diff --git a/submodules/SettingsUI/Sources/GhostModeController.swift b/submodules/SettingsUI/Sources/GhostModeController.swift
index a52f7357..5bad7912 100644
--- a/submodules/SettingsUI/Sources/GhostModeController.swift
+++ b/submodules/SettingsUI/Sources/GhostModeController.swift
@@ -300,6 +300,28 @@ public func ghostModeController(context: AccountContext) -> ViewController {
         }
     )
     
+    // Refresh UI when Always Online is enabled externally and auto-disables Ghost Mode —
+    // the isEnabled flip happens in GhostModeManager from MiscSettingsManager context,
+    // so we need to pull fresh values from the manager.
+    let miscSettingsChangedSignal: Signal<Void, NoError> = Signal { subscriber in
+        let observer = NotificationCenter.default.addObserver(
+            forName: MiscSettingsManager.settingsChangedNotification,
+            object: nil,
+            queue: .main
+        ) { _ in
+            updateState { state in
+                state.isEnabled          = GhostModeManager.shared.isEnabled
+                state.hideReadReceipts   = GhostModeManager.shared.hideReadReceipts
+                state.hideStoryViews     = GhostModeManager.shared.hideStoryViews
+                state.hideOnlineStatus   = GhostModeManager.shared.hideOnlineStatus
+                state.hideTypingIndicator = GhostModeManager.shared.hideTypingIndicator
+                state.forceOffline       = GhostModeManager.shared.forceOffline
+            }
+        }
+        return ActionDisposable { NotificationCenter.default.removeObserver(observer) }
+    }
+    let _ = miscSettingsChangedSignal.start()
+    
     let signal = combineLatest(
         context.sharedContext.presentationData,
         statePromise.get()
diff --git a/submodules/SettingsUI/Sources/MiscController.swift b/submodules/SettingsUI/Sources/MiscController.swift
index e541f666..eb8f4997 100644
--- a/submodules/SettingsUI/Sources/MiscController.swift
+++ b/submodules/SettingsUI/Sources/MiscController.swift
@@ -291,12 +291,34 @@ public func miscController(context: AccountContext) -> ViewController {
         toggleAlwaysOnline: {
             let newValue = !MiscSettingsManager.shared.alwaysOnline
             MiscSettingsManager.shared.alwaysOnline = newValue
+            // State will be refreshed via notification if Ghost Mode got auto-disabled
             updateState { state in
                 state.alwaysOnline = newValue
             }
         }
     )
     
+    // Refresh UI when Ghost Mode is auto-disabled by mutual exclusion —
+    // the toggle flip happens externally, so we must pull fresh values from the managers.
+    let ghostModeChangedSignal: Signal<Void, NoError> = Signal { subscriber in
+        let observer = NotificationCenter.default.addObserver(
+            forName: GhostModeManager.settingsChangedNotification,
+            object: nil,
+            queue: .main
+        ) { _ in
+            updateState { state in
+                state.isEnabled                  = MiscSettingsManager.shared.isEnabled
+                state.bypassCopyProtection       = MiscSettingsManager.shared.bypassCopyProtection
+                state.disableViewOnceAutoDelete  = MiscSettingsManager.shared.disableViewOnceAutoDelete
+                state.bypassScreenshotProtection = MiscSettingsManager.shared.bypassScreenshotProtection
+                state.blockAds                   = MiscSettingsManager.shared.blockAds
+                state.alwaysOnline               = MiscSettingsManager.shared.alwaysOnline
+            }
+        }
+        return ActionDisposable { NotificationCenter.default.removeObserver(observer) }
+    }
+    let _ = ghostModeChangedSignal.start()
+    
     let signal = combineLatest(
         context.sharedContext.presentationData,
         statePromise.get()
diff --git a/submodules/TelegramCore/Sources/GhostMode/GhostModeManager.swift b/submodules/TelegramCore/Sources/GhostMode/GhostModeManager.swift
index d3ea16d7..ba06e6d5 100644
--- a/submodules/TelegramCore/Sources/GhostMode/GhostModeManager.swift
+++ b/submodules/TelegramCore/Sources/GhostMode/GhostModeManager.swift
@@ -11,25 +11,35 @@ public final class GhostModeManager {
     // MARK: - UserDefaults Keys
     
     private enum Keys {
-        static let isEnabled = "GhostMode.isEnabled"
-        static let hideReadReceipts = "GhostMode.hideReadReceipts"
-        static let hideStoryViews = "GhostMode.hideStoryViews"
-        static let hideOnlineStatus = "GhostMode.hideOnlineStatus"
+        static let isEnabled           = "GhostMode.isEnabled"
+        static let hideReadReceipts    = "GhostMode.hideReadReceipts"
+        static let hideStoryViews      = "GhostMode.hideStoryViews"
+        static let hideOnlineStatus    = "GhostMode.hideOnlineStatus"
         static let hideTypingIndicator = "GhostMode.hideTypingIndicator"
-        static let forceOffline = "GhostMode.forceOffline"
+        static let forceOffline        = "GhostMode.forceOffline"
     }
     
     // MARK: - Settings Storage
     
     private let defaults = UserDefaults.standard
     
+    // Prevents recursive mutual-exclusion calls
+    private var isApplyingMutualExclusion = false
+    
     // MARK: - Properties
     
-    /// Master toggle for Ghost Mode
+    /// Master toggle for Ghost Mode.
+    /// Enabling Ghost Mode automatically disables Always Online in MiscSettingsManager.
     public var isEnabled: Bool {
         get { defaults.bool(forKey: Keys.isEnabled) }
-        set { 
+        set {
             defaults.set(newValue, forKey: Keys.isEnabled)
+            if newValue && !isApplyingMutualExclusion {
+                // Ghost Mode ON → disable Always Online
+                isApplyingMutualExclusion = true
+                MiscSettingsManager.shared.disableAlwaysOnlineForMutualExclusion()
+                isApplyingMutualExclusion = false
+            }
             notifySettingsChanged()
         }
     }
@@ -37,7 +47,7 @@ public final class GhostModeManager {
     /// Don't send read receipts (blue checkmarks)
     public var hideReadReceipts: Bool {
         get { defaults.bool(forKey: Keys.hideReadReceipts) }
-        set { 
+        set {
             defaults.set(newValue, forKey: Keys.hideReadReceipts)
             notifySettingsChanged()
         }
@@ -46,7 +56,7 @@ public final class GhostModeManager {
     /// Don't send story view notifications
     public var hideStoryViews: Bool {
         get { defaults.bool(forKey: Keys.hideStoryViews) }
-        set { 
+        set {
             defaults.set(newValue, forKey: Keys.hideStoryViews)
             notifySettingsChanged()
         }
@@ -55,7 +65,7 @@ public final class GhostModeManager {
     /// Don't send online status
     public var hideOnlineStatus: Bool {
         get { defaults.bool(forKey: Keys.hideOnlineStatus) }
-        set { 
+        set {
             defaults.set(newValue, forKey: Keys.hideOnlineStatus)
             notifySettingsChanged()
         }
@@ -64,7 +74,7 @@ public final class GhostModeManager {
     /// Don't send typing indicator
     public var hideTypingIndicator: Bool {
         get { defaults.bool(forKey: Keys.hideTypingIndicator) }
-        set { 
+        set {
             defaults.set(newValue, forKey: Keys.hideTypingIndicator)
             notifySettingsChanged()
         }
@@ -73,7 +83,7 @@ public final class GhostModeManager {
     /// Always appear as offline
     public var forceOffline: Bool {
         get { defaults.bool(forKey: Keys.forceOffline) }
-        set { 
+        set {
             defaults.set(newValue, forKey: Keys.forceOffline)
             notifySettingsChanged()
         }
@@ -81,72 +91,82 @@ public final class GhostModeManager {
     
     // MARK: - Computed Properties
     
-    /// Check if read receipts should be hidden (master + individual toggle)
+    /// Returns true only when Ghost Mode is enabled AND the individual toggle is on.
+    /// NOTE: Always Online takes precedence — if Always Online is active, online status is never hidden.
     public var shouldHideReadReceipts: Bool {
         return isEnabled && hideReadReceipts
     }
     
-    /// Check if story views should be hidden
     public var shouldHideStoryViews: Bool {
         return isEnabled && hideStoryViews
     }
     
-    /// Check if online status should be hidden
+    /// Online status is hidden only when Ghost Mode is on AND Always Online is NOT active.
     public var shouldHideOnlineStatus: Bool {
-        return isEnabled && hideOnlineStatus
+        guard isEnabled && hideOnlineStatus else { return false }
+        return !MiscSettingsManager.shared.shouldAlwaysBeOnline
     }
     
-    /// Check if typing indicator should be hidden
     public var shouldHideTypingIndicator: Bool {
         return isEnabled && hideTypingIndicator
     }
     
-    /// Check if should force offline
+    /// Force offline only when Ghost Mode is on AND Always Online is NOT active.
     public var shouldForceOffline: Bool {
-        return isEnabled && forceOffline
+        guard isEnabled && forceOffline else { return false }
+        return !MiscSettingsManager.shared.shouldAlwaysBeOnline
     }
     
     /// Count of active features (e.g., "5/5")
     public var activeFeatureCount: Int {
         var count = 0
-        if hideReadReceipts { count += 1 }
-        if hideStoryViews { count += 1 }
-        if hideOnlineStatus { count += 1 }
+        if hideReadReceipts    { count += 1 }
+        if hideStoryViews      { count += 1 }
+        if hideOnlineStatus    { count += 1 }
         if hideTypingIndicator { count += 1 }
-        if forceOffline { count += 1 }
+        if forceOffline        { count += 1 }
         return count
     }
     
     /// Total number of features
     public static let totalFeatureCount = 5
     
+    // MARK: - Internal mutual exclusion (called by MiscSettingsManager)
+    
+    /// Called by MiscSettingsManager when Always Online is turned on.
+    /// Disables Ghost Mode without triggering mutual exclusion back.
+    public func disableForMutualExclusion() {
+        isApplyingMutualExclusion = true
+        defaults.set(false, forKey: Keys.isEnabled)
+        notifySettingsChanged()
+        isApplyingMutualExclusion = false
+    }
+    
     // MARK: - Initialization
     
     private init() {
-        // Set default values if not set
         if !defaults.bool(forKey: "GhostMode.initialized") {
             defaults.set(true, forKey: "GhostMode.initialized")
-            // Default: all features enabled when ghost mode is on
             defaults.set(true, forKey: Keys.hideReadReceipts)
             defaults.set(true, forKey: Keys.hideStoryViews)
             defaults.set(true, forKey: Keys.hideOnlineStatus)
             defaults.set(true, forKey: Keys.hideTypingIndicator)
             defaults.set(true, forKey: Keys.forceOffline)
-            // Ghost mode itself is off by default
             defaults.set(false, forKey: Keys.isEnabled)
         }
     }
     
-    // MARK: - Enable All
+    // MARK: - Enable/Disable All
     
-    /// Enable all ghost mode features
+    /// Enable all ghost mode features.
+    /// Also disables Always Online (mutual exclusion).
     public func enableAll() {
-        hideReadReceipts = true
-        hideStoryViews = true
-        hideOnlineStatus = true
+        hideReadReceipts    = true
+        hideStoryViews      = true
+        hideOnlineStatus    = true
         hideTypingIndicator = true
-        forceOffline = true
-        isEnabled = true
+        forceOffline        = true
+        isEnabled           = true  // setter handles mutual exclusion
     }
     
     /// Disable all ghost mode features
diff --git a/submodules/TelegramCore/Sources/MiscSettings/MiscSettingsManager.swift b/submodules/TelegramCore/Sources/MiscSettings/MiscSettingsManager.swift
index 6a4e95a4..819c9e42 100644
--- a/submodules/TelegramCore/Sources/MiscSettings/MiscSettingsManager.swift
+++ b/submodules/TelegramCore/Sources/MiscSettings/MiscSettingsManager.swift
@@ -1,21 +1,24 @@
 import Foundation
 
 /// MiscSettingsManager - Central manager for Misc privacy settings
-/// Handles: Forward bypass, View-Once persistence, Screenshot bypass
+/// Handles: Forward bypass, View-Once persistence, Screenshot bypass, Block Ads, Always Online
 public final class MiscSettingsManager {
     public static let shared = MiscSettingsManager()
     
     private enum Keys {
-        static let isEnabled = "MiscSettings.isEnabled"
-        static let bypassCopyProtection = "MiscSettings.bypassCopyProtection"
-        static let disableViewOnceAutoDelete = "MiscSettings.disableViewOnceAutoDelete"
+        static let isEnabled                  = "MiscSettings.isEnabled"
+        static let bypassCopyProtection       = "MiscSettings.bypassCopyProtection"
+        static let disableViewOnceAutoDelete  = "MiscSettings.disableViewOnceAutoDelete"
         static let bypassScreenshotProtection = "MiscSettings.bypassScreenshotProtection"
-        static let blockAds = "MiscSettings.blockAds"
-        static let alwaysOnline = "MiscSettings.alwaysOnline"
+        static let blockAds                   = "MiscSettings.blockAds"
+        static let alwaysOnline               = "MiscSettings.alwaysOnline"
     }
     
     private let defaults = UserDefaults.standard
     
+    // Prevents recursive mutual-exclusion calls
+    private var isApplyingMutualExclusion = false
+    
     // MARK: - Main Toggle
     
     public var isEnabled: Bool {
@@ -64,11 +67,18 @@ public final class MiscSettingsManager {
         }
     }
     
-    /// Keep online status always active
+    /// Always appear as online.
+    /// Enabling this automatically disables Ghost Mode (mutual exclusion).
     public var alwaysOnline: Bool {
         get { defaults.bool(forKey: Keys.alwaysOnline) }
         set {
             defaults.set(newValue, forKey: Keys.alwaysOnline)
+            if newValue && !isApplyingMutualExclusion {
+                // Always Online ON → disable Ghost Mode
+                isApplyingMutualExclusion = true
+                GhostModeManager.shared.disableForMutualExclusion()
+                isApplyingMutualExclusion = false
+            }
             notifySettingsChanged()
         }
     }
@@ -99,28 +109,39 @@ public final class MiscSettingsManager {
     
     public var activeFeatureCount: Int {
         var count = 0
-        if bypassCopyProtection { count += 1 }
+        if bypassCopyProtection      { count += 1 }
         if disableViewOnceAutoDelete { count += 1 }
         if bypassScreenshotProtection { count += 1 }
-        if blockAds { count += 1 }
-        if alwaysOnline { count += 1 }
+        if blockAds                  { count += 1 }
+        if alwaysOnline              { count += 1 }
         return count
     }
     
     public func enableAll() {
-        bypassCopyProtection = true
-        disableViewOnceAutoDelete = true
+        bypassCopyProtection       = true
+        disableViewOnceAutoDelete  = true
         bypassScreenshotProtection = true
-        blockAds = true
-        alwaysOnline = true
+        blockAds                   = true
+        alwaysOnline               = true   // setter handles mutual exclusion
     }
     
     public func disableAll() {
-        bypassCopyProtection = false
-        disableViewOnceAutoDelete = false
+        bypassCopyProtection       = false
+        disableViewOnceAutoDelete  = false
         bypassScreenshotProtection = false
-        blockAds = false
-        alwaysOnline = false
+        blockAds                   = false
+        alwaysOnline               = false
+    }
+    
+    // MARK: - Internal mutual exclusion (called by GhostModeManager)
+    
+    /// Called by GhostModeManager when Ghost Mode is turned on.
+    /// Disables Always Online without triggering mutual exclusion back.
+    public func disableAlwaysOnlineForMutualExclusion() {
+        isApplyingMutualExclusion = true
+        defaults.set(false, forKey: Keys.alwaysOnline)
+        notifySettingsChanged()
+        isApplyingMutualExclusion = false
     }
     
     // MARK: - Notification
@@ -134,7 +155,6 @@ public final class MiscSettingsManager {
     // MARK: - Init
     
     private init() {
-        // Set default values if first launch
         if !defaults.bool(forKey: "MiscSettings.initialized") {
             defaults.set(true, forKey: "MiscSettings.initialized")
             defaults.set(false, forKey: Keys.isEnabled)
@@ -142,6 +162,7 @@ public final class MiscSettingsManager {
             defaults.set(true, forKey: Keys.disableViewOnceAutoDelete)
             defaults.set(true, forKey: Keys.bypassScreenshotProtection)
             defaults.set(true, forKey: Keys.blockAds)
+            defaults.set(false, forKey: Keys.alwaysOnline)
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/submodules/TelegramCore/Sources/State/ManagedAccountPresence.swift b/submodules/TelegramCore/Sources/State/ManagedAccountPresence.swift
index 620f1c31..a5c70ae8 100644
--- a/submodules/TelegramCore/Sources/State/ManagedAccountPresence.swift
+++ b/submodules/TelegramCore/Sources/State/ManagedAccountPresence.swift
@@ -16,8 +16,13 @@ private final class AccountPresenceManagerImpl {
     private let currentRequestDisposable = MetaDisposable()
     private var onlineTimer: SignalKitTimer?
     
+    // Tracks the last app-level online value so we can refresh independently
     private var wasOnline: Bool = false
     
+    // Observers for settings change notifications
+    private var ghostModeObserver: NSObjectProtocol?
+    private var miscSettingsObserver: NSObjectProtocol?
+    
     init(queue: Queue, shouldKeepOnlinePresence: Signal<Bool, NoError>, network: Network) {
         self.queue = queue
         self.network = network
@@ -25,14 +30,37 @@ private final class AccountPresenceManagerImpl {
         self.shouldKeepOnlinePresenceDisposable = (shouldKeepOnlinePresence
         |> distinctUntilChanged
         |> deliverOn(self.queue)).start(next: { [weak self] value in
-            guard let `self` = self else {
-                return
-            }
-            if self.wasOnline != value {
-                self.wasOnline = value
-                self.updatePresence(value)
-            }
+            guard let self = self else { return }
+            self.wasOnline = value
+            self.refreshPresence()
         })
+        
+        // React to Ghost Mode or Always Online settings changes without waiting
+        // for the next app focus event.
+        let notificationQueue = DispatchQueue.main
+        self.ghostModeObserver = NotificationCenter.default.addObserver(
+            forName: GhostModeManager.settingsChangedNotification,
+            object: nil,
+            queue: nil
+        ) { [weak self] _ in
+            notificationQueue.async {
+                self?.queue.async {
+                    self?.refreshPresence()
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        
+        self.miscSettingsObserver = NotificationCenter.default.addObserver(
+            forName: MiscSettingsManager.settingsChangedNotification,
+            object: nil,
+            queue: nil
+        ) { [weak self] _ in
+            notificationQueue.async {
+                self?.queue.async {
+                    self?.refreshPresence()
+                }
+            }
+        }
     }
     
     deinit {
@@ -40,26 +68,43 @@ private final class AccountPresenceManagerImpl {
         self.shouldKeepOnlinePresenceDisposable?.dispose()
         self.currentRequestDisposable.dispose()
         self.onlineTimer?.invalidate()
+        if let observer = self.ghostModeObserver {
+            NotificationCenter.default.removeObserver(observer)
+        }
+        if let observer = self.miscSettingsObserver {
+            NotificationCenter.default.removeObserver(observer)
+        }
     }
     
-    private func updatePresence(_ isOnline: Bool) {
-        // GHOST MODE: Completely block status updates to freeze "last seen" time
-        if GhostModeManager.shared.shouldHideOnlineStatus {
+    /// Compute the effective online state and push it to Telegram.
+    /// Priority chain (highest → lowest):
+    ///   1. Always Online enabled → force online = true
+    ///   2. Ghost Mode hide online status → skip update entirely (freeze last-seen)
+    ///   3. Default app behaviour (wasOnline)
+    private func refreshPresence() {
+        let alwaysOnline = MiscSettingsManager.shared.shouldAlwaysBeOnline
+        let ghostHideOnline = GhostModeManager.shared.shouldHideOnlineStatus
+        
+        if alwaysOnline {
+            // Always Online wins — push online regardless of Ghost Mode
+            sendPresenceUpdate(online: true)
+        } else if ghostHideOnline {
+            // Ghost Mode active, no Always Online — freeze presence (don't send anything)
             self.onlineTimer?.invalidate()
             self.onlineTimer = nil
-            return
+        } else {
+            // Normal mode — follow the app-level state
+            sendPresenceUpdate(online: wasOnline)
         }
-        
-        // ALWAYS ONLINE: Force online status when enabled
-        let effectiveOnline = MiscSettingsManager.shared.shouldAlwaysBeOnline ? true : isOnline
-        
+    }
+    
+    private func sendPresenceUpdate(online: Bool) {
         let request: Signal<Api.Bool, MTRpcError>
-        if effectiveOnline {
+        if online {
+            // Keep pinging every 30 s so the server keeps us online
             let timer = SignalKitTimer(timeout: 30.0, repeat: false, completion: { [weak self] in
-                guard let strongSelf = self else {
-                    return
-                }
-                strongSelf.updatePresence(true)
+                guard let self = self else { return }
+                self.refreshPresence()
             }, queue: self.queue)
             self.onlineTimer = timer
             timer.start()
@@ -69,16 +114,14 @@ private final class AccountPresenceManagerImpl {
             self.onlineTimer = nil
             request = self.network.request(Api.functions.account.updateStatus(offline: .boolTrue))
         }
+        
         self.isPerformingUpdate.set(true)
         self.currentRequestDisposable.set((request
         |> `catch` { _ -> Signal<Api.Bool, NoError> in
             return .single(.boolFalse)
         }
         |> deliverOn(self.queue)).start(completed: { [weak self] in
-            guard let strongSelf = self else {
-                return
-            }
-            strongSelf.isPerformingUpdate.set(false)
+            self?.isPerformingUpdate.set(false)
         }))
     }
 }