diff --git a/bots/api/TYPES.md b/bots/api/TYPES.md
index 74e761107f..449d6a9294 100644
--- a/bots/api/TYPES.md
+++ b/bots/api/TYPES.md
@@ -3111,6 +3111,7 @@ A_QUEUE:
 - "invitation"
 - "group"
 - "channel"
+- "relay"
 
 
 ---
diff --git a/cabal.project b/cabal.project
index 6ef2de59c8..35fc11b3f3 100644
--- a/cabal.project
+++ b/cabal.project
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ constraints: zip +disable-bzip2 +disable-zstd
 source-repository-package
     type: git
     location: https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplexmq.git
-    tag: 2cedb66667fe4c6b0fed1a7a6f57cbb160695be1
+    tag: 46035af9a3f1dac73ec6fd9f304538b39e010955
 
 source-repository-package
     type: git
diff --git a/scripts/nix/sha256map.nix b/scripts/nix/sha256map.nix
index 35f3687df1..746c8b255a 100644
--- a/scripts/nix/sha256map.nix
+++ b/scripts/nix/sha256map.nix
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 {
-  "https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplexmq.git"."2cedb66667fe4c6b0fed1a7a6f57cbb160695be1" = "0w326lpbn6aaibqms545j0yn6sb9myr0yjc3f5hmykpjdfryw0g3";
+  "https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplexmq.git"."46035af9a3f1dac73ec6fd9f304538b39e010955" = "031fg3l3vf9bsa2q08jrkx2bx14gcs2dnbdpx6d9bkxql0vkgq3h";
   "https://github.com/simplex-chat/hs-socks.git"."a30cc7a79a08d8108316094f8f2f82a0c5e1ac51" = "0yasvnr7g91k76mjkamvzab2kvlb1g5pspjyjn2fr6v83swjhj38";
   "https://github.com/simplex-chat/direct-sqlcipher.git"."f814ee68b16a9447fbb467ccc8f29bdd3546bfd9" = "1ql13f4kfwkbaq7nygkxgw84213i0zm7c1a8hwvramayxl38dq5d";
   "https://github.com/simplex-chat/sqlcipher-simple.git"."a46bd361a19376c5211f1058908fc0ae6bf42446" = "1z0r78d8f0812kxbgsm735qf6xx8lvaz27k1a0b4a2m0sshpd5gl";
diff --git a/src/Simplex/Chat/Library/Subscriber.hs b/src/Simplex/Chat/Library/Subscriber.hs
index 3312e928de..e911dc8d03 100644
--- a/src/Simplex/Chat/Library/Subscriber.hs
+++ b/src/Simplex/Chat/Library/Subscriber.hs
@@ -351,6 +351,8 @@ processAgentMsgRcvFile _corrId aFileId msg = do
               agentXFTPDeleteRcvFile aFileId fileId
               toView $ CEvtRcvFileError user aci_ e ft
 
+type ShouldDeleteGroupConns = Bool
+
 processAgentMessageConn :: VersionRangeChat -> User -> ACorrId -> ConnId -> AEvent 'AEConn -> CM ()
 processAgentMessageConn vr user@User {userId} corrId agentConnId agentMessage = do
   -- Missing connection/entity errors here will be sent to the view but not shown as CRITICAL alert,
@@ -478,7 +480,8 @@ processAgentMessageConn vr user@User {userId} corrId agentConnId agentMessage =
                 atomically $ modifyTVar' tags ("error" :)
                 logInfo $ "contact msg=error " <> eInfo <> " " <> tshow e
                 eToView (ChatError . CEException $ "error parsing chat message: " <> e)
-            checkSendRcpt ct' $ rights aChatMsgs -- not crucial to use ct'' from processEvent
+            withRcpt <- checkSendRcpt ct' $ rights aChatMsgs -- not crucial to use ct'' from processEvent
+            pure (withRcpt, False)
           where
             aChatMsgs = parseChatMessages msgBody
             processEvent :: Contact -> Connection -> TVar [Text] -> Text -> MsgEncodingI e => ChatMessage e -> CM ()
@@ -895,12 +898,14 @@ processAgentMessageConn vr user@User {userId} corrId agentConnId agentMessage =
           -- possible improvement is to choose scope based on event (some events specify scope)
           (gInfo', m', scopeInfo) <- mkGroupChatScope gInfo m
           checkIntegrityCreateItem (CDGroupRcv gInfo' scopeInfo m') msgMeta `catchChatError` \_ -> pure ()
-          fwdScopesMsgs <- foldM (processAChatMsg gInfo' m' tags eInfo) M.empty aChatMsgs
-          let GroupMember {memberRole = membershipMemRole} = membership
-          when (membershipMemRole >= GRAdmin && not (blockedByAdmin m)) $
-            forM_ (M.assocs fwdScopesMsgs) $ \(groupForwardScope, fwdMsgs) ->
-              forwardMsgs groupForwardScope (L.reverse fwdMsgs) `catchChatError` eToView
-          checkSendRcpt $ rights aChatMsgs
+          (fwdScopesMsgs, shouldDelConns) <- foldM (processAChatMsg gInfo' m' tags eInfo) (M.empty, False) aChatMsgs
+          when (isUserGrpFwdRelay gInfo') $ do
+            unless (blockedByAdmin m) $
+              forM_ (M.assocs fwdScopesMsgs) $ \(groupForwardScope, fwdMsgs) ->
+                forwardMsgs groupForwardScope (L.reverse fwdMsgs) `catchChatError` eToView
+            when shouldDelConns $ deleteGroupConnections gInfo' True
+          withRcpt <- checkSendRcpt $ rights aChatMsgs
+          pure (withRcpt, shouldDelConns)
         where
           aChatMsgs = parseChatMessages msgBody
           brokerTs = metaBrokerTs msgMeta
@@ -909,25 +914,28 @@ processAgentMessageConn vr user@User {userId} corrId agentConnId agentMessage =
             -> GroupMember
             -> TVar [Text]
             -> Text
-            -> Map GroupForwardScope (NonEmpty (ChatMessage 'Json))
+            -> (Map GroupForwardScope (NonEmpty (ChatMessage 'Json)), ShouldDeleteGroupConns)
             -> Either String AChatMessage
-            -> CM (Map GroupForwardScope (NonEmpty (ChatMessage 'Json)))
-          processAChatMsg gInfo' m' tags eInfo fwdScopeMap = \case
+            -> CM (Map GroupForwardScope (NonEmpty (ChatMessage 'Json)), ShouldDeleteGroupConns)
+          processAChatMsg gInfo' m' tags eInfo (fwdScopeMap, shouldDelConns) = \case
             Right (ACMsg SJson chatMsg) -> do
-              cmFwdScope_ <- processEvent gInfo' m' tags eInfo chatMsg `catchChatError` \e -> eToView e $> Nothing
-              case cmFwdScope_ of
-                Nothing -> pure fwdScopeMap
-                Just cmFwdScope ->
-                  pure $ M.alter (Just . maybe [chatMsg] (chatMsg <|)) cmFwdScope fwdScopeMap
+              (cmFwdScope_, cmShouldDelConns) <-
+                processEvent gInfo' m' tags eInfo chatMsg `catchChatError` \e -> eToView e $> (Nothing, False)
+              let fwdScopeMap' =
+                    case cmFwdScope_ of
+                      Nothing -> fwdScopeMap
+                      Just cmFwdScope -> M.alter (Just . maybe [chatMsg] (chatMsg <|)) cmFwdScope fwdScopeMap
+                  shouldDelConns' = shouldDelConns || cmShouldDelConns
+              pure (fwdScopeMap', shouldDelConns')
             Right (ACMsg SBinary chatMsg) -> do
               void (processEvent gInfo' m' tags eInfo chatMsg) `catchChatError` \e -> eToView e
-              pure fwdScopeMap
+              pure (fwdScopeMap, shouldDelConns)
             Left e -> do
               atomically $ modifyTVar' tags ("error" :)
               logInfo $ "group msg=error " <> eInfo <> " " <> tshow e
               eToView (ChatError . CEException $ "error parsing chat message: " <> e)
-              pure fwdScopeMap
-          processEvent :: GroupInfo -> GroupMember -> TVar [Text] -> Text -> MsgEncodingI e => ChatMessage e -> CM (Maybe GroupForwardScope)
+              pure (fwdScopeMap, shouldDelConns)
+          processEvent :: forall e. MsgEncodingI e => GroupInfo -> GroupMember -> TVar [Text] -> Text -> ChatMessage e -> CM (Maybe GroupForwardScope, ShouldDeleteGroupConns)
           processEvent gInfo' m' tags eInfo chatMsg@ChatMessage {chatMsgEvent} = do
             let tag = toCMEventTag chatMsgEvent
             atomically $ modifyTVar' tags (tshow tag :)
@@ -936,42 +944,42 @@ processAgentMessageConn vr user@User {userId} corrId agentConnId agentMessage =
             (m'', conn', msg@RcvMessage {chatMsgEvent = ACME _ event}) <- saveGroupRcvMsg user groupId m' conn msgMeta body chatMsg
             -- ! see isForwardedGroupMsg: processing functions should return GroupForwardScope for same events
             case event of
-              XMsgNew mc -> memberCanSend m'' scope $ newGroupContentMessage gInfo' m'' mc msg brokerTs False
+              XMsgNew mc -> memberCanSend m'' scope $ (,False) <$> newGroupContentMessage gInfo' m'' mc msg brokerTs False
                 where ExtMsgContent {scope} = mcExtMsgContent mc
               -- file description is always allowed, to allow sending files to support scope
-              XMsgFileDescr sharedMsgId fileDescr -> groupMessageFileDescription gInfo' m'' sharedMsgId fileDescr
-              XMsgUpdate sharedMsgId mContent mentions ttl live msgScope -> memberCanSend m'' msgScope $ groupMessageUpdate gInfo' m'' sharedMsgId mContent mentions msgScope msg brokerTs ttl live
-              XMsgDel sharedMsgId memberId scope_ -> groupMessageDelete gInfo' m'' sharedMsgId memberId scope_ msg brokerTs
-              XMsgReact sharedMsgId (Just memberId) scope_ reaction add -> groupMsgReaction gInfo' m'' sharedMsgId memberId scope_ reaction add msg brokerTs
+              XMsgFileDescr sharedMsgId fileDescr -> (,False) <$> groupMessageFileDescription gInfo' m'' sharedMsgId fileDescr
+              XMsgUpdate sharedMsgId mContent mentions ttl live msgScope -> memberCanSend m'' msgScope $ (,False) <$> groupMessageUpdate gInfo' m'' sharedMsgId mContent mentions msgScope msg brokerTs ttl live
+              XMsgDel sharedMsgId memberId scope_ -> (,False) <$> groupMessageDelete gInfo' m'' sharedMsgId memberId scope_ msg brokerTs
+              XMsgReact sharedMsgId (Just memberId) scope_ reaction add -> (,False) <$> groupMsgReaction gInfo' m'' sharedMsgId memberId scope_ reaction add msg brokerTs
               -- TODO discontinue XFile
-              XFile fInv -> Nothing <$ processGroupFileInvitation' gInfo' m'' fInv msg brokerTs
-              XFileCancel sharedMsgId -> xFileCancelGroup gInfo' m'' sharedMsgId
-              XFileAcptInv sharedMsgId fileConnReq_ fName -> Nothing <$ xFileAcptInvGroup gInfo' m'' sharedMsgId fileConnReq_ fName
-              XInfo p -> xInfoMember gInfo' m'' p brokerTs
-              XGrpLinkMem p -> Nothing <$ xGrpLinkMem gInfo' m'' conn' p
-              XGrpLinkAcpt acceptance role memberId -> Nothing <$ xGrpLinkAcpt gInfo' m'' acceptance role memberId msg brokerTs
-              XGrpMemNew memInfo msgScope -> xGrpMemNew gInfo' m'' memInfo msgScope msg brokerTs
-              XGrpMemIntro memInfo memRestrictions_ -> Nothing <$ xGrpMemIntro gInfo' m'' memInfo memRestrictions_
-              XGrpMemInv memId introInv -> Nothing <$ xGrpMemInv gInfo' m'' memId introInv
-              XGrpMemFwd memInfo introInv -> Nothing <$ xGrpMemFwd gInfo' m'' memInfo introInv
-              XGrpMemRole memId memRole -> xGrpMemRole gInfo' m'' memId memRole msg brokerTs
-              XGrpMemRestrict memId memRestrictions -> xGrpMemRestrict gInfo' m'' memId memRestrictions msg brokerTs
-              XGrpMemCon memId -> Nothing <$ xGrpMemCon gInfo' m'' memId
-              -- TODO there should be a special logic when deleting host member (e.g., host forwards it before deleting connections)
-              XGrpMemDel memId withMessages -> xGrpMemDel gInfo' m'' memId withMessages msg brokerTs
-              XGrpLeave -> xGrpLeave gInfo' m'' msg brokerTs
-              -- TODO there should be a special logic - host should forward before deleting connections
-              XGrpDel -> Just <$> xGrpDel gInfo' m'' msg brokerTs
-              XGrpInfo p' -> xGrpInfo gInfo' m'' p' msg brokerTs
-              XGrpPrefs ps' -> xGrpPrefs gInfo' m'' ps'
+              XFile fInv -> (Nothing, False) <$ processGroupFileInvitation' gInfo' m'' fInv msg brokerTs
+              XFileCancel sharedMsgId -> (,False) <$> xFileCancelGroup gInfo' m'' sharedMsgId
+              XFileAcptInv sharedMsgId fileConnReq_ fName -> (Nothing, False) <$ xFileAcptInvGroup gInfo' m'' sharedMsgId fileConnReq_ fName
+              XInfo p -> (,False) <$> xInfoMember gInfo' m'' p brokerTs
+              XGrpLinkMem p -> (Nothing, False) <$ xGrpLinkMem gInfo' m'' conn' p
+              XGrpLinkAcpt acceptance role memberId -> (Nothing, False) <$ xGrpLinkAcpt gInfo' m'' acceptance role memberId msg brokerTs
+              XGrpMemNew memInfo msgScope -> (,False) <$> xGrpMemNew gInfo' m'' memInfo msgScope msg brokerTs
+              XGrpMemIntro memInfo memRestrictions_ -> (Nothing, False) <$ xGrpMemIntro gInfo' m'' memInfo memRestrictions_
+              XGrpMemInv memId introInv -> (Nothing, False) <$ xGrpMemInv gInfo' m'' memId introInv
+              XGrpMemFwd memInfo introInv -> (Nothing, False) <$ xGrpMemFwd gInfo' m'' memInfo introInv
+              XGrpMemRole memId memRole -> (,False) <$> xGrpMemRole gInfo' m'' memId memRole msg brokerTs
+              XGrpMemRestrict memId memRestrictions -> (,False) <$> xGrpMemRestrict gInfo' m'' memId memRestrictions msg brokerTs
+              XGrpMemCon memId -> (Nothing, False) <$ xGrpMemCon gInfo' m'' memId
+              XGrpMemDel memId withMessages -> case encoding @e of
+                SJson -> xGrpMemDel gInfo' m'' memId withMessages chatMsg msg brokerTs False
+                SBinary -> pure (Nothing, False) -- impossible
+              XGrpLeave -> (,False) <$> xGrpLeave gInfo' m'' msg brokerTs
+              XGrpDel -> (Just GFSAll, True) <$ xGrpDel gInfo' m'' msg brokerTs
+              XGrpInfo p' -> (,False) <$> xGrpInfo gInfo' m'' p' msg brokerTs
+              XGrpPrefs ps' -> (,False) <$> xGrpPrefs gInfo' m'' ps'
               -- TODO [knocking] why don't we forward these messages?
-              XGrpDirectInv connReq mContent_ msgScope -> memberCanSend m'' msgScope $ Nothing <$ xGrpDirectInv gInfo' m'' conn' connReq mContent_ msg brokerTs
-              XGrpMsgForward memberId msg' msgTs -> Nothing <$ xGrpMsgForward gInfo' m'' memberId msg' msgTs
-              XInfoProbe probe -> Nothing <$ xInfoProbe (COMGroupMember m'') probe
-              XInfoProbeCheck probeHash -> Nothing <$ xInfoProbeCheck (COMGroupMember m'') probeHash
-              XInfoProbeOk probe -> Nothing <$ xInfoProbeOk (COMGroupMember m'') probe
-              BFileChunk sharedMsgId chunk -> Nothing <$ bFileChunkGroup gInfo' sharedMsgId chunk msgMeta
-              _ -> Nothing <$ messageError ("unsupported message: " <> tshow event)
+              XGrpDirectInv connReq mContent_ msgScope -> memberCanSend m'' msgScope $ (Nothing, False) <$ xGrpDirectInv gInfo' m'' conn' connReq mContent_ msg brokerTs
+              XGrpMsgForward memberId msg' msgTs -> (Nothing, False) <$ xGrpMsgForward gInfo' m'' memberId msg' msgTs
+              XInfoProbe probe -> (Nothing, False) <$ xInfoProbe (COMGroupMember m'') probe
+              XInfoProbeCheck probeHash -> (Nothing, False) <$ xInfoProbeCheck (COMGroupMember m'') probeHash
+              XInfoProbeOk probe -> (Nothing, False) <$ xInfoProbeOk (COMGroupMember m'') probe
+              BFileChunk sharedMsgId chunk -> (Nothing, False) <$ bFileChunkGroup gInfo' sharedMsgId chunk msgMeta
+              _ -> (Nothing, False) <$ messageError ("unsupported message: " <> tshow event)
           checkSendRcpt :: [AChatMessage] -> CM Bool
           checkSendRcpt aMsgs = do
             currentMemCount <- withStore' $ \db -> getGroupCurrentMembersCount db user gInfo
@@ -1472,12 +1480,16 @@ processAgentMessageConn vr user@User {userId} corrId agentConnId agentMessage =
                       mem <- acceptGroupJoinSendRejectAsync user uclId gInfo invId chatVRange p xContactId_ rjctReason
                       toViewTE $ TERejectingGroupJoinRequestMember user gInfo mem rjctReason
 
-    memberCanSend :: GroupMember -> Maybe MsgScope -> CM (Maybe GroupForwardScope) -> CM (Maybe GroupForwardScope)
+    memberCanSend ::
+      GroupMember ->
+      Maybe MsgScope ->
+      CM (Maybe GroupForwardScope, ShouldDeleteGroupConns) ->
+      CM (Maybe GroupForwardScope, ShouldDeleteGroupConns)
     memberCanSend m@GroupMember {memberRole} msgScope a = case msgScope of
       Just MSMember {} -> a
       Nothing
         | memberRole > GRObserver || memberPending m -> a
-        | otherwise -> messageError "member is not allowed to send messages" $> Nothing
+        | otherwise -> messageError "member is not allowed to send messages" $> (Nothing, False)
 
     processConnMERR :: ConnectionEntity -> Connection -> AgentErrorType -> CM ()
     processConnMERR connEntity conn err = do
@@ -1534,9 +1546,9 @@ processAgentMessageConn vr user@User {userId} corrId agentConnId agentMessage =
 
     withAckMessage' :: Text -> ConnId -> MsgMeta -> CM () -> CM ()
     withAckMessage' label cId msgMeta action = do
-      withAckMessage label cId msgMeta False Nothing $ \_ -> action $> False
+      withAckMessage label cId msgMeta False Nothing $ \_ -> action $> (False, False)
 
-    withAckMessage :: Text -> ConnId -> MsgMeta -> Bool -> Maybe (TVar [Text]) -> (Text -> CM Bool) -> CM ()
+    withAckMessage :: Text -> ConnId -> MsgMeta -> Bool -> Maybe (TVar [Text]) -> (Text -> CM (Bool, ShouldDeleteGroupConns)) -> CM ()
     withAckMessage label cId msgMeta showCritical tags action = do
       -- [async agent commands] command should be asynchronous
       -- TODO catching error and sending ACK after an error, particularly if it is a database error, will result in the message not processed (and no notification to the user).
@@ -1547,8 +1559,8 @@ processAgentMessageConn vr user@User {userId} corrId agentConnId agentMessage =
       eInfo <- eventInfo
       logInfo $ label <> ": " <> eInfo
       tryChatError (action eInfo) >>= \case
-        Right withRcpt ->
-          withLog (eInfo <> " ok") $ ackMsg msgMeta $ if withRcpt then Just "" else Nothing
+        Right (withRcpt, shouldDelConns) ->
+          unless shouldDelConns $ withLog (eInfo <> " ok") $ ackMsg msgMeta $ if withRcpt then Just "" else Nothing
         -- If showCritical is True, then these errors don't result in ACK and show user visible alert
         -- This prevents losing the message that failed to be processed.
         Left (ChatErrorStore SEDBBusyError {message}) | showCritical -> throwError $ ChatErrorAgent (CRITICAL True message) Nothing
@@ -2962,46 +2974,67 @@ processAgentMessageConn vr user@User {userId} corrId agentConnId agentMessage =
           _ -> updateStatus introId GMIntroReConnected
         updateStatus introId status = withStore' $ \db -> updateIntroStatus db introId status
 
-    xGrpMemDel :: GroupInfo -> GroupMember -> MemberId -> Bool -> RcvMessage -> UTCTime -> CM (Maybe GroupForwardScope)
-    xGrpMemDel gInfo@GroupInfo {membership} m@GroupMember {memberRole = senderRole} memId withMessages msg brokerTs = do
+    xGrpMemDel :: GroupInfo -> GroupMember -> MemberId -> Bool -> ChatMessage 'Json -> RcvMessage -> UTCTime -> Bool -> CM (Maybe GroupForwardScope, ShouldDeleteGroupConns)
+    xGrpMemDel gInfo@GroupInfo {membership} m@GroupMember {memberRole = senderRole} memId withMessages chatMsg msg brokerTs forwarded = do
       let GroupMember {memberId = membershipMemId} = membership
       if membershipMemId == memId
         then checkRole membership $ do
           deleteGroupLinkIfExists user gInfo
-          -- member records are not deleted to keep history
-          members <- withStore' $ \db -> getGroupMembers db vr user gInfo
-          deleteMembersConnections user members
+          unless (isUserGrpFwdRelay gInfo) $ deleteGroupConnections gInfo False
           withStore' $ \db -> updateGroupMemberStatus db userId membership GSMemRemoved
-          when withMessages $ deleteMessages membership SMDSnd
+          let membership' = membership {memberStatus = GSMemRemoved}
+          when withMessages $ deleteMessages gInfo membership' SMDSnd
           deleteMemberItem RGEUserDeleted
-          toView $ CEvtDeletedMemberUser user gInfo {membership = membership {memberStatus = GSMemRemoved}} m withMessages
-          pure Nothing -- TODO there should be a special logic when deleting host member (e.g., host forwards it before deleting connections)
+          toView $ CEvtDeletedMemberUser user gInfo {membership = membership'} m withMessages
+          pure (Just GFSAll, True)
         else
           withStore' (\db -> runExceptT $ getGroupMemberByMemberId db vr user gInfo memId) >>= \case
-            Left _ -> messageError "x.grp.mem.del with unknown member ID" $> Just GFSAll
-            Right member@GroupMember {groupMemberId, memberProfile} ->
-              checkRole member $ do
+            Left _ -> messageError "x.grp.mem.del with unknown member ID" $> (Just GFSAll, False)
+            Right deletedMember@GroupMember {groupMemberId, memberProfile} ->
+              checkRole deletedMember $ do
                 -- ? prohibit deleting member if it's the sender - sender should use x.grp.leave
-                deleteMemberConnection member
+                if isUserGrpFwdRelay gInfo && not forwarded
+                  then do
+                    -- Special case: forward before deleting connection.
+                    -- It allows us to avoid adding logic in forwardMsgs to circumvent member filtering.
+                    forwardToMember deletedMember
+                    deleteMemberConnection' deletedMember True
+                  else deleteMemberConnection deletedMember
                 -- undeleted "member connected" chat item will prevent deletion of member record
-                gInfo' <- deleteOrUpdateMemberRecord user gInfo member
-                when withMessages $ deleteMessages member SMDRcv
+                gInfo' <- deleteOrUpdateMemberRecord user gInfo deletedMember
+                let deletedMember' = deletedMember {memberStatus = GSMemRemoved}
+                when withMessages $ deleteMessages gInfo' deletedMember' SMDRcv
                 deleteMemberItem $ RGEMemberDeleted groupMemberId (fromLocalProfile memberProfile)
-                toView $ CEvtDeletedMember user gInfo' m member {memberStatus = GSMemRemoved} withMessages
-                pure $ memberEventForwardScope member
+                toView $ CEvtDeletedMember user gInfo' m deletedMember' withMessages
+                pure (memberEventForwardScope deletedMember, False)
       where
         checkRole GroupMember {memberRole} a
           | senderRole < GRAdmin || senderRole < memberRole =
-              messageError "x.grp.mem.del with insufficient member permissions" $> Nothing
+              messageError "x.grp.mem.del with insufficient member permissions" $> (Nothing, False)
           | otherwise = a
         deleteMemberItem gEvent = do
           (gInfo', m', scopeInfo) <- mkGroupChatScope gInfo m
           (ci, cInfo) <- saveRcvChatItemNoParse user (CDGroupRcv gInfo' scopeInfo m') msg brokerTs (CIRcvGroupEvent gEvent)
           groupMsgToView cInfo ci
-        deleteMessages :: MsgDirectionI d => GroupMember -> SMsgDirection d -> CM ()
-        deleteMessages delMem msgDir
-          | groupFeatureMemberAllowed SGFFullDelete m gInfo = deleteGroupMemberCIs user gInfo delMem m msgDir
-          | otherwise = markGroupMemberCIsDeleted user gInfo delMem m
+        deleteMessages :: MsgDirectionI d => GroupInfo -> GroupMember -> SMsgDirection d -> CM ()
+        deleteMessages gInfo' delMem msgDir
+          | groupFeatureMemberAllowed SGFFullDelete m gInfo' = deleteGroupMemberCIs user gInfo' delMem m msgDir
+          | otherwise = markGroupMemberCIsDeleted user gInfo' delMem m
+        forwardToMember :: GroupMember -> CM ()
+        forwardToMember member = do
+          let GroupMember {memberId} = m
+              event = XGrpMsgForward memberId chatMsg brokerTs
+          sendGroupMemberMessage gInfo member event Nothing (pure ())
+
+    isUserGrpFwdRelay :: GroupInfo -> Bool
+    isUserGrpFwdRelay GroupInfo {membership = GroupMember {memberRole}} =
+      memberRole >= GRAdmin
+
+    deleteGroupConnections :: GroupInfo -> Bool -> CM ()
+    deleteGroupConnections gInfo waitDelivery = do
+      -- member records are not deleted to keep history
+      members <- withStore' $ \db -> getGroupMembers db vr user gInfo
+      deleteMembersConnections' user members waitDelivery
 
     xGrpLeave :: GroupInfo -> GroupMember -> RcvMessage -> UTCTime -> CM (Maybe GroupForwardScope)
     xGrpLeave gInfo m msg brokerTs = do
@@ -3018,20 +3051,15 @@ processAgentMessageConn vr user@User {userId} corrId agentConnId agentMessage =
       toView $ CEvtLeftMember user gInfo'' m' {memberStatus = GSMemLeft}
       pure $ memberEventForwardScope m
 
-    xGrpDel :: GroupInfo -> GroupMember -> RcvMessage -> UTCTime -> CM GroupForwardScope
+    xGrpDel :: GroupInfo -> GroupMember -> RcvMessage -> UTCTime -> CM ()
     xGrpDel gInfo@GroupInfo {membership} m@GroupMember {memberRole} msg brokerTs = do
       when (memberRole /= GROwner) $ throwChatError $ CEGroupUserRole gInfo GROwner
-      ms <- withStore' $ \db -> do
-        members <- getGroupMembers db vr user gInfo
-        updateGroupMemberStatus db userId membership GSMemGroupDeleted
-        pure members
-      -- member records are not deleted to keep history
-      deleteMembersConnections user ms
+      withStore' $ \db -> updateGroupMemberStatus db userId membership GSMemGroupDeleted
+      unless (isUserGrpFwdRelay gInfo) $ deleteGroupConnections gInfo False
       (gInfo'', m', scopeInfo) <- mkGroupChatScope gInfo m
       (ci, cInfo) <- saveRcvChatItemNoParse user (CDGroupRcv gInfo'' scopeInfo m') msg brokerTs (CIRcvGroupEvent RGEGroupDeleted)
       groupMsgToView cInfo ci
       toView $ CEvtGroupDeleted user gInfo'' {membership = membership {memberStatus = GSMemGroupDeleted}} m'
-      pure GFSAll
 
     xGrpInfo :: GroupInfo -> GroupMember -> GroupProfile -> RcvMessage -> UTCTime -> CM (Maybe GroupForwardScope)
     xGrpInfo g@GroupInfo {groupProfile = p, businessChat} m@GroupMember {memberRole} p' msg brokerTs
@@ -3170,18 +3198,18 @@ processAgentMessageConn vr user@User {userId} corrId agentConnId agentMessage =
           let body = chatMsgToBody chatMsg
           rcvMsg@RcvMessage {chatMsgEvent = ACME _ event} <- saveGroupFwdRcvMsg user groupId m author body chatMsg
           case event of
-            XMsgNew mc -> void $ memberCanSend author scope $ newGroupContentMessage gInfo author mc rcvMsg msgTs True
+            XMsgNew mc -> void $ memberCanSend author scope $ (,False) <$> newGroupContentMessage gInfo author mc rcvMsg msgTs True
               where ExtMsgContent {scope} = mcExtMsgContent mc
             -- file description is always allowed, to allow sending files to support scope
             XMsgFileDescr sharedMsgId fileDescr -> void $ groupMessageFileDescription gInfo author sharedMsgId fileDescr
-            XMsgUpdate sharedMsgId mContent mentions ttl live msgScope -> void $ memberCanSend author msgScope $ groupMessageUpdate gInfo author sharedMsgId mContent mentions msgScope rcvMsg msgTs ttl live
+            XMsgUpdate sharedMsgId mContent mentions ttl live msgScope -> void $ memberCanSend author msgScope $ (,False) <$> groupMessageUpdate gInfo author sharedMsgId mContent mentions msgScope rcvMsg msgTs ttl live
             XMsgDel sharedMsgId memId scope_ -> void $ groupMessageDelete gInfo author sharedMsgId memId scope_ rcvMsg msgTs
             XMsgReact sharedMsgId (Just memId) scope_ reaction add -> void $ groupMsgReaction gInfo author sharedMsgId memId scope_ reaction add rcvMsg msgTs
             XFileCancel sharedMsgId -> void $ xFileCancelGroup gInfo author sharedMsgId
             XInfo p -> void $ xInfoMember gInfo author p msgTs
             XGrpMemNew memInfo msgScope -> void $ xGrpMemNew gInfo author memInfo msgScope rcvMsg msgTs
             XGrpMemRole memId memRole -> void $ xGrpMemRole gInfo author memId memRole rcvMsg msgTs
-            XGrpMemDel memId withMessages -> void $ xGrpMemDel gInfo author memId withMessages rcvMsg msgTs
+            XGrpMemDel memId withMessages -> void $ xGrpMemDel gInfo author memId withMessages chatMsg rcvMsg msgTs True
             XGrpLeave -> void $ xGrpLeave gInfo author rcvMsg msgTs
             XGrpDel -> void $ xGrpDel gInfo author rcvMsg msgTs
             XGrpInfo p' -> void $ xGrpInfo gInfo author p' rcvMsg msgTs
diff --git a/src/Simplex/Chat/Protocol.hs b/src/Simplex/Chat/Protocol.hs
index 830a4e27b0..165d376814 100644
--- a/src/Simplex/Chat/Protocol.hs
+++ b/src/Simplex/Chat/Protocol.hs
@@ -385,9 +385,9 @@ isForwardedGroupMsg ev = case ev of
   XGrpMemNew {} -> True
   XGrpMemRole {} -> True
   XGrpMemRestrict {} -> True
-  XGrpMemDel {} -> True -- TODO there should be a special logic when deleting host member (e.g., host forwards it before deleting connections)
+  XGrpMemDel {} -> True
   XGrpLeave -> True
-  XGrpDel -> True -- TODO there should be a special logic - host should forward before deleting connections
+  XGrpDel -> True
   XGrpInfo _ -> True
   XGrpPrefs _ -> True
   _ -> False
diff --git a/tests/ChatTests/Groups.hs b/tests/ChatTests/Groups.hs
index ab438b2e58..58415e3826 100644
--- a/tests/ChatTests/Groups.hs
+++ b/tests/ChatTests/Groups.hs
@@ -160,6 +160,9 @@ chatGroupTests = do
     it "forward role change (x.grp.mem.role)" testGroupMsgForwardChangeRole
     it "forward new member announcement (x.grp.mem.new)" testGroupMsgForwardNewMember
     it "forward member leaving (x.grp.leave)" testGroupMsgForwardLeave
+    it "forward member removal (x.grp.mem.del)" testGroupMsgForwardMemberRemoval
+    it "forward admin removal (x.grp.mem.del, relay forwards it was removed)" testGroupMsgForwardAdminRemoval
+    it "forward group deletion (x.grp.del)" testGroupMsgForwardGroupDeletion
   describe "group history" $ do
     it "text messages" testGroupHistory
     it "history is sent when joining via group link" testGroupHistoryGroupLink
@@ -5055,6 +5058,108 @@ testGroupMsgForwardLeave =
       alice <## "#team: bob left the group"
       cath <## "#team: bob left the group"
 
+testGroupMsgForwardMemberRemoval :: HasCallStack => TestParams -> IO ()
+testGroupMsgForwardMemberRemoval =
+  testChat3 aliceProfile bobProfile cathProfile $
+    \alice bob cath -> do
+      createGroup3' "team" alice (bob, GRAdmin) (cath, GRMember)
+      setupGroupForwarding alice bob cath
+
+      -- remove member
+      bob ##> "/rm team cath"
+      concurrentlyN_
+        [ bob <## "#team: you removed cath from the group",
+          alice <## "#team: bob removed cath from the group",
+          do
+            cath <## "#team: bob removed you from the group"
+            cath <## "use /d #team to delete the group"
+        ]
+      bob #> "#team hi"
+      concurrently_
+        (alice <# "#team bob> hi")
+        (cath </)
+      alice #> "#team hello"
+      concurrently_
+        (bob <# "#team alice> hello")
+        (cath </)
+      cath ##> "#team hello"
+      cath <## "bad chat command: not current member"
+
+testGroupMsgForwardAdminRemoval :: HasCallStack => TestParams -> IO ()
+testGroupMsgForwardAdminRemoval =
+  testChat3 aliceProfile bobProfile cathProfile $
+    \alice bob cath -> do
+      createGroup3' "team" alice (bob, GROwner) (cath, GRMember)
+      setupGroupForwarding alice bob cath
+
+      -- alice forwards messages between bob and cath
+      bob #> "#team hi there"
+      alice <# "#team bob> hi there"
+      cath <# "#team bob> hi there [>>]"
+
+      cath #> "#team hey"
+      alice <# "#team cath> hey"
+      bob <# "#team cath> hey [>>]"
+
+      -- if alice is removed, she forwards message of her own removal
+      bob ##> "/rm team alice"
+      concurrentlyN_
+        [ bob <## "#team: you removed alice from the group",
+          do
+            alice <## "#team: bob removed you from the group"
+            alice <## "use /d #team to delete the group",
+          cath <## "#team: bob removed alice from the group"
+        ]
+
+      -- there is no forwarding admin anymore between bob and cath, so messages don't get delivered
+      -- (this is not a desired behavior, just a test demonstration/proof of current implementation)
+      bob #> "#team hi"
+      concurrently_
+        (cath </)
+        (alice </)
+      cath #> "#team hello"
+      concurrently_
+        (bob </)
+        (alice </)
+      alice ##> "#team hello"
+      alice <## "bad chat command: not current member"
+
+testGroupMsgForwardGroupDeletion :: HasCallStack => TestParams -> IO ()
+testGroupMsgForwardGroupDeletion =
+  testChat3 aliceProfile bobProfile cathProfile $
+    \alice bob cath -> do
+      createGroup3' "team" alice (bob, GROwner) (cath, GRMember)
+      setupGroupForwarding alice bob cath
+
+      -- alice forwards messages between bob and cath
+      bob #> "#team hi there"
+      alice <# "#team bob> hi there"
+      cath <# "#team bob> hi there [>>]"
+
+      cath #> "#team hey"
+      alice <# "#team cath> hey"
+      bob <# "#team cath> hey [>>]"
+
+      -- if bob deletes the group, alice forwards it to cath
+      bob ##> "/d #team"
+      concurrentlyN_
+        [ bob <## "#team: you deleted the group",
+          do
+            alice <## "#team: bob deleted the group"
+            alice <## "use /d #team to delete the local copy of the group",
+          do
+            cath <## "#team: bob deleted the group"
+            cath <## "use /d #team to delete the local copy of the group"
+        ]
+
+      alice ##> "/groups"
+      alice <## "#team (group deleted, delete local copy: /d #team)"
+      bob ##> "/groups"
+      bob <## "you have no groups!"
+      bob <## "to create: /g <name>"
+      cath ##> "/groups"
+      cath <## "#team (group deleted, delete local copy: /d #team)"
+
 testGroupHistory :: HasCallStack => TestParams -> IO ()
 testGroupHistory =
   testChat3 aliceProfile bobProfile cathProfile $