Merge pull request #1983 from vitorpamplona/claude/always-on-notification-service-NuW9I

Add always-on notification service for real-time Nostr relay connections

PULL_NOTIFICATION.md

@@ -0,0 +1,299 @@
+# Always-On Notification Service
+
+Amethyst's always-on notification service maintains persistent WebSocket connections to the
+user's inbox relays and DM relays, ensuring real-time delivery of DMs, zaps, mentions, and
+other notifications without depending on an external push server.
+
+## Why
+
+The existing push notification system (`push.amethyst.social`) can only monitor relays it
+knows about. Private, paid, or obscure inbox relays get missed entirely. The only way to
+guarantee 100% notification coverage is for the device itself to maintain connections to
+the user's NIP-65 inbox relays and NIP-17 DM relays.
+
+## Architecture
+
+```
+NIP-65 notification inbox relays ──WebSocket──┐
+                                              ├──> [NotificationRelayService]
+NIP-17 DM inbox relays ───────────WebSocket──┘           |
+                                                         v
+                                                  EventNotificationConsumer
+                                                         |
+                                                         v
+                                                  Android Notification
+```
+
+The service shares the **same `NostrClient` instance** as the UI. This is the key design
+decision. When the app is in the foreground, both the UI and the service are collecting
+the `relayServices` flow. The `AccountFilterAssembler` subscription from the Compose UI
+tree stays active as long as the Activity exists (even when stopped/backgrounded),
+keeping notification and DM relay connections alive. When the app returns to the
+foreground, the UI piggybacks on the already-open connections. **Zero reconnection, zero
+dropped messages.**
+
+```
+BACKGROUND MODE (service running):
+  inbox-relay-1 ──WebSocket──> [AccountFilterAssembler: notifications, metadata, follows]
+  inbox-relay-2 ──WebSocket──> [AccountFilterAssembler: notifications, metadata, follows]
+  dm-relay-1 ────WebSocket──> [AccountFilterAssembler: gift wraps]
+  (outbox relays disconnected — no Home/Video/Discovery subscriptions)
+
+APP FOREGROUNDS:
+  inbox-relay-1 ──WebSocket──> [Same connection] <── Home/Discovery subs resume
+  inbox-relay-2 ──WebSocket──> [Same connection] <── Home/Discovery subs resume
+  dm-relay-1 ────WebSocket──> [Same connection]  <── ChatroomList subs resume
+  outbox-relay-3 ──WebSocket──> [New connection]  <── Home/Video feed relay
+```
+
+## Subscription Architecture
+
+### What the service does
+
+The service does NOT create its own relay subscriptions. It only keeps the
+`RelayProxyClientConnector` alive by collecting `relayServices`. The actual subscriptions
+come from the `AccountFilterAssembler` in the Compose tree (`LoggedInPage`), which
+stays active as long as the Activity exists and covers:
+
+- **Metadata** — user profile, relay lists, mute lists, follows (via `AccountMetadataEoseManager`)
+- **Follows** — follow list changes that affect notification filtering (via `AccountFollowsLoaderSubAssembler`)
+- **Notifications** — mentions, zaps, reactions on NIP-65 inbox relays (via `AccountNotificationsEoseFromInboxRelaysManager`)
+- **Gift wraps** — NIP-59 encrypted DMs on NIP-17 DM relays (via `AccountGiftWrapsEoseManager`)
+- **Drafts** — draft events (via `AccountDraftsEoseManager`)
+
+This is critical because notification filtering depends on follow lists, mute lists,
+and relay configurations. If the service maintained its own isolated subscriptions,
+it would miss follow list changes and display notifications from muted users.
+
+### What pauses on background
+
+Heavy feed subscriptions use `LifecycleAwareKeyDataSourceSubscription` which subscribes
+on `ON_START` and unsubscribes on `ON_STOP`. When the app backgrounds:
+
+| Subscription | Behavior | Why |
+|-------------|----------|-----|
+| `AccountFilterAssembler` | **Stays active** | Needed for notifications, DMs, follow/mute list changes |
+| `HomeFilterAssembler` | **Pauses** | Home feed data with nobody viewing wastes bandwidth |
+| `VideoFilterAssembler` | **Pauses** | Video feed data with nobody viewing wastes bandwidth |
+| `DiscoveryFilterAssembler` | **Pauses** | Discovery feed data with nobody viewing wastes bandwidth |
+| `ChatroomListFilterAssembler` | **Pauses** | Chatroom list updates with nobody viewing waste bandwidth |
+
+When the feed subscriptions pause, the relay pool automatically disconnects outbox relays
+that no longer have any active subscriptions. Only inbox and DM relays stay connected
+(because `AccountFilterAssembler` still has active subscriptions on them).
+
+## Foreground Service
+
+`NotificationRelayService` is a foreground service with `specialUse` type:
+
+- **No time limit**: Unlike `dataSync` (6-hour limit on Android 15), `specialUse` has no
+  timeout restriction. **Why it matters:** A notification service must run indefinitely.
+  The `dataSync` type would force the service to stop after 6 cumulative hours per 24-hour
+  period, making it useless for always-on notifications.
+- **BOOT_COMPLETED safe**: Can be started from boot receivers on Android 15+, unlike
+  `dataSync` which is restricted. **Why it matters:** Without this, the service couldn't
+  auto-restart after a reboot on modern Android.
+- **START_STICKY**: Android will restart the service if it's killed by the system.
+- **Persistent notification**: Shows "Connected to N inbox relays" with a Pause action.
+  Uses `IMPORTANCE_LOW` so it's silent and unobtrusive.
+
+### ForegroundServiceStartNotAllowedException
+
+On Android 12+, starting a foreground service from the background can throw
+`ForegroundServiceStartNotAllowedException`. The service catches this gracefully and stops
+itself rather than crashing the app.
+
+**Why it matters:** Without this catch, if the watchdog alarm or WorkManager tries to
+restart the service while the app lacks the background-start exemption (e.g., battery
+optimization is active), the app would crash with an unhandled exception.
+
+### Redundant startForeground()
+
+`startForeground()` is called from both `onCreate()` and `onStartCommand()` as a safety
+net. In rare edge cases, `onStartCommand()` can fire before `onCreate()` completes
+(observed in ntfy issue #1520). The `foregroundStarted` flag prevents double invocation.
+
+**Why it matters:** If `startForeground()` isn't called within 5 seconds of
+`startForegroundService()`, the app crashes with an ANR. The redundant call ensures the
+foreground notification is posted regardless of which lifecycle method runs first.
+
+## 8-Layer Auto-Restart Defense
+
+Android (and OEM battery optimizers) will aggressively try to kill background services.
+The notification service uses 8 independent mechanisms to stay alive. Each addresses a
+specific kill vector that the others don't cover:
+
+### Layer 1: START_STICKY
+
+**What:** When Android kills the service due to memory pressure, `START_STICKY` tells the
+system to recreate it with a null intent.
+
+**Why needed:** This is the baseline restart mechanism provided by Android. However, it's
+unreliable in practice — many OEMs (Xiaomi MIUI, Huawei EMUI, Samsung One UI, Oppo
+ColorOS) override this behavior and prevent sticky service restarts. That's why we need
+the remaining 7 layers.
+
+### Layer 2: onTaskRemoved() Alarm
+
+**What:** When the user swipes the app from recents, schedules a 1-second alarm to restart
+the service.
+
+**Why needed:** On stock Android, swiping from recents only removes the task but leaves
+the foreground service running. However, many OEMs treat swipe-from-recents as a force
+stop, killing the foreground service. `START_STICKY` won't help because some OEMs block
+sticky restarts after a task removal. The alarm bypasses this by scheduling the restart
+through `AlarmManager`, which is a separate system that OEM modifications rarely touch.
+
+### Layer 3: onDestroy() Broadcast
+
+**What:** When the service is destroyed for any reason, it broadcasts to
+`AutoRestartReceiver`, which enqueues a one-time WorkManager task with a network
+connectivity constraint.
+
+**Why needed:** This catches the gap between `START_STICKY` and `onTaskRemoved()`.
+If the system kills the service during normal operation (not from recents), `START_STICKY`
+should restart it — but if the OEM blocks that restart, the broadcast fires a WorkManager
+task as a backup. WorkManager is harder for OEMs to suppress because it's part of
+Google Play Services infrastructure.
+
+### Layer 4: AlarmManager Watchdog (5 minutes)
+
+**What:** `ServiceWatchdogManager` fires an `ELAPSED_REALTIME_WAKEUP` alarm every 5
+minutes. The receiver checks if the service should be running and restarts it.
+
+**Why needed:** This is the "belt and suspenders" layer. If all of the above layers fail
+(sticky restart blocked, alarm from `onTaskRemoved` didn't fire, broadcast wasn't
+delivered), the watchdog will catch it within 5 minutes. Uses `ELAPSED_REALTIME_WAKEUP` to
+wake the device from sleep, ensuring the check happens even in Doze.
+
+### Layer 5: WorkManager Periodic Catch-Up (15 minutes)
+
+**What:** Runs every 15 minutes with a network connectivity constraint. Ensures relay
+connections are active and restarts the foreground service if needed.
+
+**Why needed:** WorkManager survives process death and device reboots — it's the most
+persistent scheduling mechanism on Android. Even if the app process is completely dead,
+WorkManager (backed by JobScheduler) will eventually wake it. The 15-minute interval is
+WorkManager's minimum, ensuring regular catch-up even if the foreground service has been
+dead for a while.
+
+### Layer 6: Network-Available One-Time Worker
+
+**What:** When `AutoRestartReceiver` fires, it enqueues a one-time WorkManager task that
+runs as soon as network connectivity is available.
+
+**Why needed:** If the service dies during a network outage, there's no point restarting it
+immediately (the relays won't connect). This worker waits for connectivity and restarts
+then, rather than waiting up to 15 minutes for the next periodic worker. This is especially
+important after airplane mode, tunnel/elevator scenarios, or switching between WiFi and
+cellular.
+
+### Layer 7: Boot and Package Receivers
+
+**What:** `BootCompletedReceiver` restarts the service after device reboot
+(`BOOT_COMPLETED`, `QUICKBOOT_POWERON`) and app update (`MY_PACKAGE_REPLACED`).
+
+**Why needed:** After a reboot, no services are running — `START_STICKY` doesn't apply
+across reboots. The boot receiver is the only way to restart. After an app update, the
+old process is killed and the new version's services don't auto-start. Without
+`MY_PACKAGE_REPLACED`, users would need to manually open the app after every Play Store
+update to restore notifications.
+
+### Layer 8: FCM / UnifiedPush (existing)
+
+**What:** The existing push notification system continues to work alongside the always-on
+service.
+
+**Why needed:** FCM is the only mechanism that survives a force stop (because Google Play
+Services handles delivery outside the app's process). If the user explicitly force-stops
+Amethyst from Settings, all 7 layers above are disabled. Only FCM can still deliver
+notifications until the user opens the app again.
+
+## WakeLock During Notification Processing
+
+`EventNotificationConsumer` acquires a `PARTIAL_WAKE_LOCK` with a 10-minute timeout when
+processing incoming notifications.
+
+**Why needed:** When a notification event arrives from a relay, the app needs to decrypt
+NIP-59 gift wraps, verify signatures, look up accounts, resolve display names, load
+profile pictures, and construct the Android notification. In Doze mode, the CPU can sleep
+between alarm windows. Without a WakeLock, the CPU could sleep mid-processing, causing the
+notification to be delayed or lost. The 10-minute timeout is generous to handle slow
+decryption (especially with external signers) while preventing indefinite wake locks from
+battery drain.
+
+## Battery Optimization Exemption
+
+The service works best when the app is exempted from Android's battery optimizations (Doze).
+
+**Why needed:** Even with a foreground service, Android can restrict network access during
+Doze maintenance windows. The battery optimization exemption tells Android that this app's
+network activity is user-expected and should not be deferred. Without it, relay connections
+may be broken during Doze, causing missed notifications that only arrive when the device
+exits Doze (which can be hours for a stationary, charging device).
+
+`BatteryOptimizationHelper` checks the exemption status and provides a method to launch
+the system settings dialog. When the always-on service is enabled but the app isn't
+whitelisted, the settings screen shows a warning banner with a "Fix now" button.
+
+Messaging apps are explicitly listed as a valid use case for this exemption in Google Play
+policy.
+
+## Coordinator
+
+`AlwaysOnNotificationServiceManager` watches the account's `alwaysOnNotificationService`
+setting (a `MutableStateFlow<Boolean>`) and activates or deactivates all layers in
+response:
+
+```
+Setting ON  → Start foreground service + Schedule WorkManager + Schedule watchdog alarm
+Setting OFF → Stop foreground service + Cancel WorkManager + Cancel watchdog alarm
+```
+
+The manager is initialized in `AppModules` and watches the account state. When a user
+logs in, it starts watching their setting. When they log out, it stops.
+
+## Settings
+
+The always-on notification service is **opt-in** (off by default). Users enable it from
+**App Settings** with a toggle switch. The setting is persisted per-account in
+`AccountSettings.alwaysOnNotificationService` and saved to `EncryptedSharedPreferences`.
+
+## Files
+
+| File | Purpose |
+|------|---------|
+| `NotificationRelayService.kt` | Foreground service, keeps relay connections alive, auto-restart |
+| `LifecycleAwareKeyDataSourceSubscription.kt` | Pauses heavy feed subs when app backgrounds |
+| `BootCompletedReceiver.kt` | Restart on boot and app update |
+| `AutoRestartReceiver.kt` | Restart via WorkManager when service is destroyed |
+| `NotificationCatchUpWorker.kt` | Periodic and on-demand catch-up worker |
+| `ServiceWatchdogManager.kt` | AlarmManager-based health monitor |
+| `AlwaysOnNotificationServiceManager.kt` | Coordinates all layers based on setting |
+| `BatteryOptimizationHelper.kt` | Battery optimization check and exemption request |
+| `EventNotificationConsumer.kt` | WakeLock wrapper for notification processing |
+| `AccountSettings.kt` | `alwaysOnNotificationService` setting |
+| `LocalPreferences.kt` | Setting persistence |
+| `AppSettingsScreen.kt` | Toggle UI and battery optimization banner |
+| `AndroidManifest.xml` | Permissions, service, and receiver declarations |
+
+## Permissions
+
+| Permission | Purpose |
+|------------|---------|
+| `FOREGROUND_SERVICE` | Run the foreground service |
+| `FOREGROUND_SERVICE_SPECIAL_USE` | Declare `specialUse` service type |
+| `RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED` | Restart on boot |
+| `WAKE_LOCK` | Keep CPU awake during notification processing |
+| `REQUEST_IGNORE_BATTERY_OPTIMIZATIONS` | Request Doze exemption |
+
+## Inspiration
+
+This implementation draws from battle-tested patterns in:
+
+- **ntfy** (millions of users) — `onTaskRemoved()` alarm, `onDestroy()` broadcast restart,
+  `ForegroundServiceStartNotAllowedException` handling, redundant `startForeground()`,
+  battery optimization guidance, WakeLock during processing
+- **Pokey** (Nostr notification app) — `specialUse` foreground service type,
+  `MY_PACKAGE_REPLACED` restart
+- **Signal** — Hybrid FCM + persistent WebSocket architecture

amethyst/build.gradle

@@ -280,6 +280,9 @@ dependencies {
     // Biometrics
     implementation libs.androidx.biometric.ktx
 
+    // Background Work
+    implementation libs.androidx.work.runtime.ktx
+
     // Websockets API
     implementation libs.okhttp
     implementation libs.okhttpCoroutines

amethyst/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml

@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@
     <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_MICROPHONE" />
     <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_CAMERA" />
     <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_PHONE_CALL" />
+    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_SPECIAL_USE" />
     <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.USE_FULL_SCREEN_INTENT" />
 
     <!-- Phone calls -->
@@ -52,6 +53,12 @@
     <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.BLUETOOTH" android:maxSdkVersion="30" />
     <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.BLUETOOTH_CONNECT" />
 
+    <!-- Always-on notification service: restart after reboot -->
+    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED" />
+
+    <!-- Always-on notification service: battery optimization exemption -->
+    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.REQUEST_IGNORE_BATTERY_OPTIMIZATIONS" />
+
     <!-- Keeps screen on while playing videos -->
     <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WAKE_LOCK" />
 
@@ -263,6 +270,33 @@
                 android:resource="@xml/file_paths" />
         </provider>
 
+        <service
+            android:name=".service.notifications.NotificationRelayService"
+            android:foregroundServiceType="specialUse"
+            android:exported="false">
+            <property
+                android:name="android.app.PROPERTY_SPECIAL_USE_FGS_SUBTYPE"
+                android:value="Persistent real-time messaging relay connection for Nostr protocol. Maintains WebSocket connections to user-configured inbox relays for immediate notification delivery of direct messages, zaps, and mentions." />
+        </service>
+
+        <receiver
+            android:name=".service.notifications.BootCompletedReceiver"
+            android:exported="false">
+            <intent-filter>
+                <action android:name="android.intent.action.BOOT_COMPLETED" />
+                <action android:name="android.intent.action.QUICKBOOT_POWERON" />
+                <action android:name="android.intent.action.MY_PACKAGE_REPLACED" />
+            </intent-filter>
+        </receiver>
+
+        <receiver
+            android:name=".service.notifications.ServiceWatchdogManager$WatchdogReceiver"
+            android:exported="false" />
+
+        <receiver
+            android:name=".service.notifications.AutoRestartReceiver"
+            android:exported="false" />
+
         <receiver
             android:name=".service.notifications.PokeyReceiver"
             android:exported="true"

amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/AppModules.kt

@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.service.images.ImageCacheFactory
 import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.service.images.ImageLoaderSetup
 import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.service.images.ThumbnailDiskCache
 import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.service.location.LocationState
+import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.service.notifications.AlwaysOnNotificationServiceManager
 import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.service.notifications.PokeyReceiver
 import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.service.okhttp.DualHttpClientManager
 import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.service.okhttp.DualHttpClientManagerForRelays
@@ -71,6 +72,7 @@ import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.service.uploads.blossom.bud10.BlossomServerRes
 import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.service.uploads.nip95.Nip95CacheFactory
 import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.ui.resourceCacheInit
 import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.ui.screen.AccountSessionManager
+import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.ui.screen.AccountState
 import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.ui.screen.UiSettingsState
 import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.ui.tor.TorManager
 import com.vitorpamplona.quartz.nip01Core.core.Address
@@ -98,6 +100,7 @@ import kotlinx.coroutines.async
 import kotlinx.coroutines.cancel
 import kotlinx.coroutines.delay
 import kotlinx.coroutines.flow.Flow
+import kotlinx.coroutines.flow.collectLatest
 import kotlinx.coroutines.flow.onCompletion
 import kotlinx.coroutines.flow.onStart
 import kotlinx.coroutines.flow.transform
@@ -391,6 +394,9 @@ class AppModules(
         )
     }
 
+    // Manages always-on notification service lifecycle
+    val alwaysOnNotificationServiceManager = AlwaysOnNotificationServiceManager(appContext, applicationIOScope)
+
     // Organizes cache clearing
     val trimmingService by
         lazy {
@@ -488,6 +494,17 @@ class AppModules(
         // registers to receive events
         pokeyReceiver.register(appContext)
 
+        // Watch for account login and start/stop always-on notification service
+        applicationIOScope.launch {
+            sessionManager.accountContent.collectLatest { state ->
+                if (state is AccountState.LoggedIn) {
+                    alwaysOnNotificationServiceManager.watchAccount(state.account)
+                } else {
+                    alwaysOnNotificationServiceManager.stop()
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
         // initializes diskcache on an IO thread.
         applicationIOScope.launch {
             // Prepares video cache later
@@ -500,6 +517,7 @@ class AppModules(
         pokeyReceiver.unregister(appContext)
         BackgroundMedia.removeBackgroundControllerAndReleaseIt()
         PlaybackServiceClient.shutdown()
+        alwaysOnNotificationServiceManager.stop()
         applicationIOScope.cancel("Application onTerminate $appContext")
         accountsCache.clear()
     }

amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/LocalPreferences.kt

@@ -136,6 +136,7 @@ private object PrefKeys {
     const val HIDE_DELETE_REQUEST_DIALOG = "hide_delete_request_dialog"
     const val HIDE_BLOCK_ALERT_DIALOG = "hide_block_alert_dialog"
     const val HIDE_NIP_17_WARNING_DIALOG = "hide_nip24_warning_dialog" // delete later
+    const val ALWAYS_ON_NOTIFICATION_SERVICE = "always_on_notification_service"
     const val TOR_SETTINGS = "tor_settings"
     const val USE_PROXY = "use_proxy"
     const val PROXY_PORT = "proxy_port"
@@ -409,6 +410,7 @@ object LocalPreferences {
                     putBoolean(PrefKeys.HIDE_NIP_17_WARNING_DIALOG, settings.hideNIP17WarningDialog)
                     putBoolean(PrefKeys.HIDE_BLOCK_ALERT_DIALOG, settings.hideBlockAlertDialog)
                     putBoolean(PrefKeys.CALLS_ENABLED, settings.callsEnabled.value)
+                    putBoolean(PrefKeys.ALWAYS_ON_NOTIFICATION_SERVICE, settings.alwaysOnNotificationService.value)
 
                     // migrating from previous design
                     remove(PrefKeys.USE_PROXY)
@@ -513,6 +515,7 @@ object LocalPreferences {
                     val hideBlockAlertDialog = getBoolean(PrefKeys.HIDE_BLOCK_ALERT_DIALOG, false)
                     val hideNIP17WarningDialog = getBoolean(PrefKeys.HIDE_NIP_17_WARNING_DIALOG, false)
                     val callsEnabled = getBoolean(PrefKeys.CALLS_ENABLED, true)
+                    val alwaysOnNotificationService = getBoolean(PrefKeys.ALWAYS_ON_NOTIFICATION_SERVICE, false)
                     val hasDonatedInVersion = getStringSet(PrefKeys.HAS_DONATED_IN_VERSION, null) ?: setOf()
                     val dismissedPollNoteIds = getStringSet(PrefKeys.DISMISSED_POLL_NOTE_IDS, null) ?: setOf()
                     val viewedPollResultNoteIdsStr = getString(PrefKeys.VIEWED_POLL_RESULT_NOTE_IDS, null)
@@ -636,6 +639,7 @@ object LocalPreferences {
                         hideDeleteRequestDialog = hideDeleteRequestDialog,
                         hideBlockAlertDialog = hideBlockAlertDialog,
                         hideNIP17WarningDialog = hideNIP17WarningDialog,
+                        alwaysOnNotificationService = MutableStateFlow(alwaysOnNotificationService),
                         backupUserMetadata = latestUserMetadata.await(),
                         backupContactList = latestContactList.await(),
                         backupNIP65RelayList = latestNip65RelayList.await(),

amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/model/AccountSettings.kt

@@ -170,6 +170,7 @@ class AccountSettings(
     var hideDeleteRequestDialog: Boolean = false,
     var hideBlockAlertDialog: Boolean = false,
     var hideNIP17WarningDialog: Boolean = false,
+    val alwaysOnNotificationService: MutableStateFlow<Boolean> = MutableStateFlow(false),
     var backupUserMetadata: MetadataEvent? = null,
     var backupContactList: ContactListEvent? = null,
     var backupDMRelayList: ChatMessageRelayListEvent? = null,
@@ -215,6 +216,17 @@ class AccountSettings(
 
     fun isWriteable(): Boolean = keyPair.privKey != null || externalSignerPackageName != null
 
+    // ---
+    // Always-on Notification Service
+    // ---
+
+    fun toggleAlwaysOnNotificationService(): Boolean {
+        val newValue = !alwaysOnNotificationService.value
+        alwaysOnNotificationService.tryEmit(newValue)
+        saveAccountSettings()
+        return newValue
+    }
+
     // ---
     // Zaps and Reactions
     // ---

amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/service/notifications/AlwaysOnNotificationServiceManager.kt

@@ -0,0 +1,108 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (c) 2025 Vitor Pamplona
+ *
+ * Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of
+ * this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in
+ * the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to use,
+ * copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the
+ * Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so,
+ * subject to the following conditions:
+ *
+ * The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
+ * copies or substantial portions of the Software.
+ *
+ * THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
+ * IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS
+ * FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR
+ * COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN
+ * AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION
+ * WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
+ */
+package com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.service.notifications
+
+import android.content.Context
+import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.model.Account
+import com.vitorpamplona.quartz.utils.Log
+import kotlinx.coroutines.CoroutineScope
+import kotlinx.coroutines.Job
+import kotlinx.coroutines.flow.collectLatest
+import kotlinx.coroutines.launch
+
+/**
+ * Coordinates all 5 layers of the always-on notification system:
+ *
+ * L1 - NotificationRelayService (foreground service with persistent WebSocket)
+ * L2 - FCM/UnifiedPush (existing push system, wakeup trigger)
+ * L3 - NotificationCatchUpWorker (WorkManager, 15-min periodic catch-up)
+ * L4 - BootCompletedReceiver (restart on boot)
+ * L5 - ServiceWatchdogManager (AlarmManager, 5-min health check)
+ *
+ * When enabled, all layers activate. When disabled, all layers deactivate.
+ * The manager watches the account's alwaysOnNotificationService setting
+ * and reacts to changes in real time.
+ */
+class AlwaysOnNotificationServiceManager(
+    private val context: Context,
+    private val scope: CoroutineScope,
+) {
+    companion object {
+        private const val TAG = "AlwaysOnNotifManager"
+    }
+
+    private var watchJob: Job? = null
+    private var wasEnabled = false
+
+    /**
+     * Starts watching the given account's always-on setting.
+     * When the setting changes, all layers are started or stopped accordingly.
+     * On initial load with false, nothing happens (no-op for users who never enabled it).
+     */
+    fun watchAccount(account: Account) {
+        watchJob?.cancel()
+        wasEnabled = false
+        watchJob =
+            scope.launch {
+                account.settings.alwaysOnNotificationService.collectLatest { enabled ->
+                    if (enabled) {
+                        wasEnabled = true
+                        enableAllLayers()
+                    } else if (wasEnabled) {
+                        disableAllLayers()
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+    }
+
+    fun stop() {
+        watchJob?.cancel()
+        watchJob = null
+    }
+
+    private fun enableAllLayers() {
+        Log.d(TAG, "Enabling all notification service layers")
+
+        // L1: Start foreground service
+        NotificationRelayService.start(context)
+
+        // L3: Schedule periodic catch-up worker
+        NotificationCatchUpWorker.schedule(context)
+
+        // L5: Start watchdog alarm
+        ServiceWatchdogManager.schedule(context)
+
+        // L2 (FCM) and L4 (BOOT_COMPLETED) are always active via manifest
+    }
+
+    private fun disableAllLayers() {
+        Log.d(TAG, "Disabling all notification service layers")
+
+        // L1: Stop foreground service
+        NotificationRelayService.stop(context)
+
+        // L3: Cancel periodic catch-up worker
+        NotificationCatchUpWorker.cancel(context)
+
+        // L5: Cancel watchdog alarm
+        ServiceWatchdogManager.cancel(context)
+    }
+}

amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/service/notifications/AutoRestartReceiver.kt

@@ -0,0 +1,75 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (c) 2025 Vitor Pamplona
+ *
+ * Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of
+ * this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in
+ * the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to use,
+ * copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the
+ * Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so,
+ * subject to the following conditions:
+ *
+ * The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
+ * copies or substantial portions of the Software.
+ *
+ * THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
+ * IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS
+ * FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR
+ * COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN
+ * AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION
+ * WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
+ */
+package com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.service.notifications
+
+import android.content.BroadcastReceiver
+import android.content.Context
+import android.content.Intent
+import androidx.work.Constraints
+import androidx.work.ExistingWorkPolicy
+import androidx.work.NetworkType
+import androidx.work.OneTimeWorkRequestBuilder
+import androidx.work.WorkManager
+import com.vitorpamplona.quartz.utils.Log
+
+/**
+ * Receives a broadcast from NotificationRelayService.onDestroy() and
+ * enqueues a one-time WorkManager task to restart the service.
+ *
+ * This catches kills that START_STICKY might miss (e.g., OEM battery
+ * optimizers, aggressive memory reclaim). The WorkManager task requires
+ * network connectivity, so the service won't restart until the device
+ * has an active connection.
+ *
+ * Pattern inspired by ntfy's AutoRestartReceiver.
+ */
+class AutoRestartReceiver : BroadcastReceiver() {
+    companion object {
+        private const val TAG = "AutoRestartReceiver"
+        private const val WORK_NAME = "notification_service_restart"
+    }
+
+    override fun onReceive(
+        context: Context,
+        intent: Intent?,
+    ) {
+        if (intent?.action != NotificationRelayService.ACTION_AUTO_RESTART) return
+
+        Log.d(TAG, "Received auto-restart broadcast, enqueuing restart work")
+
+        val constraints =
+            Constraints
+                .Builder()
+                .setRequiredNetworkType(NetworkType.CONNECTED)
+                .build()
+
+        val request =
+            OneTimeWorkRequestBuilder<NotificationCatchUpWorker>()
+                .setConstraints(constraints)
+                .build()
+
+        WorkManager.getInstance(context).enqueueUniqueWork(
+            WORK_NAME,
+            ExistingWorkPolicy.KEEP,
+            request,
+        )
+    }
+}

amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/service/notifications/BatteryOptimizationHelper.kt

@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (c) 2025 Vitor Pamplona
+ *
+ * Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of
+ * this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in
+ * the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to use,
+ * copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the
+ * Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so,
+ * subject to the following conditions:
+ *
+ * The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
+ * copies or substantial portions of the Software.
+ *
+ * THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
+ * IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS
+ * FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR
+ * COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN
+ * AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION
+ * WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
+ */
+package com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.service.notifications
+
+import android.content.Context
+import android.content.Intent
+import android.net.Uri
+import android.os.PowerManager
+import android.provider.Settings
+import com.vitorpamplona.quartz.utils.Log
+
+/**
+ * Helper for checking and requesting battery optimization exemption.
+ *
+ * When the always-on notification service is enabled, the app needs to be
+ * exempted from battery optimizations (Doze) to maintain reliable relay
+ * connections. Without the exemption, Android may restrict network access
+ * and defer alarms even for foreground services.
+ *
+ * Messaging apps are explicitly listed as a valid use case for this exemption
+ * in Google Play policy.
+ */
+object BatteryOptimizationHelper {
+    private const val TAG = "BatteryOptimization"
+
+    fun isIgnoringBatteryOptimizations(context: Context): Boolean {
+        val powerManager = context.getSystemService(Context.POWER_SERVICE) as PowerManager
+        return powerManager.isIgnoringBatteryOptimizations(context.packageName)
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Launches the system dialog to request battery optimization exemption.
+     * Falls back to the general battery settings page if the direct intent fails.
+     */
+    fun requestBatteryOptimizationExemption(context: Context) {
+        try {
+            val intent =
+                Intent(Settings.ACTION_REQUEST_IGNORE_BATTERY_OPTIMIZATIONS).apply {
+                    data = Uri.parse("package:${context.packageName}")
+                    addFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK)
+                }
+            context.startActivity(intent)
+        } catch (e: Exception) {
+            Log.w(TAG, "Direct battery exemption request failed, opening settings", e)
+            try {
+                val fallback =
+                    Intent(Settings.ACTION_IGNORE_BATTERY_OPTIMIZATION_SETTINGS).apply {
+                        addFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK)
+                    }
+                context.startActivity(fallback)
+            } catch (e2: Exception) {
+                Log.e(TAG, "Failed to open battery settings", e2)
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}

amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/service/notifications/BootCompletedReceiver.kt

@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (c) 2025 Vitor Pamplona
+ *
+ * Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of
+ * this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in
+ * the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to use,
+ * copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the
+ * Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so,
+ * subject to the following conditions:
+ *
+ * The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
+ * copies or substantial portions of the Software.
+ *
+ * THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
+ * IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS
+ * FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR
+ * COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN
+ * AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION
+ * WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
+ */
+package com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.service.notifications
+
+import android.content.BroadcastReceiver
+import android.content.Context
+import android.content.Intent
+import com.vitorpamplona.quartz.utils.Log
+
+/**
+ * Restarts the NotificationRelayService after device reboot or app update.
+ *
+ * Handles:
+ * - BOOT_COMPLETED / QUICKBOOT_POWERON: restart after device reboot
+ * - MY_PACKAGE_REPLACED: restart after app update (without this, the service
+ *   stays dead until the user manually opens the app or reboots)
+ *
+ * The specialUse foreground service type is allowed to start from BOOT_COMPLETED
+ * on Android 15+, unlike dataSync which is restricted.
+ */
+class BootCompletedReceiver : BroadcastReceiver() {
+    companion object {
+        private const val TAG = "BootCompletedReceiver"
+    }
+
+    override fun onReceive(
+        context: Context,
+        intent: Intent,
+    ) {
+        when (intent.action) {
+            Intent.ACTION_BOOT_COMPLETED,
+            "android.intent.action.QUICKBOOT_POWERON",
+            Intent.ACTION_MY_PACKAGE_REPLACED,
+            -> {
+                Log.d(TAG) { "Received ${intent.action}, checking if notification service should start" }
+                if (NotificationRelayService.isEnabled(context)) {
+                    Log.d(TAG, "Starting notification relay service")
+                    NotificationRelayService.start(context)
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}

amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/service/notifications/EventNotificationConsumer.kt

@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ package com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.service.notifications
 import android.app.NotificationManager
 import android.content.Context
 import android.graphics.drawable.BitmapDrawable
+import android.os.PowerManager
 import androidx.compose.runtime.getValue
 import androidx.core.content.ContextCompat
 import coil3.ImageLoader
@@ -88,28 +89,55 @@ private const val SCROLL_TO_QUERY_PARAM = "&scrollTo="
 class EventNotificationConsumer(
     private val applicationContext: Context,
 ) {
-    suspend fun consume(event: GiftWrapEvent) {
+    companion object {
-        Log.d(TAG, "New Notification Arrived")
+        private const val WAKELOCK_TIMEOUT_MS = 10 * 60 * 1000L // 10 minutes
+    }
 
-        // PushNotification Wraps don't include a receiver.
+    /**
-        // Test with all logged in accounts
+     * Acquires a partial WakeLock during notification processing to ensure
-        var matchAccount = false
+     * the CPU stays awake long enough to decrypt, process, and dispatch
-        LocalPreferences.allSavedAccounts().forEach {
+     * the notification, even in Doze mode.
-            if (!matchAccount && (it.hasPrivKey || it.loggedInWithExternalSigner)) {
+     */
-                LocalPreferences.loadAccountConfigFromEncryptedStorage(it.npub)?.let { acc ->
+    private inline fun <T> withWakeLock(block: () -> T): T {
-                    Log.d(TAG) { "New Notification Testing if for ${it.npub}" }
+        val powerManager = applicationContext.getSystemService(Context.POWER_SERVICE) as PowerManager
-                    try {
+        val wakeLock =
-                        val account = Amethyst.instance.accountsCache.loadAccount(acc)
+            powerManager.newWakeLock(
-                        consumeIfMatchesAccount(event, account)
+                PowerManager.PARTIAL_WAKE_LOCK,
-                        matchAccount = true
+                "amethyst:notification_processing",
-                    } catch (e: Exception) {
+            )
-                        if (e is CancellationException) throw e
+        wakeLock.acquire(WAKELOCK_TIMEOUT_MS)
-                        Log.d(TAG) { "Message was not for user ${it.npub}: ${e.message}" }
+        try {
+            return block()
+        } finally {
+            if (wakeLock.isHeld) {
+                wakeLock.release()
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    suspend fun consume(event: GiftWrapEvent) =
+        withWakeLock {
+            Log.d(TAG, "New Notification Arrived")
+
+            // PushNotification Wraps don't include a receiver.
+            // Test with all logged in accounts
+            var matchAccount = false
+            LocalPreferences.allSavedAccounts().forEach {
+                if (!matchAccount && (it.hasPrivKey || it.loggedInWithExternalSigner)) {
+                    LocalPreferences.loadAccountConfigFromEncryptedStorage(it.npub)?.let { acc ->
+                        Log.d(TAG) { "New Notification Testing if for ${it.npub}" }
+                        try {
+                            val account = Amethyst.instance.accountsCache.loadAccount(acc)
+                            consumeIfMatchesAccount(event, account)
+                            matchAccount = true
+                        } catch (e: Exception) {
+                            if (e is CancellationException) throw e
+                            Log.d(TAG) { "Message was not for user ${it.npub}: ${e.message}" }
+                        }
                     }
                 }
             }
         }
-    }
 
     private suspend fun consumeIfMatchesAccount(
         pushWrappedEvent: GiftWrapEvent,
@@ -221,30 +249,31 @@ class EventNotificationConsumer(
         }
     }
 
-    suspend fun findAccountAndConsume(event: Event) {
+    suspend fun findAccountAndConsume(event: Event) =
-        Log.d(TAG, "New Notification Arrived")
+        withWakeLock {
-        val users = event.taggedUserIds().map { LocalCache.getOrCreateUser(it) }
+            Log.d(TAG, "New Notification Arrived")
-        val npubs = users.map { it.pubkeyNpub() }.toSet()
+            val users = event.taggedUserIds().map { LocalCache.getOrCreateUser(it) }
+            val npubs = users.map { it.pubkeyNpub() }.toSet()
 
-        // PushNotification Wraps don't include a receiver.
+            // PushNotification Wraps don't include a receiver.
-        // Test with all logged in accounts
+            // Test with all logged in accounts
-        var matchAccount = false
+            var matchAccount = false
-        LocalPreferences.allSavedAccounts().forEach {
+            LocalPreferences.allSavedAccounts().forEach {
-            if (!matchAccount && (it.hasPrivKey || it.loggedInWithExternalSigner) && it.npub in npubs) {
+                if (!matchAccount && (it.hasPrivKey || it.loggedInWithExternalSigner) && it.npub in npubs) {
-                LocalPreferences.loadAccountConfigFromEncryptedStorage(it.npub)?.let { accountSettings ->
+                    LocalPreferences.loadAccountConfigFromEncryptedStorage(it.npub)?.let { accountSettings ->
-                    Log.d(TAG) { "New Notification Testing if for ${it.npub}" }
+                        Log.d(TAG) { "New Notification Testing if for ${it.npub}" }
-                    try {
+                        try {
-                        val account = Amethyst.instance.accountsCache.loadAccount(accountSettings)
+                            val account = Amethyst.instance.accountsCache.loadAccount(accountSettings)
-                        consumeNotificationEvent(event, account)
+                            consumeNotificationEvent(event, account)
-                        matchAccount = true
+                            matchAccount = true
-                    } catch (e: Exception) {
+                        } catch (e: Exception) {
-                        if (e is CancellationException) throw e
+                            if (e is CancellationException) throw e
-                        Log.d(TAG) { "Message was not for user ${it.npub}: ${e.message}" }
+                            Log.d(TAG) { "Message was not for user ${it.npub}: ${e.message}" }
+                        }
                     }
                 }
             }
         }
-    }
 
     private suspend fun unwrapAndConsume(
         event: Event,

amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/service/notifications/NotificationCatchUpWorker.kt

@@ -0,0 +1,151 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (c) 2025 Vitor Pamplona
+ *
+ * Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of
+ * this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in
+ * the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to use,
+ * copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the
+ * Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so,
+ * subject to the following conditions:
+ *
+ * The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
+ * copies or substantial portions of the Software.
+ *
+ * THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
+ * IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS
+ * FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR
+ * COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN
+ * AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION
+ * WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
+ */
+package com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.service.notifications
+
+import android.content.Context
+import androidx.work.Constraints
+import androidx.work.CoroutineWorker
+import androidx.work.ExistingPeriodicWorkPolicy
+import androidx.work.ExistingWorkPolicy
+import androidx.work.NetworkType
+import androidx.work.OneTimeWorkRequestBuilder
+import androidx.work.PeriodicWorkRequestBuilder
+import androidx.work.WorkManager
+import androidx.work.WorkerParameters
+import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.Amethyst
+import com.vitorpamplona.quartz.utils.Log
+import kotlinx.coroutines.delay
+import kotlinx.coroutines.flow.first
+import kotlinx.coroutines.withTimeoutOrNull
+import java.util.concurrent.TimeUnit
+
+/**
+ * WorkManager periodic worker that catches up on missed notifications.
+ *
+ * This runs every 15 minutes (WorkManager's minimum interval) and ensures
+ * relay connections are active. It acts as a safety net:
+ *
+ * - If the foreground service was killed by an OEM battery optimizer, this
+ *   worker will briefly restore connections and pull missed events.
+ * - If the foreground service is running fine, this worker is essentially a no-op
+ *   since the connections are already live and filters are active.
+ *
+ * The worker collects relayServices to ensure connections are active,
+ * waits briefly for data to flow, then exits. The foreground service
+ * (if alive) handles the persistent connection.
+ */
+class NotificationCatchUpWorker(
+    appContext: Context,
+    workerParams: WorkerParameters,
+) : CoroutineWorker(appContext, workerParams) {
+    companion object {
+        private const val TAG = "NotificationCatchUpWorker"
+        private const val WORK_NAME = "notification_catch_up"
+        private const val CATCH_UP_DURATION_MS = 30_000L
+
+        fun schedule(context: Context) {
+            val constraints =
+                Constraints
+                    .Builder()
+                    .setRequiredNetworkType(NetworkType.CONNECTED)
+                    .build()
+
+            val request =
+                PeriodicWorkRequestBuilder<NotificationCatchUpWorker>(
+                    15,
+                    TimeUnit.MINUTES,
+                ).setConstraints(constraints)
+                    .build()
+
+            WorkManager.getInstance(context).enqueueUniquePeriodicWork(
+                WORK_NAME,
+                ExistingPeriodicWorkPolicy.KEEP,
+                request,
+            )
+            Log.d(TAG, "Scheduled periodic catch-up work")
+        }
+
+        fun cancel(context: Context) {
+            WorkManager.getInstance(context).cancelUniqueWork(WORK_NAME)
+            WorkManager.getInstance(context).cancelUniqueWork(WORK_NAME_ON_NETWORK)
+            Log.d(TAG, "Cancelled periodic catch-up work")
+        }
+
+        private const val WORK_NAME_ON_NETWORK = "notification_catch_up_on_network"
+
+        /**
+         * Enqueues a one-time catch-up task that runs as soon as network
+         * connectivity is available. Call this when the service detects
+         * network loss to ensure it restarts immediately when network returns,
+         * rather than waiting for the next periodic worker.
+         */
+        fun scheduleOnNetworkAvailable(context: Context) {
+            val constraints =
+                Constraints
+                    .Builder()
+                    .setRequiredNetworkType(NetworkType.CONNECTED)
+                    .build()
+
+            val request =
+                OneTimeWorkRequestBuilder<NotificationCatchUpWorker>()
+                    .setConstraints(constraints)
+                    .build()
+
+            WorkManager.getInstance(context).enqueueUniqueWork(
+                WORK_NAME_ON_NETWORK,
+                ExistingWorkPolicy.KEEP,
+                request,
+            )
+            Log.d(TAG, "Scheduled one-time catch-up on network available")
+        }
+    }
+
+    override suspend fun doWork(): Result {
+        Log.d(TAG, "Starting notification catch-up")
+
+        return try {
+            // If the foreground service should be running but isn't, restart it
+            if (NotificationRelayService.isEnabled(applicationContext)) {
+                NotificationRelayService.start(applicationContext)
+            }
+
+            val appModules = Amethyst.instance
+
+            // Collecting relayServices ensures connections are active.
+            // If the foreground service is alive, connections are already up
+            // and this is essentially free. If it was killed, this briefly
+            // restores them.
+            withTimeoutOrNull(CATCH_UP_DURATION_MS) {
+                // Trigger connection by collecting the first emission
+                appModules.relayProxyClientConnector.relayServices.first()
+
+                // Give the relay subscriptions time to receive pending events
+                delay(CATCH_UP_DURATION_MS - 5_000)
+            }
+
+            Log.d(TAG, "Notification catch-up completed")
+            Result.success()
+        } catch (e: Exception) {
+            Log.e(TAG, "Notification catch-up failed", e)
+            Result.retry()
+        }
+    }
+}

amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/service/notifications/NotificationRelayService.kt

@@ -0,0 +1,330 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (c) 2025 Vitor Pamplona
+ *
+ * Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of
+ * this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in
+ * the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to use,
+ * copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the
+ * Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so,
+ * subject to the following conditions:
+ *
+ * The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
+ * copies or substantial portions of the Software.
+ *
+ * THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
+ * IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS
+ * FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR
+ * COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN
+ * AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION
+ * WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
+ */
+package com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.service.notifications
+
+import android.app.AlarmManager
+import android.app.ForegroundServiceStartNotAllowedException
+import android.app.Notification
+import android.app.NotificationChannel
+import android.app.NotificationManager
+import android.app.PendingIntent
+import android.app.Service
+import android.content.Context
+import android.content.Intent
+import android.content.pm.ServiceInfo
+import android.os.Build
+import android.os.IBinder
+import android.os.SystemClock
+import androidx.core.app.NotificationCompat
+import androidx.core.app.ServiceCompat
+import androidx.core.content.ContextCompat
+import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.Amethyst
+import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.R
+import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.ui.MainActivity
+import com.vitorpamplona.quartz.utils.Log
+import kotlinx.coroutines.CoroutineScope
+import kotlinx.coroutines.Dispatchers
+import kotlinx.coroutines.Job
+import kotlinx.coroutines.SupervisorJob
+import kotlinx.coroutines.cancel
+import kotlinx.coroutines.flow.collectLatest
+import kotlinx.coroutines.launch
+
+/**
+ * A foreground service that maintains persistent WebSocket connections to the user's
+ * inbox relays for real-time notification delivery.
+ *
+ * This service keeps the shared NostrClient alive by collecting the relayServices flow.
+ * It does NOT create its own relay subscriptions — instead, it relies on the
+ * AccountFilterAssembler subscription from the Compose UI tree, which stays active
+ * as long as the Activity is alive (even when stopped/backgrounded). That subscription
+ * covers notifications, gift wraps, metadata, follows, relay lists, and drafts.
+ *
+ * Heavy feed subscriptions (Home, Video, Discovery, ChatroomList) are managed
+ * separately with lifecycle awareness — they pause when the app backgrounds
+ * and resume when it foregrounds. This prevents bandwidth waste on feeds
+ * nobody is viewing.
+ *
+ * Auto-restart mechanisms (inspired by ntfy):
+ * - START_STICKY: Android restarts killed services
+ * - onTaskRemoved(): 1-second alarm restart when swiped from recents
+ * - onDestroy(): broadcast to AutoRestartReceiver for WorkManager restart
+ * - AlarmManager watchdog (external, ServiceWatchdogManager)
+ * - WorkManager catch-up (external, NotificationCatchUpWorker)
+ * - BOOT_COMPLETED + MY_PACKAGE_REPLACED receivers (external, BootCompletedReceiver)
+ */
+class NotificationRelayService : Service() {
+    companion object {
+        private const val TAG = "NotificationRelayService"
+        private const val CHANNEL_ID = "notification_relay_service"
+        private const val NOTIFICATION_ID = 9832
+
+        private const val ACTION_START = "com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.START_NOTIFICATION_SERVICE"
+        private const val ACTION_STOP = "com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.STOP_NOTIFICATION_SERVICE"
+
+        const val ACTION_AUTO_RESTART = "com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.AUTO_RESTART_NOTIFICATION_SERVICE"
+
+        fun start(context: Context) {
+            val intent =
+                Intent(context, NotificationRelayService::class.java).apply {
+                    action = ACTION_START
+                }
+            try {
+                ContextCompat.startForegroundService(context, intent)
+            } catch (e: Exception) {
+                Log.e(TAG, "Failed to start foreground service", e)
+            }
+        }
+
+        fun stop(context: Context) {
+            context.stopService(Intent(context, NotificationRelayService::class.java))
+        }
+
+        fun isEnabled(context: Context): Boolean =
+            try {
+                Amethyst.instance.sessionManager
+                    .loggedInAccount()
+                    ?.settings
+                    ?.alwaysOnNotificationService
+                    ?.value == true
+            } catch (e: Exception) {
+                false
+            }
+    }
+
+    private val scope = CoroutineScope(Dispatchers.IO + SupervisorJob())
+    private var relayServiceCollectorJob: Job? = null
+    private var connectedRelayCount = 0
+    private var foregroundStarted = false
+
+    override fun onBind(intent: Intent?): IBinder? = null
+
+    override fun onCreate() {
+        super.onCreate()
+        Log.d(TAG, "Service created")
+        createNotificationChannel()
+        initializeForeground()
+    }
+
+    override fun onStartCommand(
+        intent: Intent?,
+        flags: Int,
+        startId: Int,
+    ): Int {
+        when (intent?.action) {
+            ACTION_STOP -> {
+                Log.d(TAG, "Stopping service")
+                stopSelf()
+                return START_NOT_STICKY
+            }
+
+            else -> {
+                Log.d(TAG, "Starting service")
+                // Safety: also call startForeground from onStartCommand in case
+                // onCreate didn't complete before onStartCommand fired (ntfy #1520)
+                initializeForeground()
+                startRelayConnection()
+            }
+        }
+        return START_STICKY
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Called when the user swipes the app from recents. Some OEMs kill the
+     * foreground service at this point. Schedule an alarm to restart in 1 second.
+     */
+    override fun onTaskRemoved(rootIntent: Intent?) {
+        super.onTaskRemoved(rootIntent)
+        if (!isEnabled(this)) return
+
+        Log.d(TAG, "Task removed, scheduling restart alarm")
+        val restartIntent =
+            Intent(this, NotificationRelayService::class.java).apply {
+                action = ACTION_START
+            }
+        val pendingIntent =
+            PendingIntent.getService(
+                this,
+                2,
+                restartIntent,
+                PendingIntent.FLAG_IMMUTABLE or PendingIntent.FLAG_ONE_SHOT,
+            )
+        val alarmManager = getSystemService(ALARM_SERVICE) as AlarmManager
+        alarmManager.set(
+            AlarmManager.ELAPSED_REALTIME,
+            SystemClock.elapsedRealtime() + 1000,
+            pendingIntent,
+        )
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Called when the service is being destroyed. Send a broadcast to
+     * AutoRestartReceiver which will enqueue a WorkManager task to restart.
+     * This catches kills that START_STICKY might miss.
+     */
+    override fun onDestroy() {
+        Log.d(TAG, "Service destroyed")
+        relayServiceCollectorJob?.cancel()
+        scope.cancel()
+
+        if (isEnabled(this)) {
+            Log.d(TAG, "Broadcasting auto-restart request")
+            val intent =
+                Intent(this, AutoRestartReceiver::class.java).apply {
+                    action = ACTION_AUTO_RESTART
+                }
+            sendBroadcast(intent)
+        }
+
+        super.onDestroy()
+    }
+
+    private fun initializeForeground() {
+        if (foregroundStarted) return
+        try {
+            val notification = buildNotification(0)
+            ServiceCompat.startForeground(
+                this,
+                NOTIFICATION_ID,
+                notification,
+                if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.UPSIDE_DOWN_CAKE) {
+                    ServiceInfo.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_TYPE_SPECIAL_USE
+                } else {
+                    0
+                },
+            )
+            foregroundStarted = true
+        } catch (e: Exception) {
+            if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.S &&
+                e is ForegroundServiceStartNotAllowedException
+            ) {
+                Log.w(TAG, "Foreground service start not allowed, stopping self")
+                stopSelf()
+            } else {
+                Log.e(TAG, "Failed to start foreground", e)
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Keeps the relay infrastructure alive. The service collects two flows:
+     *
+     * 1. relayServices: Keeps the RelayProxyClientConnector active (connectivity,
+     *    Tor, network changes). Without this, the client disconnects 30s after
+     *    the UI stops collecting.
+     *
+     * 2. connectedRelaysFlow: Updates the persistent notification with relay count.
+     *
+     * The service does NOT create its own relay subscriptions. Instead, it relies on
+     * the AccountFilterAssembler subscription that lives in the Compose tree (LoggedInPage).
+     * That subscription stays active as long as the Activity exists (even when stopped)
+     * and covers: metadata, follows, notifications (inbox relays), gift wraps (DM relays),
+     * drafts, and relay list changes. Since the service keeps the client connected,
+     * those subscriptions remain active on the relays.
+     */
+    private fun startRelayConnection() {
+        relayServiceCollectorJob?.cancel()
+        relayServiceCollectorJob =
+            scope.launch {
+                launch {
+                    Amethyst.instance.relayProxyClientConnector.relayServices.collectLatest {
+                        Log.d(TAG) { "Relay services state updated: $it" }
+                    }
+                }
+
+                launch {
+                    Amethyst.instance.client.connectedRelaysFlow().collectLatest { relays ->
+                        val count = relays.size
+                        if (count != connectedRelayCount) {
+                            connectedRelayCount = count
+                            updateNotification(count)
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+    }
+
+    private fun updateNotification(connectedRelays: Int) {
+        val notification = buildNotification(connectedRelays)
+        val notificationManager = getSystemService(NOTIFICATION_SERVICE) as NotificationManager
+        notificationManager.notify(NOTIFICATION_ID, notification)
+    }
+
+    private fun buildNotification(connectedRelays: Int): Notification {
+        val contentText =
+            if (connectedRelays > 0) {
+                getString(R.string.always_on_notif_connected, connectedRelays)
+            } else {
+                getString(R.string.always_on_notif_connecting)
+            }
+
+        val openAppIntent =
+            Intent(this, MainActivity::class.java).apply {
+                flags = Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_SINGLE_TOP
+            }
+        val pendingIntent =
+            PendingIntent.getActivity(
+                this,
+                0,
+                openAppIntent,
+                PendingIntent.FLAG_IMMUTABLE or PendingIntent.FLAG_UPDATE_CURRENT,
+            )
+
+        val stopIntent =
+            Intent(this, NotificationRelayService::class.java).apply {
+                action = ACTION_STOP
+            }
+        val stopPendingIntent =
+            PendingIntent.getService(
+                this,
+                1,
+                stopIntent,
+                PendingIntent.FLAG_IMMUTABLE or PendingIntent.FLAG_UPDATE_CURRENT,
+            )
+
+        return NotificationCompat
+            .Builder(this, CHANNEL_ID)
+            .setContentTitle(getString(R.string.always_on_notif_title))
+            .setContentText(contentText)
+            .setSmallIcon(R.drawable.amethyst)
+            .setContentIntent(pendingIntent)
+            .addAction(0, getString(R.string.always_on_notif_stop), stopPendingIntent)
+            .setOngoing(true)
+            .setSilent(true)
+            .setPriority(NotificationCompat.PRIORITY_LOW)
+            .setCategory(NotificationCompat.CATEGORY_SERVICE)
+            .build()
+    }
+
+    private fun createNotificationChannel() {
+        val channel =
+            NotificationChannel(
+                CHANNEL_ID,
+                getString(R.string.always_on_notif_channel_name),
+                NotificationManager.IMPORTANCE_LOW,
+            ).apply {
+                description = getString(R.string.always_on_notif_channel_description)
+                setShowBadge(false)
+            }
+        val notificationManager = getSystemService(NOTIFICATION_SERVICE) as NotificationManager
+        notificationManager.createNotificationChannel(channel)
+    }
+}

amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/service/notifications/ServiceWatchdogManager.kt

@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (c) 2025 Vitor Pamplona
+ *
+ * Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of
+ * this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in
+ * the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to use,
+ * copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the
+ * Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so,
+ * subject to the following conditions:
+ *
+ * The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
+ * copies or substantial portions of the Software.
+ *
+ * THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
+ * IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS
+ * FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR
+ * COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN
+ * AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION
+ * WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
+ */
+package com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.service.notifications
+
+import android.app.AlarmManager
+import android.app.PendingIntent
+import android.content.BroadcastReceiver
+import android.content.Context
+import android.content.Intent
+import android.os.SystemClock
+import com.vitorpamplona.quartz.utils.Log
+
+/**
+ * Uses AlarmManager to periodically check if the NotificationRelayService is still alive
+ * and restart it if needed.
+ *
+ * This serves as a watchdog: OEM battery optimizations (Xiaomi MIUI, Huawei EMUI,
+ * Samsung One UI) may kill the foreground service despite it being "foreground".
+ * The alarm fires every 5 minutes and checks if the service should be running.
+ */
+class ServiceWatchdogManager {
+    companion object {
+        private const val TAG = "ServiceWatchdogManager"
+        private const val WATCHDOG_INTERVAL_MS = 5 * 60 * 1000L // 5 minutes
+
+        fun schedule(context: Context) {
+            val alarmManager = context.getSystemService(Context.ALARM_SERVICE) as AlarmManager
+            val intent = Intent(context, WatchdogReceiver::class.java)
+            val pendingIntent =
+                PendingIntent.getBroadcast(
+                    context,
+                    0,
+                    intent,
+                    PendingIntent.FLAG_IMMUTABLE or PendingIntent.FLAG_UPDATE_CURRENT,
+                )
+
+            alarmManager.setInexactRepeating(
+                AlarmManager.ELAPSED_REALTIME_WAKEUP,
+                SystemClock.elapsedRealtime() + WATCHDOG_INTERVAL_MS,
+                WATCHDOG_INTERVAL_MS,
+                pendingIntent,
+            )
+            Log.d(TAG, "Watchdog alarm scheduled")
+        }
+
+        fun cancel(context: Context) {
+            val alarmManager = context.getSystemService(Context.ALARM_SERVICE) as AlarmManager
+            val intent = Intent(context, WatchdogReceiver::class.java)
+            val pendingIntent =
+                PendingIntent.getBroadcast(
+                    context,
+                    0,
+                    intent,
+                    PendingIntent.FLAG_IMMUTABLE or PendingIntent.FLAG_NO_CREATE,
+                )
+            if (pendingIntent != null) {
+                alarmManager.cancel(pendingIntent)
+                Log.d(TAG, "Watchdog alarm cancelled")
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    class WatchdogReceiver : BroadcastReceiver() {
+        override fun onReceive(
+            context: Context,
+            intent: Intent?,
+        ) {
+            Log.d(TAG, "Watchdog fired, checking service state")
+            if (NotificationRelayService.isEnabled(context)) {
+                NotificationRelayService.start(context)
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}

amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/screen/loggedIn/chats/rooms/datasource/ChatroomListFilterAssemblerSubscription.kt

@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ package com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.ui.screen.loggedIn.chats.rooms.datasource
 
 import androidx.compose.runtime.Composable
 import androidx.compose.runtime.remember
-import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.commons.relayClient.subscriptions.KeyDataSourceSubscription
+import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.commons.relayClient.subscriptions.LifecycleAwareKeyDataSourceSubscription
 import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.ui.screen.loggedIn.AccountViewModel
 
 @Composable
@@ -45,5 +45,5 @@ fun ChatroomListFilterAssemblerSubscription(
             ChatroomListState(accountViewModel.account)
         }
 
-    KeyDataSourceSubscription(state, dataSource)
+    LifecycleAwareKeyDataSourceSubscription(state, dataSource)
 }

amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/screen/loggedIn/discover/datasource/DiscoveryFilterAssemblerSubscription.kt

@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ package com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.ui.screen.loggedIn.discover.datasource
 import androidx.compose.runtime.Composable
 import androidx.compose.runtime.remember
 import androidx.lifecycle.viewModelScope
-import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.commons.relayClient.subscriptions.KeyDataSourceSubscription
+import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.commons.relayClient.subscriptions.LifecycleAwareKeyDataSourceSubscription
 import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.ui.screen.loggedIn.AccountViewModel
 
 @Composable
@@ -46,5 +46,5 @@ fun DiscoveryFilterAssemblerSubscription(
             DiscoveryQueryState(accountViewModel.account, accountViewModel.feedStates, accountViewModel.viewModelScope)
         }
 
-    KeyDataSourceSubscription(state, dataSource)
+    LifecycleAwareKeyDataSourceSubscription(state, dataSource)
 }

amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/screen/loggedIn/home/datasource/HomeFilterAssemblerSubscription.kt

@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ package com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.ui.screen.loggedIn.home.datasource
 import androidx.compose.runtime.Composable
 import androidx.compose.runtime.remember
 import androidx.lifecycle.viewModelScope
-import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.commons.relayClient.subscriptions.KeyDataSourceSubscription
+import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.commons.relayClient.subscriptions.LifecycleAwareKeyDataSourceSubscription
 import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.ui.screen.loggedIn.AccountViewModel
 
 @Composable
@@ -50,5 +50,5 @@ fun HomeFilterAssemblerSubscription(
             )
         }
 
-    KeyDataSourceSubscription(state, dataSource)
+    LifecycleAwareKeyDataSourceSubscription(state, dataSource)
 }

amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/screen/loggedIn/settings/AppSettingsScreen.kt

@@ -31,8 +31,12 @@ import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.padding
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.windowInsetsPadding
 import androidx.compose.foundation.rememberScrollState
 import androidx.compose.foundation.verticalScroll
+import androidx.compose.material3.Button
+import androidx.compose.material3.Card
+import androidx.compose.material3.CardDefaults
 import androidx.compose.material3.MaterialTheme
 import androidx.compose.material3.Scaffold
+import androidx.compose.material3.Switch
 import androidx.compose.material3.Text
 import androidx.compose.runtime.Composable
 import androidx.compose.runtime.collectAsState
@@ -42,11 +46,13 @@ import androidx.compose.ui.Alignment
 import androidx.compose.ui.Modifier
 import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.Color
 import androidx.compose.ui.platform.LocalContext
+import androidx.compose.ui.text.font.FontWeight
 import androidx.compose.ui.text.intl.Locale
 import androidx.compose.ui.text.style.TextOverflow
 import androidx.compose.ui.tooling.preview.Preview
 import androidx.compose.ui.unit.dp
 import androidx.core.os.LocaleListCompat
+import androidx.lifecycle.compose.collectAsStateWithLifecycle
 import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.R
 import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.model.ConnectivityType
 import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.model.FeatureSetType
@@ -58,6 +64,7 @@ import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.model.parseConnectivityType
 import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.model.parseFeatureSetType
 import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.model.parseGalleryType
 import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.model.parseThemeType
+import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.service.notifications.BatteryOptimizationHelper
 import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.ui.components.PushNotificationSettingsRow
 import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.ui.components.TextSpinner
 import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.ui.components.TitleExplainer
@@ -89,7 +96,7 @@ fun SettingsScreen(
         },
     ) {
         Column(Modifier.padding(it)) {
-            SettingsScreen(accountViewModel.settings.uiSettingsFlow)
+            SettingsScreen(accountViewModel.settings.uiSettingsFlow, accountViewModel)
         }
     }
 }
@@ -103,7 +110,10 @@ fun SettingsScreenPreview() {
 }
 
 @Composable
-fun SettingsScreen(sharedPrefs: UiSettingsFlow) {
+fun SettingsScreen(
+    sharedPrefs: UiSettingsFlow,
+    accountViewModel: AccountViewModel? = null,
+) {
     Column(
         Modifier
             .fillMaxSize()
@@ -124,6 +134,9 @@ fun SettingsScreen(sharedPrefs: UiSettingsFlow) {
         GalleryChoice(sharedPrefs)
         AiWritingHelpChoice(sharedPrefs)
         PushNotificationSettingsRow(sharedPrefs)
+        if (accountViewModel != null) {
+            AlwaysOnNotificationServiceChoice(accountViewModel)
+        }
     }
 }
 
@@ -495,3 +508,68 @@ fun SettingsRow(
         }
     }
 }
+
+@Composable
+fun AlwaysOnNotificationServiceChoice(accountViewModel: AccountViewModel) {
+    val enabled by accountViewModel.account.settings.alwaysOnNotificationService
+        .collectAsStateWithLifecycle()
+
+    SettingsRow(
+        R.string.always_on_notif_setting_title,
+        R.string.always_on_notif_setting_description,
+    ) {
+        Switch(
+            checked = enabled,
+            onCheckedChange = {
+                accountViewModel.account.settings.toggleAlwaysOnNotificationService()
+            },
+        )
+    }
+
+    if (enabled) {
+        BatteryOptimizationBanner()
+    }
+}
+
+@Composable
+fun BatteryOptimizationBanner() {
+    val context = LocalContext.current
+    val isExempt =
+        remember {
+            BatteryOptimizationHelper.isIgnoringBatteryOptimizations(context)
+        }
+
+    if (!isExempt) {
+        Card(
+            modifier = Modifier.fillMaxWidth(),
+            colors =
+                CardDefaults.cardColors(
+                    containerColor = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.errorContainer,
+                ),
+        ) {
+            Column(
+                modifier = Modifier.padding(12.dp),
+                verticalArrangement = Arrangement.spacedBy(8.dp),
+            ) {
+                Text(
+                    text = stringRes(R.string.battery_optimization_title),
+                    style = MaterialTheme.typography.bodyMedium,
+                    fontWeight = FontWeight.Bold,
+                    color = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.onErrorContainer,
+                )
+                Text(
+                    text = stringRes(R.string.battery_optimization_description),
+                    style = MaterialTheme.typography.bodySmall,
+                    color = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.onErrorContainer,
+                )
+                Button(
+                    onClick = {
+                        BatteryOptimizationHelper.requestBatteryOptimizationExemption(context)
+                    },
+                ) {
+                    Text(stringRes(R.string.battery_optimization_fix_now))
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}

amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/screen/loggedIn/video/datasource/VideoFilterAssemblerSubscription.kt

@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ package com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.ui.screen.loggedIn.video.datasource
 import androidx.compose.runtime.Composable
 import androidx.compose.runtime.remember
 import androidx.lifecycle.viewModelScope
-import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.commons.relayClient.subscriptions.KeyDataSourceSubscription
+import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.commons.relayClient.subscriptions.LifecycleAwareKeyDataSourceSubscription
 import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.ui.screen.loggedIn.AccountViewModel
 
 @Composable
@@ -46,5 +46,5 @@ fun VideoFilterAssemblerSubscription(
             VideoQueryState(accountViewModel.account, accountViewModel.feedStates, accountViewModel.viewModelScope)
         }
 
-    KeyDataSourceSubscription(state, filterAssembler)
+    LifecycleAwareKeyDataSourceSubscription(state, filterAssembler)
 }

amethyst/src/main/res/values/strings.xml

@@ -925,6 +925,19 @@
     <string name="call_settings_turn_username">Username</string>
     <string name="call_settings_turn_credential">Credential</string>
 
+    <string name="always_on_notif_channel_name" translatable="false">Relay Connection Service</string>
+    <string name="always_on_notif_channel_description">Keeps connections to your inbox relays active for real-time notifications</string>
+    <string name="always_on_notif_title">Amethyst Notifications Active</string>
+    <string name="always_on_notif_connected">Connected to %1$d inbox relays</string>
+    <string name="always_on_notif_connecting">Connecting to inbox relays\u2026</string>
+    <string name="always_on_notif_stop">Pause</string>
+    <string name="always_on_notif_setting_title">Always-on notification service</string>
+    <string name="always_on_notif_setting_description">Keeps a persistent connection to your inbox relays for instant notification delivery. Shows an ongoing notification. Uses more battery but ensures you never miss a message.</string>
+
+    <string name="battery_optimization_title">Battery optimization active</string>
+    <string name="battery_optimization_description">Android may restrict relay connections in the background. Disable battery optimization for Amethyst to ensure reliable notifications.</string>
+    <string name="battery_optimization_fix_now">Fix now</string>
+
     <string name="reply_notify">Notify: </string>
 
     <string name="channel_list_join_conversation">Join Conversation</string>

commons/src/commonMain/kotlin/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/commons/relayClient/subscriptions/LifecycleAwareKeyDataSourceSubscription.kt

@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (c) 2025 Vitor Pamplona
+ *
+ * Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of
+ * this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in
+ * the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to use,
+ * copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the
+ * Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so,
+ * subject to the following conditions:
+ *
+ * The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
+ * copies or substantial portions of the Software.
+ *
+ * THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
+ * IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS
+ * FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR
+ * COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN
+ * AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION
+ * WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
+ */
+package com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.commons.relayClient.subscriptions
+
+import androidx.compose.runtime.Composable
+import androidx.compose.runtime.DisposableEffect
+import androidx.compose.runtime.getValue
+import androidx.compose.runtime.mutableStateOf
+import androidx.compose.runtime.remember
+import androidx.compose.runtime.setValue
+import androidx.lifecycle.Lifecycle
+import androidx.lifecycle.LifecycleEventObserver
+import androidx.lifecycle.compose.LocalLifecycleOwner
+import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.commons.relayClient.composeSubscriptionManagers.ComposeSubscriptionManager
+
+/**
+ * A lifecycle-aware version of [KeyDataSourceSubscription] that subscribes
+ * when the lifecycle reaches STARTED and unsubscribes when it reaches STOPPED.
+ *
+ * Use this for heavy feed subscriptions (home, video, discovery, chatroom list)
+ * that should NOT run when the app is in the background. When an always-on
+ * notification service keeps the relay client connected, these subscriptions
+ * would otherwise leak bandwidth on feeds nobody is viewing.
+ *
+ * Lightweight subscriptions that should always run (account metadata, notifications,
+ * gift wraps) should continue using the regular [KeyDataSourceSubscription].
+ */
+@Composable
+fun <T> LifecycleAwareKeyDataSourceSubscription(
+    state: T,
+    dataSource: ComposeSubscriptionManager<T>,
+) {
+    val lifecycleOwner = LocalLifecycleOwner.current
+    var isStarted by remember { mutableStateOf(false) }
+
+    DisposableEffect(state, lifecycleOwner) {
+        val observer =
+            LifecycleEventObserver { _, event ->
+                when (event) {
+                    Lifecycle.Event.ON_START -> {
+                        if (!isStarted) {
+                            dataSource.subscribe(state)
+                            isStarted = true
+                        }
+                    }
+
+                    Lifecycle.Event.ON_STOP -> {
+                        if (isStarted) {
+                            dataSource.unsubscribe(state)
+                            isStarted = false
+                        }
+                    }
+
+                    else -> {}
+                }
+            }
+
+        lifecycleOwner.lifecycle.addObserver(observer)
+
+        // If already started (e.g., recomposition while visible), subscribe immediately
+        if (lifecycleOwner.lifecycle.currentState.isAtLeast(Lifecycle.State.STARTED)) {
+            dataSource.subscribe(state)
+            isStarted = true
+        }
+
+        onDispose {
+            lifecycleOwner.lifecycle.removeObserver(observer)
+            if (isStarted) {
+                dataSource.unsubscribe(state)
+                isStarted = false
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}

gradle/libs.versions.toml

@@ -71,6 +71,7 @@ commonsImaging = "1.0.0-alpha6"
 zxing = "3.5.4"
 zxingAndroidEmbedded = "4.3.0"
 windowCoreAndroid = "1.5.1"
+workRuntime = "2.10.1"
 androidxCamera = "1.6.0"
 androidxCollection = "1.6.0"
 androidxExifinterface = "1.4.2"
@@ -190,6 +191,7 @@ androidx-core = { group = "androidx.test", name = "core", version.ref = "core" }
 androidx-sqlite = { group = "androidx.sqlite", name = "sqlite", version.ref = "sqlite" }
 androidx-sqlite-bundled = { module = "androidx.sqlite:sqlite-bundled", version.ref = "sqlite" }
 androidx-sqlite-bundled-jvm = { module = "androidx.sqlite:sqlite-bundled-jvm", version.ref = "sqlite" }
+androidx-work-runtime-ktx = { group = "androidx.work", name = "work-runtime-ktx", version.ref = "workRuntime" }
 
 [plugins]
 androidApplication = { id = "com.android.application", version.ref = "agp" }