diff --git a/android/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml b/android/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml
index 57567d1..65d52ad 100644
--- a/android/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml
+++ b/android/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
     <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.CHANGE_WIFI_STATE" />
     <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WAKE_LOCK" />
     <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE" />
+    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_DATA_SYNC" />
     <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.REQUEST_IGNORE_BATTERY_OPTIMIZATIONS" />
     <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO" />
     <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.CAMERA" />
@@ -18,12 +19,13 @@
     <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.BLUETOOTH_SCAN" android:usesPermissionFlags="neverForLocation" />
     <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.BLUETOOTH_ADVERTISE" />
 
+    <uses-feature android:name="android.hardware.microphone" android:required="false" />
     <uses-feature android:name="android.hardware.usb.host" android:required="false" />
     <uses-feature android:name="android.hardware.bluetooth_le" android:required="false" />
     <uses-feature android:name="android.hardware.bluetooth" android:required="false" />
 
     <application
-        android:name="com.chaquo.python.android.PyApplication"
+        android:name="com.meshchatx.MeshChatApplication"
         android:allowBackup="true"
         android:icon="@mipmap/ic_launcher"
         android:label="@string/app_name"
@@ -37,7 +39,7 @@
             android:name=".MainActivity"
             android:exported="true"
             android:launchMode="singleTask"
-            android:configChanges="orientation|screenSize|keyboardHidden">
+            android:configChanges="orientation|screenSize|smallestScreenSize|screenLayout|density|uiMode|keyboard|keyboardHidden|navigation">
             <intent-filter>
                 <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
                 <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
@@ -62,6 +64,12 @@
             </intent-filter>
         </activity>
 
+        <service
+            android:name=".MeshChatForegroundService"
+            android:exported="false"
+            android:foregroundServiceType="dataSync"
+            android:stopWithTask="true" />
+
     </application>
 
 </manifest>
diff --git a/android/app/src/main/java/com/meshchatx/AndroidNotificationBridge.java b/android/app/src/main/java/com/meshchatx/AndroidNotificationBridge.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cc51431
--- /dev/null
+++ b/android/app/src/main/java/com/meshchatx/AndroidNotificationBridge.java
@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+package com.meshchatx;
+
+import android.app.NotificationManager;
+import android.app.PendingIntent;
+import android.content.Context;
+import android.content.Intent;
+import android.os.Handler;
+import android.os.Looper;
+import android.text.TextUtils;
+
+import androidx.annotation.Nullable;
+import androidx.core.app.NotificationCompat;
+
+public final class AndroidNotificationBridge {
+    private static final int NOTIFY_BASE_ID = 0x4d434800;
+
+    private AndroidNotificationBridge() {
+    }
+
+    public static void showInboundMessage(String title, String body, @Nullable String dedupeHex) {
+        Context ctx = MeshChatApplication.getAppContext();
+        if (ctx == null) {
+            return;
+        }
+        String safeTitle = TextUtils.isEmpty(title) ? ctx.getString(R.string.app_name) : title;
+        String safeBody = TextUtils.isEmpty(body) ? ctx.getString(R.string.notification_new_message_fallback) : body;
+
+        new Handler(Looper.getMainLooper()).post(() -> postInboundMessage(ctx, safeTitle, safeBody, dedupeHex));
+    }
+
+    private static void postInboundMessage(Context ctx, String title, String body, @Nullable String dedupeHex) {
+        NotificationManager nm = ctx.getSystemService(NotificationManager.class);
+        if (nm == null) {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        Intent open = new Intent(ctx, MainActivity.class);
+        open.setFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK | Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_CLEAR_TOP);
+        PendingIntent pi = PendingIntent.getActivity(
+            ctx,
+            0,
+            open,
+            PendingIntent.FLAG_UPDATE_CURRENT | PendingIntent.FLAG_IMMUTABLE
+        );
+
+        NotificationCompat.Builder b = new NotificationCompat.Builder(ctx, MeshChatApplication.CHANNEL_ID_MESSAGES)
+            .setSmallIcon(R.drawable.ic_launcher_foreground)
+            .setContentTitle(title)
+            .setContentText(body)
+            .setStyle(new NotificationCompat.BigTextStyle().bigText(body))
+            .setContentIntent(pi)
+            .setAutoCancel(true)
+            .setCategory(NotificationCompat.CATEGORY_MESSAGE)
+            .setVisibility(NotificationCompat.VISIBILITY_PRIVATE);
+
+        int id = NOTIFY_BASE_ID;
+        if (dedupeHex != null && dedupeHex.length() >= 8) {
+            try {
+                id = NOTIFY_BASE_ID + (int) (Long.parseLong(dedupeHex.substring(0, Math.min(8, dedupeHex.length())), 16) & 0x7fff_ffff);
+            } catch (NumberFormatException ignored) {
+                id = NOTIFY_BASE_ID + (dedupeHex.hashCode() & 0x7fff_ffff);
+            }
+        }
+
+        try {
+            nm.notify(id, b.build());
+        } catch (SecurityException ignored) {
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/android/app/src/main/java/com/meshchatx/MainActivity.java b/android/app/src/main/java/com/meshchatx/MainActivity.java
index 8d1039f..3f7fada 100644
--- a/android/app/src/main/java/com/meshchatx/MainActivity.java
+++ b/android/app/src/main/java/com/meshchatx/MainActivity.java
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import android.content.ContentValues;
 import android.content.Context;
 import android.content.Intent;
 import android.content.pm.PackageManager;
+import android.content.res.Configuration;
 import android.hardware.usb.UsbManager;
 import android.net.Uri;
 import android.os.Build;
@@ -149,7 +150,6 @@ public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
             Python.start(new AndroidPlatform(this));
         }
         requestRuntimePermissionsIfNeeded();
-        requestBatteryOptimizationExemptionIfNeeded();
 
         WebSettings webSettings = webView.getSettings();
         webSettings.setJavaScriptEnabled(true);
@@ -286,7 +286,12 @@ public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
                         missingPermissions.add(Manifest.permission.CAMERA);
                     }
                     if (missingPermissions.isEmpty()) {
-                        request.grant(request.getResources());
+                        String[] allowed = grantableWebPermissionResources(request);
+                        if (allowed.length > 0) {
+                            request.grant(allowed);
+                        } else {
+                            request.deny();
+                        }
                         return;
                     }
 
@@ -299,6 +304,15 @@ public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
                 });
             }
 
+            @Override
+            public void onPermissionRequestCanceled(PermissionRequest request) {
+                runOnUiThread(() -> {
+                    if (pendingWebPermissionRequest == request) {
+                        pendingWebPermissionRequest = null;
+                    }
+                });
+            }
+
             @Override
             public boolean onShowFileChooser(
                 WebView webView,
@@ -346,6 +360,20 @@ public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
         scheduleConnectionRetry("Connecting to local server...");
     }
 
+    @Override
+    protected void onStart() {
+        super.onStart();
+        stopService(new Intent(this, MeshChatForegroundService.class));
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    protected void onStop() {
+        if (!isFinishing() && !backendFailed) {
+            ContextCompat.startForegroundService(this, new Intent(this, MeshChatForegroundService.class));
+        }
+        super.onStop();
+    }
+
     @Override
     protected void onNewIntent(Intent intent) {
         super.onNewIntent(intent);
@@ -372,6 +400,8 @@ public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
                 missingPermissions.toArray(new String[0]),
                 RUNTIME_PERMISSIONS_REQUEST_CODE
             );
+        } else {
+            requestBatteryOptimizationExemptionIfNeeded();
         }
     }
 
@@ -410,6 +440,42 @@ public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
         }
     }
 
+    private String[] grantableWebPermissionResources(PermissionRequest request) {
+        if (request == null) {
+            return new String[0];
+        }
+        List<String> allowed = new ArrayList<>();
+        for (String resource : request.getResources()) {
+            if (PermissionRequest.RESOURCE_AUDIO_CAPTURE.equals(resource)) {
+                if (ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, Manifest.permission.RECORD_AUDIO)
+                    == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
+                    allowed.add(resource);
+                }
+            } else if (PermissionRequest.RESOURCE_VIDEO_CAPTURE.equals(resource)) {
+                if (ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, Manifest.permission.CAMERA)
+                    == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
+                    allowed.add(resource);
+                }
+            } else {
+                allowed.add(resource);
+            }
+        }
+        return allowed.toArray(new String[0]);
+    }
+
+    private void completePendingWebPermissionRequestFromRuntimeState() {
+        if (pendingWebPermissionRequest == null) {
+            return;
+        }
+        String[] allowed = grantableWebPermissionResources(pendingWebPermissionRequest);
+        if (allowed.length > 0) {
+            pendingWebPermissionRequest.grant(allowed);
+        } else {
+            pendingWebPermissionRequest.deny();
+        }
+        pendingWebPermissionRequest = null;
+    }
+
     @Override
     public void onRequestPermissionsResult(int requestCode, String[] permissions, int[] grantResults) {
         super.onRequestPermissionsResult(requestCode, permissions, grantResults);
@@ -425,7 +491,12 @@ public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
                 }
             }
             if (granted) {
-                pendingWebPermissionRequest.grant(pendingWebPermissionRequest.getResources());
+                String[] allowed = grantableWebPermissionResources(pendingWebPermissionRequest);
+                if (allowed.length > 0) {
+                    pendingWebPermissionRequest.grant(allowed);
+                } else {
+                    pendingWebPermissionRequest.deny();
+                }
             } else {
                 pendingWebPermissionRequest.deny();
             }
@@ -435,21 +506,8 @@ public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
         if (requestCode != RUNTIME_PERMISSIONS_REQUEST_CODE) {
             return;
         }
-        for (int i = 0; i < permissions.length; i++) {
-            if (grantResults[i] != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
-                if (Manifest.permission.RECORD_AUDIO.equals(permissions[i]) && pendingWebPermissionRequest != null) {
-                    pendingWebPermissionRequest.deny();
-                    pendingWebPermissionRequest = null;
-                }
-            }
-        }
-        if (
-            pendingWebPermissionRequest != null &&
-            ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, Manifest.permission.RECORD_AUDIO) == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED
-        ) {
-            pendingWebPermissionRequest.grant(pendingWebPermissionRequest.getResources());
-            pendingWebPermissionRequest = null;
-        }
+        requestBatteryOptimizationExemptionIfNeeded();
+        completePendingWebPermissionRequestFromRuntimeState();
     }
 
     private void startMeshChatServer() {
@@ -581,8 +639,21 @@ public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
         }
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public void onConfigurationChanged(Configuration newConfig) {
+        super.onConfigurationChanged(newConfig);
+        if (webView != null) {
+            webView.post(() -> {
+                if (webView != null) {
+                    webView.requestLayout();
+                }
+            });
+        }
+    }
+
     @Override
     protected void onDestroy() {
+        stopService(new Intent(this, MeshChatForegroundService.class));
         super.onDestroy();
         mainHandler.removeCallbacksAndMessages(null);
         if (pendingWebPermissionRequest != null) {
diff --git a/android/app/src/main/java/com/meshchatx/MeshChatApplication.java b/android/app/src/main/java/com/meshchatx/MeshChatApplication.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ad04105
--- /dev/null
+++ b/android/app/src/main/java/com/meshchatx/MeshChatApplication.java
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+package com.meshchatx;
+
+import android.app.Application;
+import android.app.NotificationChannel;
+import android.app.NotificationManager;
+import android.content.Context;
+import android.os.Build;
+
+import com.chaquo.python.android.PyApplication;
+
+public class MeshChatApplication extends PyApplication {
+    public static final String CHANNEL_ID_MESSAGES = "meshchatx_messages";
+    public static final String CHANNEL_ID_BACKGROUND = "meshchatx_background";
+
+    private static volatile Context appContext;
+
+    public static Context getAppContext() {
+        return appContext;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public void onCreate() {
+        super.onCreate();
+        appContext = getApplicationContext();
+        createNotificationChannels();
+    }
+
+    private void createNotificationChannels() {
+        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT < Build.VERSION_CODES.O) {
+            return;
+        }
+        NotificationManager nm = getSystemService(NotificationManager.class);
+        if (nm == null) {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        NotificationChannel background = new NotificationChannel(
+            CHANNEL_ID_BACKGROUND,
+            getString(R.string.notification_channel_background_name),
+            NotificationManager.IMPORTANCE_LOW
+        );
+        background.setDescription(getString(R.string.notification_channel_background_desc));
+        nm.createNotificationChannel(background);
+
+        NotificationChannel messages = new NotificationChannel(
+            CHANNEL_ID_MESSAGES,
+            getString(R.string.notification_channel_messages_name),
+            NotificationManager.IMPORTANCE_DEFAULT
+        );
+        messages.setDescription(getString(R.string.notification_channel_messages_desc));
+        nm.createNotificationChannel(messages);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/android/app/src/main/java/com/meshchatx/MeshChatForegroundService.java b/android/app/src/main/java/com/meshchatx/MeshChatForegroundService.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..11ed06c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/android/app/src/main/java/com/meshchatx/MeshChatForegroundService.java
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+package com.meshchatx;
+
+import android.app.Notification;
+import android.app.PendingIntent;
+import android.app.Service;
+import android.content.Intent;
+import android.content.pm.ServiceInfo;
+import android.os.Build;
+import android.os.IBinder;
+
+import androidx.annotation.Nullable;
+import androidx.core.app.NotificationCompat;
+
+public class MeshChatForegroundService extends Service {
+    private static final int FG_NOTIFICATION_ID = 0x4d434801;
+
+    @Override
+    public int onStartCommand(Intent intent, int flags, int startId) {
+        Notification notification = buildForegroundNotification();
+        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.Q) {
+            startForeground(
+                FG_NOTIFICATION_ID,
+                notification,
+                ServiceInfo.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_TYPE_DATA_SYNC
+            );
+        } else {
+            startForeground(FG_NOTIFICATION_ID, notification);
+        }
+        return START_STICKY;
+    }
+
+    private Notification buildForegroundNotification() {
+        PendingIntent pi = PendingIntent.getActivity(
+            this,
+            0,
+            new Intent(this, MainActivity.class).setFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK | Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_CLEAR_TOP),
+            PendingIntent.FLAG_UPDATE_CURRENT | PendingIntent.FLAG_IMMUTABLE
+        );
+        return new NotificationCompat.Builder(this, MeshChatApplication.CHANNEL_ID_BACKGROUND)
+            .setSmallIcon(R.drawable.ic_launcher_foreground)
+            .setContentTitle(getString(R.string.notification_background_title))
+            .setContentText(getString(R.string.notification_background_text))
+            .setOngoing(true)
+            .setContentIntent(pi)
+            .build();
+    }
+
+    @Nullable
+    @Override
+    public IBinder onBind(Intent intent) {
+        return null;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public void onDestroy() {
+        stopForeground(STOP_FOREGROUND_REMOVE);
+        super.onDestroy();
+    }
+}