diff --git a/neode-ui/src/components/AppLauncherOverlay.vue b/neode-ui/src/components/AppLauncherOverlay.vue
index 26e5d94d..4c7bf79a 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/components/AppLauncherOverlay.vue
+++ b/neode-ui/src/components/AppLauncherOverlay.vue
@@ -69,12 +69,12 @@
           <div class="relative flex-1 min-h-0 bg-black/40 overflow-hidden">
             <!-- Loading indicator -->
             <Transition name="content-fade">
-              <div v-if="iframeLoading" class="absolute inset-0 z-10 flex items-center justify-center bg-black/40">
-                <svg class="animate-spin h-8 w-8 text-white/70" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="none" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
-                  <circle class="opacity-25" cx="12" cy="12" r="10" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="4"></circle>
-                  <path class="opacity-75" fill="currentColor" d="M4 12a8 8 0 018-8V0C5.373 0 0 5.373 0 12h4zm2 5.291A7.962 7.962 0 014 12H0c0 3.042 1.135 5.824 3 7.938l3-2.647z"></path>
-                </svg>
-              </div>
+              <AppLoadingScreen
+                v-if="iframeLoading"
+                :icon="overlayIcon"
+                :title="store.title || 'App'"
+                :progress="loadProgress"
+              />
             </Transition>
             <iframe
               ref="iframeRef"
@@ -184,10 +184,12 @@
 </template>
 
 <script setup lang="ts">
-import { ref, watch, onMounted, onBeforeUnmount } from 'vue'
+import { ref, computed, watch, onMounted, onBeforeUnmount } from 'vue'
 import { useAppLauncherStore } from '@/stores/appLauncher'
 import NostrSignConsent from '@/components/NostrSignConsent.vue'
 import NostrIdentityPicker from '@/components/NostrIdentityPicker.vue'
+import AppLoadingScreen from '@/components/AppLoadingScreen.vue'
+import { DEFAULT_APP_ICON } from '@/views/apps/appsConfig'
 import { rpcClient } from '@/api/rpc-client'
 
 interface PaymentRequest {
@@ -207,6 +209,39 @@ const isRefreshing = ref(false)
 const iframeLoading = ref(true)
 const iframeBlocked = ref(false)
 
+// Best-guess icon for the loading screen — resolved from the /app/{id}/ path
+// when present; AppLoadingScreen's <img> falls back to the default icon if the
+// guessed asset 404s.
+const overlayIcon = computed(() => {
+  const url = store.url
+  if (!url) return DEFAULT_APP_ICON
+  try {
+    const m = new URL(url, window.location.origin).pathname.match(/^\/app\/([a-z0-9._-]+)/i)
+    if (m?.[1]) return `/assets/img/app-icons/${m[1].toLowerCase()}.png`
+  } catch { /* not a parseable URL */ }
+  return DEFAULT_APP_ICON
+})
+
+// Faux load progress (cross-origin iframes give no real progress events): ease
+// toward ~92% while loading, snap to 100% on load.
+const loadProgress = ref(0)
+let progressTimer: ReturnType<typeof setInterval> | null = null
+function stopProgress() {
+  if (progressTimer) { clearInterval(progressTimer); progressTimer = null }
+}
+function startProgress() {
+  stopProgress()
+  loadProgress.value = 8
+  progressTimer = setInterval(() => {
+    loadProgress.value += Math.max(0.4, (92 - loadProgress.value) * 0.08)
+    if (loadProgress.value >= 92) { loadProgress.value = 92; stopProgress() }
+  }, 180)
+}
+watch(iframeLoading, (loading) => {
+  if (loading) startProgress()
+  else { stopProgress(); loadProgress.value = 100 }
+}, { immediate: true })
+
 // Nostr identity picker state
 const showIdentityPicker = ref(false)
 const IDENTITY_STORAGE_KEY = 'archipelago_app_identity_'
@@ -573,6 +608,7 @@ onMounted(() => {
 
 onBeforeUnmount(() => {
   clearTimers()
+  stopProgress()
   window.removeEventListener('keydown', onKeyDown, true)
   window.removeEventListener('message', onMessage)
 })
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/components/AppLoadingScreen.vue b/neode-ui/src/components/AppLoadingScreen.vue
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f627d4f2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/neode-ui/src/components/AppLoadingScreen.vue
@@ -0,0 +1,81 @@
+<template>
+  <div class="app-loading-screen absolute inset-0 z-10 flex flex-col items-center justify-center">
+    <div class="app-loading-icon">
+      <img :src="icon" :alt="title" @error="handleImageError" />
+    </div>
+    <p class="app-loading-title">{{ title }}</p>
+    <div class="app-loading-bar">
+      <div class="app-loading-fill" :style="{ width: `${clampedProgress}%` }"></div>
+    </div>
+    <p class="app-loading-hint">{{ hint }}</p>
+  </div>
+</template>
+
+<script setup lang="ts">
+import { computed } from 'vue'
+import { handleImageError } from '@/views/apps/appsConfig'
+
+const props = withDefaults(defineProps<{
+  icon: string
+  title: string
+  progress: number
+  hint?: string
+}>(), {
+  hint: 'Loading…',
+})
+
+const clampedProgress = computed(() => Math.min(100, Math.max(0, props.progress)))
+</script>
+
+<style scoped>
+.app-loading-screen {
+  gap: 18px;
+  background: #0b0d12;
+}
+.app-loading-icon {
+  width: 84px;
+  height: 84px;
+  border-radius: 20px;
+  overflow: hidden;
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: center;
+  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.05);
+  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
+  box-shadow: 0 12px 32px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.45);
+  animation: app-loading-pulse 1.8s ease-in-out infinite;
+}
+.app-loading-icon img {
+  width: 100%;
+  height: 100%;
+  object-fit: cover;
+}
+.app-loading-title {
+  margin: 0;
+  font-size: 1rem;
+  font-weight: 600;
+  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9);
+}
+.app-loading-bar {
+  width: min(240px, 60vw);
+  height: 4px;
+  border-radius: 999px;
+  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
+  overflow: hidden;
+}
+.app-loading-fill {
+  height: 100%;
+  border-radius: 999px;
+  background: linear-gradient(90deg, #fb923c, #f59e0b);
+  transition: width 0.3s ease;
+}
+.app-loading-hint {
+  margin: 0;
+  font-size: 0.75rem;
+  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.4);
+}
+@keyframes app-loading-pulse {
+  0%, 100% { transform: scale(1); opacity: 1; }
+  50% { transform: scale(1.05); opacity: 0.85; }
+}
+</style>
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/stores/__tests__/appLauncher.test.ts b/neode-ui/src/stores/__tests__/appLauncher.test.ts
index 0f9e6e08..c33a4dc3 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/stores/__tests__/appLauncher.test.ts
+++ b/neode-ui/src/stores/__tests__/appLauncher.test.ts
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ describe('useAppLauncherStore', () => {
     expect(mockWindowOpen).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
   })
 
-  it('uses route-based app sessions on mobile instead of panel mode', () => {
+  it('uses the store-driven panel on mobile (no route change, no background swap)', () => {
     Object.defineProperty(window, 'innerWidth', {
       value: 390,
       writable: true,
@@ -65,8 +65,10 @@ describe('useAppLauncherStore', () => {
 
     store.openSession('indeedhub')
 
-    expect(store.panelAppId).toBe(null)
-    expect(mockPush).toHaveBeenCalledWith({ name: 'app-session', params: { appId: 'indeedhub' }, query: { returnTo: '/dashboard/apps' } })
+    // Mobile now uses the store-driven panel like desktop panel mode so the
+    // underlying page/tab never changes and closing returns to the origin.
+    expect(store.panelAppId).toBe('indeedhub')
+    expect(mockPush).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
   })
 
   it('normalizes localhost launch URLs to current host before resolving', () => {
@@ -117,7 +119,7 @@ describe('useAppLauncherStore', () => {
     )
   })
 
-  it('routes desktop new-tab apps into app session on mobile', () => {
+  it('opens tab-only apps directly on mobile (new tab in PWA, no interstitial)', () => {
     Object.defineProperty(window, 'innerWidth', {
       value: 390,
       writable: true,
@@ -127,10 +129,17 @@ describe('useAppLauncherStore', () => {
 
     store.open({ url: 'http://192.168.1.228:8081', title: 'Nginx Proxy Manager' })
 
+    // Tab-only app on mobile-web: open directly in a new browser tab (the
+    // companion would use the in-app WebView). No session, no route push, no
+    // "this app opens in a tab" interstitial.
     expect(store.isOpen).toBe(false)
     expect(store.panelAppId).toBe(null)
-    expect(mockWindowOpen).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
-    expect(mockPush).toHaveBeenCalledWith({ name: 'app-session', params: { appId: 'nginx-proxy-manager' }, query: { returnTo: '/dashboard/apps' } })
+    expect(mockPush).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(mockWindowOpen).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      'http://192.168.1.228:8081',
+      '_blank',
+      'noopener,noreferrer',
+    )
   })
 
   it('opens Nginx Proxy Manager in new tab using title hint when URL is path-only', () => {
@@ -264,7 +273,7 @@ describe('useAppLauncherStore', () => {
     )
   })
 
-  it('routes prepackaged websites into app session on mobile', () => {
+  it('opens prepackaged websites in the store-driven panel on mobile', () => {
     Object.defineProperty(window, 'innerWidth', {
       value: 390,
       writable: true,
@@ -274,9 +283,12 @@ describe('useAppLauncherStore', () => {
 
     store.open({ url: 'https://present.l484.com', title: 'Arch Presentation', openInNewTab: true })
 
+    // Iframeable prepackaged sites stay in-app via the store panel (no route
+    // change, no background swap) just like every other mobile launch.
     expect(store.isOpen).toBe(false)
+    expect(store.panelAppId).toBe('arch-presentation')
     expect(mockWindowOpen).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
-    expect(mockPush).toHaveBeenCalledWith({ name: 'app-session', params: { appId: 'arch-presentation' }, query: { returnTo: '/dashboard/apps' } })
+    expect(mockPush).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
   })
 
   it('routes HTTPS same-host apps via session view', () => {
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/stores/appLauncher.ts b/neode-ui/src/stores/appLauncher.ts
index 68bc66f1..b14d7bb5 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/stores/appLauncher.ts
+++ b/neode-ui/src/stores/appLauncher.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import { rpcClient } from '@/api/rpc-client'
 import router from '@/router'
 import { recordAppLaunch } from '@/utils/appUsage'
 import { requestExternalOpen } from '@/api/remote-relay'
+import { openInAppOrNewTab } from '@/utils/openExternal'
 
 /**
  * Open a URL in a new browser tab — but if a companion (phone) is currently
@@ -222,14 +223,25 @@ export const useAppLauncherStore = defineStore('appLauncher', () => {
   function openSession(appId: string) {
     recordAppLaunch(appId)
     const mobile = isMobileViewport()
-    const launchUrl = NEW_TAB_APP_IDS.has(appId) ? directAppUrl(appId) : null
-    if (launchUrl && !mobile) {
-      openExternal(launchUrl)
-      return
+
+    // Tab-only apps (set X-Frame-Options, can't be iframed). No interstitial:
+    // desktop opens a new browser tab; mobile opens the in-app WebView (Android
+    // companion) or a new browser tab (PWA) — see openInAppOrNewTab.
+    if (NEW_TAB_APP_IDS.has(appId)) {
+      const launchUrl = directAppUrl(appId)
+      if (launchUrl) {
+        if (mobile) openInAppOrNewTab(launchUrl)
+        else openExternal(launchUrl)
+        return
+      }
     }
 
+    // Iframeable apps. Mobile and desktop-panel mode both use the store-driven
+    // panel so the underlying page/tab never changes (no background swap) and
+    // closing returns the user to wherever they launched from. Only desktop
+    // overlay/fullscreen modes use a routed session.
     const mode = localStorage.getItem(DISPLAY_MODE_KEY) || 'panel'
-    if (mode === 'panel' && !mobile) {
+    if (mobile || mode === 'panel') {
       panelAppId.value = appId
     } else {
       panelAppId.value = null
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/style.css b/neode-ui/src/style.css
index 90e919f1..ce209929 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/style.css
+++ b/neode-ui/src/style.css
@@ -164,6 +164,20 @@ select:focus-visible {
 
 /* Mobile: override with tab bar clearance */
 @media (max-width: 767px) {
+  /* Mobile web browsers report 100vh taller than the visible area (the dynamic
+     URL/toolbar chrome). The dashboard is the containing block for the fixed,
+     container-relative panes (the mesh chat/tools panes), so a 100vh-tall
+     container pushes their `bottom` offset below the visible viewport — they
+     slide under the bottom tab bar (which is body-teleported and viewport-fixed,
+     so it stays put). Pin the dashboard to the *dynamic* viewport so the two
+     reference frames line up. No-op in the companion WebView (no browser chrome
+     → dvh == vh), so its layout is unchanged. Doubled class beats Tailwind's
+     `.min-h-screen` (100vh) utility on specificity. */
+  .dashboard-view.dashboard-view {
+    height: 100dvh;
+    min-height: 100dvh;
+  }
+
   .mobile-scroll-pad {
     padding-bottom: calc(var(--mobile-tab-bar-height, 88px) + var(--safe-area-bottom, env(safe-area-inset-bottom, 0px)) + var(--audio-player-height, 0px) + 16px);
   }
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/utils/openExternal.ts b/neode-ui/src/utils/openExternal.ts
index 7c18b68a..ae541e68 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/utils/openExternal.ts
+++ b/neode-ui/src/utils/openExternal.ts
@@ -11,15 +11,37 @@
  */
 interface ArchipelagoNativeBridge {
   openExternal?: (url: string) => void
+  openInApp?: (url: string) => void
+}
+
+function nativeBridge(): ArchipelagoNativeBridge | undefined {
+  return (window as unknown as { ArchipelagoNative?: ArchipelagoNativeBridge }).ArchipelagoNative
 }
 
 export function openExternalUrl(url: string): void {
   if (!url) return
-  const native = (window as unknown as { ArchipelagoNative?: ArchipelagoNativeBridge })
-    .ArchipelagoNative
+  const native = nativeBridge()
   if (native && typeof native.openExternal === 'function') {
     native.openExternal(url)
     return
   }
   window.open(url, '_blank', 'noopener,noreferrer')
 }
+
+/**
+ * Launch an app that can't be embedded in an iframe (X-Frame-Options) from a
+ * mobile surface — with NO "this app opens in a tab" interstitial.
+ *
+ * - Android companion: hand it to the in-app WebView (`openInApp`) so it stays
+ *   inside Archipelago with the native back/forward/reload/close controls.
+ * - Plain mobile browser (PWA): open directly in a new browser tab.
+ */
+export function openInAppOrNewTab(url: string): void {
+  if (!url) return
+  const native = nativeBridge()
+  if (native && typeof native.openInApp === 'function') {
+    native.openInApp(url)
+    return
+  }
+  window.open(url, '_blank', 'noopener,noreferrer')
+}
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/views/AppSession.vue b/neode-ui/src/views/AppSession.vue
index dadfcd3b..843cd817 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/views/AppSession.vue
+++ b/neode-ui/src/views/AppSession.vue
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 <template>
   <div class="app-session-root">
-  <Teleport to="body" :disabled="isInlinePanel">
+  <Teleport to="body" :disabled="isInlinePanel && !isMobile">
   <div
     :class="backdropClasses"
     @click.self="handleBackdropClick"
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@
         :app-url="appUrl"
         :app-id="appId"
         :app-title="appTitle"
+        :app-icon="appIcon"
         :loading="loading"
         :iframe-blocked="iframeBlocked"
         :must-open-new-tab="mustOpenNewTab"
@@ -104,10 +105,10 @@ import {
   type DisplayMode, DISPLAY_MODE_KEY, NEW_TAB_APPS, IFRAME_BLOCKED_APPS,
   resolveAppUrl, resolveAppTitle,
 } from './appSession/appSessionConfig'
-import { launchBlockedReason } from './apps/appsConfig'
+import { launchBlockedReason, resolveAppIcon } from './apps/appsConfig'
 import { useAppIdentity } from './appSession/useAppIdentity'
 import { useNostrBridge } from './appSession/useNostrBridge'
-import { openExternalUrl } from '@/utils/openExternal'
+import { openExternalUrl, openInAppOrNewTab } from '@/utils/openExternal'
 import { useElectrsSync } from '@/composables/useElectrsSync'
 
 const props = defineProps<{
@@ -154,9 +155,17 @@ const appId = computed(() => {
 
 const appTitle = computed(() => resolveAppTitle(appId.value))
 const packageEntry = computed(() => store.data?.['package-data']?.[appId.value] || null)
+const appIcon = computed(() =>
+  packageEntry.value
+    ? resolveAppIcon(appId.value, packageEntry.value)
+    : `/assets/img/app-icons/${appId.value}.png`
+)
 const blockedReason = computed(() => launchBlockedReason(appId.value, packageEntry.value))
 const blockedTitle = computed(() => appId.value === 'fedimint' || appId.value === 'fedimintd' ? 'Waiting for Bitcoin sync' : 'App not ready')
-const isMobile = typeof window !== 'undefined' && window.innerWidth < 768
+// Reactive so the overlay/teleport/footer/animation decisions track the live
+// viewport (and match the CSS `md` breakpoint) instead of a stale one-shot read.
+const isMobile = ref(typeof window !== 'undefined' && window.innerWidth < 768)
+function updateIsMobile() { isMobile.value = window.innerWidth < 768 }
 const mustOpenNewTab = computed(() => NEW_TAB_APPS.has(appId.value))
 
 // ElectrumX shows a sync screen before its real UI (the Electrum server only
@@ -241,16 +250,18 @@ function setMode(mode: DisplayMode) {
   }
 }
 
-// Reactive classes based on display mode
+// Reactive classes based on display mode. On mobile the store-driven panel
+// renders as a full-screen overlay (teleported to body) so it covers the nav
+// and the underlying page never changes — desktop keeps the inline panel.
 const backdropClasses = computed(() => {
-  if (isInlinePanel.value) return 'app-session-backdrop-inline'
+  if (isInlinePanel.value && !isMobile.value) return 'app-session-backdrop-inline'
   return 'app-session-backdrop-overlay'
 })
 
 const panelClasses = computed(() => {
   const base = 'app-session-panel glass-card'
-  if (isInlinePanel.value) return `${base} app-session-inline`
-  if (displayMode.value === 'fullscreen') return `${base} app-session-fullscreen`
+  if (isInlinePanel.value && !isMobile.value) return `${base} app-session-inline`
+  if (displayMode.value === 'fullscreen' && !isMobile.value) return `${base} app-session-fullscreen`
   return `${base} app-session-overlay`
 })
 
@@ -370,10 +381,13 @@ watch(displayMode, (mode) => {
 })
 
 onMounted(() => {
-  // Apps that block iframes open externally on desktop. On mobile, keep the
-  // session surface visible so launcher taps do not bounce straight out.
-  if (mustOpenNewTab.value && appUrl.value && !isMobile) {
-    window.open(appUrl.value, '_blank', 'noopener,noreferrer')
+  // Apps that block iframes (X-Frame-Options) can't be shown in the session.
+  // Open them directly instead of showing a "this app opens in a tab"
+  // interstitial: desktop → new browser tab; mobile → in-app WebView (companion)
+  // or new tab (PWA). Then dismiss the (empty) session surface.
+  if (mustOpenNewTab.value && appUrl.value) {
+    if (isMobile.value) openInAppOrNewTab(appUrl.value)
+    else window.open(appUrl.value, '_blank', 'noopener,noreferrer')
     if (isInlinePanel.value) emit('close')
     else closeRouteSession()
     return
@@ -381,8 +395,9 @@ onMounted(() => {
 
   window.addEventListener('keydown', onKeyDown, true)
   window.addEventListener('message', onMessage)
+  window.addEventListener('resize', updateIsMobile)
   document.addEventListener('fullscreenchange', onFullscreenChange)
-  if (IFRAME_BLOCKED_APPS.has(appId.value) || (mustOpenNewTab.value && isMobile)) {
+  if (IFRAME_BLOCKED_APPS.has(appId.value)) {
     loading.value = false
     iframeBlocked.value = true
   } else {
@@ -404,6 +419,7 @@ onBeforeUnmount(() => {
   if (iframeCheckId) clearTimeout(iframeCheckId)
   window.removeEventListener('keydown', onKeyDown, true)
   window.removeEventListener('message', onMessage)
+  window.removeEventListener('resize', updateIsMobile)
   document.removeEventListener('fullscreenchange', onFullscreenChange)
   screensaverStore.resume(screensaverReason.value)
   if (document.fullscreenElement) document.exitFullscreen().catch(() => {})
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/views/__tests__/AppSessionMobileNewTab.test.ts b/neode-ui/src/views/__tests__/AppSessionMobileNewTab.test.ts
index 554462f4..dd64361b 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/views/__tests__/AppSessionMobileNewTab.test.ts
+++ b/neode-ui/src/views/__tests__/AppSessionMobileNewTab.test.ts
@@ -3,8 +3,8 @@ import { beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
 import AppSession from '../AppSession.vue'
 
 const { mockReplace, mockPush, mockWindowOpen, mockSuppress, mockResume } = vi.hoisted(() => ({
-  mockReplace: vi.fn(),
-  mockPush: vi.fn(),
+  mockReplace: vi.fn(() => Promise.resolve()),
+  mockPush: vi.fn(() => Promise.resolve()),
   mockWindowOpen: vi.fn(),
   mockSuppress: vi.fn(),
   mockResume: vi.fn(),
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ describe('AppSession mobile new-tab apps', () => {
     })
   })
 
-  it('keeps iframe-blocked apps inside the mobile session instead of auto-opening a tab', async () => {
+  it('opens tab-only apps directly on mobile instead of showing an interstitial', async () => {
     const wrapper = mount(AppSession, {
       global: {
         stubs: {
@@ -75,9 +75,11 @@ describe('AppSession mobile new-tab apps', () => {
     })
     await flushPromises()
 
-    expect(mockWindowOpen).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
-    expect(mockReplace).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
-    expect(wrapper.text()).toContain('This app opens in a new tab')
-    expect(wrapper.text()).toContain('Open in new tab')
+    // Tab-only app (gitea) on mobile-web: open directly in a new browser tab
+    // (no native bridge in the test) and dismiss the empty session — no
+    // "this app opens in a tab" interstitial.
+    expect(mockWindowOpen).toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(mockReplace).toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(wrapper.text()).not.toContain('This app opens in a new tab')
   })
 })
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/views/appSession/AppSessionFrame.vue b/neode-ui/src/views/appSession/AppSessionFrame.vue
index 74552eeb..e58293e0 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/views/appSession/AppSessionFrame.vue
+++ b/neode-ui/src/views/appSession/AppSessionFrame.vue
@@ -1,12 +1,7 @@
 <template>
   <div class="relative flex-1 min-h-0 bg-black/40 overflow-hidden app-session-frame-safe">
     <Transition name="content-fade">
-      <div v-if="loading" class="absolute inset-0 z-10 flex items-center justify-center bg-black/40">
-        <svg class="animate-spin h-8 w-8 text-blue-400" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none">
-          <circle class="opacity-25" cx="12" cy="12" r="10" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="4" />
-          <path class="opacity-75" fill="currentColor" d="M4 12a8 8 0 018-8V0C5.373 0 0 5.373 0 12h4zm2 5.291A7.962 7.962 0 014 12H0c0 3.042 1.135 5.824 3 7.938l3-2.647z" />
-        </svg>
-      </div>
+      <AppLoadingScreen v-if="loading" :icon="appIcon" :title="appTitle" :progress="loadProgress" />
     </Transition>
 
     <!-- ElectrumX sync screen — shown before the real UI while the on-chain
@@ -116,13 +111,15 @@
 </template>
 
 <script setup lang="ts">
-import { nextTick, ref, watch } from 'vue'
+import { nextTick, onBeforeUnmount, ref, watch } from 'vue'
 import type { ElectrsSyncStatus } from '@/composables/useElectrsSync'
+import AppLoadingScreen from '@/components/AppLoadingScreen.vue'
 
 const props = defineProps<{
   appUrl: string
   appId: string
   appTitle: string
+  appIcon: string
   loading: boolean
   iframeBlocked: boolean
   mustOpenNewTab: boolean
@@ -144,6 +141,40 @@ const emit = defineEmits<{
 
 const iframeRef = ref<HTMLIFrameElement | null>(null)
 
+// Faux load progress for the loading screen. Cross-origin iframes give no real
+// progress events, so ease toward ~92% while loading and snap to 100% on load —
+// far better UX than a black screen with a bare spinner.
+const loadProgress = ref(0)
+let progressTimer: ReturnType<typeof setInterval> | null = null
+
+function stopProgress() {
+  if (progressTimer) { clearInterval(progressTimer); progressTimer = null }
+}
+
+function startProgress() {
+  stopProgress()
+  loadProgress.value = 8
+  progressTimer = setInterval(() => {
+    // Decelerate as it approaches the cap so it never visually "finishes" early.
+    const remaining = 92 - loadProgress.value
+    loadProgress.value += Math.max(0.4, remaining * 0.08)
+    if (loadProgress.value >= 92) { loadProgress.value = 92; stopProgress() }
+  }, 180)
+}
+
+watch(() => props.loading, (isLoading) => {
+  if (isLoading) {
+    startProgress()
+  } else {
+    stopProgress()
+    loadProgress.value = 100
+  }
+}, { immediate: true })
+
+watch(() => props.refreshKey, () => { if (props.loading) startProgress() })
+
+onBeforeUnmount(stopProgress)
+
 function focusIframe() {
   iframeRef.value?.focus({ preventScroll: true })
 }
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/views/apps/appsConfig.ts b/neode-ui/src/views/apps/appsConfig.ts
index 2cee163c..4531e0cb 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/views/apps/appsConfig.ts
+++ b/neode-ui/src/views/apps/appsConfig.ts
@@ -10,7 +10,14 @@ export type AppsTab = 'apps' | 'websites' | 'services'
 // Service container name patterns (backend/infra, not user-facing)
 export const SERVICE_NAMES = new Set([
   'dwn', 'archy-mempool-db', 'archy-btcpay-db', 'archy-nbxplorer', 'archy-tor',
+  // Headless backends with no user-facing UI: the Fedimint ecash client daemon,
+  // the Nostr relay, and the Meshtastic LoRa daemon (its chat UI lives in the
+  // built-in Mesh tab) belong in Services, not My Apps.
+  'fedimint-clientd', 'nostr-rs-relay', 'meshtastic',
   'immich_postgres', 'immich_redis',
+  // immich is now a manifest-driven stack (app_id-named, hyphen). The server is
+  // the launcher app; postgres/redis are backends → Services.
+  'immich-postgres', 'immich-redis',
   'mysql-mempool', 'mempool-api', 'archy-mempool-web',
   'archy-bitcoin-ui', 'archy-lnd-ui', 'archy-electrs-ui',
   'bitcoin-ui', 'lnd-ui', 'electrs-ui',
@@ -37,7 +44,10 @@ export function isServiceContainer(id: string): boolean {
   if (SERVICE_NAMES.has(id)) return true
   if (id.startsWith('indeedhub-build_')) return true
   if (id.startsWith('archy-')) return true
-  if (id.endsWith('_db') || id.endsWith('-db')) return true
+  // Backend naming patterns that never carry a user-facing UI: databases and
+  // caches. Safe to classify by suffix (a database is never a launcher).
+  if (/-(db|postgres|postgresql|redis|valkey|mariadb|mysql|cache)$/.test(id)) return true
+  if (id.endsWith('_db')) return true
   return false
 }
 
@@ -96,8 +106,11 @@ export function isWebsitePackage(id: string, pkg?: PackageDataEntry): boolean {
   // Curated known apps stay in My Apps even if their manifest predates the UI
   // interface field.
   if (isKnownApp(id, pkg)) return false
-  // Fallback: reachable on the LAN but declares no UI → treat as a website.
-  return !!pkg && !!runtimeLanAddress(pkg)
+  // Anything still here has no declared UI and isn't a known launcher app:
+  // databases, APIs, backends, workers. They belong in Services (not My Apps),
+  // whether or not they expose a LAN address. (#10 — "anything that isn't the
+  // frontend UI launcher".)
+  return !!pkg
 }
 
 export function filterEntriesForTab(
@@ -113,10 +126,33 @@ export function filterEntriesForTab(
     if (activeTab === 'apps' && selectedCategory !== 'all') {
       return getAppCategory(id, pkg) === selectedCategory
     }
+    if (activeTab === 'services' && selectedCategory !== 'all') {
+      return getServiceCategory(id, pkg) === selectedCategory
+    }
     return true
   })
 }
 
+// Group a (non-launcher) service container by type for the Services tab sub-nav
+// (#12). Heuristic over the container id + manifest id.
+export function getServiceCategory(id: string, pkg?: PackageDataEntry): string {
+  const s = `${id} ${pkg?.manifest?.id || ''}`.toLowerCase()
+  if (/postgres|mariadb|mysql|(^|[-_])db([-_]|$)/.test(s)) return 'database'
+  if (/redis|valkey|(^|[-_])cache([-_]|$)/.test(s)) return 'cache'
+  if (/(^|[-_])api([-_]|$)/.test(s)) return 'api'
+  return 'backend'
+}
+
+export function buildServiceCategories(t: (key: string) => string): Array<{ id: string; name: string }> {
+  return [
+    { id: 'all', name: t('marketplace.all') },
+    { id: 'database', name: 'Databases' },
+    { id: 'cache', name: 'Caches' },
+    { id: 'api', name: 'APIs' },
+    { id: 'backend', name: 'Backends' },
+  ]
+}
+
 // Web-only app IDs and their URLs
 export const WEB_ONLY_APP_URLS: Record<string, string> = {
   'nwnn': 'https://nwnn.l484.com',
@@ -178,8 +214,56 @@ export function opensInTab(id: string): boolean {
   return TAB_LAUNCH_APPS.has(id)
 }
 
+// Backend services that ship no icon of their own reuse their PARENT app's icon
+// (#14) so they render the app's logo instead of a 404 → 📦 placeholder. Paths
+// are explicit because icon extensions vary (.png / .webp / .svg).
 const APP_ICON_FALLBACKS: Record<string, string> = {
   gitea: '/assets/img/app-icons/gitea.svg',
+  'fedimint-gateway': '/assets/img/app-icons/fedimint.png',
+  'fedimint-clientd': '/assets/img/app-icons/fedimint.png',
+  // immich stack
+  'immich-postgres': '/assets/img/app-icons/immich.png',
+  'immich-redis': '/assets/img/app-icons/immich.png',
+  'immich-server': '/assets/img/app-icons/immich.png',
+  'immich_postgres': '/assets/img/app-icons/immich.png',
+  'immich_redis': '/assets/img/app-icons/immich.png',
+  // btcpay stack
+  'archy-btcpay-db': '/assets/img/app-icons/btcpay-server.png',
+  'archy-nbxplorer': '/assets/img/app-icons/btcpay-server.png',
+  // mempool stack
+  'archy-mempool-db': '/assets/img/app-icons/mempool.webp',
+  'mempool-api': '/assets/img/app-icons/mempool.webp',
+  'archy-mempool-web': '/assets/img/app-icons/mempool.webp',
+  'mysql-mempool': '/assets/img/app-icons/mempool.webp',
+  // bitcoin / lightning companion UIs
+  'archy-bitcoin-ui': '/assets/img/app-icons/bitcoin-knots.webp',
+  'archy-lnd-ui': '/assets/img/app-icons/lnd.svg',
+  'archy-electrs-ui': '/assets/img/app-icons/electrumx.png',
+  // ElectrumX ships under a few historical ids (the backend was renamed
+  // electrs → electrumx). Without an explicit map, an `electrs`-keyed install
+  // falls through to the default `/assets/img/app-icons/electrs.png`, which
+  // doesn't exist → handleImageError swaps .png→.svg and lands on electrs.svg
+  // (the "Electrs in Rust" logo) instead of the real ElectrumX icon. Pin the
+  // whole family to the ElectrumX icon so My Apps shows the right logo no
+  // matter which id the node has it installed under.
+  'electrs': '/assets/img/app-icons/electrumx.png',
+  'electrs-ui': '/assets/img/app-icons/electrumx.png',
+  'electrumx': '/assets/img/app-icons/electrumx.png',
+}
+
+// Parent-app icon by prefix, for stack members not listed explicitly above
+// (e.g. every indeedhub-* sub-container → indeedhub).
+const SERVICE_ICON_PREFIXES: Array<[string, string]> = [
+  ['indeedhub-', '/assets/img/app-icons/indeedhub.png'],
+  ['immich-', '/assets/img/app-icons/immich.png'],
+  ['immich_', '/assets/img/app-icons/immich.png'],
+]
+
+function serviceParentIcon(id: string): string | undefined {
+  for (const [prefix, icon] of SERVICE_ICON_PREFIXES) {
+    if (id.startsWith(prefix)) return icon
+  }
+  return undefined
 }
 
 export const DEFAULT_APP_ICON = '/assets/icon/favico-black-v2.svg'
@@ -195,7 +279,12 @@ export function resolveAppIcon(id: string, pkg: PackageDataEntry, curatedIcon?:
   ) {
     return icon
   }
-  return curatedIcon || APP_ICON_FALLBACKS[id] || `/assets/img/app-icons/${id}.png`
+  return (
+    curatedIcon ||
+    APP_ICON_FALLBACKS[id] ||
+    serviceParentIcon(id) ||
+    `/assets/img/app-icons/${id}.png`
+  )
 }
 
 export function canLaunch(pkg: PackageDataEntry): boolean {
@@ -302,6 +391,21 @@ export function useCategoriesWithApps(
   })
 }
 
+// Services-tab equivalent of useCategoriesWithApps: only show a service category
+// when at least one installed service belongs to it (#12).
+export function useServiceCategories(
+  packages: Ref<Record<string, PackageDataEntry>>,
+  serviceCategories: Ref<Array<{ id: string; name: string }>>,
+) {
+  return computed(() => {
+    const entries = Object.entries(packages.value).filter(([id, pkg]) => isWebsitePackage(id, pkg) && !isInternalToolingPackage(id, pkg))
+    return serviceCategories.value.filter(cat => {
+      if (cat.id === 'all') return true
+      return entries.some(([id, pkg]) => getServiceCategory(id, pkg) === cat.id)
+    })
+  })
+}
+
 export function handleImageError(e: Event) {
   const target = e.target as HTMLImageElement
   const currentSrc = target.src
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/views/dashboard/DashboardMobileNav.vue b/neode-ui/src/views/dashboard/DashboardMobileNav.vue
index d6721dad..dbe88cd8 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/views/dashboard/DashboardMobileNav.vue
+++ b/neode-ui/src/views/dashboard/DashboardMobileNav.vue
@@ -143,9 +143,10 @@ const mobileTabBar = ref<HTMLElement | null>(null)
 const MOBILE_LAYOUT_MAX_WIDTH = 920
 const viewportWidth = ref(typeof window === 'undefined' ? 1024 : window.innerWidth)
 
-// App sessions own their mobile controls. Normal mobile launches use the route
-// session; keeping this guard also protects any desktop-panel state on resize.
-const isAppSessionActive = computed(() => route.name === 'app-session')
+// App sessions own their mobile controls, so the nav hides while one is open.
+// Mobile launches now use the store-driven panel (no route change) to keep the
+// background tab intact, so treat an active panel the same as a routed session.
+const isAppSessionActive = computed(() => route.name === 'app-session' || !!appLauncher.panelAppId)
 
 // Show persistent tabs for Apps/Marketplace on mobile
 const showAppsTabs = computed(() => {