diff --git a/examples/companion_radio/AbstractUITask.h b/examples/companion_radio/AbstractUITask.h
index b25b1442f..d927c1a3f 100644
--- a/examples/companion_radio/AbstractUITask.h
+++ b/examples/companion_radio/AbstractUITask.h
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
 #endif
 
 #include "NodePrefs.h"
+#include "MyMesh.h"
 
 enum class UIEventType {
     none,
@@ -22,25 +23,21 @@ enum class UIEventType {
     ack
 };
 
-class AbstractUITask {
+class AbstractUITask : public MyMesh::Listener {
 protected:
   mesh::MainBoard* _board;
   MultiSerialInterface* _interfaceManager;
-  bool _connected;
 
   AbstractUITask(mesh::MainBoard* board, MultiSerialInterface* interfaceManager) : _board(board), _interfaceManager(interfaceManager) {
-    _connected = false;
   }
 
 public:
-  void setHasConnection(bool connected) { _connected = connected; }
-  bool hasConnection() const { return _connected; }
+  bool hasConnection() const { return _interfaceManager->isConnected(); }
   uint16_t getBattMilliVolts() const { return _board->getBattMilliVolts(); }
   bool isBluetoothEnabled() const { return _interfaceManager->isBluetoothEnabled(); }
   void enableBluetooth() { _interfaceManager->enableBluetooth(); }
   void disableBluetooth() { _interfaceManager->disableBluetooth(); }
-  virtual void msgRead(int msgcount) = 0;
-  virtual void newMsg(uint8_t path_len, const char* from_name, const char* text, int msgcount) = 0;
+
   virtual void notify(UIEventType t = UIEventType::none) = 0;
   virtual void loop() = 0;
 };
diff --git a/examples/companion_radio/MyMesh.cpp b/examples/companion_radio/MyMesh.cpp
index 01a7473a0..7becb0dfc 100644
--- a/examples/companion_radio/MyMesh.cpp
+++ b/examples/companion_radio/MyMesh.cpp
@@ -368,10 +368,6 @@ void MyMesh::onDiscoveredContact(ContactInfo &contact, bool is_new, uint8_t path
       memcpy(&out_frame[1], contact.id.pub_key, PUB_KEY_SIZE);
       _serial->writeFrame(out_frame, 1 + PUB_KEY_SIZE);
     }
-  } else {
-#ifdef DISPLAY_CLASS
-    if (_ui) _ui->notify(UIEventType::newContactMessage);
-#endif
   }
 
   // add inbound-path to mem cache
@@ -395,6 +391,8 @@ void MyMesh::onDiscoveredContact(ContactInfo &contact, bool is_new, uint8_t path
     p->path_len = mesh::Packet::copyPath(p->path, path, path_len);
   }
 
+  if (_listener) _listener->onDiscoveredContact(contact, is_new, path_len, path);
+
   if (!is_new) dirty_contacts_expiry = futureMillis(LAZY_CONTACTS_WRITE_DELAY); // only schedule lazy write for contacts that are in contacts[]
 }
 
@@ -520,16 +518,12 @@ void MyMesh::queueMessage(const ContactInfo &from, uint8_t txt_type, mesh::Packe
     _serial->writeFrame(frame, 1);
   }
 
-#ifdef DISPLAY_CLASS
   // we only want to show text messages on display, not cli data
   bool should_display = txt_type == TXT_TYPE_PLAIN || txt_type == TXT_TYPE_SIGNED_PLAIN;
-  if (should_display && _ui) {
-    _ui->newMsg(path_len, from.name, text, offline_queue_len);
-    if (!_serial->isConnected()) {
-      _ui->notify(UIEventType::contactMessage);
-    }
+  if (should_display && _listener) {
+    _listener->onMessageRecv(path_len, from.name, text);
+    _listener->onQueueSizeChanged(offline_queue_len);
   }
-#endif
 }
 
 bool MyMesh::filterRecvFloodPacket(mesh::Packet* packet) {
@@ -640,20 +634,16 @@ void MyMesh::onChannelMessageRecv(const mesh::GroupChannel &channel, mesh::Packe
     uint8_t frame[1];
     frame[0] = PUSH_CODE_MSG_WAITING; // send push 'tickle'
     _serial->writeFrame(frame, 1);
-  } else {
-#ifdef DISPLAY_CLASS
-    if (_ui) _ui->notify(UIEventType::channelMessage);
-#endif
   }
-#ifdef DISPLAY_CLASS
-  // Get the channel name from the channel index
-  const char *channel_name = "Unknown";
-  ChannelDetails channel_details;
-  if (getChannel(channel_idx, channel_details)) {
-    channel_name = channel_details.name;
+  if (_listener) {
+    // Get the channel name from the channel index
+    ChannelDetails channel_details;
+    if (!getChannel(channel_idx, channel_details)) {
+      strcpy(channel_details.name, "Unknown");
+    }
+    _listener->onChannelMsgRecv(channel_details, path_len, text);
+    _listener->onQueueSizeChanged(offline_queue_len);
   }
-  if (_ui) _ui->newMsg(path_len, channel_name, text, offline_queue_len);
-#endif
 }
 
 void MyMesh::onChannelDataRecv(const mesh::GroupChannel &channel, mesh::Packet *pkt, uint16_t data_type,
@@ -930,9 +920,9 @@ uint32_t MyMesh::calcDirectTimeoutMillisFor(uint32_t pkt_airtime_millis, uint8_t
 
 void MyMesh::onSendTimeout() {}
 
-MyMesh::MyMesh(mesh::Radio &radio, mesh::RNG &rng, mesh::RTCClock &rtc, SimpleMeshTables &tables, DataStore& store, AbstractUITask* ui)
+MyMesh::MyMesh(mesh::Radio &radio, mesh::RNG &rng, mesh::RTCClock &rtc, SimpleMeshTables &tables, DataStore& store)
     : BaseChatMesh(radio, *new ArduinoMillis(), rng, rtc, *new StaticPoolPacketManager(16), tables),
-      _serial(NULL), telemetry(MAX_PACKET_PAYLOAD - 4), _store(&store), _ui(ui), _iter(0) {
+      _serial(NULL), telemetry(MAX_PACKET_PAYLOAD - 4), _store(&store), _listener(NULL), _iter(0) {
   _iter_started = false;
   _cli_rescue = false;
   cli_command[0] = 0;
@@ -1463,9 +1453,7 @@ void MyMesh::handleCmdFrame(size_t len) {
     int out_len;
     if ((out_len = getFromOfflineQueue(out_frame)) > 0) {
       _serial->writeFrame(out_frame, out_len);
-#ifdef DISPLAY_CLASS
-      if (_ui) _ui->msgRead(offline_queue_len);
-#endif
+      if (_listener) _listener->onQueueSizeChanged(offline_queue_len);
     } else {
       out_frame[0] = RESP_CODE_NO_MORE_MESSAGES;
       _serial->writeFrame(out_frame, 1);
@@ -2466,10 +2454,6 @@ void MyMesh::loop() {
     saveContacts();
     dirty_contacts_expiry = 0;
   }
-
-#ifdef DISPLAY_CLASS
-  if (_ui) _ui->setHasConnection(_serial->isConnected());
-#endif
 }
 
 bool MyMesh::advert() {
diff --git a/examples/companion_radio/MyMesh.h b/examples/companion_radio/MyMesh.h
index 3b98a4f67..be7bc40a5 100644
--- a/examples/companion_radio/MyMesh.h
+++ b/examples/companion_radio/MyMesh.h
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@
 
 #include <Arduino.h>
 #include <Mesh.h>
-#include "AbstractUITask.h"
 
 /*------------ Frame Protocol --------------*/
 #define FIRMWARE_VER_CODE 14
@@ -96,10 +95,19 @@ struct DiscoveredNode {
 
 class MyMesh : public BaseChatMesh, public DataStoreHost {
 public:
-  MyMesh(mesh::Radio &radio, mesh::RNG &rng, mesh::RTCClock &rtc, SimpleMeshTables &tables, DataStore& store, AbstractUITask* ui=NULL);
+  class Listener {
+    public:
+      virtual void onMessageRecv(uint8_t path_len, const char* from_name, const char* text) = 0;
+      virtual void onChannelMsgRecv(ChannelDetails& channel_details, uint8_t path_len, const char* text) = 0;
+      virtual void onQueueSizeChanged(int msgcount) = 0;
+      virtual void onDiscoveredContact(ContactInfo &contact, bool is_new, uint8_t path_len, const uint8_t* path) = 0;
+  };
+
+  MyMesh(mesh::Radio &radio, mesh::RNG &rng, mesh::RTCClock &rtc, SimpleMeshTables &tables, DataStore& store);
 
   void begin(bool has_display);
   void startInterface(BaseSerialInterface &serial);
+  void setListener(Listener* listener) { _listener = listener; }
 
   const char *getNodeName();
   NodePrefs *getNodePrefs();
@@ -237,7 +245,7 @@ private:
   uint32_t pending_telemetry, pending_discovery;   // pending _TELEMETRY_REQ
   uint32_t pending_req;   // pending _BINARY_REQ
   BaseSerialInterface *_serial;
-  AbstractUITask* _ui;
+  Listener* _listener;
 
   ContactsIterator _iter;
   uint32_t _iter_filter_since;
diff --git a/examples/companion_radio/main.cpp b/examples/companion_radio/main.cpp
index 6dc9acdc3..857acf451 100644
--- a/examples/companion_radio/main.cpp
+++ b/examples/companion_radio/main.cpp
@@ -114,11 +114,7 @@ MultiSerialInterface interface_manager;
 
 StdRNG fast_rng;
 SimpleMeshTables tables;
-MyMesh the_mesh(radio_driver, fast_rng, rtc_clock, tables, store
-   #ifdef DISPLAY_CLASS
-      , &ui_task
-   #endif
-);
+MyMesh the_mesh(radio_driver, fast_rng, rtc_clock, tables, store);
 
 /* END GLOBAL OBJECTS */
 
@@ -285,6 +281,7 @@ void setup() {
 
 #ifdef DISPLAY_CLASS
   ui_task.begin(disp, &sensors, the_mesh.getNodePrefs());  // still want to pass this in as dependency, as prefs might be moved
+  the_mesh.setListener(&ui_task);
 #endif
 
   board.onBootComplete();
diff --git a/examples/companion_radio/ui-new/UITask.cpp b/examples/companion_radio/ui-new/UITask.cpp
index 53ae480cf..fc6707e29 100644
--- a/examples/companion_radio/ui-new/UITask.cpp
+++ b/examples/companion_radio/ui-new/UITask.cpp
@@ -751,17 +751,7 @@ switch(t){
 #endif
 }
 
-
-void UITask::msgRead(int msgcount) {
-  _msgcount = msgcount;
-  if (msgcount == 0) {
-    gotoHomeScreen();
-  }
-}
-
-void UITask::newMsg(uint8_t path_len, const char* from_name, const char* text, int msgcount) {
-  _msgcount = msgcount;
-
+void UITask::onMessageRecv(uint8_t path_len, const char* from_name, const char* text) {
   ((MsgPreviewScreen *) msg_preview)->addPreview(path_len, from_name, text);
   setCurrScreen(msg_preview);
 
@@ -774,6 +764,42 @@ void UITask::newMsg(uint8_t path_len, const char* from_name, const char* text, i
     _next_refresh = 100;  // trigger refresh
     }
   }
+
+  if (!hasConnection()) {
+    notify(UIEventType::contactMessage);
+  }
+}
+
+void UITask::onChannelMsgRecv(ChannelDetails& channel_details, uint8_t path_len, const char* text) {
+  ((MsgPreviewScreen *) msg_preview)->addPreview(path_len, channel_details.name, text);
+  setCurrScreen(msg_preview);
+
+  if (_display != NULL) {
+    if (!_display->isOn() && !hasConnection()) {
+      _display->turnOn();
+    }
+    if (_display->isOn()) {
+    _auto_off = millis() + AUTO_OFF_MILLIS;  // extend the auto-off timer
+    _next_refresh = 100;  // trigger refresh
+    }
+  }
+
+  if (!hasConnection()) {
+    notify(UIEventType::channelMessage);
+  }
+}
+
+void UITask::onQueueSizeChanged(int msgcount) {
+  _msgcount = msgcount;
+  if (msgcount == 0) {
+    gotoHomeScreen();
+  }
+}
+
+void UITask::onDiscoveredContact(ContactInfo &contact, bool is_new, uint8_t path_len, const uint8_t* path) {
+  if (!hasConnection()) {
+    notify(UIEventType::newContactMessage);
+  }
 }
 
 void UITask::userLedHandler() {
diff --git a/examples/companion_radio/ui-new/UITask.h b/examples/companion_radio/ui-new/UITask.h
index 52d3ffa13..e12009538 100644
--- a/examples/companion_radio/ui-new/UITask.h
+++ b/examples/companion_radio/ui-new/UITask.h
@@ -90,10 +90,13 @@ public:
   bool getGPSState();
   void toggleGPS();
 
+  // MyMesh::Listener
+  void onMessageRecv(uint8_t path_len, const char* from_name, const char* text) override;
+  void onChannelMsgRecv(ChannelDetails& channel_details, uint8_t path_len, const char* text) override;
+  void onQueueSizeChanged(int offline_queue_size) override;
+  void onDiscoveredContact(ContactInfo &contact, bool is_new, uint8_t path_len, const uint8_t* path) override;
 
   // from AbstractUITask
-  void msgRead(int msgcount) override;
-  void newMsg(uint8_t path_len, const char* from_name, const char* text, int msgcount) override;
   void notify(UIEventType t = UIEventType::none) override;
   void loop() override;
 
diff --git a/examples/companion_radio/ui-orig/UITask.cpp b/examples/companion_radio/ui-orig/UITask.cpp
index b49b05dd1..08c845874 100644
--- a/examples/companion_radio/ui-orig/UITask.cpp
+++ b/examples/companion_radio/ui-orig/UITask.cpp
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ switch(t){
 //  Serial.println((int) t);
 }
 
-void UITask::msgRead(int msgcount) {
+void UITask::onQueueSizeChanged(int msgcount) {
   _msgcount = msgcount;
   if (msgcount == 0) {
     clearMsgPreview();
@@ -139,9 +139,7 @@ void UITask::clearMsgPreview() {
   _need_refresh = true;
 }
 
-void UITask::newMsg(uint8_t path_len, const char* from_name, const char* text, int msgcount) {
-  _msgcount = msgcount;
-
+void UITask::onMessageRecv(uint8_t path_len, const char* from_name, const char* text) {
 #ifdef HAS_DRV2605
   vibration.trigger();   // vibrate even while the app is connected (honors quiet + cooldown)
 #endif
@@ -158,10 +156,45 @@ void UITask::newMsg(uint8_t path_len, const char* from_name, const char* text, i
       _display->turnOn();
     }
     if (_display->isOn()) {
-    _auto_off = millis() + AUTO_OFF_MILLIS;  // extend the auto-off timer
-    _need_refresh = true;
+      _auto_off = millis() + AUTO_OFF_MILLIS;  // extend the auto-off timer
+      _need_refresh = true;
     }
   }
+  if (!hasConnection()) {
+    notify(UIEventType::contactMessage);
+  }
+}
+
+void UITask::onChannelMsgRecv(ChannelDetails& channel_details, uint8_t path_len, const char* text) {
+#ifdef HAS_DRV2605
+  vibration.trigger();   // vibrate even while the app is connected (honors quiet + cooldown)
+#endif
+
+  if (path_len == 0xFF) {
+    sprintf(_origin, "(F) %s", channel_details.name);
+  } else {
+    sprintf(_origin, "(%d) %s", (uint32_t) path_len, channel_details.name);
+  }
+  StrHelper::strncpy(_msg, text, sizeof(_msg));
+
+  if (_display != NULL) {
+    if (!_display->isOn() && !hasConnection()) {
+      _display->turnOn();
+    }
+    if (_display->isOn()) {
+      _auto_off = millis() + AUTO_OFF_MILLIS;  // extend the auto-off timer
+      _need_refresh = true;
+    }
+  }
+  if (!hasConnection()) {
+    notify(UIEventType::channelMessage);
+  }
+}
+
+void UITask::onDiscoveredContact(ContactInfo &contact, bool is_new, uint8_t path_len, const uint8_t* path) {
+  if (!hasConnection()) {
+    notify(UIEventType::newContactMessage);
+  }
 }
 
 void UITask::renderBatteryIndicator(uint16_t batteryMilliVolts) {
@@ -262,7 +295,7 @@ void UITask::renderCurrScreen() {
     _display->print(tmp);
 
     // BT pin
-    if (!_connected && the_mesh.getBLEPin() != 0) {
+    if (!hasConnection() && the_mesh.getBLEPin() != 0) {
       _display->setColor(UIColor::warning_txt);
       _display->setTextSize(2);
       _display->setCursor(0, 43);
diff --git a/examples/companion_radio/ui-orig/UITask.h b/examples/companion_radio/ui-orig/UITask.h
index 02d126e8f..381414791 100644
--- a/examples/companion_radio/ui-orig/UITask.h
+++ b/examples/companion_radio/ui-orig/UITask.h
@@ -70,9 +70,13 @@ public:
   bool hasDisplay() const { return _display != NULL; }
   void clearMsgPreview();
 
+  // MyMesh::Listener
+  void onMessageRecv(uint8_t path_len, const char* from_name, const char* text) override;
+  void onChannelMsgRecv(ChannelDetails& channel_details, uint8_t path_len, const char* text) override;
+  void onQueueSizeChanged(int offline_queue_size) override;
+  void onDiscoveredContact(ContactInfo &contact, bool is_new, uint8_t path_len, const uint8_t* path) override;
+
   // from AbstractUITask
-  void msgRead(int msgcount) override;
-  void newMsg(uint8_t path_len, const char* from_name, const char* text, int msgcount) override;
   void notify(UIEventType t = UIEventType::none) override;
   void loop() override;
 
diff --git a/examples/companion_radio/ui-tiny/UITask.cpp b/examples/companion_radio/ui-tiny/UITask.cpp
index 9ecd66f12..8a8b77b53 100644
--- a/examples/companion_radio/ui-tiny/UITask.cpp
+++ b/examples/companion_radio/ui-tiny/UITask.cpp
@@ -503,16 +503,14 @@ switch(t){
 }
 
 
-void UITask::msgRead(int msgcount) {
+void UITask::onQueueSizeChanged(int msgcount) {
   _msgcount = msgcount;
   if (msgcount == 0) {
     gotoHomeScreen();
   }
 }
 
-void UITask::newMsg(uint8_t path_len, const char* from_name, const char* text, int msgcount) {
-  _msgcount = msgcount;
-
+void UITask::onMessageRecv(uint8_t path_len, const char* from_name, const char* text) {
   if (_display != NULL) {
     if (!_display->isOn() && !hasConnection()) {
       _display->turnOn();
@@ -522,6 +520,30 @@ void UITask::newMsg(uint8_t path_len, const char* from_name, const char* text, i
     _next_refresh = 100;  // trigger refresh
     }
   }
+  if (!hasConnection()) {
+    notify(UIEventType::contactMessage);
+  }
+}
+
+void UITask::onChannelMsgRecv(ChannelDetails& channel_details, uint8_t path_len, const char* text) {
+  if (_display != NULL) {
+    if (!_display->isOn() && !hasConnection()) {
+      _display->turnOn();
+    }
+    if (_display->isOn()) {
+    _auto_off = millis() + AUTO_OFF_MILLIS;  // extend the auto-off timer
+    _next_refresh = 100;  // trigger refresh
+    }
+  }
+  if (!hasConnection()) {
+    notify(UIEventType::channelMessage);
+  }
+}
+
+void UITask::onDiscoveredContact(ContactInfo &contact, bool is_new, uint8_t path_len, const uint8_t* path) {
+  if (!hasConnection()) {
+    notify(UIEventType::newContactMessage);
+  }
 }
 
 void UITask::userLedHandler() {
diff --git a/examples/companion_radio/ui-tiny/UITask.h b/examples/companion_radio/ui-tiny/UITask.h
index dc689478e..925e8d719 100644
--- a/examples/companion_radio/ui-tiny/UITask.h
+++ b/examples/companion_radio/ui-tiny/UITask.h
@@ -98,10 +98,13 @@ public:
   bool getGPSState();
   void toggleGPS();
 
+  // MyMesh::Listener
+  void onMessageRecv(uint8_t path_len, const char* from_name, const char* text) override;
+  void onChannelMsgRecv(ChannelDetails& channel_details, uint8_t path_len, const char* text) override;
+  void onQueueSizeChanged(int offline_queue_size) override;
+  void onDiscoveredContact(ContactInfo &contact, bool is_new, uint8_t path_len, const uint8_t* path) override;
 
   // from AbstractUITask
-  void msgRead(int msgcount) override;
-  void newMsg(uint8_t path_len, const char* from_name, const char* text, int msgcount) override;
   void notify(UIEventType t = UIEventType::none) override;
   void loop() override;