diff --git a/mobile/app/h/[hostId]/files/[worktreeId].tsx b/mobile/app/h/[hostId]/files/[worktreeId].tsx
index 1f3d620d0..8180baafb 100644
--- a/mobile/app/h/[hostId]/files/[worktreeId].tsx
+++ b/mobile/app/h/[hostId]/files/[worktreeId].tsx
@@ -11,7 +11,8 @@ import {
 import { SafeAreaView } from 'react-native-safe-area-context'
 import { useLocalSearchParams, useRouter } from 'expo-router'
 import { ChevronDown, ChevronLeft, ChevronRight, File, FileText, Folder } from 'lucide-react-native'
-import { useHostClient } from '../../../../src/transport/client-context'
+import { useHostClient, useForceReconnect } from '../../../../src/transport/client-context'
+import { getWorktreeLabel } from '../../../../src/session/worktree-label'
 import type { RpcSuccess } from '../../../../src/transport/types'
 import { triggerError, triggerSelection } from '../../../../src/platform/haptics'
 import { colors, radii, spacing, typography } from '../../../../src/theme/mobile-theme'
@@ -104,17 +105,6 @@ function isMarkdownPath(relativePath: string): boolean {
   return /\.(md|mdx|markdown)$/i.test(relativePath)
 }
 
-function getWorktreeLabel(name: string | undefined, worktreeId: string): string {
-  if (name?.trim()) {
-    return name.trim()
-  }
-  const pathPart = worktreeId.includes('::')
-    ? worktreeId.slice(worktreeId.indexOf('::') + 2)
-    : worktreeId
-  const normalized = pathPart.replace(/\\/g, '/').replace(/\/+$/, '')
-  return normalized.slice(normalized.lastIndexOf('/') + 1) || 'Worktree'
-}
-
 export default function MobileFileExplorerScreen() {
   const { hostId, worktreeId, name } = useLocalSearchParams<{
     hostId: string
@@ -123,6 +113,7 @@ export default function MobileFileExplorerScreen() {
   }>()
   const router = useRouter()
   const { client, state: connState } = useHostClient(hostId)
+  const forceReconnect = useForceReconnect()
   const [files, setFiles] = useState<MobileFileEntry[]>([])
   const [expanded, setExpanded] = useState<Set<string>>(() => new Set())
   const [loading, setLoading] = useState(true)
@@ -287,7 +278,15 @@ export default function MobileFileExplorerScreen() {
       ) : error ? (
         <View style={styles.state}>
           <Text style={styles.errorText}>{error}</Text>
-          <Pressable style={styles.retryButton} onPress={() => void loadFiles()}>
+          {/* Why: while disconnected, re-sending the request is useless — revive
+              the parked transport instead (issue #5049); loadFiles re-runs via
+              its effect once the new client connects. */}
+          <Pressable
+            style={styles.retryButton}
+            onPress={() =>
+              connState !== 'connected' && hostId ? void forceReconnect(hostId) : void loadFiles()
+            }
+          >
             <Text style={styles.retryText}>Retry</Text>
           </Pressable>
         </View>
diff --git a/mobile/app/h/[hostId]/session/[worktreeId].tsx b/mobile/app/h/[hostId]/session/[worktreeId].tsx
index a9cc8eb70..c5d8fb552 100644
--- a/mobile/app/h/[hostId]/session/[worktreeId].tsx
+++ b/mobile/app/h/[hostId]/session/[worktreeId].tsx
@@ -46,7 +46,13 @@ import {
 } from 'lucide-react-native'
 import type { RpcClient } from '../../../../src/transport/rpc-client'
 import { loadHosts } from '../../../../src/transport/host-store'
-import { useHostClient } from '../../../../src/transport/client-context'
+import {
+  useHostClient,
+  useForceReconnect,
+  useReconnectAttempt,
+  useLastConnectedAt
+} from '../../../../src/transport/client-context'
+import { classifyConnection } from '../../../../src/transport/connection-health'
 import type { ConnectionState, RpcFailure, RpcSuccess } from '../../../../src/transport/types'
 import { useMobileDictation } from '../../../../src/hooks/use-mobile-dictation'
 import {
@@ -924,6 +930,9 @@ export default function SessionScreen() {
   // Why: shared client per host owned by RpcClientProvider. See
   // docs/mobile-shared-client-per-host.md.
   const { client, state: connState } = useHostClient(hostId)
+  const reconnectAttempts = useReconnectAttempt(hostId)
+  const lastConnectedAt = useLastConnectedAt(hostId)
+  const forceReconnectHost = useForceReconnect()
   const initialCreateWarning = typeof createdWarning === 'string' ? createdWarning.trim() : ''
   const [terminals, setTerminals] = useState<Terminal[]>([])
   const terminalsRef = useRef<Terminal[]>([])
@@ -3640,6 +3649,17 @@ export default function SessionScreen() {
     void handleCreateTerminal()
   }, [client, creating, creatingBrowser, creatingMarkdown, showEmptyState, worktreeId])
 
+  // Why: the reconnect loop parks at its give-up cap; without an in-session
+  // affordance the only recovery is leaving the screen or restarting the
+  // app (issue #5049). Surface tap-to-retry once the verdict escalates.
+  const connectionVerdict = classifyConnection({
+    state: connState,
+    reconnectAttempts,
+    lastConnectedAt
+  })
+  const showConnectionRetry =
+    connectionVerdict.kind === 'warning' || connectionVerdict.kind === 'unreachable'
+
   const terminalSummary =
     connState === 'connected'
       ? showLoadingState
@@ -3647,7 +3667,9 @@ export default function SessionScreen() {
         : visibleTabs.length === 1
           ? '1 tab'
           : `${visibleTabs.length} tabs`
-      : STATUS_LABELS[connState]
+      : showConnectionRetry
+        ? `${connectionVerdict.label} — tap to retry`
+        : STATUS_LABELS[connState]
 
   // Why: keep safe-area padding in layout at all times, then visually translate
   // the controls over the terminal when the keyboard appears. iOS keyboard
@@ -3790,12 +3812,22 @@ export default function SessionScreen() {
               <Text style={styles.sessionTitle} numberOfLines={1}>
                 {worktreeName || 'Terminal'}
               </Text>
-              <View style={styles.sessionMetaRow}>
+              <Pressable
+                style={styles.sessionMetaRow}
+                disabled={!showConnectionRetry}
+                onPress={() => {
+                  if (hostId) {
+                    void forceReconnectHost(hostId)
+                  }
+                }}
+                accessibilityRole={showConnectionRetry ? 'button' : undefined}
+                accessibilityLabel={showConnectionRetry ? 'Reconnect to desktop' : undefined}
+              >
                 <StatusDot state={connState} />
                 <Text style={styles.sessionMetaText} numberOfLines={1}>
                   {terminalSummary}
                 </Text>
-              </View>
+              </Pressable>
             </View>
             <Pressable
               style={({ pressed }) => [styles.filesButton, pressed && styles.filesButtonPressed]}
diff --git a/mobile/app/h/[hostId]/source-control/[worktreeId].tsx b/mobile/app/h/[hostId]/source-control/[worktreeId].tsx
index dad4d4cfe..59ea98736 100644
--- a/mobile/app/h/[hostId]/source-control/[worktreeId].tsx
+++ b/mobile/app/h/[hostId]/source-control/[worktreeId].tsx
@@ -30,7 +30,8 @@ import {
   Trash2,
   X
 } from 'lucide-react-native'
-import { useHostClient } from '../../../../src/transport/client-context'
+import { useHostClient, useForceReconnect } from '../../../../src/transport/client-context'
+import { getWorktreeLabel } from '../../../../src/session/worktree-label'
 import type { RpcClient } from '../../../../src/transport/rpc-client'
 import type { RpcSuccess } from '../../../../src/transport/types'
 import {
@@ -200,17 +201,6 @@ async function resolveMobileBranchCompareBaseRef(
   return result.defaultBaseRef?.trim() || null
 }
 
-function getWorktreeLabel(name: string | undefined, worktreeId: string): string {
-  if (name?.trim()) {
-    return name.trim()
-  }
-  const pathPart = worktreeId.includes('::')
-    ? worktreeId.slice(worktreeId.indexOf('::') + 2)
-    : worktreeId
-  const normalized = pathPart.replace(/\\/g, '/').replace(/\/+$/, '')
-  return normalized.slice(normalized.lastIndexOf('/') + 1) || 'Worktree'
-}
-
 function formatBranchLabel(branch: string | undefined, head: string | undefined): string {
   if (branch?.startsWith('refs/heads/')) {
     return branch.slice('refs/heads/'.length)
@@ -249,6 +239,7 @@ export default function MobileSourceControlScreen() {
   const router = useRouter()
   const insets = useSafeAreaInsets()
   const { client, state: connState } = useHostClient(hostId)
+  const forceReconnect = useForceReconnect()
   const [screenState, setScreenState] = useState<ScreenState>({ kind: 'loading' })
   const [branchCompareState, setBranchCompareState] = useState<MobileBranchCompareState>({
     kind: 'idle'
@@ -1431,7 +1422,20 @@ export default function MobileSourceControlScreen() {
           </Text>
           <Text style={styles.stateText}>{screenState.message}</Text>
           {screenState.kind === 'error' ? (
-            <Pressable style={styles.retryButton} onPress={() => void loadStatus()}>
+            <Pressable
+              style={styles.retryButton}
+              onPress={() => {
+                // Why: retrying the request is useless while the transport's
+                // reconnect loop is parked at its give-up cap — revive the
+                // connection instead (issue #5049). loadStatus re-runs via
+                // its connState effect once the new client connects.
+                if (connState !== 'connected' && hostId) {
+                  void forceReconnect(hostId)
+                  return
+                }
+                void loadStatus()
+              }}
+            >
               <Text style={styles.retryText}>Retry</Text>
             </Pressable>
           ) : null}
diff --git a/mobile/issue-5049-unresponsive-session-findings.md b/mobile/issue-5049-unresponsive-session-findings.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6440e1c99
--- /dev/null
+++ b/mobile/issue-5049-unresponsive-session-findings.md
@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+# Issue #5049: Android Remote Session Unresponsiveness — Findings
+
+Date: 2026-06-09
+Issue: https://github.com/stablyai/orca/issues/5049
+
+## Reported symptoms
+
+Android + Tailscale remote session intermittently becomes unresponsive: tab/worktree
+taps do nothing, pasted text doesn't execute, the connection "appears stuck instead
+of clearly disconnected", and closing/reopening the app restores the session.
+
+## Root causes found (mobile-side)
+
+All three independently produce the exact reported symptom — a session that looks
+alive but ignores input, recoverable only by an app restart:
+
+1. **Parked reconnect loop with no recovery path (primary).** `rpc-client.ts`
+   stops retrying permanently after `GIVE_UP_AFTER_ATTEMPTS` (12 attempts ≈ 6.5 min
+   of backoff). Android backgrounding + Doze + a Tailscale tunnel drop routinely
+   burns through all 12 attempts while the user is away. Nothing ever restarted the
+   loop: there was **no AppState listener anywhere in the transport layer**, so
+   returning to the foreground did not nudge the client. The state stays
+   `'reconnecting'` forever ("appears stuck instead of clearly disconnected").
+   Reopening the app creates a fresh client with a fresh attempt budget — which is
+   exactly why "closing and reopening usually restores the session".
+
+2. **Half-open socket detection waits up to ~28s, and never starts earlier on
+   resume.** Android can kill the TCP path while backgrounded without delivering
+   `onclose`; `readyState` still reads OPEN, so every `terminal.send` (e.g. paste)
+   silently blackholes. The activity probe (20s interval + 8s timeout) eventually
+   reaps the link, but the first ~28s after resume look like "pasted text does not
+   run immediately" / "switching is very slow".
+
+3. **Stale client after `forceReconnect` (pre-existing `useHostClient` bug).**
+   `forceReconnect` swaps in a fresh `RpcClient`, but `useHostClient` only re-read
+   the client when its ref was still `null`. Any mounted screen kept driving the
+   old, **closed** client forever: the status header (fed by provider-level state
+   listeners) shows "Connected" while every RPC instantly fails with "Client
+   closed" — a session that looks alive but ignores all input.
+
+   Additionally, the session screen (where users actually live) had no recovery
+   affordance at all: just a status label, while the Retry buttons exist only on
+   the home/host/tasks screens.
+
+## Fixes
+
+- `src/transport/rpc-client.ts` — new `notifyForeground()`:
+  - state `connected` → restart the probe interval and run one probe immediately
+    (half-open link reaped in ≤8s instead of ≤28s);
+  - state `reconnecting` → clear any pending backoff timer, reset the attempt
+    budget, reconnect immediately (un-parks the give-up cap).
+  - (Also extracted the duplicated close/error event serialization into
+    `socket-event-debug.ts` to stay under the file's line cap.)
+- `src/transport/client-context.tsx`:
+  - `RpcClientProvider` now listens to AppState and calls `notifyForeground()` on
+    every live client when the app becomes active.
+  - `useHostClient` re-reads the underlying client on every state change, so
+    screens pick up the fresh client after `forceReconnect` instead of driving a
+    closed one.
+- `app/h/[hostId]/session/[worktreeId].tsx` — the status row in the session header
+  becomes tappable once `classifyConnection` escalates to warning/unreachable,
+  showing "<label> — tap to retry" and invoking `forceReconnect`.
+
+## Repro harnesses
+
+- `src/transport/rpc-client.test.ts` → `foreground recovery` describe block:
+  deterministic fake-timer repro of the parked loop (proves it never self-recovers)
+  plus regression coverage for all `notifyForeground()` paths.
+- `src/transport/rpc-client-live-recovery.test.ts`: opt-in live harness running the
+  REAL rpc-client (real sockets, real tweetnacl E2EE, real timers) against an
+  in-process ws server with a blackhole toggle:
+  - `ORCA_MOBILE_LIVE_REPRO=1 pnpm vitest run src/transport/rpc-client-live-recovery.test.ts`
+    — half-open-link scenario (~15s).
+  - `ORCA_MOBILE_LIVE_REPRO_FULL=1 …` — full parked-loop scenario (~8.5 min): waits
+    out all 12 backoff attempts, proves the loop stays parked even after the server
+    returns, then proves `notifyForeground()` recovers it.
+
+## Not addressed (out of scope, noted for future work)
+
+- The diagnostics in `rpc-client.ts` mention a suspected RN/OkHttp process-state
+  poisoning mode (every open instantly fails with 1006 until force-quit). If that
+  mode is real, a foreground nudge reconnect attempt would also fail; the existing
+  `[net]` logs (wsCount / msSinceLast\*) are designed to confirm or rule it out from
+  device logs.
+
+## Follow-up audit (same PR)
+
+- `connection-revival-triggers.ts` (via `expo-network`) extends the foreground
+  nudge to network restoration and Wi-Fi → cellular handoffs.
+- Files and source-control screens' Retry buttons now revive the transport
+  (`forceReconnect`) when disconnected instead of pointlessly re-sending the
+  request into a parked connection.
diff --git a/mobile/package.json b/mobile/package.json
index 91d0aad77..7472008bf 100644
--- a/mobile/package.json
+++ b/mobile/package.json
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@
     "expo-haptics": "^55.0.14",
     "expo-linking": "^55.0.15",
     "expo-modules-core": "~55.0.25",
+    "expo-network": "~55.0.14",
     "expo-notifications": "^55.0.22",
     "expo-router": "^55.0.14",
     "expo-secure-store": "^55.0.13",
diff --git a/mobile/pnpm-lock.yaml b/mobile/pnpm-lock.yaml
index 6bfe118ca..b3dd18465 100644
--- a/mobile/pnpm-lock.yaml
+++ b/mobile/pnpm-lock.yaml
@@ -47,6 +47,9 @@ importers:
       expo-modules-core:
         specifier: ~55.0.25
         version: 55.0.25(react-native-worklets@0.8.3(@babel/core@7.29.0)(@react-native/metro-config@0.85.2(@babel/core@7.29.0))(react-native@0.83.9(@babel/core@7.29.0)(@react-native/metro-config@0.85.2(@babel/core@7.29.0))(@types/react@19.2.14)(react@19.2.6))(react@19.2.6))(react-native@0.83.9(@babel/core@7.29.0)(@react-native/metro-config@0.85.2(@babel/core@7.29.0))(@types/react@19.2.14)(react@19.2.6))(react@19.2.6)
+      expo-network:
+        specifier: ~55.0.14
+        version: 55.0.14(expo@55.0.23)(react@19.2.6)
       expo-notifications:
         specifier: ^55.0.22
         version: 55.0.22(expo@55.0.23)(react-native@0.83.9(@babel/core@7.29.0)(@react-native/metro-config@0.85.2(@babel/core@7.29.0))(@types/react@19.2.14)(react@19.2.6))(react@19.2.6)(typescript@5.9.3)
@@ -1424,56 +1427,48 @@ packages:
     engines: {node: ^20.19.0 || >=22.12.0}
     cpu: [arm64]
     os: [linux]
-    libc: [glibc]
 
   '@oxfmt/binding-linux-arm64-musl@0.52.0':
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-wZg6bLjDvh2KibyI3QFUYo8GTXneIFsd0JvehtvJiUmQ8WRPERgxd/VM4ctWb86U5FT1FkqgS8/wZKVB+AZScg==}
     engines: {node: ^20.19.0 || >=22.12.0}
     cpu: [arm64]
     os: [linux]
-    libc: [musl]
 
   '@oxfmt/binding-linux-ppc64-gnu@0.52.0':
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-IngE8uxhNvxcMrLjZNDo9xNLY7rEK33AKnaMd2B46he1e/mz2CfcW6If/U1wUjdRZddm1QzQaciqZkuMkdh1FA==}
     engines: {node: ^20.19.0 || >=22.12.0}
     cpu: [ppc64]
     os: [linux]
-    libc: [glibc]
 
   '@oxfmt/binding-linux-riscv64-gnu@0.52.0':
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-H3+DdFMv/efN3Efmhsv18jDrpiWWqKG7wsfAlQBqAt6z/E2Bx+TwEj2Nowe51CPOWB8/mFBC2dAMSgVFLvvowA==}
     engines: {node: ^20.19.0 || >=22.12.0}
     cpu: [riscv64]
     os: [linux]
-    libc: [glibc]
 
   '@oxfmt/binding-linux-riscv64-musl@0.52.0':
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-zji+1kb7lJKohSDjzC1IsS+K/cKRs1hdVf0ZH0VbdbiakmtLvN9twBoXo/k8VdjFax7kfo+DyPxS7vv52br1aw==}
     engines: {node: ^20.19.0 || >=22.12.0}
     cpu: [riscv64]
     os: [linux]
-    libc: [musl]
 
   '@oxfmt/binding-linux-s390x-gnu@0.52.0':
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-hcLBYedpCy7ToUvvBidWk7+11Yhg1oAZ4+6hKPic/mQI6NaqXJSXMps5nFlwUuX2ewhtLZZDPg63TI042qGKBg==}
     engines: {node: ^20.19.0 || >=22.12.0}
     cpu: [s390x]
     os: [linux]
-    libc: [glibc]
 
   '@oxfmt/binding-linux-x64-gnu@0.52.0':
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-IDO2loXK2OtTOhSPchU9MW25mWL2QCDGdJbjN8MXKZVS80qXe5gMTwQWu/gMJ3juoBHbkuUZNB2N1LHzNT7DoA==}
     engines: {node: ^20.19.0 || >=22.12.0}
     cpu: [x64]
     os: [linux]
-    libc: [glibc]
 
   '@oxfmt/binding-linux-x64-musl@0.52.0':
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-mAV2Hjn0SatJ+KoAzKUC3eJhdJ8wv+3m1KyuS0dTsbF0c5weq+QrCt/DRZZM+uj/XiKzCDEUKYsBF30e2qkcyw==}
     engines: {node: ^20.19.0 || >=22.12.0}
     cpu: [x64]
     os: [linux]
-    libc: [musl]
 
   '@oxfmt/binding-openharmony-arm64@0.52.0':
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-vd4npaUIwChxp7XzkqmepBWTT9YMcSe/NBApVGPC30/lLyOVaV3dvma1SKo03t8O73BPRAG7EyJzGlN5cJM5hQ==}
@@ -1546,56 +1541,48 @@ packages:
     engines: {node: ^20.19.0 || >=22.12.0}
     cpu: [arm64]
     os: [linux]
-    libc: [glibc]
 
   '@oxlint/binding-linux-arm64-musl@1.67.0':
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-zB/Tf6sUjmmvvbva9Gj3JTJ8rJ9t4I8/U0o6vSRtd0DRIsIuyegBwJAzhSUFQHdMijIRJkW0exs/yBhpw2S20w==}
     engines: {node: ^20.19.0 || >=22.12.0}
     cpu: [arm64]
     os: [linux]
-    libc: [musl]
 
   '@oxlint/binding-linux-ppc64-gnu@1.67.0':
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     engines: {node: ^20.19.0 || >=22.12.0}
     cpu: [ppc64]
     os: [linux]
-    libc: [glibc]
 
   '@oxlint/binding-linux-riscv64-gnu@1.67.0':
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     engines: {node: ^20.19.0 || >=22.12.0}
     cpu: [riscv64]
     os: [linux]
-    libc: [glibc]
 
   '@oxlint/binding-linux-riscv64-musl@1.67.0':
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-sEtywrPb+0b+tHYl1SDCrw903fiC4eyKoNqzP3v+f2JT3Xcv4NEYG+P8rj+eEnX7IWhqV/xj8/JmcmVj21CXaA==}
     engines: {node: ^20.19.0 || >=22.12.0}
     cpu: [riscv64]
     os: [linux]
-    libc: [musl]
 
   '@oxlint/binding-linux-s390x-gnu@1.67.0':
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     engines: {node: ^20.19.0 || >=22.12.0}
     cpu: [s390x]
     os: [linux]
-    libc: [glibc]
 
   '@oxlint/binding-linux-x64-gnu@1.67.0':
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     engines: {node: ^20.19.0 || >=22.12.0}
     cpu: [x64]
     os: [linux]
-    libc: [glibc]
 
   '@oxlint/binding-linux-x64-musl@1.67.0':
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     engines: {node: ^20.19.0 || >=22.12.0}
     cpu: [x64]
     os: [linux]
-    libc: [musl]
 
   '@oxlint/binding-openharmony-arm64@1.67.0':
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@@ -3421,6 +3408,12 @@ packages:
       react-native-worklets:
         optional: true
 
+  expo-network@55.0.14:
+    resolution: {integrity: sha512-Sy544zTPjVh+tbOLUOU8fBX87oRSrNQqUZY6TLO0w0WF/QTNb7yxlwRh6v6wfKKRg9xpZypTIIEtdG/s6q8ZQA==}
+    peerDependencies:
+      expo: '*'
+      react: '*'
+
   expo-notifications@55.0.22:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-Rwvsp/lAEXfDYBxkQZpaLF9ZB25cJ/yfHhD/ESclbPesN0nbQBZ/5rGb1xS/saANtkStbEGfDlA80uHh2zEpsA==}
     peerDependencies:
@@ -10030,6 +10023,11 @@ snapshots:
     optionalDependencies:
       react-native-worklets: 0.8.3(@babel/core@7.29.0)(@react-native/metro-config@0.85.2(@babel/core@7.29.0))(react-native@0.83.9(@babel/core@7.29.0)(@react-native/metro-config@0.85.2(@babel/core@7.29.0))(@types/react@19.2.14)(react@19.2.6))(react@19.2.6)
 
+  expo-network@55.0.14(expo@55.0.23)(react@19.2.6):
+    dependencies:
+      expo: 55.0.23(@babel/core@7.29.0)(@expo/dom-webview@55.0.5)(@expo/metro-runtime@55.0.10)(expo-router@55.0.14)(react-dom@19.2.5(react@19.2.6))(react-native-webview@13.16.1(react-native@0.83.9(@babel/core@7.29.0)(@react-native/metro-config@0.85.2(@babel/core@7.29.0))(@types/react@19.2.14)(react@19.2.6))(react@19.2.6))(react-native-worklets@0.8.3(@babel/core@7.29.0)(@react-native/metro-config@0.85.2(@babel/core@7.29.0))(react-native@0.83.9(@babel/core@7.29.0)(@react-native/metro-config@0.85.2(@babel/core@7.29.0))(@types/react@19.2.14)(react@19.2.6))(react@19.2.6))(react-native@0.83.9(@babel/core@7.29.0)(@react-native/metro-config@0.85.2(@babel/core@7.29.0))(@types/react@19.2.14)(react@19.2.6))(react@19.2.6)(typescript@5.9.3)
+      react: 19.2.6
+
   expo-notifications@55.0.22(expo@55.0.23)(react-native@0.83.9(@babel/core@7.29.0)(@react-native/metro-config@0.85.2(@babel/core@7.29.0))(@types/react@19.2.14)(react@19.2.6))(react@19.2.6)(typescript@5.9.3):
     dependencies:
       '@expo/image-utils': 0.8.14(typescript@5.9.3)
diff --git a/mobile/src/session/worktree-label.ts b/mobile/src/session/worktree-label.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c5e67ac5a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/mobile/src/session/worktree-label.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+// Why: worktree ids encode `repo::path`; screens that only receive the id
+// (deep links, route params without a name) still need a human label.
+export function getWorktreeLabel(name: string | undefined, worktreeId: string): string {
+  if (name?.trim()) {
+    return name.trim()
+  }
+  const pathPart = worktreeId.includes('::')
+    ? worktreeId.slice(worktreeId.indexOf('::') + 2)
+    : worktreeId
+  const normalized = pathPart.replace(/\\/g, '/').replace(/\/+$/, '')
+  return normalized.slice(normalized.lastIndexOf('/') + 1) || 'Worktree'
+}
diff --git a/mobile/src/transport/client-context.tsx b/mobile/src/transport/client-context.tsx
index c6ebbcc53..f889cba51 100644
--- a/mobile/src/transport/client-context.tsx
+++ b/mobile/src/transport/client-context.tsx
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import {
   type ReactNode
 } from 'react'
 import { connect, type RpcClient } from './rpc-client'
+import { subscribeConnectionRevivalTriggers } from './connection-revival-triggers'
 import { loadHosts } from './host-store'
 import type { ConnectionState, HostProfile } from './types'
 
@@ -320,6 +321,17 @@ export function RpcClientProvider({ children }: { children: ReactNode }) {
     }
   }, [])
 
+  // Why: nudge every live client when the OS signals the link may be back
+  // (foreground, network restored/switched) so sessions recover without an
+  // app restart (issue #5049).
+  useEffect(() => {
+    return subscribeConnectionRevivalTriggers(() => {
+      for (const entry of storeRef.current.values()) {
+        entry.client.notifyForeground()
+      }
+    })
+  }, [])
+
   const value = useMemo<ContextValue>(
     () => ({
       acquire,
@@ -387,16 +399,13 @@ export function useHostClient(hostId: string | undefined): {
         return
       }
       setState(next)
-      // Why: if the client was null at first acquire (async open), the
-      // first state change ('connecting'/'handshaking'/'connected') is our
-      // signal to re-read.
-      if (clientRef.current == null) {
-        const all = ctx.getAllClients()
-        const found = all.find((entry) => entry.hostId === hostId)
-        if (found) {
-          clientRef.current = found.client
-          force((n) => n + 1)
-        }
+      // Why: the client materialises after an async open, and forceReconnect
+      // swaps in a fresh client object. Re-read on every state change so a
+      // mounted screen never keeps driving a stale (closed) client.
+      const found = ctx.getAllClients().find((entry) => entry.hostId === hostId)
+      if (found && found.client !== clientRef.current) {
+        clientRef.current = found.client
+        force((n) => n + 1)
       }
     })
     const initial = ctx.acquire(hostId)
diff --git a/mobile/src/transport/connection-revival-triggers.test.ts b/mobile/src/transport/connection-revival-triggers.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..30efcd4f9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/mobile/src/transport/connection-revival-triggers.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,94 @@
+import { beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
+import { subscribeConnectionRevivalTriggers } from './connection-revival-triggers'
+
+type AppStateListener = (next: string) => void
+type NetworkSnapshot = { isConnected?: boolean; type?: string }
+type NetworkListener = (state: NetworkSnapshot) => void
+
+let appStateListener: AppStateListener | null = null
+let networkListener: NetworkListener | null = null
+let seededNetworkState: NetworkSnapshot = { isConnected: true, type: 'WIFI' }
+const appStateRemove = vi.fn()
+const networkRemove = vi.fn()
+
+vi.mock('react-native', () => ({
+  AppState: {
+    addEventListener: (_event: string, listener: AppStateListener) => {
+      appStateListener = listener
+      return { remove: appStateRemove }
+    }
+  }
+}))
+
+vi.mock('expo-network', () => ({
+  getNetworkStateAsync: () => Promise.resolve(seededNetworkState),
+  addNetworkStateListener: (listener: NetworkListener) => {
+    networkListener = listener
+    return { remove: networkRemove }
+  }
+}))
+
+// Why: the baseline seed resolves on a microtask; flush it so listener
+// events in the test observe the same ordering as a real subscription.
+async function subscribeAndSeed(nudge: () => void): Promise<() => void> {
+  const unsubscribe = subscribeConnectionRevivalTriggers(nudge)
+  await Promise.resolve()
+  return unsubscribe
+}
+
+describe('subscribeConnectionRevivalTriggers', () => {
+  let nudge: ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>
+
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    vi.clearAllMocks()
+    appStateListener = null
+    networkListener = null
+    seededNetworkState = { isConnected: true, type: 'WIFI' }
+    nudge = vi.fn()
+  })
+
+  it('nudges when the app returns to the foreground, not on background', async () => {
+    await subscribeAndSeed(nudge)
+    appStateListener?.('background')
+    expect(nudge).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    appStateListener?.('active')
+    expect(nudge).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+  })
+
+  it('nudges when the network comes back online', async () => {
+    await subscribeAndSeed(nudge)
+    networkListener?.({ isConnected: false, type: 'NONE' })
+    expect(nudge).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    networkListener?.({ isConnected: true, type: 'WIFI' })
+    expect(nudge).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+  })
+
+  it('nudges when the app started offline and the first event is the recovery', async () => {
+    seededNetworkState = { isConnected: false, type: 'NONE' }
+    await subscribeAndSeed(nudge)
+    networkListener?.({ isConnected: true, type: 'WIFI' })
+    expect(nudge).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+  })
+
+  it('nudges on a Wi-Fi to cellular handoff that never reports offline', async () => {
+    await subscribeAndSeed(nudge)
+    networkListener?.({ isConnected: true, type: 'CELLULAR' })
+    expect(nudge).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+  })
+
+  it('stays quiet when the network state matches the seeded baseline', async () => {
+    await subscribeAndSeed(nudge)
+    networkListener?.({ isConnected: true, type: 'WIFI' })
+    networkListener?.({ isConnected: true, type: 'WIFI' })
+    expect(nudge).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+  })
+
+  it('ignores a stale seed that resolves after unsubscribe', async () => {
+    seededNetworkState = { isConnected: false, type: 'NONE' }
+    const unsubscribe = subscribeConnectionRevivalTriggers(nudge)
+    unsubscribe()
+    await Promise.resolve()
+    expect(appStateRemove).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+    expect(networkRemove).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+  })
+})
diff --git a/mobile/src/transport/connection-revival-triggers.ts b/mobile/src/transport/connection-revival-triggers.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..1391607d4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/mobile/src/transport/connection-revival-triggers.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+import { AppState } from 'react-native'
+import { addNetworkStateListener, getNetworkStateAsync, type NetworkState } from 'expo-network'
+
+// Why: Android/iOS suspend JS timers and silently kill sockets while the app
+// is backgrounded, and network handoffs (Wi-Fi → cellular) kill the TCP path
+// without an onclose. Both leave clients waiting out long backoff timers or
+// parked at the reconnect give-up cap (issue #5049). Surface every "the link
+// probably just came back" OS signal as a single nudge callback.
+export function subscribeConnectionRevivalTriggers(nudge: () => void): () => void {
+  const appStateSub = AppState.addEventListener('change', (next) => {
+    if (next === 'active') {
+      nudge()
+    }
+  })
+  let lastNetwork: Pick<NetworkState, 'isConnected' | 'type'> | null = null
+  let disposed = false
+  // Why: the listener only fires on *changes*; without a seeded baseline the
+  // first change after subscribing (app launched offline, network returns)
+  // would be swallowed by the previous == null guard below.
+  void getNetworkStateAsync()
+    .then((state) => {
+      if (!disposed && lastNetwork == null) {
+        lastNetwork = { isConnected: state.isConnected, type: state.type }
+      }
+    })
+    .catch(() => {})
+  const networkSub = addNetworkStateListener((state) => {
+    const previous = lastNetwork
+    lastNetwork = { isConnected: state.isConnected, type: state.type }
+    if (state.isConnected !== true) {
+      return
+    }
+    const cameOnline = previous != null && previous.isConnected !== true
+    // Why: a type change while staying "connected" is the Wi-Fi → cellular
+    // handoff case — the old socket is dead even though we never went offline.
+    const switchedNetworks = previous?.type != null && state.type !== previous.type
+    if (cameOnline || switchedNetworks) {
+      console.log('[net] network changed — nudging clients', {
+        type: state.type,
+        cameOnline
+      })
+      nudge()
+    }
+  })
+  return () => {
+    disposed = true
+    appStateSub.remove()
+    networkSub.remove()
+  }
+}
diff --git a/mobile/src/transport/rpc-client-live-recovery.test.ts b/mobile/src/transport/rpc-client-live-recovery.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..da73fc0b5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/mobile/src/transport/rpc-client-live-recovery.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,208 @@
+// Live (real-socket, real-timer) repro harness for issue #5049: Android
+// remote sessions that appear connected but stop responding until the app
+// is reopened. Unlike rpc-client.test.ts (fake timers, mocked e2ee), this
+// runs the REAL rpc-client with real tweetnacl E2EE against an in-process
+// ws server, simulating the Tailscale failure modes behind the report.
+//
+// Opt-in because the quick scenario takes ~15s wall-clock and the full
+// parked-loop scenario ~8 minutes:
+//   ORCA_MOBILE_LIVE_REPRO=1 pnpm vitest run src/transport/rpc-client-live-recovery.test.ts
+//   ORCA_MOBILE_LIVE_REPRO_FULL=1 ... (adds the 8-minute parked-loop case)
+import { afterEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
+import { randomBytes } from 'node:crypto'
+import type { AddressInfo } from 'node:net'
+import nacl from 'tweetnacl'
+import { WebSocketServer, type WebSocket as ServerSocket } from 'ws'
+import { connect, type RpcClient } from './rpc-client'
+
+// Why: expo-crypto only exists inside a React Native runtime; Node's CSPRNG
+// is equivalent for the harness. Everything else (tweetnacl, the wire
+// protocol) is the real production path.
+vi.mock('expo-crypto', () => ({
+  getRandomBytes: (n: number) => new Uint8Array(randomBytes(n))
+}))
+
+const RUN_LIVE =
+  process.env.ORCA_MOBILE_LIVE_REPRO === '1' || !!process.env.ORCA_MOBILE_LIVE_REPRO_FULL
+const RUN_FULL = process.env.ORCA_MOBILE_LIVE_REPRO_FULL === '1'
+
+const AUTH_TOKEN = 'repro-device-token'
+
+const serverKeyPair = nacl.box.keyPair()
+const serverPublicKeyB64 = Buffer.from(serverKeyPair.publicKey).toString('base64')
+
+// When true the server accepts traffic but never replies — simulates a
+// half-open link where TCP looks alive but the path is dead.
+let blackhole = false
+
+function e2eeEncrypt(plaintext: string, sharedKey: Uint8Array): string {
+  const nonce = nacl.randomBytes(nacl.box.nonceLength)
+  const msg = new TextEncoder().encode(plaintext)
+  const ciphertext = nacl.box.after(msg, nonce, sharedKey)
+  const bundle = new Uint8Array(nonce.length + ciphertext.length)
+  bundle.set(nonce)
+  bundle.set(ciphertext, nonce.length)
+  return Buffer.from(bundle).toString('base64')
+}
+
+function e2eeDecrypt(encrypted: string, sharedKey: Uint8Array): string | null {
+  const bundle = Uint8Array.from(Buffer.from(encrypted, 'base64'))
+  if (bundle.length < nacl.box.nonceLength + nacl.box.overheadLength) {
+    return null
+  }
+  const nonce = bundle.slice(0, nacl.box.nonceLength)
+  const plaintext = nacl.box.open.after(bundle.slice(nacl.box.nonceLength), nonce, sharedKey)
+  return plaintext ? new TextDecoder().decode(plaintext) : null
+}
+
+// Why: port 0 lets the OS assign a free port so the opt-in harness can't
+// fail with EADDRINUSE; the full scenario restarts on the captured port
+// because the client keeps reconnecting to its original URL.
+function startServer(port = 0): Promise<WebSocketServer> {
+  const wss = new WebSocketServer({ port })
+  wss.on('connection', (ws: ServerSocket) => {
+    let sharedKey: Uint8Array | null = null
+    let authenticated = false
+    ws.on('message', (data) => {
+      if (blackhole) {
+        return
+      }
+      const msg = typeof data === 'string' ? data : data.toString('utf-8')
+      if (!sharedKey) {
+        const hello = JSON.parse(msg) as { publicKeyB64: string }
+        const clientKey = Uint8Array.from(Buffer.from(hello.publicKeyB64, 'base64'))
+        sharedKey = nacl.box.before(clientKey, serverKeyPair.secretKey)
+        ws.send(JSON.stringify({ type: 'e2ee_ready' }))
+        return
+      }
+      const plaintext = e2eeDecrypt(msg, sharedKey)
+      if (!plaintext) {
+        return
+      }
+      const request = JSON.parse(plaintext) as { id?: string; type?: string; deviceToken?: string }
+      if (!authenticated) {
+        if (request.type === 'e2ee_auth' && request.deviceToken === AUTH_TOKEN) {
+          authenticated = true
+          ws.send(e2eeEncrypt(JSON.stringify({ type: 'e2ee_authenticated' }), sharedKey))
+        }
+        return
+      }
+      ws.send(
+        e2eeEncrypt(JSON.stringify({ id: request.id, ok: true, result: { up: true } }), sharedKey)
+      )
+    })
+  })
+  return new Promise((resolve) => wss.once('listening', () => resolve(wss)))
+}
+
+function serverPort(wss: WebSocketServer): number {
+  return (wss.address() as AddressInfo).port
+}
+
+function stopServer(wss: WebSocketServer): Promise<void> {
+  return new Promise((resolve) => {
+    for (const ws of wss.clients) {
+      ws.terminate()
+    }
+    wss.close(() => resolve())
+  })
+}
+
+function sleep(ms: number): Promise<void> {
+  return new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, ms))
+}
+
+async function waitFor(label: string, timeoutMs: number, check: () => boolean): Promise<number> {
+  const start = Date.now()
+  while (Date.now() - start < timeoutMs) {
+    if (check()) {
+      return Date.now() - start
+    }
+    await sleep(200)
+  }
+  throw new Error(`timed out after ${timeoutMs / 1000}s waiting for: ${label}`)
+}
+
+describe.runIf(RUN_LIVE)('live foreground recovery (issue #5049)', () => {
+  let client: RpcClient | null = null
+  let wss: WebSocketServer | null = null
+
+  afterEach(async () => {
+    blackhole = false
+    client?.close()
+    client = null
+    if (wss) {
+      await stopServer(wss)
+      wss = null
+    }
+  })
+
+  it(
+    'reaps a half-open link via the foreground probe and recovers',
+    { timeout: 60_000 },
+    async () => {
+      wss = await startServer()
+      client = connect(`ws://127.0.0.1:${serverPort(wss)}`, AUTH_TOKEN, serverPublicKeyB64)
+      const c = client
+      await waitFor('initial connect', 10_000, () => c.getState() === 'connected')
+      expect((await c.sendRequest('status.get')).ok).toBe(true)
+
+      // Half-open: server keeps TCP up but stops answering, then the app
+      // comes back to the foreground.
+      blackhole = true
+      c.notifyForeground()
+      // Foreground probe budget is 8s; the interval probe alone would take
+      // up to 28s. Allow scheduling slack but stay well under 28s.
+      const detectMs = await waitFor(
+        'half-open detected',
+        15_000,
+        () => c.getState() !== 'connected'
+      )
+      expect(detectMs).toBeLessThan(12_000)
+
+      blackhole = false
+      await waitFor('recovered after link healed', 15_000, () => c.getState() === 'connected')
+      expect((await c.sendRequest('status.get')).ok).toBe(true)
+    }
+  )
+
+  it.runIf(RUN_FULL)(
+    'repro: parked retry loop stays stuck until the foreground nudge',
+    { timeout: 600_000 },
+    async () => {
+      wss = await startServer()
+      const port = serverPort(wss)
+      client = connect(`ws://127.0.0.1:${port}`, AUTH_TOKEN, serverPublicKeyB64)
+      const c = client
+      await waitFor('initial connect', 10_000, () => c.getState() === 'connected')
+
+      await stopServer(wss)
+      wss = null
+      await waitFor('retry cap scheduled (~5 min)', 480_000, () => c.getReconnectAttempt() >= 12)
+      // The attempt counter hits 12 when the final attempt is *scheduled*;
+      // its 60s backoff timer is still pending. Let it fire and fail while
+      // the server is still down so the loop truly parks.
+      await sleep(65_000)
+      expect(c.getState()).toBe('reconnecting')
+
+      wss = await startServer(port)
+      // Pre-fix behavior: even with the server back, a parked loop never
+      // recovers — the user had to restart the app.
+      await sleep(70_000)
+      expect(c.getState()).not.toBe('connected')
+
+      c.notifyForeground()
+      await waitFor('foreground nudge recovered the session', 15_000, () => {
+        return c.getState() === 'connected'
+      })
+      expect((await c.sendRequest('status.get')).ok).toBe(true)
+    }
+  )
+})
+
+// Why: vitest fails a file with zero tests; keep a sentinel for default runs.
+describe.runIf(!RUN_LIVE)('live foreground recovery (skipped)', () => {
+  it('is opt-in via ORCA_MOBILE_LIVE_REPRO=1', () => {
+    expect(true).toBe(true)
+  })
+})
diff --git a/mobile/src/transport/rpc-client.test.ts b/mobile/src/transport/rpc-client.test.ts
index 3e01e7e39..5c624dff3 100644
--- a/mobile/src/transport/rpc-client.test.ts
+++ b/mobile/src/transport/rpc-client.test.ts
@@ -581,6 +581,120 @@ describe('mobile rpc-client connection timeout', () => {
     }
   })
 
+  // Repro for issue #5049: Android sessions that appear connected (or stuck
+  // "Reconnecting…") after the app returns to the foreground, recoverable
+  // only by restarting the app. notifyForeground is the recovery hook the
+  // provider invokes on AppState 'active'.
+  describe('foreground recovery', () => {
+    function openAndAuthenticate(socket: MockWebSocket) {
+      socket.open()
+      socket.receive(JSON.stringify({ type: 'e2ee_ready' }))
+      socket.receive('encrypted:{"type":"e2ee_authenticated"}')
+    }
+
+    it('repro: a parked reconnect loop never retries on its own', async () => {
+      const client = connect('ws://desktop.invalid', 'token', 'server-key')
+      openAndAuthenticate(mockSockets[0]!)
+      mockSockets[0]!.close()
+
+      await vi.runAllTimersAsync()
+      expect(client.getState()).toBe('reconnecting')
+      expect(client.getReconnectAttempt()).toBe(12)
+
+      // Stuck: arbitrary additional time produces no further attempts.
+      const socketsBefore = mockSockets.length
+      await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(600_000)
+      expect(mockSockets.length).toBe(socketsBefore)
+
+      client.close()
+    })
+
+    it('restarts a parked reconnect loop on foreground', async () => {
+      const client = connect('ws://desktop.invalid', 'token', 'server-key')
+      openAndAuthenticate(mockSockets[0]!)
+      mockSockets[0]!.close()
+      await vi.runAllTimersAsync()
+      expect(client.getReconnectAttempt()).toBe(12)
+
+      const socketsBefore = mockSockets.length
+      client.notifyForeground()
+
+      expect(mockSockets.length).toBe(socketsBefore + 1)
+      expect(client.getReconnectAttempt()).toBe(0)
+      openAndAuthenticate(mockSockets[mockSockets.length - 1]!)
+      expect(client.getState()).toBe('connected')
+
+      client.close()
+    })
+
+    it('fast-forwards a pending backoff timer on foreground', async () => {
+      const client = connect('ws://desktop.invalid', 'token', 'server-key')
+      openAndAuthenticate(mockSockets[0]!)
+      mockSockets[0]!.close()
+      expect(client.getState()).toBe('reconnecting')
+
+      const socketsBefore = mockSockets.length
+      client.notifyForeground()
+
+      expect(mockSockets.length).toBe(socketsBefore + 1)
+      openAndAuthenticate(mockSockets[mockSockets.length - 1]!)
+      expect(client.getState()).toBe('connected')
+
+      // The cleared backoff timer must not fire a duplicate attempt.
+      await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(1_000)
+      expect(mockSockets.length).toBe(socketsBefore + 1)
+
+      client.close()
+    })
+
+    it('reaps a half-open socket within 8s of foreground', async () => {
+      const client = connect('ws://desktop.invalid', 'token', 'server-key')
+      const socket = mockSockets[0]!
+      openAndAuthenticate(socket)
+
+      // Half-open: readyState stays OPEN but the server never answers.
+      client.notifyForeground()
+      expect(sentRequests(socket, 'status.get')).toHaveLength(1)
+
+      await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(8_000)
+      expect(socket.close).toHaveBeenCalled()
+      expect(client.getState()).toBe('reconnecting')
+
+      await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(500)
+      openAndAuthenticate(mockSockets[mockSockets.length - 1]!)
+      expect(client.getState()).toBe('connected')
+
+      client.close()
+    })
+
+    it('keeps a healthy connection when the foreground probe is answered', async () => {
+      const client = connect('ws://desktop.invalid', 'token', 'server-key')
+      const socket = mockSockets[0]!
+      openAndAuthenticate(socket)
+
+      client.notifyForeground()
+      const probe = sentRequest(socket, 'status.get')
+      socket.receive(`encrypted:${JSON.stringify({ id: probe.id, ok: true, result: {} })}`)
+
+      await vi.advanceTimersByTimeAsync(10_000)
+      expect(socket.close).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+      expect(client.getState()).toBe('connected')
+
+      client.close()
+    })
+
+    it('is a no-op after the client is closed', () => {
+      const client = connect('ws://desktop.invalid', 'token', 'server-key')
+      openAndAuthenticate(mockSockets[0]!)
+      client.close()
+
+      const socketsBefore = mockSockets.length
+      client.notifyForeground()
+      expect(mockSockets.length).toBe(socketsBefore)
+      expect(client.getState()).toBe('disconnected')
+    })
+  })
+
   it('rejects requests waiting for reconnect after the retry cap', async () => {
     const client = connect('ws://desktop.invalid', 'token', 'server-key')
     const socket = mockSockets[0]!
diff --git a/mobile/src/transport/rpc-client.ts b/mobile/src/transport/rpc-client.ts
index 68c80c228..625a39c6f 100644
--- a/mobile/src/transport/rpc-client.ts
+++ b/mobile/src/transport/rpc-client.ts
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ import {
   buildTerminalUnsubscribeParams,
   updateTerminalSubscriptionViewport as updateCachedTerminalSubscriptionViewport
 } from './rpc-client-terminal-subscription'
+import { describeSocketEvent } from './socket-event-debug'
 
 type PendingRequest = {
   resolve: (response: RpcResponse) => void
@@ -91,6 +92,10 @@ export type RpcClient = {
   // to distinguish "host moved/never reachable" from "transient blip".
   getLastConnectedAt: () => number | null
   onStateChange: (listener: (state: ConnectionState) => void) => () => void
+  // Why: app-resume hook. Android/iOS can kill the TCP path or park the
+  // reconnect loop while the app is backgrounded; callers invoke this on
+  // AppState 'active' so the session recovers without an app restart.
+  notifyForeground: () => void
   close: () => void
 }
 
@@ -645,38 +650,9 @@ export function connect(
       const aliveMs =
         currentWsOpenedAt != null && state === 'connected' ? closeAt - currentWsOpenedAt : null
       const inboundIdleMs = lastInboundAt != null ? closeAt - lastInboundAt : null
-      // Why: inline the diagnostic dump. Earlier hot-reload tripped
-      // `Property 'enumKeys' doesn't exist` because a stale closure
-      // captured a half-loaded module. Inlining keeps the handler's
-      // behavior fully decided at construction time.
-      let closeEventKeys: string[] = []
-      let closeEventStr = ''
-      try {
-        closeEventKeys = event && typeof event === 'object' ? Object.keys(event as object) : []
-      } catch {
-        closeEventKeys = []
-      }
-      try {
-        const seen = new WeakSet<object>()
-        closeEventStr = JSON.stringify(
-          event,
-          (_k, v) => {
-            if (typeof v === 'object' && v !== null) {
-              if (seen.has(v as object)) {
-                return '[circular]'
-              }
-              seen.add(v as object)
-            }
-            if (typeof v === 'function') {
-              return '[fn]'
-            }
-            return v
-          },
-          0
-        ).slice(0, 500)
-      } catch {
-        closeEventStr = '[unstringifiable]'
-      }
+      // Why: statically imported (not closure-built) — an earlier hot-reload
+      // bug came from a stale closure capturing a half-loaded module.
+      const closeEvent = describeSocketEvent(event)
       console.log('[net] ws.onclose', {
         code: e?.code,
         reason: e?.reason,
@@ -688,8 +664,8 @@ export function connect(
         constructToCloseMs,
         aliveMs,
         inboundIdleMs,
-        eventKeys: closeEventKeys,
-        eventStr: closeEventStr
+        eventKeys: closeEvent.keys,
+        eventStr: closeEvent.json
       })
       lastWsClosedAt = closeAt
       currentWsOpenedAt = null
@@ -704,41 +680,13 @@ export function connect(
       // onclose fires right after, but logging the error message gives us
       // the original cause that the close code alone can hide.
       const e = event as { message?: string } | undefined
-      // Why: inlined defensively — see ws.onclose comment.
-      let errEventKeys: string[] = []
-      let errEventStr = ''
-      try {
-        errEventKeys = event && typeof event === 'object' ? Object.keys(event as object) : []
-      } catch {
-        errEventKeys = []
-      }
-      try {
-        const seen = new WeakSet<object>()
-        errEventStr = JSON.stringify(
-          event,
-          (_k, v) => {
-            if (typeof v === 'object' && v !== null) {
-              if (seen.has(v as object)) {
-                return '[circular]'
-              }
-              seen.add(v as object)
-            }
-            if (typeof v === 'function') {
-              return '[fn]'
-            }
-            return v
-          },
-          0
-        ).slice(0, 500)
-      } catch {
-        errEventStr = '[unstringifiable]'
-      }
+      const errEvent = describeSocketEvent(event)
       console.log('[net] ws.onerror', {
         message: e?.message,
         state,
         attempt: reconnectAttempt,
-        eventKeys: errEventKeys,
-        eventStr: errEventStr
+        eventKeys: errEvent.keys,
+        eventStr: errEvent.json
       })
     }
   }
@@ -818,56 +766,58 @@ export function connect(
   // at the top of the file. Fires while the channel is in 'connected'
   // state, sends a tiny status.get, and force-closes the WS if the probe
   // fails (which the existing onclose path then turns into a reconnect).
+  function runActivityProbe() {
+    // Why: only probe while the channel is actually in 'connected'. The
+    // sendRequest path itself waits for connected, but a probe scheduled
+    // during a reconnect would just stack up timeouts and confuse logs.
+    if (state !== 'connected' || !ws) {
+      return
+    }
+    const probeWs = ws
+    // Why: short timeout (8s) — server's heartbeat is 15s, so if we
+    // don't see *anything* back within 8s the link is almost certainly
+    // half-open. Using REQUEST_TIMEOUT_MS (30s) here would make the
+    // user wait nearly a minute before reconnect kicks in.
+    const id = nextId()
+    const probeStart = Date.now()
+    let timedOut = false
+    const timeout = setTimeout(() => {
+      timedOut = true
+      pending.delete(id)
+      console.log('[net] activity-probe TIMEOUT — forcing reconnect', {
+        waitedMs: Date.now() - probeStart,
+        state
+      })
+      // Why: only force-close if this is still the same socket the
+      // probe was sent on; a normal close that already swapped `ws`
+      // shouldn't trigger a redundant terminate.
+      if (probeWs === ws && probeWs.readyState === WebSocket.OPEN) {
+        probeWs.close()
+      }
+    }, 8_000)
+    pending.set(id, {
+      resolve: () => {
+        if (timedOut) {
+          return
+        }
+        clearTimeout(timeout)
+      },
+      reject: () => {
+        if (timedOut) {
+          return
+        }
+        clearTimeout(timeout)
+      }
+    })
+    if (!sendEncrypted({ id, deviceToken, method: 'status.get' })) {
+      clearTimeout(timeout)
+      pending.delete(id)
+    }
+  }
+
   function startActivityProbe() {
     stopActivityProbe()
-    activityProbeTimer = setInterval(() => {
-      // Why: only probe while the channel is actually in 'connected'. The
-      // sendRequest path itself waits for connected, but a probe scheduled
-      // during a reconnect would just stack up timeouts and confuse logs.
-      if (state !== 'connected' || !ws) {
-        return
-      }
-      const probeWs = ws
-      // Why: short timeout (8s) — server's heartbeat is 15s, so if we
-      // don't see *anything* back within 8s the link is almost certainly
-      // half-open. Using REQUEST_TIMEOUT_MS (30s) here would make the
-      // user wait nearly a minute before reconnect kicks in.
-      const id = nextId()
-      const probeStart = Date.now()
-      let timedOut = false
-      const timeout = setTimeout(() => {
-        timedOut = true
-        pending.delete(id)
-        console.log('[net] activity-probe TIMEOUT — forcing reconnect', {
-          waitedMs: Date.now() - probeStart,
-          state
-        })
-        // Why: only force-close if this is still the same socket the
-        // probe was sent on; a normal close that already swapped `ws`
-        // shouldn't trigger a redundant terminate.
-        if (probeWs === ws && probeWs.readyState === WebSocket.OPEN) {
-          probeWs.close()
-        }
-      }, 8_000)
-      pending.set(id, {
-        resolve: () => {
-          if (timedOut) {
-            return
-          }
-          clearTimeout(timeout)
-        },
-        reject: () => {
-          if (timedOut) {
-            return
-          }
-          clearTimeout(timeout)
-        }
-      })
-      if (!sendEncrypted({ id, deviceToken, method: 'status.get' })) {
-        clearTimeout(timeout)
-        pending.delete(id)
-      }
-    }, ACTIVITY_PROBE_INTERVAL_MS)
+    activityProbeTimer = setInterval(runActivityProbe, ACTIVITY_PROBE_INTERVAL_MS)
   }
 
   function stopActivityProbe() {
@@ -1216,6 +1166,38 @@ export function connect(
       return () => stateListeners.delete(listener)
     },
 
+    notifyForeground(): void {
+      if (intentionallyClosed) {
+        return
+      }
+      if (state === 'connected') {
+        // Why: the OS can kill the TCP path while the app is backgrounded
+        // without delivering onclose, leaving a half-open socket that
+        // blackholes input. Probe now so death is detected in ≤8s instead
+        // of waiting out the 20s interval (issue #5049).
+        console.log('[net] foreground — probing live connection')
+        startActivityProbe()
+        runActivityProbe()
+        return
+      }
+      if (state === 'reconnecting') {
+        // Why: while backgrounded the retry loop may have parked at the
+        // give-up cap or be sitting on a 60s backoff timer. Returning to
+        // the foreground is a strong user signal — restart with a fresh
+        // attempt budget immediately instead of requiring an app restart.
+        console.log('[net] foreground — restarting reconnect loop', {
+          attempt: reconnectAttempt,
+          hadTimer: !!reconnectTimer
+        })
+        if (reconnectTimer) {
+          clearTimeout(reconnectTimer)
+          reconnectTimer = null
+        }
+        reconnectAttempt = 0
+        openConnection()
+      }
+    },
+
     close() {
       intentionallyClosed = true
       if (reconnectTimer) {
diff --git a/mobile/src/transport/socket-event-debug.ts b/mobile/src/transport/socket-event-debug.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..89b2167c7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/mobile/src/transport/socket-event-debug.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+// Why: RN's WebSocket close/error events are loosely typed and vary per
+// platform. Serialize them defensively (circular-safe, function-safe,
+// truncated) so the [net] diagnostics can never crash mid-handler.
+export function describeSocketEvent(event: unknown): { keys: string[]; json: string } {
+  let keys: string[] = []
+  try {
+    keys = event && typeof event === 'object' ? Object.keys(event as object) : []
+  } catch {
+    keys = []
+  }
+  let json = ''
+  try {
+    const seen = new WeakSet<object>()
+    json = JSON.stringify(
+      event,
+      (_k, v) => {
+        if (typeof v === 'object' && v !== null) {
+          if (seen.has(v as object)) {
+            return '[circular]'
+          }
+          seen.add(v as object)
+        }
+        if (typeof v === 'function') {
+          return '[fn]'
+        }
+        return v
+      },
+      0
+    ).slice(0, 500)
+  } catch {
+    json = '[unstringifiable]'
+  }
+  return { keys, json }
+}