diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/geohash/FusedLocationProvider.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/geohash/FusedLocationProvider.kt
index 06439c80a6..c69c5d5d50 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/geohash/FusedLocationProvider.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/geohash/FusedLocationProvider.kt
@@ -18,7 +18,8 @@ internal class FusedLocationProvider(private val context: Context) : LocationPro
     }
 
     private val fusedLocationClient: FusedLocationProviderClient = LocationServices.getFusedLocationProviderClient(context)
-    
+    private val systemFallback = SystemLocationProvider(context)
+
     // Map to keep track of callbacks to remove them later
     private val activeCallbacks = mutableMapOf<(Location) -> Unit, LocationCallback>()
     private val activeCurrentLocationRequests = mutableSetOf<CancellationTokenSource>()
@@ -40,15 +41,19 @@ internal class FusedLocationProvider(private val context: Context) : LocationPro
         try {
             fusedLocationClient.lastLocation
                 .addOnSuccessListener { location ->
-                    callback(location.takeIf { LiveLocationPrivacyGate.isEnabled })
+                    if (location != null && LiveLocationPrivacyGate.isEnabled) {
+                        callback(location)
+                    } else {
+                        systemFallback.getLastKnownLocation(callback)
+                    }
                 }
-                .addOnFailureListener { e ->
+                .addOnFailureListener {
                     Log.e(TAG, "Error getting last-known fused location")
-                    callback(null)
+                    systemFallback.getLastKnownLocation(callback)
                 }
-        } catch (e: Exception) {
+        } catch (_: Exception) {
             Log.e(TAG, "Exception getting last-known fused location")
-            callback(null)
+            systemFallback.getLastKnownLocation(callback)
         }
     }
 
@@ -72,20 +77,24 @@ internal class FusedLocationProvider(private val context: Context) : LocationPro
 
             fusedLocationClient.getCurrentLocation(request, cancellation.token)
                 .addOnSuccessListener { location ->
-                    callback(location.takeIf { LiveLocationPrivacyGate.isEnabled })
+                    if (location != null && LiveLocationPrivacyGate.isEnabled) {
+                        callback(location)
+                    } else {
+                        systemFallback.requestFreshLocation(callback)
+                    }
                 }
-                .addOnFailureListener { e ->
+                .addOnFailureListener {
                     Log.e(TAG, "Error getting fresh fused location")
-                    callback(null)
+                    systemFallback.requestFreshLocation(callback)
                 }
                 .addOnCompleteListener {
                     synchronized(activeCurrentLocationRequests) {
                         activeCurrentLocationRequests.remove(cancellation)
                     }
                 }
-        } catch (e: Exception) {
+        } catch (_: Exception) {
             Log.e(TAG, "Exception getting fresh fused location")
-            callback(null)
+            systemFallback.requestFreshLocation(callback)
         }
     }
 
@@ -119,27 +128,40 @@ internal class FusedLocationProvider(private val context: Context) : LocationPro
                 request,
                 locationCallback,
                 Looper.getMainLooper()
-            )
-            Log.d(TAG, "Registered fused updates")
+            ).addOnSuccessListener {
+                Log.d(TAG, "Registered fused updates")
+            }.addOnFailureListener {
+                val shouldStartFallback = synchronized(activeCallbacks) {
+                    activeCallbacks[callback] === locationCallback
+                }
+                if (shouldStartFallback) {
+                    Log.w(TAG, "Fused updates unavailable; using system location provider")
+                    systemFallback.requestLocationUpdates(intervalMs, minDistanceMeters, callback)
+                }
+            }
 
-        } catch (e: Exception) {
+        } catch (_: Exception) {
             Log.e(TAG, "Error requesting fused updates")
+            synchronized(activeCallbacks) {
+                activeCallbacks.remove(callback)
+            }
+            systemFallback.requestLocationUpdates(intervalMs, minDistanceMeters, callback)
         }
     }
 
     override fun removeLocationUpdates(callback: (Location) -> Unit) {
+        val locationCallback = synchronized(activeCallbacks) {
+            activeCallbacks.remove(callback)
+        }
         try {
-            val locationCallback = synchronized(activeCallbacks) {
-                activeCallbacks.remove(callback)
-            }
-
             if (locationCallback != null) {
                 fusedLocationClient.removeLocationUpdates(locationCallback)
                 Log.d(TAG, "Removed fused updates")
             }
-        } catch (e: Exception) {
+        } catch (_: Exception) {
             Log.e(TAG, "Error removing fused updates")
         }
+        systemFallback.removeLocationUpdates(callback)
     }
 
     override fun cancel() {
@@ -155,8 +177,9 @@ internal class FusedLocationProvider(private val context: Context) : LocationPro
                 activeCurrentLocationRequests.clear()
             }
             Log.d(TAG, "Cancelled all fused updates")
-        } catch (e: Exception) {
+        } catch (_: Exception) {
             Log.e(TAG, "Error cancelling fused provider")
         }
+        systemFallback.cancel()
     }
 }
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/LocationNotesSheetPresenter.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/LocationNotesSheetPresenter.kt
index 9a8cf9e72d..57a1bbf6b4 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/LocationNotesSheetPresenter.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/LocationNotesSheetPresenter.kt
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ private fun LocationNotesErrorSheet(
                 )
                 Spacer(modifier = Modifier.height(16.dp))
                 Text(
-                    text = "Location permission is required for notes",
+                    text = stringResource(R.string.location_notes_location_unavailable),
                     style = MaterialTheme.typography.bodyMedium,
                     color = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.onSurfaceVariant
                 )
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/VerificationSheet.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/VerificationSheet.kt
index a84c3c9470..771cc7a399 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/VerificationSheet.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/bitchat/android/ui/VerificationSheet.kt
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ import androidx.camera.core.ImageProxy
 import androidx.camera.core.Preview
 import androidx.camera.core.SurfaceRequest
 import androidx.camera.lifecycle.ProcessCameraProvider
-import androidx.camera.viewfinder.core.ImplementationMode
 import androidx.compose.animation.Crossfade
 import androidx.compose.foundation.Image
 import androidx.compose.foundation.background
@@ -87,6 +86,7 @@ import com.google.zxing.qrcode.QRCodeWriter
 import kotlinx.coroutines.flow.MutableStateFlow
 import java.util.concurrent.ExecutorService
 import java.util.concurrent.Executors
+import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicReference
 
 @OptIn(ExperimentalMaterial3Api::class)
 @Composable
@@ -321,6 +321,7 @@ private fun ScanTabContent(
     onScan: (String) -> Unit
 ) {
     val permissionState = rememberPermissionState(android.Manifest.permission.CAMERA)
+    var cameraUnavailable by remember { mutableStateOf(false) }
     
     Column(
         modifier = Modifier
@@ -338,31 +339,52 @@ private fun ScanTabContent(
                     .background(Color.Black),
                 contentAlignment = Alignment.Center
             ) {
-                ScannerView(onScan = onScan)
-                
-                // Overlay border
-                Box(
-                    modifier = Modifier
-                        .size(280.dp)
-                        .border(2.dp, accent.copy(alpha = 0.8f), RoundedCornerShape(16.dp))
-                )
-                
-                // Corner accents for the overlay
-                Box(modifier = Modifier.size(260.dp)) {
-                    // This could be drawn with Canvas for cooler effect, but simple border is cleaner for now
+                if (cameraUnavailable) {
+                    Column(
+                        modifier = Modifier.padding(24.dp),
+                        horizontalAlignment = Alignment.CenterHorizontally,
+                        verticalArrangement = Arrangement.spacedBy(16.dp)
+                    ) {
+                        Text(
+                            text = stringResource(R.string.verify_camera_unavailable),
+                            color = Color.White,
+                            fontFamily = BitchatFontFamily,
+                            textAlign = TextAlign.Center
+                        )
+                        Button(
+                            onClick = { cameraUnavailable = false },
+                            colors = ButtonDefaults.buttonColors(containerColor = accent)
+                        ) {
+                            Text(
+                                text = stringResource(R.string.verify_retry_camera),
+                                fontFamily = BitchatFontFamily
+                            )
+                        }
+                    }
+                } else {
+                    ScannerView(
+                        onScan = onScan,
+                        onCameraUnavailable = { cameraUnavailable = true }
+                    )
+
+                    Box(
+                        modifier = Modifier
+                            .size(280.dp)
+                            .border(2.dp, accent.copy(alpha = 0.8f), RoundedCornerShape(16.dp))
+                    )
+
+                    Text(
+                        text = stringResource(R.string.verify_scan_prompt_friend),
+                        color = Color.White,
+                        fontFamily = BitchatFontFamily,
+                        fontSize = 12.sp,
+                        modifier = Modifier
+                            .align(Alignment.BottomCenter)
+                            .padding(bottom = 32.dp)
+                            .background(Color.Black.copy(alpha = 0.6f), RoundedCornerShape(8.dp))
+                            .padding(horizontal = 12.dp, vertical = 8.dp)
+                    )
                 }
-                
-                Text(
-                    text = stringResource(R.string.verify_scan_prompt_friend),
-                    color = Color.White,
-                    fontFamily = BitchatFontFamily,
-                    fontSize = 12.sp,
-                    modifier = Modifier
-                        .align(Alignment.BottomCenter)
-                        .padding(bottom = 32.dp)
-                        .background(Color.Black.copy(alpha = 0.6f), RoundedCornerShape(8.dp))
-                        .padding(horizontal = 12.dp, vertical = 8.dp)
-                )
             }
         } else {
             Column(
@@ -407,70 +429,104 @@ private fun ScanTabContent(
 
 @Composable
 private fun ScannerView(
-    onScan: (String) -> Unit
+    onScan: (String) -> Unit,
+    onCameraUnavailable: () -> Unit
 ) {
-    val context = LocalContext.current
+    val context = LocalContext.current.applicationContext
     val lifecycleOwner = LocalLifecycleOwner.current
     var lastValid by remember { mutableStateOf<String?>(null) }
-    val cameraProviderFuture = remember { ProcessCameraProvider.getInstance(context) }
-    val cameraExecutor: ExecutorService = remember { Executors.newSingleThreadExecutor() }
+    val cameraProviderFuture = remember(context) { ProcessCameraProvider.getInstance(context) }
+    val cameraExecutor: ExecutorService = remember(lifecycleOwner) { Executors.newSingleThreadExecutor() }
     val surfaceRequests = remember { MutableStateFlow<SurfaceRequest?>(null) }
     val surfaceRequest by surfaceRequests.collectAsState(initial = null)
     val mainHandler = remember { Handler(Looper.getMainLooper()) }
+    val activeSession = remember { AtomicReference<Any?>(null) }
 
     val onCodeState = rememberUpdatedState(onScan)
-    val analyzer = remember {
+    val onCameraUnavailableState = rememberUpdatedState(onCameraUnavailable)
+    val analyzer = remember(lifecycleOwner) {
         QRCodeAnalyzer { text ->
+            val session = activeSession.get() ?: return@QRCodeAnalyzer
             mainHandler.post {
-                if (text == lastValid) return@post
+                if (activeSession.get() !== session || text == lastValid) return@post
                 lastValid = text
                 onCodeState.value(text)
             }
         }
     }
 
-    DisposableEffect(Unit) {
+    DisposableEffect(cameraProviderFuture, lifecycleOwner, cameraExecutor, analyzer) {
         val executor = ContextCompat.getMainExecutor(context)
         var cameraProvider: ProcessCameraProvider? = null
+        var preview: Preview? = null
+        var analysis: ImageAnalysis? = null
+        val session = Any()
+        activeSession.set(session)
+
+        fun isCurrentSession() = activeSession.get() === session
 
         cameraProviderFuture.addListener(
             {
-                val provider = cameraProviderFuture.get()
-                cameraProvider = provider
-                val preview = Preview.Builder().build().also {
-                    it.setSurfaceProvider { request -> surfaceRequests.value = request }
-                }
-                val analysis = ImageAnalysis.Builder()
-                    .setBackpressureStrategy(ImageAnalysis.STRATEGY_KEEP_ONLY_LATEST)
-                    .build()
-                    .also { it.setAnalyzer(cameraExecutor, analyzer) }
+                if (!isCurrentSession()) return@addListener
+
+                try {
+                    val provider = cameraProviderFuture.get()
+                    if (!isCurrentSession() || !provider.hasCamera(CameraSelector.DEFAULT_BACK_CAMERA)) {
+                        if (isCurrentSession()) onCameraUnavailableState.value()
+                        return@addListener
+                    }
 
-                runCatching {
-                    provider.unbindAll()
+                    val scannerPreview = Preview.Builder().build().also {
+                        it.setSurfaceProvider { request ->
+                            if (isCurrentSession()) {
+                                surfaceRequests.value = request
+                            } else {
+                                request.willNotProvideSurface()
+                            }
+                        }
+                    }
+                    val scannerAnalysis = ImageAnalysis.Builder()
+                        .setBackpressureStrategy(ImageAnalysis.STRATEGY_KEEP_ONLY_LATEST)
+                        .build()
+                        .also { it.setAnalyzer(cameraExecutor, analyzer) }
+
+                    cameraProvider = provider
+                    preview = scannerPreview
+                    analysis = scannerAnalysis
                     provider.bindToLifecycle(
                         lifecycleOwner,
                         CameraSelector.DEFAULT_BACK_CAMERA,
-                        preview,
-                        analysis
+                        scannerPreview,
+                        scannerAnalysis
                     )
-                }.onFailure {
-                    Log.w("VerificationSheet", "Failed to bind camera: ${it.message}")
+                } catch (exception: Exception) {
+                    if (isCurrentSession()) {
+                        Log.e("VerificationSheet", "Unable to start QR camera", exception)
+                        onCameraUnavailableState.value()
+                    }
                 }
             },
             executor
         )
 
         onDispose {
+            activeSession.compareAndSet(session, null)
             surfaceRequests.value = null
-            runCatching { cameraProvider?.unbindAll() }
+            analysis?.clearAnalyzer()
+            val provider = cameraProvider
+            val scannerPreview = preview
+            val scannerAnalysis = analysis
+            if (provider != null && scannerPreview != null && scannerAnalysis != null) {
+                runCatching { provider.unbind(scannerPreview, scannerAnalysis) }
+            }
             cameraExecutor.shutdown()
+            analyzer.close()
         }
     }
 
     surfaceRequest?.let { request ->
         CameraXViewfinder(
             surfaceRequest = request,
-            implementationMode = ImplementationMode.EMBEDDED,
             modifier = Modifier.fillMaxSize()
         )
     }
@@ -521,6 +577,10 @@ private class QRCodeAnalyzer(
             .build()
     )
 
+    fun close() {
+        scanner.close()
+    }
+
     @ExperimentalGetImage
     override fun analyze(imageProxy: ImageProxy) {
         val mediaImage = imageProxy.image ?: run {
diff --git a/app/src/main/res/values/strings.xml b/app/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
index a46d596f3d..77a0d15c0c 100644
--- a/app/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
+++ b/app/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
@@ -442,6 +442,7 @@
   <string name="location_notes_relays_unavailable">Geo relays unavailable; notes paused</string>
   <string name="location_notes_no_relays_title">No geo relays nearby</string>
   <string name="location_notes_no_relays_desc">Notes rely on geo relays. Check connection and try again.</string>
+  <string name="location_notes_location_unavailable">Unable to determine your current location. Check device location and try again.</string>
   <string name="loading_location_notes">Loading notes…</string>
   <string name="location_notes_empty_title">No notes yet</string>
   <string name="location_notes_empty_desc">Be the first to add one for this spot.</string>
@@ -483,6 +484,8 @@
   <string name="verify_qr_unavailable">QR unavailable</string>
   <string name="verify_camera_permission">Camera permission is needed to scan QR codes</string>
   <string name="verify_request_camera">Enable camera</string>
+  <string name="verify_camera_unavailable">Camera is unavailable. Please try again.</string>
+  <string name="verify_retry_camera">Retry camera</string>
   <string name="verify_paste_label">Paste verification URL</string>
   <string name="verify_validate">Validate</string>
   <string name="verify_scanned">Verification requested</string>