(payload)
@@ -572,36 +716,90 @@ final class BridgeService: ObservableObject {
        guard let event = structurallyValidEvent(from: carrier),
              !publishedEventIDs.contains(event.id),
              !isOwnRendezvousEvent(event, cell: carrier.geohash),
-              event.isValidSignature() else {
+              allowSignatureVerificationAttempt(),
+              verifyEventSignature(event) else {
            return
        }
        // Mark after verification (a forged copy must not poison the cache),
-        // and use the marking as multi-path dedup.
-        guard meshBroadcastEventIDs.insert(event.id) else { return }
+        // even when the relay copy won the injection race: pending gateway
+        // downlinks consult this cache and must stand down.
+        let firstMeshArrival = meshBroadcastEventIDs.insert(event.id)
+        guard firstMeshArrival,
+              receivedEventIDs.insert(event.id),
+              allowInboundEvent(from: event.pubkey) else { return }
        guard case .message(let message)? = classify(event, cell: carrier.geohash) else {
            return
        }
-        recordParticipant(event.pubkey, isLocal: false, nickname: message.senderNickname)
-        inject(message)
+        if inject(message) {
+            recordParticipant(event.pubkey, nickname: message.participantNickname)
+        }
    }

    // MARK: - Injection & participants

-    private func inject(_ message: InboundBridgeMessage) {
-        guard injectedMessageIDs.insert(message.messageID) else { return }
-        guard !(isMessageSeenLocally?(message.messageID) ?? false) else { return }
+    @discardableResult
+    private func inject(_ message: InboundBridgeMessage) -> Bool {
+        guard injectedMessageIDs.insert(message.messageID) else { return false }
+        guard !(message.radioMessageIDHint.map(radioCopyAlreadyPresent) ?? false) else {
+            return false
+        }
        SecureLogger.info("🌉 Bridge: injected bridged message \(message.messageID.prefix(8))… from \(message.senderNickname)", category: .session)
        injectInbound?(message)
+        if let radioMessageID = message.radioMessageIDHint {
+            recordRadioAlias(
+                eventID: message.messageID,
+                radioMessageID: radioMessageID
+            )
+        }
+        return true
    }

-    private func recordParticipant(_ pubkey: String, isLocal: Bool, nickname: String?) {
+    private func radioCopyAlreadyPresent(_ messageID: String) -> Bool {
+        observedRadioMessageIDs.contains(messageID) || (isMessageSeenLocally?(messageID) ?? false)
+    }
+
+    private func recordRadioAlias(
+        eventID: String,
+        radioMessageID: String
+    ) {
+        guard injectedRadioAliases[eventID] == nil else { return }
+        injectedRadioAliases[eventID] = radioMessageID
+        injectedRadioAliasOrder.append(eventID)
+        guard injectedRadioAliasOrder.count > Limits.maxTrackedRadioAliases,
+              let isInjectedInboundPresent else { return }
+
+        // Arrival order and signed event timestamps are independent. The
+        // conversation cap trims by timestamp, so blindly evicting the oldest
+        // alias could discard the proof for a still-visible row and then
+        // actively delete that history. Prune only aliases whose exact row is
+        // already absent; temporary overflow is safer than losing radio-wins
+        // reconciliation for any visible bridge message.
+        var overflow = injectedRadioAliasOrder.count - Limits.maxTrackedRadioAliases
+        var retained: [String] = []
+        retained.reserveCapacity(injectedRadioAliasOrder.count)
+        for candidate in injectedRadioAliasOrder {
+            if overflow > 0, !isInjectedInboundPresent(candidate) {
+                injectedRadioAliases.removeValue(forKey: candidate)
+                overflow -= 1
+            } else {
+                retained.append(candidate)
+            }
+        }
+        injectedRadioAliasOrder = retained
+    }
+
+    private func recordParticipant(_ pubkey: String, nickname: String?) {
+        let cutoff = now().addingTimeInterval(-Limits.participantFreshnessSeconds)
+        participants = participants.filter { $0.value.lastSeen >= cutoff }
+        if participants[pubkey] == nil, participants.count >= Limits.maxParticipants,
+           let oldest = participants.min(by: { $0.value.lastSeen < $1.value.lastSeen })?.key {
+            participants.removeValue(forKey: oldest)
+        }
        let previous = participants[pubkey]
-        // Local attribution is sticky: one radio-confirmed message marks the
-        // pubkey as an islander for as long as they stay fresh. Presence
-        // events carry no nickname, so a known name is never forgotten.
+        // Presence events carry no nickname, so a known name is never
+        // forgotten. Radio hints deliberately do not mutate this record.
        participants[pubkey] = (
            lastSeen: now(),
-            isLocal: (previous?.isLocal ?? false) || isLocal,
            nickname: nickname?.trimmedOrNilIfEmpty ?? previous?.nickname
        )
        recomputeBridgedCount()
@@ -616,7 +814,7 @@ final class BridgeService: ObservableObject {
    private func recomputeBridgedCount() {
        let cutoff = now().addingTimeInterval(-Limits.participantFreshnessSeconds)
        let visible = participants
-            .filter { $0.value.lastSeen >= cutoff && !$0.value.isLocal }
+            .filter { $0.value.lastSeen >= cutoff }
            .map { BridgedParticipant(pubkey: $0.key, nickname: $0.value.nickname, lastSeen: $0.value.lastSeen) }
            .sorted { $0.lastSeen > $1.lastSeen }
        if visible.count != bridgedPeerCount {
@@ -648,11 +846,30 @@ final class BridgeService: ObservableObject {
            let content = event.content
            guard !content.trimmed.isEmpty, content.utf8.count <= Limits.maxContentBytes else { return nil }
            let nickname = event.tags.first(where: { $0.count >= 2 && $0[0] == "n" })?[1]
-            let meshID = event.tags.first(where: { $0.count >= 2 && $0[0] == "m" })?[1]
-            let messageID = (meshID?.trimmedOrNilIfEmpty) ?? event.id
+            // The `m` tag is `[stable ID, sender ID, wire timestamp ms]` for
+            // radio/bridge duplicate detection. Those coordinates are public
+            // and not cryptographically bound to this Nostr signer, so they
+            // are never allowed to own bridge dedup. A copied tag can at most
+            // make the attacker's own event look like a radio duplicate; it
+            // cannot reserve the genuine signed event's timeline ID.
+            let m = event.tags.first(where: { $0.count >= 2 && $0[0] == "m" })
+            let radioMessageIDHint: String?
+            if let m, m.count >= 4, m[2].count == 16, m[2].allSatisfy(\.isHexDigit),
+               let timestampMs = UInt64(m[3]) {
+                radioMessageIDHint = MeshMessageIdentity.stableID(
+                    senderIDHex: m[2],
+                    timestampMs: timestampMs,
+                    content: content
+                )
+            } else {
+                radioMessageIDHint = nil
+            }
+            let baseNickname = nickname?.trimmedOrNilIfEmpty ?? "anon"
            return .message(InboundBridgeMessage(
-                messageID: messageID,
-                senderNickname: nickname?.trimmedOrNilIfEmpty ?? "anon#\(event.pubkey.prefix(4))",
+                messageID: event.id,
+                radioMessageIDHint: radioMessageIDHint,
+                senderNickname: baseNickname + "#" + String(event.pubkey.suffix(4)),
+                participantNickname: nickname?.trimmedOrNilIfEmpty,
                senderPubkey: event.pubkey,
                content: content,
                timestamp: Date(timeIntervalSince1970: TimeInterval(event.created_at))
@@ -15,12 +15,6 @@ struct GeohashChatPreview: Equatable, Sendable {
    let senderName: String
    let content: String
    let timestamp: Date
-
-    init(senderName: String, content: String, timestamp: Date) {
-        self.senderName = senderName
-        self.content = content
-        self.timestamp = timestamp
-    }
 }

 /// The liveliest nearby conversation, resolved against the user's regional
@@ -542,6 +542,15 @@ final class KeychainManager: KeychainManagerProtocol {

    /// Load data from a custom service
    func load(key: String, service customService: String) -> Data? {
+        guard case .success(let data) = loadWithResult(key: key, service: customService) else {
+            return nil
+        }
+        return data
+    }
+
+    /// Load custom-service data without collapsing `itemNotFound` and
+    /// protected-data/keychain failures into the same nil result.
+    func loadWithResult(key: String, service customService: String) -> KeychainReadResult {
        let query: [String: Any] = [
            kSecClass as String: kSecClassGenericPassword,
            kSecAttrService as String: customService,
@@ -551,9 +560,7 @@ final class KeychainManager: KeychainManagerProtocol {

        var result: AnyObject?
        let status = SecItemCopyMatching(query as CFDictionary, &result)
-
-        guard status == errSecSuccess else { return nil }
-        return result as? Data
+        return classifyReadStatus(status, data: result as? Data)
    }

    /// Delete data from a custom service
@@ -173,6 +173,15 @@ final class LocationNotesManager: ObservableObject {
    deinit {
        expiryPruneTimer?.invalidate()
        connectivityRetryTimer?.invalidate()
+        // A live REQ must not outlive its manager: relays would keep
+        // streaming events nobody consumes. deinit is nonisolated, so hop to
+        // the main actor with just the captured closure and id.
+        if let sub = subscriptionID {
+            let unsubscribe = dependencies.unsubscribe
+            Task { @MainActor in
+                unsubscribe(sub)
+            }
+        }
    }

    /// Drops notes whose NIP-40 expiry has passed. Their ids stay in
@@ -190,27 +199,10 @@ final class LocationNotesManager: ObservableObject {
        }
    }

-    func setGeohash(_ newGeohash: String) {
-        let norm = newGeohash.lowercased()
-        guard norm != geohash else { return }
-        guard Geohash.isValidGeohash(norm) else {
-            SecureLogger.warning("LocationNotesManager: rejecting invalid geohash '\(norm)' (expected 1-12 valid base32 chars)", category: .session)
-            return
-        }
-        if let sub = subscriptionID {
-            dependencies.unsubscribe(sub)
-            subscriptionID = nil
-        }
-        // Set loading state before clearing to prevent empty state flicker
-        state = .loading
-        initialLoadComplete = false
-        errorMessage = nil
-        geohash = norm
-        ownPubkey = (try? dependencies.deriveIdentity(norm))?.publicKeyHex
-        notes.removeAll()
-        noteIDs.removeAll()
-        subscribe()
-    }
+    // A manager's geohash is fixed for its lifetime: instances are pooled
+    // per geohash (`LocationNotesPool`), so retargeting one in place would
+    // corrupt the pool's keying and refcounts. Release the manager and
+    // acquire the new cell instead.

    func refresh() {
        if let sub = subscriptionID {
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+//
+// LocationNotesPool.swift
+// bitchat
+//
+// Refcounted pool of LocationNotesManager instances keyed by geohash, so
+// surfaces watching the same place (the nearby-notes counter and the notices
+// sheet's geo tab) share one relay subscription instead of opening two
+// identical 9-cell REQs.
+// This is free and unencumbered software released into the public domain.
+//
+
+import Foundation
+
+@MainActor
+final class LocationNotesPool {
+    static let shared = LocationNotesPool()
+
+    private var entries: [String: (manager: LocationNotesManager, refs: Int)] = [:]
+    private let makeManager: @MainActor (String) -> LocationNotesManager
+
+    /// The factory is injectable so tests can pool managers built over stub
+    /// dependencies; live use derives one real manager per geohash.
+    init(makeManager: @escaping @MainActor (String) -> LocationNotesManager = { LocationNotesManager(geohash: $0) }) {
+        self.makeManager = makeManager
+    }
+
+    /// Returns the shared manager for `geohash` (case-insensitive), creating
+    /// it on first acquire and reviving a cancelled one on re-acquire.
+    /// Callers must never `cancel` a pooled manager — release it and acquire
+    /// the new geohash instead.
+    func acquire(_ geohash: String) -> LocationNotesManager {
+        let key = geohash.lowercased()
+        if let entry = entries[key] {
+            entries[key] = (entry.manager, entry.refs + 1)
+            if entry.manager.state == .idle {
+                entry.manager.refresh()
+            }
+            return entry.manager
+        }
+        let manager = makeManager(key)
+        entries[key] = (manager, 1)
+        return manager
+    }
+
+    /// Balances `acquire`: the last release cancels the subscription and
+    /// drops the entry. Releasing an instance the pool doesn't own (a
+    /// test-injected manager) degrades to a plain `cancel()`.
+    func release(_ manager: LocationNotesManager?) {
+        guard let manager else { return }
+        guard let entry = entries[manager.geohash], entry.manager === manager else {
+            manager.cancel()
+            return
+        }
+        if entry.refs <= 1 {
+            entries[manager.geohash] = nil
+            manager.cancel()
+        } else {
+            entries[manager.geohash] = (entry.manager, entry.refs - 1)
+        }
+    }
+}
@@ -109,6 +109,8 @@ final class LocationStateManager: NSObject, CLLocationManagerDelegate, Observabl
    private let teleportedStoreKey = "locationChannel.teleportedSet"
    private let bookmarksKey = "locationChannel.bookmarks"
    private let bookmarkNamesKey = "locationChannel.bookmarkNames"
+    private let bookmarkNamesSchemaVersionKey = "locationChannel.bookmarkNamesSchemaVersion"
+    private let bookmarkNamesCurrentSchemaVersion = 1

    // MARK: - Published State (Channel)

@@ -222,6 +224,26 @@ final class LocationStateManager: NSObject, CLLocationManagerDelegate, Observabl
           let dict = try? JSONDecoder().decode([String: String].self, from: data) {
            bookmarkNames = dict
        }
+
+        migrateBookmarkNamesIfNeeded()
+    }
+
+    /// Drops names cached before low-precision geohashes became country-first.
+    /// Correctly resolved names written after this migration must survive
+    /// subsequent launches, so the migration is explicitly versioned.
+    private func migrateBookmarkNamesIfNeeded() {
+        guard storage.integer(forKey: bookmarkNamesSchemaVersionKey) < bookmarkNamesCurrentSchemaVersion else {
+            return
+        }
+
+        let retainedNames = bookmarkNames.filter {
+            Self.normalizeGeohash($0.key).count > 2
+        }
+        if retainedNames.count != bookmarkNames.count {
+            bookmarkNames = retainedNames
+            persistBookmarkNames()
+        }
+        storage.set(bookmarkNamesCurrentSchemaVersion, forKey: bookmarkNamesSchemaVersionKey)
    }

    private func initializePermissionState() {
@@ -367,16 +389,16 @@ final class LocationStateManager: NSObject, CLLocationManagerDelegate, Observabl
    }

    func locationManager(_ manager: CLLocationManager, didChangeAuthorization status: CLAuthorizationStatus) {
-        updatePermissionState(from: status)
-        if case .authorized = permissionState {
+        let newState = updatePermissionState(from: status)
+        if newState == .authorized {
            requestOneShotLocation()
        }
    }

    @available(iOS 14.0, macOS 11.0, *)
    func locationManagerDidChangeAuthorization(_ manager: CLLocationManager) {
-        updatePermissionState(from: manager.authorizationStatus)
-        if case .authorized = permissionState {
+        let newState = updatePermissionState(from: manager.authorizationStatus)
+        if newState == .authorized {
            requestOneShotLocation()
        }
    }
@@ -393,7 +415,8 @@ final class LocationStateManager: NSObject, CLLocationManagerDelegate, Observabl

    // MARK: - Private Helpers (Permission)

-    private func updatePermissionState(from status: CLAuthorizationStatus) {
+    @discardableResult
+    private func updatePermissionState(from status: CLAuthorizationStatus) -> PermissionState {
        let newState: PermissionState
        switch status {
        case .notDetermined: newState = .notDetermined
@@ -402,7 +425,15 @@ final class LocationStateManager: NSObject, CLLocationManagerDelegate, Observabl
        case .authorizedAlways, .authorizedWhenInUse, .authorized: newState = .authorized
        @unknown default: newState = .restricted
        }
+        // Do not rely on a mounted SwiftUI consumer to stop high-accuracy
+        // updates. Authorization can change while the app is backgrounded,
+        // and stopping here also closes the gap before the published state is
+        // delivered on the main actor.
+        if newState != .authorized {
+            endLiveRefresh()
+        }
        Task { @MainActor in self.permissionState = newState }
+        return newState
    }

    // MARK: - Private Helpers (Channel Computation)
@@ -516,15 +547,15 @@ final class LocationStateManager: NSObject, CLLocationManagerDelegate, Observabl
    }

    private func resolveCompositeAdminName(geohash gh: String, points: [CLLocation]) {
-        var uniqueAdmins: [String] = []
-        var seenAdmins = Set<String>()
+        var uniqueRegions: [String] = []
+        var seenRegions = Set<String>()
        var idx = 0

        func step() {
            if idx >= points.count {
                let finalName: String? = {
-                    if uniqueAdmins.count >= 2 { return uniqueAdmins[0] + " and " + uniqueAdmins[1] }
-                    return uniqueAdmins.first
+                    if uniqueRegions.count >= 2 { return uniqueRegions[0] + " and " + uniqueRegions[1] }
+                    return uniqueRegions.first
                }()
                if let finalName = finalName, !finalName.isEmpty {
                    DispatchQueue.main.async {
@@ -540,12 +571,16 @@ final class LocationStateManager: NSObject, CLLocationManagerDelegate, Observabl
            geocoder.reverseGeocodeLocation(loc) { [weak self] placemarks, _ in
                guard self != nil else { return }
                if let pm = placemarks?.first {
-                    if let admin = pm.administrativeArea, !admin.isEmpty, !seenAdmins.contains(admin) {
-                        seenAdmins.insert(admin)
-                        uniqueAdmins.append(admin)
-                    } else if let country = pm.country, !country.isEmpty, !seenAdmins.contains(country) {
-                        seenAdmins.insert(country)
-                        uniqueAdmins.append(country)
+                    if let country = pm.country, !country.isEmpty {
+                        if !seenRegions.contains(country) {
+                            seenRegions.insert(country)
+                            uniqueRegions.append(country)
+                        }
+                    } else if let admin = pm.administrativeArea,
+                              !admin.isEmpty,
+                              !seenRegions.contains(admin) {
+                        seenRegions.insert(admin)
+                        uniqueRegions.append(admin)
                    }
                }
                step()
@@ -557,7 +592,7 @@ final class LocationStateManager: NSObject, CLLocationManagerDelegate, Observabl
    private static func nameForGeohashLength(_ len: Int, from pm: CLPlacemark) -> String? {
        switch len {
        case 0...2:
-            return pm.administrativeArea ?? pm.country
+            return pm.country ?? pm.administrativeArea
        case 3...4:
            return pm.administrativeArea ?? pm.subAdministrativeArea ?? pm.country
        case 5:
@@ -51,6 +51,14 @@ final class MeshSightingsTracker: ObservableObject {
        defaults.set(Array(seenHashes), forKey: Keys.hashes)
    }

+    /// Re-evaluates the day boundary for the UI. `recordSighting` handles
+    /// rollover when peers are seen, but an idle app open across midnight
+    /// would otherwise keep showing yesterday's tally until the next sighting;
+    /// the empty-state view calls this on its periodic refresh tick.
+    func refreshForDisplay() {
+        rollOverIfNeeded()
+    }
+
    func clear() {
        seenHashes.removeAll()
        todayCount = 0
@@ -76,8 +84,10 @@ final class MeshSightingsTracker: ObservableObject {
        defaults.set(today, forKey: Keys.dayKey)
        defaults.set(Self.randomSalt(), forKey: Keys.salt)
        defaults.removeObject(forKey: Keys.hashes)
+        defaults.removeObject(forKey: Keys.lastSeenAt)
        seenHashes.removeAll()
        todayCount = 0
+        lastSightingAt = nil
    }

    private func saltedHash(_ value: String) -> String {
@@ -92,12 +102,16 @@ final class MeshSightingsTracker: ObservableObject {
        return digest.finalize().map { String(format: "%02x", $0) }.joined()
    }

-    private static func dayKey(for date: Date) -> String {
+    private static let dayKeyFormatter: DateFormatter = {
        let formatter = DateFormatter()
        formatter.calendar = Calendar.current
        formatter.timeZone = TimeZone.current
        formatter.dateFormat = "yyyy-MM-dd"
-        return formatter.string(from: date)
+        return formatter
+    }()
+
+    private static func dayKey(for date: Date) -> String {
+        dayKeyFormatter.string(from: date)
    }

    private static func randomSalt() -> Data {
@@ -246,6 +246,16 @@ final class MessageDeduplicationService {
        ContentNormalizer.normalizedKey(content)
    }

+    /// Removes the near-duplicate marker for a row that is being replaced,
+    /// not merely deleted. Bridge-first/radio-second reconciliation needs the
+    /// authenticated radio copy to pass the next pipeline flush after its
+    /// unauthenticated bridge alias is removed.
+    func forgetContent(_ content: String, ifRecordedAt timestamp: Date) {
+        let key = ContentNormalizer.normalizedKey(content)
+        guard contentCache.value(for: key) == timestamp else { return }
+        contentCache.remove(key)
+    }
+
    // MARK: - Nostr Event Deduplication

    /// Checks if a Nostr event has already been processed.
@@ -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)
        }

@@ -56,11 +56,15 @@ final class MessageRouter {
    /// relays as a courier drop, so delivery stops requiring a physical
    /// courier encounter. No-op unless the bridge is enabled. Runs alongside
    /// (not instead of) mesh couriers; receivers dedup by message ID.
-    /// Returns true when a fresh drop was sealed, so the sender's message
-    /// can show the "carried" state instead of sitting on "sending" forever
-    /// (the delivery ack has no radio route back until the peers next share
-    /// a transport).
-    var bridgeCourierDeposit: ((_ content: String, _ messageID: String, _ recipientNoiseKey: Data) -> Bool)?
+    /// Completion is true only after at least one default relay explicitly
+    /// accepts the event, so a socket write followed by rejection cannot
+    /// falsely show the sender's message as "carried".
+    var bridgeCourierDeposit: ((
+        _ content: String,
+        _ messageID: String,
+        _ recipientNoiseKey: Data,
+        _ completion: @escaping @MainActor (Bool) -> Void
+    ) -> Void)?

    /// Re-attempts bridge drops for retained messages whose recipient no
    /// transport can promptly reach anymore. Covers sends that raced the BLE
@@ -77,9 +81,7 @@ final class MessageRouter {
            }
            guard !promptlyDeliverable else { continue }
            for message in queue where now().timeIntervalSince(message.timestamp) <= Self.messageTTLSeconds {
-                if bridgeCourierDeposit?(message.content, message.messageID, recipientKey) == true {
-                    onMessageCarried?(message.messageID, peerID)
-                }
+                requestBridgeCourierDeposit(message, for: peerID, recipientKey: recipientKey)
            }
        }
    }
@@ -92,12 +94,17 @@ final class MessageRouter {
        bridgeSweepTask = Task { @MainActor [weak self] in
            while !Task.isCancelled {
                try? await Task.sleep(nanoseconds: UInt64(interval * 1_000_000_000))
+                // Expire stale outbox entries in-session too — otherwise a DM
+                // to a peer that never reconnects sits on "sending" until the
+                // next relaunch instead of surfacing as failed.
+                self?.cleanupExpiredMessages()
                self?.retryBridgeCourierDeposits()
            }
        }
    }

    private var bridgeSweepTask: Task<Void, Never>?
+    private var bridgeDepositsInFlight = Set<String>()

    private var outbox: [PeerID: [QueuedMessage]] = [:]

@@ -123,6 +130,9 @@ final class MessageRouter {
        self.outboxStore = outboxStore
        self.metrics = metrics
        self.outbox = outboxStore?.load() ?? [:]
+        outboxStore?.setRecoveryHandler { [weak self] recovered in
+            self?.mergeRecoveredOutbox(recovered)
+        }

        // Observe favorites changes to learn Nostr mapping and flush queued messages
        NotificationCenter.default.addObserver(
@@ -161,14 +171,38 @@ final class MessageRouter {
    // MARK: - Message Sending

    func sendPrivate(_ content: String, to peerID: PeerID, recipientNickname: String, messageID: String) {
-        if let transport = connectedTransport(for: peerID) {
-            // A live link is a strong delivery signal; trust it outright.
+        if let transport = connectedTransport(for: peerID), transport.canDeliverSecurely(to: peerID) {
+            // A live link that can complete an encrypted delivery is a
+            // strong delivery signal; trust it outright.
            SecureLogger.debug("Routing PM via \(type(of: transport)) (connected) to \(peerID.id.prefix(8))… id=\(messageID.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
            transport.sendPrivateMessage(content, to: peerID, recipientNickname: recipientNickname, messageID: messageID)
            return
        }

        let message = QueuedMessage(content: content, nickname: recipientNickname, messageID: messageID, timestamp: now(), sendAttempts: 1)
+        if let transport = connectedTransport(for: peerID) {
+            // "Connected" without an established secure session is forgeable:
+            // link bindings heal on signature-verified "direct" announces, but
+            // directness rides on the unsigned TTL, so a replayed announce can
+            // bind an absent peer's ID to the replayer's link — where the send
+            // stalls on a handshake the replayer can never complete. Send now
+            // (a genuine link finishes the handshake and delivers), but retain
+            // a copy and hand a sealed copy to couriers so nothing is silently
+            // lost; receivers dedup resends by message ID.
+            //
+            // Deliberate metadata tradeoff: every pre-handshake first DM to a
+            // connected peer hands nearby verified peers a sealed copy, so
+            // they learn a DM to this recipient exists (never its content —
+            // the envelope is opaque). Accepted for delivery robustness; the
+            // deposit is cleared on ack. Don't "optimize" the courier call
+            // away.
+            SecureLogger.debug("Routing PM via \(type(of: transport)) (connected, no secure session) to \(peerID.id.prefix(8))… id=\(messageID.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
+            transport.sendPrivateMessage(content, to: peerID, recipientNickname: recipientNickname, messageID: messageID)
+            enqueue(message, for: peerID)
+            attemptCourierDeposit(messageID: messageID, for: peerID)
+            return
+        }
+
        if let transport = reachableTransport(for: peerID) {
            // Reachability without a connection is a freshness heuristic (e.g.
            // the mesh retention window), so the send can silently go nowhere.
@@ -209,9 +243,7 @@ final class MessageRouter {
              let entry = queuedMessage(messageID, for: peerID) else { return }
        // The bridge drop needs no connected courier — only the recipient
        // key — so it runs before the courier-slot bookkeeping.
-        if bridgeCourierDeposit?(entry.content, messageID, recipientKey) == true {
-            onMessageCarried?(messageID, peerID)
-        }
+        requestBridgeCourierDeposit(entry, for: peerID, recipientKey: recipientKey)
        let remainingSlots = Self.maxCouriersPerMessage - entry.depositedCourierKeys.count
        guard remainingSlots > 0 else { return }

@@ -296,6 +328,23 @@ final class MessageRouter {
        outbox[peerID]?.first { $0.messageID == messageID }
    }

+    private func requestBridgeCourierDeposit(
+        _ message: QueuedMessage,
+        for peerID: PeerID,
+        recipientKey: Data
+    ) {
+        guard let bridgeCourierDeposit,
+              bridgeDepositsInFlight.insert(message.messageID).inserted else { return }
+        bridgeCourierDeposit(message.content, message.messageID, recipientKey) { [weak self] succeeded in
+            guard let self else { return }
+            self.bridgeDepositsInFlight.remove(message.messageID)
+            // A direct delivery may have cleared the outbox while the relay
+            // relay confirmation was in flight; do not regress its UI state.
+            guard succeeded, self.queuedMessage(message.messageID, for: peerID) != nil else { return }
+            self.onMessageCarried?(message.messageID, peerID)
+        }
+    }
+
    private func recordCourierDeposit(messageID: String, for peerID: PeerID, courierKeys: [Data]) {
        metrics?.record(.courierDeposited)
        guard var queue = outbox[peerID],
@@ -316,16 +365,26 @@ final class MessageRouter {
            outbox[peerID] = filtered.isEmpty ? nil : filtered
            cleared = true
        }
+        // The durable snapshot may still be hidden by protected data. Record
+        // the ack even when this cold-load view cannot find the message, then
+        // persist the current view so the store retains a removal tombstone.
+        outboxStore?.recordRemoval(messageID: messageID)
        if cleared {
            metrics?.record(.outboxDelivered)
-            persistOutbox()
        }
+        persistOutbox()
    }

    private func enqueue(_ message: QueuedMessage, for peerID: PeerID) {
+        var message = message
        var queue = outbox[peerID] ?? []
-        // Re-sending an already-queued ID replaces the entry (keeps attempt count fresh)
-        queue.removeAll { $0.messageID == message.messageID }
+        // Re-sending an already-queued ID replaces the entry (keeps attempt
+        // count fresh) but must not forget which couriers already carry it,
+        // or the replacement re-burns the same courier slots.
+        if let existing = queue.firstIndex(where: { $0.messageID == message.messageID }) {
+            message.depositedCourierKeys.formUnion(queue[existing].depositedCourierKeys)
+            queue.remove(at: existing)
+        }
        queue.append(message)

        // Enforce per-peer size limit with FIFO eviction
@@ -348,19 +407,58 @@ final class MessageRouter {
        outboxStore?.save(outbox)
    }

+    /// A cold BLE restoration can launch before protected files are readable.
+    /// The store initially returns an empty snapshot in that case, then calls
+    /// back after first unlock. Merge by message ID instead of replacing work
+    /// accepted during the locked wake, persist the union, and immediately
+    /// resume normal delivery attempts.
+    private func mergeRecoveredOutbox(_ recovered: MessageOutboxStore.Snapshot) {
+        for (peerID, recoveredQueue) in recovered {
+            var queue = outbox[peerID] ?? []
+            for var recoveredMessage in recoveredQueue {
+                if let index = queue.firstIndex(where: { $0.messageID == recoveredMessage.messageID }) {
+                    recoveredMessage.sendAttempts = max(recoveredMessage.sendAttempts, queue[index].sendAttempts)
+                    recoveredMessage.depositedCourierKeys.formUnion(queue[index].depositedCourierKeys)
+                    queue[index] = recoveredMessage
+                } else {
+                    queue.append(recoveredMessage)
+                }
+            }
+            queue.sort { $0.timestamp < $1.timestamp }
+            if queue.count > Self.maxMessagesPerPeer {
+                let overflow = queue.count - Self.maxMessagesPerPeer
+                for dropped in queue.prefix(overflow) {
+                    dropMessage(dropped.messageID, for: peerID)
+                }
+                queue.removeFirst(overflow)
+            }
+            outbox[peerID] = queue
+        }
+        persistOutbox()
+        flushAllOutbox()
+        retryBridgeCourierDeposits()
+    }
+
    /// Panic wipe: forget queued mail on disk and in memory.
    func wipeOutbox() {
        outbox.removeAll()
        outboxStore?.wipe()
    }

-    func sendReadReceipt(_ receipt: ReadReceipt, to peerID: PeerID) {
+    /// Returns true only when the receipt was handed to a reachable transport.
+    /// A false result means it was dropped (no route) and must NOT be recorded
+    /// as sent, or the sender's message would stay unread forever — the receipt
+    /// is retried on the next read scan (chat open / foreground / reconnect).
+    @discardableResult
+    func sendReadReceipt(_ receipt: ReadReceipt, to peerID: PeerID) -> Bool {
        if let transport = reachableTransport(for: peerID) {
            SecureLogger.debug("Routing READ ack via \(type(of: transport)) to \(peerID.id.prefix(8))… id=\(receipt.originalMessageID.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
            transport.sendReadReceipt(receipt, to: peerID)
+            return true
        } else if !transports.isEmpty {
-            SecureLogger.debug("No reachable transport for READ ack to \(peerID.id.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
+            SecureLogger.debug("No reachable transport for READ ack to \(peerID.id.prefix(8))… — leaving unsent for retry", category: .session)
        }
+        return false
    }

    func sendFavoriteNotification(to peerID: PeerID, isFavorite: Bool) {
@@ -386,14 +484,31 @@ final class MessageRouter {
                continue
            }

-            if let transport = connectedTransport(for: peerID) {
-                // Live link: send and stop retaining.
+            if let transport = connectedTransport(for: peerID), transport.canDeliverSecurely(to: peerID) {
+                // Live link with a secure session: send and stop retaining.
                SecureLogger.debug("Outbox -> \(type(of: transport)) (connected) for \(peerID.id.prefix(8))… id=\(message.messageID.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
                transport.sendPrivateMessage(message.content, to: peerID, recipientNickname: message.nickname, messageID: message.messageID)
                metrics?.record(.outboxResent)
+            } else if let transport = connectedTransport(for: peerID) {
+                // "Connected" without a secure session — possibly a stolen
+                // binding from a replayed announce: send (a genuine link
+                // finishes the handshake and delivers) but keep retaining
+                // until an ack clears it. These flushes do NOT count toward
+                // the attempt-cap drop: the message was transmitted over a
+                // live link, so a peer whose handshake stalls across
+                // reconnect flapping must not burn through the cap and lose
+                // the store-and-forward copy this retention exists to
+                // preserve. Retention stays bounded by the 24h outbox TTL
+                // and the per-peer FIFO cap.
+                SecureLogger.debug("Outbox -> \(type(of: transport)) (connected, no secure session) for \(peerID.id.prefix(8))… id=\(message.messageID.prefix(8))…", category: .session)
+                transport.sendPrivateMessage(message.content, to: peerID, recipientNickname: message.nickname, messageID: message.messageID)
+                metrics?.record(.outboxResent)
+                remaining.append(message)
            } else if let transport = reachableTransport(for: peerID) {
-                // Weak signal: send but keep retaining until an ack clears it,
-                // bounded by attempt count for peers that never ack.
+                // Reachability without a connection is a freshness heuristic,
+                // so the send can silently go nowhere: send but keep retaining
+                // until an ack clears it, bounded by attempt count for peers
+                // that never ack.
                guard message.sendAttempts < Self.maxSendAttempts else {
                    SecureLogger.warning("📤 Dropping unacked PM for \(peerID.id.prefix(8))… id=\(message.messageID.prefix(8))… after \(message.sendAttempts) attempts", category: .session)
                    dropMessage(message.messageID, for: peerID)
@@ -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 +182,18 @@ 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 removed the old session and produced XX message 1.
+    /// The transport must clear session-scoped state and put these exact bytes
+    /// on the wire; merely reporting "handshake required" strands the partial
+    /// initiator session because a second initiate call sees it already exists.
+    var onRekeyHandshakeReady: ((_ peerID: PeerID, _ message: Data) -> 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)
        }
    }
    
@@ -202,6 +207,18 @@ 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) {
        self.keychain = keychain
        self.localPrekeys = LocalPrekeyStore(keychain: keychain)
@@ -295,8 +312,12 @@ final class NoiseEncryptionService {
        self.sessionManager = NoiseSessionManager(localStaticKey: staticIdentityKey, keychain: keychain)

        // 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
+            )
        }

        // Start session maintenance timer
@@ -726,10 +747,55 @@ final class NoiseEncryptionService {
        return try sessionManager.encrypt(data, for: peerID)
    }

+    /// 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
+        }
+
+        guard rateLimiter.allowMessage(from: peerID) else {
+            throw NoiseSecurityError.rateLimitExceeded
+        }
+
+        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 {
-        // Validate message size
-        guard NoiseSecurityValidator.validateMessageSize(data) else {
+        try decryptWithSessionGeneration(data, from: peerID).plaintext
+    }
+
+    func decryptWithSessionGeneration(
+        _ data: Data,
+        from peerID: PeerID
+    ) throws -> (plaintext: Data, sessionGeneration: UUID) {
+        // Standard transport ciphertext has 20 bytes of nonce/tag overhead.
+        // A larger candidate is admitted only up to the framed-file ceiling;
+        // after authenticated decryption it must prove it is `.privateFile`.
+        let isStandardCiphertext = NoiseSecurityValidator.validateCiphertextSize(data)
+        guard isStandardCiphertext || NoiseSecurityValidator.validatePrivateFileCiphertextSize(data) else {
            throw NoiseSecurityError.messageTooLarge
        }
        
@@ -743,7 +809,14 @@ final class NoiseEncryptionService {
            throw NoiseEncryptionError.sessionNotEstablished
        }
        
-        return try sessionManager.decrypt(data, from: peerID)
+        let result = try sessionManager.decryptWithSessionGeneration(data, from: peerID)
+        if !isStandardCiphertext {
+            guard NoisePayloadType.isPrivateFile(rawValue: result.plaintext.first),
+                  NoiseSecurityValidator.validatePrivateFileMessageSize(result.plaintext) else {
+                throw NoiseSecurityError.messageTooLarge
+            }
+        }
+        return result
    }
    
    // MARK: - Peer Management
@@ -755,6 +828,25 @@ 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 +869,36 @@ 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)
        }
    }
        
@@ -815,20 +919,27 @@ 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 handshakeMessage = try sessionManager.initiateRekey(for: peerID)
+        SecureLogger.debug("Key rotation initiated for peer: \(peerID)", category: .security)
+        onRekeyHandshakeReady?(peerID, handshakeMessage)
+        onHandshakeRequired?(peerID)
+    }
+
+    #if DEBUG
+    func _test_initiateAutomaticRekey(for peerID: PeerID) throws {
+        try initiateAutomaticRekey(for: peerID)
+    }
+    #endif
+    
    deinit {
        stopRekeyTimer()
    }
@@ -231,6 +231,13 @@ final class NostrTransport: Transport, @unchecked Sendable {
        isPeerReachable(peerID) && queue.sync { relaysConnected }
    }

+    func canDeliverSecurely(to peerID: PeerID) -> Bool {
+        // Nostr has no link bindings to forge; a known recipient key plus a
+        // connected relay is the strongest delivery signal it has. The router
+        // already retains + couriers for Nostr sends, so keep that behavior.
+        canDeliverPromptly(to: peerID)
+    }
+
    func peerNickname(peerID: PeerID) -> String? { nil }
    func getPeerNicknames() -> [PeerID: String] { [:] }

@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ final class NotificationService {
    private func registerCategories() {
        let wave = UNNotificationAction(
            identifier: Self.waveActionID,
-            title: "wave 👋",
+            title: String(localized: "notification.action.wave", comment: "Title of the notification action button that sends a friendly wave back to a nearby person"),
            options: []
        )
        let nearby = UNNotificationCategory(
@@ -23,10 +23,11 @@ import Foundation
 final class PrekeyBundleStore {
    struct StoredBundle: Codable {
        // noiseKey is read in loadFromDisk (dictionary keying), but the
-        // Periphery indexer intermittently misses that read and flakes CI
-        // with "assign-only" — its USR is baselined (an in-source ignore
-        // can't work: strict mode flags it as superfluous on the runs where
-        // the indexer gets it right).
+        // Periphery indexer intermittently misses that read and flaked CI
+        // with "assign-only" — even past its baselined USR. Covered
+        // deterministically by retain_codable_properties in .periphery.yml
+        // (an in-source ignore can't work: strict mode flags it as
+        // superfluous on the runs where the indexer gets it right).
        let noiseKey: Data
        var generatedAt: UInt64
        var prekeyIDs: [UInt32]
@@ -256,8 +256,6 @@ final class PrivateChatManager: ObservableObject {
            return
        }

-        sentReadReceipts.insert(message.id)
-
        // Create read receipt using the simplified method
        let receipt = ReadReceipt(
            originalMessageID: message.id,
@@ -268,11 +266,21 @@ final class PrivateChatManager: ObservableObject {
        // Route via MessageRouter to avoid handshakeRequired spam when session isn't established
        if let router = messageRouter {
            SecureLogger.debug("PrivateChatManager: sending READ ack for \(message.id.prefix(8))… to \(senderPeerID.id.prefix(8))… via router", category: .session)
-            Task { @MainActor in
-                router.sendReadReceipt(receipt, to: senderPeerID)
+            let messageID = message.id
+            // Claim the receipt synchronously so a second read scan in the
+            // same runloop pass (chat open triggers two) can't route a
+            // duplicate; release the claim on a failed route (no reachable
+            // transport) so a later read scan retries instead of permanently
+            // losing the receipt.
+            sentReadReceipts.insert(messageID)
+            Task { @MainActor [weak self] in
+                if !router.sendReadReceipt(receipt, to: senderPeerID) {
+                    self?.sentReadReceipts.remove(messageID)
+                }
            }
        } else {
-            // Fallback: preserve previous behavior
+            // Fallback: preserve previous behavior (best-effort mesh send).
+            sentReadReceipts.insert(message.id)
            meshService?.sendReadReceipt(receipt, to: senderPeerID)
        }
    }
@@ -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 {
@@ -83,6 +83,20 @@ enum TransportEvent: @unchecked Sendable {
    case bluetoothStateUpdated(CBManagerState)
 }

+/// Downgrade-safe decision for a private-media recipient. Callers ask before
+/// prompting, and BLEService checks again when it consumes any one-shot
+/// legacy consent.
+enum PrivateMediaSendPolicy: Equatable {
+    case encrypted
+    /// A public announce hinted at encrypted media (or a prior authenticated
+    /// pin exists), but this exact Noise session has not yet supplied its
+    /// authenticated peer-state proof. Callers wait boundedly; they must not
+    /// pre-queue encrypted bytes or silently select the legacy path.
+    case awaitingCapabilityProof
+    case legacyRequiresConsent
+    case blockedDowngrade
+}
+
 protocol TransportEventDelegate: AnyObject {
    @MainActor func didReceiveTransportEvent(_ event: TransportEvent)
 }
@@ -116,6 +130,14 @@ protocol Transport: AnyObject {
    /// npub as reachable even with no relay connection, where a send only
    /// joins a queue waiting for internet that may never come.
    func canDeliverPromptly(to peerID: PeerID) -> Bool
+    /// Whether a send to this peer can complete an end-to-end encrypted
+    /// delivery right now (e.g. an established Noise session). Distinct from
+    /// connectivity: a "connected" link binding alone is forgeable — link
+    /// bindings heal on signature-verified "direct" announces, but directness
+    /// rides on the unsigned TTL, so a replayed announce can wear an absent
+    /// peer's ID on the replayer's link. Routers must not trust a connected
+    /// link outright without this.
+    func canDeliverSecurely(to peerID: PeerID) -> Bool
    func peerNickname(peerID: PeerID) -> String?
    func getPeerNicknames() -> [PeerID: String]

@@ -155,6 +177,12 @@ protocol Transport: AnyObject {
    func sendDeliveryAck(for messageID: String, to peerID: PeerID)
    func sendFileBroadcast(_ packet: BitchatFilePacket, transferId: String)
    func sendFilePrivate(_ packet: BitchatFilePacket, to peerID: PeerID, transferId: String)
+    func sendFilePrivate(
+        _ packet: BitchatFilePacket,
+        to peerID: PeerID,
+        transferId: String,
+        allowLegacyFallback: Bool
+    )
    func cancelTransfer(_ transferId: String)

    // Live voice / push-to-talk (mesh transports only): one encoded
@@ -200,6 +228,11 @@ protocol Transport: AnyObject {
    /// Capabilities the peer advertised in its last verified announce;
    /// empty for peers that predate the capabilities TLV.
    func peerCapabilities(_ peerID: PeerID) -> PeerCapabilities
+    func privateMediaSendPolicy(to peerID: PeerID) -> PrivateMediaSendPolicy
+    func resolvePrivateMediaSendPolicy(
+        to peerID: PeerID,
+        completion: @escaping @MainActor (PrivateMediaSendPolicy) -> Void
+    )
    /// Sends an encoded vouch-attestation batch inside the Noise session.
    func sendVouchAttestations(_ payload: Data, to peerID: PeerID)
    /// Appends a peer-authenticated observer. Unlike
@@ -216,6 +249,9 @@ protocol Transport: AnyObject {
    // this device is carrying for gossip sync, decoded for display as
    // "heard here earlier" timeline echoes.
    func collectArchivedPublicMessages(completion: @escaping @MainActor ([ArchivedPublicMessage]) -> Void)
+    /// Drops any carried public messages from a (newly blocked) sender so
+    /// they can't resurface as archived echoes on a later launch.
+    func purgeArchivedPublicMessages(from peerID: PeerID)
 }

 /// A carried public mesh message from the store-and-forward window, decoded
@@ -244,6 +280,10 @@ extension Transport {
    // straight to the radio; queue-backed transports override this.
    func canDeliverPromptly(to peerID: PeerID) -> Bool { isPeerReachable(peerID) }

+    // Transports without a forgeable link-binding layer (everything but the
+    // BLE mesh) have no stronger delivery signal than prompt delivery.
+    func canDeliverSecurely(to peerID: PeerID) -> Bool { canDeliverPromptly(to: peerID) }
+
    // Noise identity hooks default to inert for transports that do not carry
    // Noise sessions (e.g. NostrTransport).
    func noiseSessionPublicKeyData(for peerID: PeerID) -> Data? { nil }
@@ -263,6 +303,16 @@ extension Transport {
    func sendGroupKeyUpdate(_ statePayload: Data, to peerID: PeerID) {}
    func broadcastGroupMessage(_ envelope: Data) {}
    func peerCapabilities(_ peerID: PeerID) -> PeerCapabilities { [] }
+    func privateMediaSendPolicy(to peerID: PeerID) -> PrivateMediaSendPolicy { .blockedDowngrade }
+    func resolvePrivateMediaSendPolicy(
+        to peerID: PeerID,
+        completion: @escaping @MainActor (PrivateMediaSendPolicy) -> Void
+    ) {
+        let policy = privateMediaSendPolicy(to: peerID)
+        Task { @MainActor in
+            completion(policy == .awaitingCapabilityProof ? .blockedDowngrade : policy)
+        }
+    }
    func sendVouchAttestations(_ payload: Data, to peerID: PeerID) {}
    func addPeerAuthenticatedObserver(_ handler: @escaping (PeerID, String) -> Void) {}
    func sendCourierMessage(_ content: String, messageID: String, recipientNoiseKey: Data, via couriers: [PeerID]) -> Bool { false }
@@ -279,6 +329,15 @@ extension Transport {
    func currentMeshTopology() -> MeshTopologySnapshot? { nil }
    func sendFileBroadcast(_ packet: BitchatFilePacket, transferId: String) {}
    func sendFilePrivate(_ packet: BitchatFilePacket, to peerID: PeerID, transferId: String) {}
+    func sendFilePrivate(
+        _ packet: BitchatFilePacket,
+        to peerID: PeerID,
+        transferId: String,
+        allowLegacyFallback: Bool
+    ) {
+        guard !allowLegacyFallback else { return }
+        sendFilePrivate(packet, to: peerID, transferId: transferId)
+    }
    func cancelTransfer(_ transferId: String) {}

    func sendMessage(_ content: String, mentions: [String], messageID: String, timestamp: Date) {
@@ -291,6 +350,8 @@ extension Transport {
    func collectArchivedPublicMessages(completion: @escaping @MainActor ([ArchivedPublicMessage]) -> Void) {
        Task { @MainActor in completion([]) }
    }
+
+    func purgeArchivedPublicMessages(from peerID: PeerID) {}
 }

 protocol TransportPeerEventsDelegate: AnyObject {
@@ -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
@@ -215,6 +233,9 @@ enum TransportConfig {
    // Fallback deadline for treating a subscription's initial fetch as complete
    // when a relay never sends EOSE (generous to cover Tor circuit setup).
    static let nostrSubscriptionEOSEFallbackSeconds: TimeInterval = 10.0
+    // A bridge drop is durable only after NIP-20 OK. Relays that omit OK must
+    // not pin the router's in-flight state indefinitely.
+    static let nostrConfirmedSendAckTimeoutSeconds: TimeInterval = 10.0
    // After this long, a relay marked permanently failed gets another chance.
    static let nostrRelayFailureCooldownSeconds: TimeInterval = 600.0

@@ -345,6 +366,9 @@ enum TransportConfig {
    // Cooldown between speculative multi-hop handovers of the same envelope
    // toward a recipient heard only via relayed announces.
    static let courierRemoteHandoverCooldownSeconds: TimeInterval = 10 * 60
+    // Recently opened courier inner message IDs kept for receiver-side dedup
+    // (redundant copies ride distinct seals, so only the inner ID matches).
+    static let courierOpenedMessageIDCap: Int = 512

    // One-time prekey bundles (forward-secret courier sealing)
    // Own gossip-sync round for bundles: modest cadence, bounded peer count,
@@ -275,6 +275,12 @@ final class UnifiedPeerService: ObservableObject, TransportPeerEventsDelegate {
            return nil
        }
        identityManager.setBlocked(fingerprint, isBlocked: blocked)
+        if blocked {
+            // Purge while the fingerprint↔peerID mapping is still known: the
+            // archived-echo seed filter can't resolve offline strangers, so
+            // scrub their carried messages now rather than at relaunch.
+            meshService.purgeArchivedPublicMessages(from: peerID)
+        }
        updatePeers()
        return fingerprint
    }
@@ -716,6 +716,23 @@ final class GossipSyncManager {
        }
    }

+    /// Block-time hygiene: drop the carried public messages from a blocked
+    /// sender and persist immediately, so nothing of theirs can resurface as
+    /// an archived echo on the next launch. Narrower than `removeState(for:)`
+    /// — the peer's announcement and in-flight fragments are untouched.
+    func removePublicMessages(from peerID: PeerID) {
+        queue.async { [weak self] in
+            guard let self else { return }
+            let countBefore = self.messages.packets.count
+            self.messages.remove { PeerID(hexData: $0.senderID) == peerID }
+            guard self.messages.packets.count != countBefore else { return }
+            self.archiveDirty = true
+            // Persist now rather than waiting for maintenance: a relaunch in
+            // the gap would restore the purged messages from disk.
+            self.persistArchiveIfDirty()
+        }
+    }
+
    private func removeState(for peerID: PeerID) {
        // Deliberately keeps the peer's prekey bundle: bundles exist to reach
        // owners who left the mesh, and they age out on their own schedule.
@@ -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)
+        }
+    }
+}
@@ -53,7 +53,8 @@ protocol ChatLifecycleContext: AnyObject {

    // MARK: Routing & receipts
    func routePrivateMessage(_ content: String, to peerID: PeerID, recipientNickname: String, messageID: String)
-    func routeReadReceipt(_ receipt: ReadReceipt, to peerID: PeerID)
+    @discardableResult
+    func routeReadReceipt(_ receipt: ReadReceipt, to peerID: PeerID) -> Bool
    func sendMeshMessage(_ content: String, mentions: [String], messageID: String, timestamp: Date)
    func sendGeohashReadReceipt(_ messageID: String, toRecipientHex recipientHex: String, from identity: NostrIdentity)

@@ -248,10 +249,14 @@ final class ChatLifecycleCoordinator {
                ? peerID
                : (context.unifiedPeer(for: peerID)?.peerID ?? peerID)

-            context.routeReadReceipt(receipt, to: recipientPeerID)
+            // Only record the receipt as sent when it actually left via a
+            // reachable transport; a dropped receipt stays unmarked so the
+            // next read scan retries it instead of burning it forever.
+            if context.routeReadReceipt(receipt, to: recipientPeerID) {
                context.markReadReceiptSent(message.id)
            }
        }
+    }

    func getMessages(for peerID: PeerID?) -> [BitchatMessage] {
        guard let peerID else { return context.messages }
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ extension ChatViewModel: ChatLiveVoiceContext {
 }

 /// Where a live voice burst lives: a Noise DM or the public mesh timeline.
-enum VoiceBurstScope: Equatable {
+enum VoiceBurstScope: Hashable {
    case directMessage
    case publicMesh
 }
@@ -72,6 +72,16 @@ enum VoiceBurstScope: Equatable {
 /// bubble so nobody sees a duplicate.
@MainActor
 final class ChatLiveVoiceCoordinator {
+    /// Burst IDs are sender-chosen, so they only identify a burst *within*
+    /// an authenticated (peer, scope) pair: keying assemblies by the full
+    /// triple stops an attacker who observed a public burst ID from racing
+    /// a START to capture the real talker's frames.
+    private struct AssemblyKey: Hashable {
+        let peerID: PeerID
+        let scope: VoiceBurstScope
+        let burstID: Data
+    }
+
    private final class Assembly {
        let burstID: Data
        let peerID: PeerID
@@ -97,6 +107,8 @@ final class ChatLiveVoiceCoordinator {
        var idleTimeout: Task<Void, Never>?
        var gapRedrain: Task<Void, Never>?

+        var key: AssemblyKey { AssemblyKey(peerID: peerID, scope: scope, burstID: burstID) }
+
        init(burstID: Data, peerID: PeerID, scope: VoiceBurstScope, nickname: String, message: BitchatMessage, fileURL: URL, fileHandle: FileHandle) {
            self.burstID = burstID
            self.peerID = peerID
@@ -123,11 +135,32 @@ final class ChatLiveVoiceCoordinator {
    private static let finishedBurstsCap = 32

    private unowned let context: any ChatLiveVoiceContext
-    private var assemblies: [Data: Assembly] = [:]
-    private var finishedBursts: [Data: FinishedBurst] = [:]
+    private let fileStore: BLEIncomingFileStore
+    /// Captures live in the store's directories, so file operations go
+    /// through the store's (injectable) file manager.
+    private var fileManager: FileManager { fileStore.fileManager }
+    private var assemblies: [AssemblyKey: Assembly] = [:]
+    private var finishedBursts: [AssemblyKey: FinishedBurst] = [:]
+    /// Players still draining after their assembly — the sole strong owner —
+    /// was discarded on burst END. Without this hold the player deallocates
+    /// mid-tail (or mid session-acquire, killing the whole burst's audio)
+    /// and its registered session token would only be reclaimed by the
+    /// deinit backstop. Entries remove themselves via `onStopped`.
+    private var drainingPlayers: [ObjectIdentifier: PTTBurstPlayer] = [:]

-    init(context: any ChatLiveVoiceContext) {
+    /// `sweepsOnInit` exists for tests whose coordinator shares the real
+    /// application-support directory: they pass `false` so parallel test
+    /// runs never sweep each other's in-flight capture files.
+    init(context: any ChatLiveVoiceContext, fileStore: BLEIncomingFileStore = BLEIncomingFileStore(), sweepsOnInit: Bool = true) {
        self.context = context
+        self.fileStore = fileStore
+        // Orphaned partial captures from a previous session (live-only bursts
+        // whose finalized note never arrived) are dead weight the quota can
+        // never reclaim (eviction skips voice_live_* by design) — sweep them
+        // on startup.
+        if sweepsOnInit {
+            sweepStaleLiveCaptures()
+        }
    }

    // MARK: - Inbound frames
@@ -160,11 +193,12 @@ final class ChatLiveVoiceCoordinator {
            return
        }

-        if let assembly = assemblies[packet.burstID] {
-            // The sender is authenticated (Noise session or packet
-            // signature); a different peer or scope reusing the same burst
-            // ID is a collision or a replay — drop it.
-            guard assembly.peerID == peerID, assembly.scope == scope else { return }
+        // The sender is authenticated (Noise session or packet signature),
+        // and the key binds the burst ID to that (peer, scope): a colliding
+        // START from another peer opens its own assembly instead of
+        // capturing this one's frames.
+        let key = AssemblyKey(peerID: peerID, scope: scope, burstID: packet.burstID)
+        if let assembly = assemblies[key] {
            apply(packet, to: assembly)
            return
        }
@@ -178,7 +212,7 @@ final class ChatLiveVoiceCoordinator {
                return
            }
            guard let assembly = makeAssembly(burstID: packet.burstID, peerID: peerID, scope: scope, nickname: nickname, timestamp: timestamp) else { return }
-            assemblies[packet.burstID] = assembly
+            assemblies[key] = assembly
            updatePublicTalkerIndicator()
            apply(packet, to: assembly)
        case .end, .canceled:
@@ -203,17 +237,25 @@ final class ChatLiveVoiceCoordinator {
              let burstID = Self.burstID(fromVoiceFileName: String(message.content.dropFirst(prefix.count)))
        else { return false }

+        // Bind the note to the burst's authenticated sender and scope: an
+        // attacker's burst reusing the same ID lives under its own key and
+        // never matches the real sender's note (registry is capped at
+        // `finishedBurstsCap`, so the linear scan is cheap).
+        func matches(_ key: AssemblyKey) -> Bool {
+            key.burstID == burstID
+                && (message.senderPeerID == nil || key.peerID == message.senderPeerID)
+                && message.isPrivate == (key.scope == .directMessage)
+        }
+
        // The note usually lands after END, but a lost END or a fast transfer
        // can beat it — close out the live assembly first.
-        if let assembly = assemblies[burstID] {
+        if let assembly = assemblies.first(where: { matches($0.key) })?.value {
            finalize(assembly)
        }

        pruneFinishedBursts()
-        guard let finished = finishedBursts[burstID] else { return false }
-        // Bind the note to the burst's authenticated sender and scope.
-        guard message.senderPeerID == nil || message.senderPeerID == finished.peerID else { return false }
-        guard message.isPrivate == (finished.scope == .directMessage) else { return false }
+        guard let entry = finishedBursts.first(where: { matches($0.key) }) else { return false }
+        let finished = entry.value

        let replacement = BitchatMessage(
            id: finished.messageID,
@@ -237,8 +279,8 @@ final class ChatLiveVoiceCoordinator {

        // The complete .m4a replaces the partial live capture.
        WaveformCache.shared.purge(url: finished.fileURL)
-        try? FileManager.default.removeItem(at: finished.fileURL)
-        finishedBursts.removeValue(forKey: burstID)
+        try? fileManager.removeItem(at: finished.fileURL)
+        finishedBursts.removeValue(forKey: entry.key)

        context.notifyUIChanged()
        SecureLogger.debug("PTT: absorbed finalized note for burst \(burstID.hexEncodedString())", category: .session)
@@ -248,14 +290,19 @@ final class ChatLiveVoiceCoordinator {
    // MARK: - Assembly lifecycle

    private func makeAssembly(burstID: Data, peerID: PeerID, scope: VoiceBurstScope, nickname: String, timestamp: Date) -> Assembly? {
-        guard let fileURL = Self.makeIncomingURL(burstID: burstID) else {
+        guard let fileURL = makeIncomingURL(burstID: burstID, peerID: peerID, scope: scope) else {
            SecureLogger.error("PTT: cannot resolve incoming media directory for burst \(burstID.hexEncodedString())", category: .session)
            return nil
        }
-        FileManager.default.createFile(atPath: fileURL.path, contents: nil)
+        // BCH-01-002: live captures share the incoming-media quota with
+        // finalized transfers; reserve the burst's worst case up front.
+        // Eviction skips voice_live_* names, so partials still streaming in
+        // are safe no matter which caller triggers enforcement.
+        fileStore.enforceQuota(reservingBytes: TransportConfig.pttMaxBurstBytes)
+        fileManager.createFile(atPath: fileURL.path, contents: nil)
        guard let handle = try? FileHandle(forWritingTo: fileURL) else {
            SecureLogger.error("PTT: cannot open capture file for burst \(burstID.hexEncodedString())", category: .session)
-            try? FileManager.default.removeItem(at: fileURL)
+            try? fileManager.removeItem(at: fileURL)
            return nil
        }

@@ -413,30 +460,47 @@ final class ChatLiveVoiceCoordinator {
        }
        try? assembly.fileHandle?.close()
        assembly.fileHandle = nil
-        assemblies.removeValue(forKey: assembly.burstID)
+        assemblies.removeValue(forKey: assembly.key)
        updatePublicTalkerIndicator()

        guard assembly.deliveredFrames > 0 else {
            // Nothing audible ever arrived — drop the empty bubble.
            removeBubble(of: assembly)
-            try? FileManager.default.removeItem(at: assembly.fileURL)
+            try? fileManager.removeItem(at: assembly.fileURL)
            context.notifyUIChanged()
            return
        }

-        assembly.player?.finishAfterDrain()
+        if let player = assembly.player, !player.stopped {
+            // Park the draining player: this method just dropped the
+            // assembly, and nothing else holds the player strongly. It may
+            // still be playing out its tail — or still acquiring the audio
+            // session off-main — so it must stay alive until it stops.
+            let id = ObjectIdentifier(player)
+            drainingPlayers[id] = player
+            player.onStopped = { [weak self] in
+                self?.drainingPlayers.removeValue(forKey: id)
+            }
+            player.finishAfterDrain()
+        }
        // The bubble's waveform may have been computed from a partial file.
        WaveformCache.shared.purge(url: assembly.fileURL)
-        // Republish so the row re-renders without its LIVE treatment even if
-        // no finalized note ever arrives to swap in.
-        republishBubble(of: assembly)
+        // The capture is the bubble's replayable audio from here on (unless a
+        // finalized note arrives to swap in): move it off its voice_live_
+        // name so only genuinely in-flight files match the startup sweep and
+        // the quota's live-capture guard — a kept fallback is never swept,
+        // and it ages out of the quota like any finalized media.
+        let fileURL = promoteToFallback(assembly.fileURL)
+        // Republish so the row re-renders without its LIVE treatment — and
+        // points at the promoted file — even if no note ever arrives.
+        republishBubble(of: assembly, fileURL: fileURL)

        pruneFinishedBursts()
-        finishedBursts[assembly.burstID] = FinishedBurst(
+        finishedBursts[assembly.key] = FinishedBurst(
            messageID: assembly.messageID,
            peerID: assembly.peerID,
            scope: assembly.scope,
-            fileURL: assembly.fileURL,
+            fileURL: fileURL,
            messageTimestamp: assembly.messageTimestamp,
            expiresAt: Date().addingTimeInterval(TransportConfig.pttFinishedBurstRegistrySeconds)
        )
@@ -453,12 +517,48 @@ final class ChatLiveVoiceCoordinator {
        }
    }

-    private func republishBubble(of assembly: Assembly) {
+    private func republishBubble(of assembly: Assembly, fileURL: URL) {
+        // Same row (same ID), content re-pointed at `fileURL`; the delivery
+        // status is carried over because the inbound pipeline may have
+        // updated it on the shared original.
+        let message = BitchatMessage(
+            id: assembly.messageID,
+            sender: assembly.nickname,
+            content: "\(MimeType.Category.audio.messagePrefix)\(fileURL.lastPathComponent)",
+            timestamp: assembly.messageTimestamp,
+            isRelay: false,
+            isPrivate: assembly.scope == .directMessage,
+            recipientNickname: assembly.scope == .directMessage ? context.nickname : nil,
+            senderPeerID: assembly.peerID,
+            deliveryStatus: assembly.message.deliveryStatus
+        )
        switch assembly.scope {
        case .directMessage:
-            context.upsertPrivateMessage(assembly.message, in: assembly.peerID)
+            context.upsertPrivateMessage(message, in: assembly.peerID)
        case .publicMesh:
-            context.upsertPublicMeshMessage(assembly.message)
+            context.upsertPublicMeshMessage(message)
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Moves a finished capture off its `voice_live_` prefix (onto plain
+    /// `voice_`), so the in-flight patterns — the startup sweep and the
+    /// quota's eviction guard — only ever match captures still streaming in.
+    /// On failure the live name is kept: worst case the file is reclaimed at
+    /// the next startup, exactly the pre-promotion behavior.
+    private func promoteToFallback(_ liveURL: URL) -> URL {
+        let liveName = liveURL.lastPathComponent
+        guard liveName.hasPrefix(BLEIncomingFileStore.liveCapturePrefix) else { return liveURL }
+        let fallbackName = "voice_" + liveName.dropFirst(BLEIncomingFileStore.liveCapturePrefix.count)
+        let destination = liveURL.deletingLastPathComponent().appendingPathComponent(fallbackName)
+        do {
+            // A leftover from an earlier burst that reused the same
+            // (peer, scope, burstID) triple would block the move.
+            try? fileManager.removeItem(at: destination)
+            try fileManager.moveItem(at: liveURL, to: destination)
+            return destination
+        } catch {
+            SecureLogger.warning("PTT: keeping live-capture name for finished burst — promotion failed: \(error)", category: .session)
+            return liveURL
        }
    }

@@ -468,11 +568,11 @@ final class ChatLiveVoiceCoordinator {
        assembly.player?.stop()
        try? assembly.fileHandle?.close()
        assembly.fileHandle = nil
-        assemblies.removeValue(forKey: assembly.burstID)
+        assemblies.removeValue(forKey: assembly.key)
        updatePublicTalkerIndicator()
        removeBubble(of: assembly)
        WaveformCache.shared.purge(url: assembly.fileURL)
-        try? FileManager.default.removeItem(at: assembly.fileURL)
+        try? fileManager.removeItem(at: assembly.fileURL)
        context.notifyUIChanged()
    }

@@ -480,10 +580,10 @@ final class ChatLiveVoiceCoordinator {

    private func rescheduleIdleTimeout(for assembly: Assembly) {
        assembly.idleTimeout?.cancel()
-        let burstID = assembly.burstID
+        let key = assembly.key
        assembly.idleTimeout = Task { @MainActor [weak self] in
            try? await Task.sleep(nanoseconds: UInt64(TransportConfig.pttBurstEndTimeoutSeconds * 1_000_000_000))
-            guard !Task.isCancelled, let self, let assembly = self.assemblies[burstID] else { return }
+            guard !Task.isCancelled, let self, let assembly = self.assemblies[key] else { return }
            // Talker went silent/out of range without an END.
            self.finalize(assembly)
        }
@@ -491,10 +591,10 @@ final class ChatLiveVoiceCoordinator {

    private func scheduleGapRedrain(for assembly: Assembly) {
        assembly.gapRedrain?.cancel()
-        let burstID = assembly.burstID
+        let key = assembly.key
        assembly.gapRedrain = Task { @MainActor [weak self] in
            try? await Task.sleep(nanoseconds: UInt64((Self.gapSkipSeconds + 0.05) * 1_000_000_000))
-            guard !Task.isCancelled, let self, let assembly = self.assemblies[burstID] else { return }
+            guard !Task.isCancelled, let self, let assembly = self.assemblies[key] else { return }
            self.drainInOrder(assembly)
            self.finalizeIfComplete(assembly)
        }
@@ -521,21 +621,37 @@ final class ChatLiveVoiceCoordinator {
        return Data(hexString: hex)
    }

-    private static func makeIncomingURL(burstID: Data) -> URL? {
-        guard let base = try? FileManager.default.url(
-            for: .applicationSupportDirectory,
-            in: .userDomainMask,
-            appropriateFor: nil,
-            create: true
-        ) else { return nil }
-        let directory = base
-            .appendingPathComponent("files", isDirectory: true)
-            .appendingPathComponent("\(MimeType.Category.audio.mediaDir)/incoming", isDirectory: true)
-        do {
-            try FileManager.default.createDirectory(at: directory, withIntermediateDirectories: true, attributes: nil)
-        } catch {
-            return nil
+    private static let incomingSubdirectory = "\(MimeType.Category.audio.mediaDir)/incoming"
+
+    /// The peer ID and scope in the name mirror the assembly key: colliding
+    /// burst IDs from different senders — or from the same sender across DM
+    /// and public — land on distinct files instead of truncating each other.
+    /// `burstID(fromVoiceFileName:)` still rejects every `voice_live_*` name,
+    /// so live captures can never absorb a note.
+    private func makeIncomingURL(burstID: Data, peerID: PeerID, scope: VoiceBurstScope) -> URL? {
+        guard let directory = try? fileStore.incomingDirectory(subdirectory: Self.incomingSubdirectory) else { return nil }
+        let scopeTag = scope == .directMessage ? "dm" : "mesh"
+        return directory.appendingPathComponent("\(BLEIncomingFileStore.liveCapturePrefix)\(burstID.hexEncodedString())_\(peerID.id)_\(scopeTag).aac")
+    }
+
+    /// Deletes partial live captures left behind by a previous session.
+    /// In-session cleanup needs no sweep: absorb, cancel, and empty-finalize
+    /// delete their capture file, and finalize promotes keepers off the
+    /// `voice_live_` name. So anything the sweep matches was orphaned by a
+    /// crash mid-burst — safe to delete, because chat rows are in-memory
+    /// only (ConversationStore never persists; the gossip archive replays
+    /// `MessageType.message` packets only), so no row from a previous
+    /// process can reference the file.
+    private func sweepStaleLiveCaptures() {
+        guard let directory = try? fileStore.incomingDirectory(subdirectory: Self.incomingSubdirectory),
+              let contents = try? fileManager.contentsOfDirectory(
+                  at: directory,
+                  includingPropertiesForKeys: nil,
+                  options: [.skipsHiddenFiles]
+              )
+        else { return }
+        for url in contents where url.lastPathComponent.hasPrefix(BLEIncomingFileStore.liveCapturePrefix) && url.pathExtension == "aac" {
+            try? fileManager.removeItem(at: url)
        }
-        return directory.appendingPathComponent("voice_live_\(burstID.hexEncodedString()).aac")
    }
 }
@@ -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
@@ -44,7 +44,10 @@ protocol ChatOutgoingContext: AnyObject {
    func sendGeohash(context: ChatViewModel.GeoOutgoingContext)
    /// Ships the bridged (rendezvous) copy of a just-sent public mesh
    /// message; no-op when the bridge is off or the send is nearby-only.
-    func bridgeOutgoingPublicMessage(_ content: String, messageID: String)
+    /// Takes the origin coordinates (sender + wire timestamp) — the bridge
+    /// derives the cross-device-stable mesh message ID from them, not from
+    /// our local timeline UUID (which no other device can recompute).
+    func bridgeOutgoingPublicMessage(_ content: String, senderPeerID: PeerID, timestamp: Date)

    // MARK: Geohash identity (shared with the other contexts)
    func deriveNostrIdentity(forGeohash geohash: String) throws -> NostrIdentity
@@ -66,8 +69,8 @@ extension ChatViewModel: ChatOutgoingContext {
        lastPublicActivityAt[key] = Date()
    }

-    func bridgeOutgoingPublicMessage(_ content: String, messageID: String) {
-        BridgeService.shared.bridgeOutgoing(content: content, messageID: messageID)
+    func bridgeOutgoingPublicMessage(_ content: String, senderPeerID: PeerID, timestamp: Date) {
+        BridgeService.shared.bridgeOutgoing(content: content, senderPeerID: senderPeerID, timestamp: timestamp)
    }
 }

@@ -147,7 +150,7 @@ private extension ChatOutgoingCoordinator {
            messageID: message.id,
            timestamp: message.timestamp
        )
-        context.bridgeOutgoingPublicMessage(trimmed, messageID: message.id)
+        context.bridgeOutgoingPublicMessage(trimmed, senderPeerID: context.myPeerID, timestamp: message.timestamp)
    }

    /// Geohash sends mine a NIP-13 nonce tag first (off the main actor, see
@@ -83,14 +83,14 @@ protocol ChatPrivateConversationContext: AnyObject {

    // MARK: Routing & acknowledgements
    func routePrivateMessage(_ content: String, to peerID: PeerID, recipientNickname: String, messageID: String)
-    func routeReadReceipt(_ receipt: ReadReceipt, to peerID: PeerID)
+    @discardableResult
+    func routeReadReceipt(_ receipt: ReadReceipt, to peerID: PeerID) -> Bool
    func sendMeshReadReceipt(_ receipt: ReadReceipt, to peerID: PeerID)
    func sendGeohashPrivateMessage(_ content: String, toRecipientHex recipientHex: String, from identity: NostrIdentity, messageID: String)
    func sendGeohashDeliveryAck(for messageID: String, toRecipientHex recipientHex: String, from identity: NostrIdentity)
    func sendGeohashReadReceipt(_ messageID: String, toRecipientHex recipientHex: String, from identity: NostrIdentity)

    // MARK: System messages
-    func addSystemMessage(_ content: String)
    func addMeshOnlySystemMessage(_ content: String)
    /// Appends a local-only system line into a specific private thread —
    /// errors about a DM belong in that DM, not on the active timeline.
@@ -161,7 +161,8 @@ extension ChatViewModel: ChatPrivateConversationContext {
        messageRouter.sendPrivate(content, to: peerID, recipientNickname: recipientNickname, messageID: messageID)
    }

-    func routeReadReceipt(_ receipt: ReadReceipt, to peerID: PeerID) {
+    @discardableResult
+    func routeReadReceipt(_ receipt: ReadReceipt, to peerID: PeerID) -> Bool {
        messageRouter.sendReadReceipt(receipt, to: peerID)
    }

@@ -329,8 +330,12 @@ final class ChatPrivateConversationCoordinator {

    func sendGeohashDM(_ content: String, to peerID: PeerID) {
        guard case .location(let channel) = context.activeChannel else {
-            context.addSystemMessage(
-                String(localized: "system.location.not_in_channel", comment: "System message when attempting to send without being in a location channel")
+            // The failure happened inside a geoDM thread — surface it there,
+            // not on the public timeline (matches the sibling blocked/unknown
+            // errors routed into the thread by #1415).
+            context.addLocalPrivateSystemMessage(
+                String(localized: "system.location.not_in_channel", comment: "System message when attempting to send without being in a location channel"),
+                to: peerID
            )
            return
        }
@@ -417,9 +417,12 @@ final class ChatPublicConversationCoordinator: PublicMessagePipelineDelegate {
    ///   rate limit; low/no-PoW events keep the strict limits so old clients
    ///   still get through at normal rates.
    /// Identity keys of the archived echoes seeded into the mesh timeline at
-    /// launch. The mesh wire format carries no stable message ID, so a
-    /// re-synced copy of an already-rendered echo arrives with a fresh UUID —
-    /// this content identity is the only way to recognize it.
+    /// launch. Re-synced copies of others' messages now arrive with the same
+    /// derived stable ID (`MeshMessageIdentity`), so the store's insert-by-ID
+    /// catches those — but the archive-restored rows themselves carry
+    /// `echo-`-prefixed IDs, and self echoes get fresh UUIDs, so this content
+    /// identity remains the way to recognize a live copy of an
+    /// already-rendered echo.
    private var archivedEchoKeys = Set<String>()

    func registerArchivedEcho(senderPeerID: PeerID?, timestamp: Date, content: String) {
@@ -407,6 +407,13 @@ private extension ChatTransportEventCoordinator {

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

@@ -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 {
@@ -698,12 +700,30 @@ final class ChatViewModel: ObservableObject, BitchatDelegate, TransportEventDele
        conversations.conversationsByID[conversationID]?.containsMessage(withID: messageID) ?? false
    }

+    @MainActor
+    func bridgeInjectedPublicMessageIsPresent(withID messageID: String) -> Bool {
+        publicMessagePipeline.containsMessage(withID: messageID) ||
+            publicConversationContainsMessage(withID: messageID, in: .mesh)
+    }
+
    /// Removes a message by ID from whichever public conversation contains
    /// it. Returns the removed message, if any.
    @MainActor
    @discardableResult
    func removePublicMessage(withID messageID: String) -> BitchatMessage? {
-        conversations.removePublicMessage(withID: messageID)
+        publicMessagePipeline.removeMessage(withID: messageID)
+        return conversations.removePublicMessage(withID: messageID)
+    }
+
+    /// Replaces an unauthenticated bridge alias with a later authenticated
+    /// radio row. In addition to both storage layers, clear the content-window
+    /// marker written by an already-flushed alias or it would suppress the
+    /// genuine row during the next public-message batch.
+    @MainActor
+    func removeBridgeInjectedPublicMessage(withID messageID: String) {
+        publicMessagePipeline.removeMessage(withID: messageID)
+        guard let removed = conversations.removePublicMessage(withID: messageID) else { return }
+        deduplicationService.forgetContent(removed.content, ifRecordedAt: removed.timestamp)
    }

    /// Removes every message matching `predicate` from a geohash
@@ -1138,6 +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)
@@ -1165,6 +1189,7 @@ final class ChatViewModel: ObservableObject, BitchatDelegate, TransportEventDele
        identityManager.clearAllIdentityData()
        peerIdentityStore.clearAll()
        locationPresenceStore.reset()
+        publicRateLimiter.reset()

        // Clear persistent favorites from keychain
        FavoritesPersistenceService.shared.clearAllFavorites()
@@ -1173,6 +1198,7 @@ final class ChatViewModel: ObservableObject, BitchatDelegate, TransportEventDele
        // our own queued outbox, the carried public history, and the
        // counters describing all of it
        CourierStore.shared.wipe()
+        BridgeCourierService.shared.wipe()
        messageRouter.wipeOutbox()
        GossipMessageArchive.wipeDefault()
        StoreAndForwardMetrics.shared.reset()
@@ -1754,6 +1780,14 @@ final class ChatViewModel: ObservableObject, BitchatDelegate, TransportEventDele
    /// Handle incoming public message
    @MainActor
    func handlePublicMessage(_ message: BitchatMessage) {
+        // Bridge hints are unauthenticated and may never suppress a genuine
+        // BLE sender. Once the radio packet has passed BLE signature checks,
+        // replace any earlier bridge alias before this row is enqueued.
+        if !message.isBridged,
+           let senderPeerID = message.senderPeerID,
+           !senderPeerID.isGeoChat {
+            BridgeService.shared.handleAuthenticatedRadioMessage(messageID: message.id)
+        }
        // A finalized voice note whose burst already streamed in live swaps
        // into the existing bubble instead of appearing twice.
        if liveVoiceCoordinator.absorbFinalizedVoiceNote(message) { return }
@@ -1777,4 +1811,91 @@ 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() {
@@ -210,11 +221,19 @@ private extension ChatViewModelBootstrapper {
        DispatchQueue.main.asyncAfter(deadline: .now() + TransportConfig.uiArchivedEchoLoadDelaySeconds) { [weak viewModel] in
            guard let viewModel else { return }
            viewModel.meshService.collectArchivedPublicMessages { [weak viewModel] allArchived in
+                guard let viewModel else { return }
                // A previous /clear dismissed everything heard up to its
-                // watermark; only newer archive entries come back.
+                // watermark; only newer archive entries come back. Blocking a
+                // peer purges their carried messages from the archive at
+                // block time (when the fingerprint↔peerID mapping is known);
+                // the filter here is defense-in-depth for entries that slip
+                // past the purge (e.g. re-synced from a nearby peer), and it
+                // only resolves connected peers or favorites.
                let clearedThrough = MeshEchoSettings.clearedThrough ?? .distantPast
-                let archived = allArchived.filter { $0.timestamp > clearedThrough }
-                guard let viewModel, !archived.isEmpty else { return }
+                let archived = allArchived.filter {
+                    $0.timestamp > clearedThrough && !viewModel.isPeerBlocked($0.senderPeerID)
+                }
+                guard !archived.isEmpty else { return }
                // Seed only an untouched timeline: with live rows already
                // present (or after /clear) splicing history back in would
                // be wrong.
@@ -456,6 +475,12 @@ private extension ChatViewModelBootstrapper {
                isBridged: true
            ))
        }
+        bridge.removeInjectedInbound = { [weak viewModel] messageID in
+            viewModel?.removeBridgeInjectedPublicMessage(withID: messageID)
+        }
+        bridge.isInjectedInboundPresent = { [weak viewModel] messageID in
+            viewModel?.bridgeInjectedPublicMessageIsPresent(withID: messageID) ?? false
+        }
        bridge.isMessageSeenLocally = { [weak viewModel] messageID in
            viewModel?.publicConversationContainsMessage(withID: messageID, in: .mesh) ?? false
        }
@@ -524,11 +549,17 @@ private extension ChatViewModelBootstrapper {
        let courier = BridgeCourierService.shared

        courier.bridgeEnabled = { BridgeService.shared.isEnabled }
-        courier.relaysConnected = { NostrRelayManager.shared.isConnected }
-        courier.publishEvent = { event in
+        // A geo/custom relay does not make a global courier drop durable.
+        // Require an actually connected default (DM) relay so `sendEvent`
+        // writes to at least one intended relay instead of only entering its
+        // process-local pending queue.
+        courier.relaysConnected = { NostrRelayManager.shared.isDMRelayConnected }
+        courier.publishEvent = { event, completion in
            // Default (DM) relays: drops need the standing global relay set,
            // not geo relays — sender and recipient share no cell.
-            NostrRelayManager.shared.sendEvent(event)
+            // This confirmed path never falls back to the volatile relay
+            // queue; bridge dedup is committed only after NIP-20 OK.
+            NostrRelayManager.shared.sendEventImmediately(event, completion: completion)
        }
        courier.openSubscription = { tagsHex in
            NostrRelayManager.shared.unsubscribe(id: Self.courierDropSubscriptionID)
@@ -556,20 +587,28 @@ private extension ChatViewModelBootstrapper {
            bleService?.sealBridgeCourierEnvelope(content, messageID: messageID, recipientNoiseKey: recipientKey)
        }
        courier.openEnvelope = { [weak bleService] envelope in
-            bleService?.openBridgedCourierEnvelope(envelope)
+            bleService?.openBridgedCourierEnvelope(envelope) ?? false
        }
        courier.deliverToPeer = { [weak bleService] envelope, peerID in
-            bleService?.deliverBridgedEnvelope(envelope, to: peerID)
+            bleService?.deliverBridgedEnvelope(envelope, to: peerID) ?? false
        }
        courier.heldEnvelopes = { cooldown in
            CourierStore.shared.envelopesForBridgePublish(cooldown: cooldown)
        }
-
-        viewModel.messageRouter.bridgeCourierDeposit = { content, messageID, recipientKey in
-            BridgeCourierService.shared.depositDrop(content: content, messageID: messageID, recipientNoiseKey: recipientKey)
+        courier.markHeldEnvelopePublished = { envelope in
+            CourierStore.shared.markBridgePublished(envelope)
        }
-        // (depositDrop's Bool flows back so a dropped message shows the
-        // "carried" state — a drop's delivery ack can't return over radio.)
+
+        viewModel.messageRouter.bridgeCourierDeposit = { content, messageID, recipientKey, completion in
+            BridgeCourierService.shared.depositDrop(
+                content: content,
+                messageID: messageID,
+                recipientNoiseKey: recipientKey,
+                completion: completion
+            )
+        }
+        // The completion flows back only after a default relay accepts the
+        // event, so a rejected or unacknowledged write never becomes carried.
        viewModel.messageRouter.startBridgeDepositSweep()
        bleService.onVerifiedPeerAnnounce = { _ in
            Task { @MainActor in
@@ -580,7 +619,7 @@ private extension ChatViewModelBootstrapper {
        // Relay connectivity gates everything; refresh (re)opens or closes.
        // Deduped: refresh() resubscribes, and the raw publisher re-emits on
        // every relay state recompute (6x in 300ms in field logs).
-        NostrRelayManager.shared.$isConnected
+        NostrRelayManager.shared.$isDMRelayConnected
            .removeDuplicates()
            .receive(on: DispatchQueue.main)
            .sink { _ in BridgeCourierService.shared.refresh() }
@@ -37,25 +37,47 @@ final class GeoChannelCoordinator {
    private weak var context: (any GeoChannelContext)?

    private var cancellables = Set<AnyCancellable>()
-    private var regionalGeohashes: [String] = []
+    private var regionalChannels: [GeohashChannel] = []
    private var bookmarkedGeohashes: [String] = []
+    private var permissionState: LocationChannelManager.PermissionState
+    private var locationNotesEnabled: Bool
+    /// Mirrors `NearbyNotesCounter.revealed` (injectable for tests): the
+    /// session's one explicit notes act. Until it happens, background
+    /// sampling must not include the building-precision cell — see
+    /// `sampledRegionalGeohashes`.
+    private var notesRevealed = false
+    private let notesRevealedPublisher: AnyPublisher<Bool, Never>
+    private let locationNotesSettingsPublisher: AnyPublisher<Bool, Never>

    init(
        locationManager: LocationChannelManager? = nil,
        bookmarksStore: GeohashBookmarksStore? = nil,
        torManager: TorManager? = nil,
+        notesRevealed: AnyPublisher<Bool, Never>? = nil,
+        locationNotesEnabled: Bool? = nil,
+        locationNotesSettings: AnyPublisher<Bool, Never>? = nil,
        context: any GeoChannelContext
    ) {
-        self.locationManager = locationManager ?? Self.defaultLocationManager()
+        let resolvedLocationManager = locationManager ?? Self.defaultLocationManager()
+        self.locationManager = resolvedLocationManager
        self.bookmarksStore = bookmarksStore ?? GeohashBookmarksStore.shared
        self.torManager = torManager ?? Self.defaultTorManager()
+        self.permissionState = resolvedLocationManager.permissionState
+        self.locationNotesEnabled = locationNotesEnabled ?? LocationNotesSettings.enabled
+        self.notesRevealedPublisher = notesRevealed
+            ?? NearbyNotesCounter.shared.$revealed.eraseToAnyPublisher()
+        self.locationNotesSettingsPublisher = locationNotesSettings
+            ?? NotificationCenter.default
+                .publisher(for: LocationNotesSettings.didChangeNotification)
+                .map { _ in LocationNotesSettings.enabled }
+                .eraseToAnyPublisher()
        self.context = context

        start()
    }

    func start() {
-        regionalGeohashes = locationManager.availableChannels.map { $0.geohash }
+        regionalChannels = locationManager.availableChannels
        bookmarkedGeohashes = bookmarksStore.bookmarks

        locationManager.$selectedChannel
@@ -72,7 +94,30 @@ final class GeoChannelCoordinator {
            .receive(on: DispatchQueue.main)
            .sink { [weak self] channels in
                guard let self else { return }
-                self.regionalGeohashes = channels.map { $0.geohash }
+                self.regionalChannels = channels
+                self.updateSampling()
+            }
+            .store(in: &cancellables)
+
+        // Revealing the nearby-notes counter is the session's explicit notes
+        // act; it widens sampling to include the building cell (below).
+        notesRevealedPublisher
+            .receive(on: DispatchQueue.main)
+            .sink { [weak self] revealed in
+                guard let self, self.notesRevealed != revealed else { return }
+                self.notesRevealed = revealed
+                self.updateSampling()
+            }
+            .store(in: &cancellables)
+
+        // The location-notes preference is a live privacy kill switch. It
+        // removes the device-derived building cell even if the session was
+        // previously revealed. Explicit bookmarks remain eligible below.
+        locationNotesSettingsPublisher
+            .receive(on: DispatchQueue.main)
+            .sink { [weak self] enabled in
+                guard let self, self.locationNotesEnabled != enabled else { return }
+                self.locationNotesEnabled = enabled
                self.updateSampling()
            }
            .store(in: &cancellables)
@@ -89,10 +134,15 @@ final class GeoChannelCoordinator {
        locationManager.$permissionState
            .receive(on: DispatchQueue.main)
            .sink { [weak self] state in
-                guard let self, state == .authorized else { return }
-                Task { @MainActor [weak self] in
-                    self?.locationManager.refreshChannels()
+                guard let self else { return }
+                self.permissionState = state
+                if state == .authorized {
+                    self.locationManager.refreshChannels()
                }
+                // Cached channels outlive authorization by design. Recompute
+                // regardless of direction so revocation tears down regional
+                // sampling instead of continuing from stale coordinates.
+                self.updateSampling()
            }
            .store(in: &cancellables)

@@ -102,9 +152,22 @@ final class GeoChannelCoordinator {
        updateSampling()
    }

+    /// Regional geohashes eligible for background sampling. The
+    /// building-precision (precision-8) cell identifies a single address, so
+    /// sampling it passively would leak the same location signal the
+    /// nearby-notes tap-to-reveal exists to gate — it joins only after the
+    /// session's explicit notes act. The coarser levels (block and up) keep
+    /// the nearby-conversation hint and channel participant counts working.
+    /// Bookmarks are exempt: bookmarking a geohash is itself explicit.
+    private var sampledRegionalGeohashes: [String] {
+        guard permissionState == .authorized else { return [] }
+        return regionalChannels
+            .filter { (notesRevealed && locationNotesEnabled) || $0.level != .building }
+            .map { $0.geohash }
+    }
+
    private func updateSampling() {
-        let union = Array(Set(regionalGeohashes).union(bookmarkedGeohashes))
-        Task { @MainActor in
+        let union = Array(Set(sampledRegionalGeohashes).union(bookmarkedGeohashes))
        guard !union.isEmpty else {
            context?.endGeohashSampling()
            return
@@ -115,7 +178,6 @@ final class GeoChannelCoordinator {
            context?.endGeohashSampling()
        }
    }
-    }

    func refreshSampling() {
        updateSampling()
@@ -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
                        }
                    }
@@ -60,6 +60,21 @@ final class PublicMessagePipeline {
        scheduleFlush()
    }

+    /// Discards an uncommitted row by ID. Bridge-first/radio-second dedup uses
+    /// this before inserting the authenticated radio copy, so the ~80 ms UI
+    /// batch cannot resurrect the replaced bridge alias after store removal.
+    func removeMessage(withID messageID: String) {
+        buffer.removeAll { $0.message.id == messageID }
+        if buffer.isEmpty {
+            timer?.invalidate()
+            timer = nil
+        }
+    }
+
+    func containsMessage(withID messageID: String) -> Bool {
+        buffer.contains { $0.message.id == messageID }
+    }
+
    func flushIfNeeded() {
        flushBuffer()
    }
@@ -63,6 +63,10 @@ final class VoiceRecordingViewModel: ObservableObject {
    /// live push-to-talk session when the current DM peer can hear it now.
    var sessionProvider: () -> VoiceCaptureSession = { VoiceNoteCaptureSession() }
    private var activeSession: VoiceCaptureSession?
+    /// Monotonic press identity. A slow permission/start/finalize task from an
+    /// older hold may still deliver its file, but it must never mutate the UI
+    /// state of a newer hold.
+    private var holdGeneration: UInt64 = 0

    func formattedDuration(for date: Date) -> String {
        let clamped = max(0, state.duration(for: date))
@@ -75,13 +79,18 @@ final class VoiceRecordingViewModel: ObservableObject {

    func start(shouldShow: Bool) {
        guard shouldShow, state == .idle else { return }
+        holdGeneration &+= 1
+        let generation = holdGeneration
        let session = sessionProvider()
        SecureLogger.info("PTT: mic hold began (backend: \(session.isLive ? "live" : "classic"))", category: .session)
        activeSession = session
        state = .requestingPermission
        Task {
            let granted = await session.requestPermission()
-            guard state == .requestingPermission, activeSession === session else { return }
+            guard generation == holdGeneration,
+                  state == .requestingPermission,
+                  activeSession === session
+            else { return }
            guard granted else {
                state = .permissionDenied
                activeSession = nil
@@ -90,16 +99,36 @@ final class VoiceRecordingViewModel: ObservableObject {
            state = .preparing
            do {
                try await session.start()
-                guard state == .preparing, activeSession === session else {
+                guard generation == holdGeneration,
+                      state == .preparing,
+                      activeSession === session
+                else {
                    await session.cancel()
                    return
                }
                state = .recording(startDate: Date())
                isLiveStreaming = session.isLive
+            } catch VoiceRecorder.RecorderError.recordingInProgress {
+                // The previous classic hold may still be in its intentional
+                // finalize-padding window. This press owns no recorder, so
+                // its owner-scoped cancel is harmless; return to idle instead
+                // of surfacing a false capture failure while the prior note
+                // finishes and delivers normally.
+                SecureLogger.info("Voice recording start deferred while the previous hold finalizes", category: .session)
+                await session.cancel()
+                guard generation == holdGeneration,
+                      state == .preparing,
+                      activeSession === session
+                else { return }
+                activeSession = nil
+                state = .idle
            } catch {
                SecureLogger.error("Voice recording failed to start: \(error)", category: .session)
                await session.cancel()
-                guard state == .preparing, activeSession === session else { return }
+                guard generation == holdGeneration,
+                      state == .preparing,
+                      activeSession === session
+                else { return }
                // The live engine and the classic recorder are separate
                // capture stacks: when the live one hits an audio-route
                // glitch, fall back within the same hold so the user still
@@ -109,7 +138,10 @@ final class VoiceRecordingViewModel: ObservableObject {
                    activeSession = fallback
                    do {
                        try await fallback.start()
-                        guard state == .preparing, activeSession === fallback else {
+                        guard generation == holdGeneration,
+                              state == .preparing,
+                              activeSession === fallback
+                        else {
                            await fallback.cancel()
                            return
                        }
@@ -120,7 +152,7 @@ final class VoiceRecordingViewModel: ObservableObject {
                    } catch {
                        SecureLogger.error("Voice recording fallback failed to start: \(error)", category: .session)
                        await fallback.cancel()
-                        guard state == .preparing else { return }
+                        guard generation == holdGeneration, state == .preparing else { return }
                    }
                }
                activeSession = nil
@@ -142,6 +174,7 @@ final class VoiceRecordingViewModel: ObservableObject {
        state = .idle
        isLiveStreaming = false
        let session = activeSession
+        let generation = holdGeneration
        activeSession = nil

        guard case .recording(let startDate) = previousState, let completion, let session else {
@@ -159,7 +192,7 @@ final class VoiceRecordingViewModel: ObservableObject {
               isValidRecording(at: url, duration: finalDuration) {
                completion(url)
            } else {
-                guard state == .idle else { return }
+                guard generation == holdGeneration, state == .idle else { return }
                state = .error(
                    message: finalDuration < VoiceRecorder.minRecordingDuration
                    ? "Recording is too short."
@@ -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 },
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ struct MeshEmptyStateView: View {
    @EnvironmentObject private var peerListModel: PeerListModel
    @ObservedObject private var activityTracker = GeohashChatActivityTracker.shared
    @ObservedObject private var sightingsTracker = MeshSightingsTracker.shared
+    @ObservedObject private var nearbyNotes = NearbyNotesCounter.shared

    @ThemedPalette private var palette

@@ -38,6 +39,7 @@ struct MeshEmptyStateView: View {
        static let meshIntro = String(localized: "content.empty.mesh_intro", comment: "First line of the empty mesh timeline explaining what the mesh channel is")
        static let switchHint = String(localized: "content.empty.switch_hint", comment: "Empty timeline hint pointing at the channel switcher and the help screen")
        static let sightingsOne = String(localized: "content.empty.sightings_one", comment: "Empty mesh timeline stat when exactly one device came within range today")
+        static let checkNotes = String(localized: "content.empty.check_notes", comment: "Empty mesh timeline action that starts looking for notes left at this place; before tapping, no lookup runs")

        static func sightingsMany(_ count: Int) -> String {
            String(
@@ -80,6 +82,9 @@ struct MeshEmptyStateView: View {
                if let conversation = nearbyConversation {
                    conversationHint(conversation)
                }
+                if showsCheckNotesHint {
+                    checkNotesHint
+                }
            } else {
                // The radar + tally already say "scanning, nobody yet", so
                // the narration stays to two lines with the live hint after
@@ -89,6 +94,9 @@ struct MeshEmptyStateView: View {
                if let conversation = nearbyConversation {
                    conversationHint(conversation)
                }
+                if showsCheckNotesHint {
+                    checkNotesHint
+                }

                // The radar centers in whatever space is left below the
                // text — the flexible spacers split it evenly.
@@ -100,7 +108,11 @@ struct MeshEmptyStateView: View {
            }
        }
        .frame(minHeight: compact ? 0 : fillHeight, alignment: .top)
-        .onReceive(refreshTimer) { _ in refreshTick += 1 }
+        .onReceive(refreshTimer) { _ in
+            refreshTick += 1
+            // Roll the tally over if the local day changed while idle.
+            sightingsTracker.refreshForDisplay()
+        }
    }

    /// The radar with today's tally as its caption — the stat belongs to
@@ -123,6 +135,31 @@ private extension MeshEmptyStateView {
        activityTracker.mostActiveConversation(among: locationChannelsModel.availableChannels)
    }

+    /// Tap-to-reveal: the nearby-notes counter never subscribes on its own —
+    /// looking at the mesh timeline must not open a building-precision relay
+    /// REQ (a passive location side-channel). This static line is the one
+    /// explicit act that unlocks it; nothing touches the network until the
+    /// tap. It only renders when location permission is already granted
+    /// (the tap never prompts, so without permission it would dead-end
+    /// silently). Once revealed it yields to today's live strip and count,
+    /// and the app-info setting stays the kill switch.
+    var showsCheckNotesHint: Bool {
+        nearbyNotes.offersRevealHint(permissionState: locationChannelsModel.permissionState)
+    }
+
+    var checkNotesHint: some View {
+        Button {
+            NearbyNotesCounter.shared.reveal()
+        } label: {
+            actionLine("📍 \(Strings.checkNotes)")
+                .contentShape(Rectangle())
+        }
+        .buttonStyle(.plain)
+        // The visual label carries decorative asterisks and an emoji; expose
+        // just the localized action text to assistive tech.
+        .accessibilityLabel(Strings.checkNotes)
+    }
+
    var sightingsText: String {
        sightingsTracker.todayCount == 1
            ? Strings.sightingsOne
@@ -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) {
@@ -131,12 +131,17 @@ struct TextMessageView: View {
        }
        // Collapse the revealed caption when the status advances (e.g.
        // sending → sent → delivered) so a detail opened for one state
-        // doesn't linger and silently morph into another.
+        // doesn't linger and silently morph into another. Guarded write:
+        // under a message storm many rows change status within one frame,
+        // and an unconditional state write per change trips SwiftUI's
+        // "tried to update multiple times per frame" re-entrancy warning.
        .onChange(of: deliveryStatus) { _ in
+            if showDeliveryDetail {
                showDeliveryDetail = false
            }
        }
    }
+}

 // Wrapped in #if DEBUG because the preview depends on _PreviewHelpers
 // (PreviewKeychainManager, BitchatMessage.preview), a development asset
@@ -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
--- a/Show More
+++ b/Show More