diff --git a/examples/companion_radio/DataStore.cpp b/examples/companion_radio/DataStore.cpp
index 67dc86e3..dccecd65 100644
--- a/examples/companion_radio/DataStore.cpp
+++ b/examples/companion_radio/DataStore.cpp
@@ -202,6 +202,10 @@ void DataStore::loadPrefs(NodePrefs& prefs, double& node_lat, double& node_lon)
   if (prefs.backlight_brightness_pct < 5 || prefs.backlight_brightness_pct > 100) {
     prefs.backlight_brightness_pct = 100;
   }
+  // Same treatment for the keyboard LED level (fresh device = memset 0).
+  if (prefs.kb_backlight_pct < 5 || prefs.kb_backlight_pct > 100) {
+    prefs.kb_backlight_pct = 50;
+  }
 }
 
 void DataStore::loadPrefsInt(const char *filename, NodePrefs& _prefs, double& node_lat, double& node_lon) {
@@ -303,6 +307,9 @@ void DataStore::loadPrefsInt(const char *filename, NodePrefs& _prefs, double& no
     if (file.read((uint8_t *)&_prefs.backlight_brightness_pct, sizeof(_prefs.backlight_brightness_pct)) != sizeof(_prefs.backlight_brightness_pct)) {
       _prefs.backlight_brightness_pct = 100;  // default: full brightness
     }
+    if (file.read((uint8_t *)&_prefs.kb_backlight_pct, sizeof(_prefs.kb_backlight_pct)) != sizeof(_prefs.kb_backlight_pct)) {
+      _prefs.kb_backlight_pct = 50;  // default: 50%
+    }
 
     // Clamp to valid ranges
     if (_prefs.dark_mode > 1) _prefs.dark_mode = 0;
@@ -318,6 +325,7 @@ void DataStore::loadPrefsInt(const char *filename, NodePrefs& _prefs, double& no
     }
     if (_prefs.lora_antenna > 1) _prefs.lora_antenna = 0;
     if (_prefs.backlight_brightness_pct < 5 || _prefs.backlight_brightness_pct > 100) _prefs.backlight_brightness_pct = 100;
+    if (_prefs.kb_backlight_pct < 5 || _prefs.kb_backlight_pct > 100) _prefs.kb_backlight_pct = 50;
     // auto_lock_minutes: only accept known options (0, 2, 5, 10, 15, 30)
     {
       uint8_t alm = _prefs.auto_lock_minutes;
@@ -380,6 +388,7 @@ void DataStore::savePrefs(const NodePrefs& _prefs, double node_lat, double node_
     file.write((uint8_t *)_prefs.channel_notif, sizeof(_prefs.channel_notif));                   // 153
     file.write((uint8_t *)&_prefs.lora_antenna, sizeof(_prefs.lora_antenna));                    // 174
     file.write((uint8_t *)&_prefs.backlight_brightness_pct, sizeof(_prefs.backlight_brightness_pct)); // 175
+    file.write((uint8_t *)&_prefs.kb_backlight_pct, sizeof(_prefs.kb_backlight_pct));            // 176
 
     file.close();
   }
diff --git a/examples/companion_radio/MyMesh.cpp b/examples/companion_radio/MyMesh.cpp
index e512a453..c2f72d88 100644
--- a/examples/companion_radio/MyMesh.cpp
+++ b/examples/companion_radio/MyMesh.cpp
@@ -3724,7 +3724,15 @@ void MyMesh::loop() {
   }
 
 #ifdef DISPLAY_CLASS
+#if defined(BLE_PIN_CODE) || defined(MECK_WIFI_COMPANION) || defined(WIFI_SSID) || defined(SERIAL_RX)
   if (_ui) _ui->setHasConnection(_serial->isConnected());
+#else
+  // Standalone build: no companion app. ArduinoSerialInterface::isConnected()
+  // is hardcoded to return true, which would make hasConnection() permanently
+  // true here -- marking every received message read on arrival and preventing
+  // the unread counter (and DM counter / new-message screen wake) from updating.
+  if (_ui) _ui->setHasConnection(false);
+#endif
 #endif
 }
 
diff --git a/examples/companion_radio/MyMesh.h b/examples/companion_radio/MyMesh.h
index 8b421f5a..0eccda02 100644
--- a/examples/companion_radio/MyMesh.h
+++ b/examples/companion_radio/MyMesh.h
@@ -8,11 +8,11 @@
 #define FIRMWARE_VER_CODE 11
 
 #ifndef FIRMWARE_BUILD_DATE
-#define FIRMWARE_BUILD_DATE "17 June 2026"
+#define FIRMWARE_BUILD_DATE "22 June 2026"
 #endif
 
 #ifndef FIRMWARE_VERSION
-#define FIRMWARE_VERSION "Meck v1.12.2"
+#define FIRMWARE_VERSION "Meck v1.12.3"
 #endif
 
 #if defined(NRF52_PLATFORM) || defined(STM32_PLATFORM)
diff --git a/examples/companion_radio/NodePrefs.h b/examples/companion_radio/NodePrefs.h
index 4f4b5e89..39b6eff4 100644
--- a/examples/companion_radio/NodePrefs.h
+++ b/examples/companion_radio/NodePrefs.h
@@ -74,6 +74,11 @@ struct NodePrefs {  // persisted to file
   // 0 = unset/legacy; treated as the default 100 on load.
   uint8_t backlight_brightness_pct; // 5..100, default 100
 
+  // --- Keyboard LED brightness, T-Deck Pro MAX only ---
+  // Percentage (5..100) the both-shifts toggle turns the keyboard backlight on to.
+  // Takes effect on next toggle. Default 50.
+  uint8_t kb_backlight_pct;        // 5..100, default 50
+
   // --- Font helpers (inline, no overhead) ---
   // Returns the DisplayDriver text-size index for "small/body" text.
   // T-Deck Pro: 0 = built-in 6×8 (or 7pt with custom fonts), 1 = 9pt.
diff --git a/examples/companion_radio/main.cpp b/examples/companion_radio/main.cpp
index 0f9ef775..e5842eef 100644
--- a/examples/companion_radio/main.cpp
+++ b/examples/companion_radio/main.cpp
@@ -4306,7 +4306,8 @@ void handleKeyboardInput() {
   if (key == KB_KEY_KBD_BACKLIGHT) {
     static bool kbdBacklightOn = false;
     kbdBacklightOn = !kbdBacklightOn;
-    analogWrite(KB_BL_PIN, kbdBacklightOn ? 8 : 0);
+    uint8_t kbPct = the_mesh.getNodePrefs()->kb_backlight_pct;
+    analogWrite(KB_BL_PIN, kbdBacklightOn ? (uint8_t)((kbPct * 255 + 50) / 100) : 0);
     Serial.printf("Keyboard backlight %s\n", kbdBacklightOn ? "ON" : "OFF");
     return;
   }
diff --git a/examples/companion_radio/ui-new/Settingsscreen.h b/examples/companion_radio/ui-new/Settingsscreen.h
index 77e61261..15958bcd 100644
--- a/examples/companion_radio/ui-new/Settingsscreen.h
+++ b/examples/companion_radio/ui-new/Settingsscreen.h
@@ -141,6 +141,7 @@ enum SettingsRowType : uint8_t {
   ROW_TX_POWER,       // TX power (1-20 dBm)
   ROW_UTC_OFFSET,     // UTC offset (-12 to +14)
   ROW_BACKLIGHT_BRIGHTNESS,  // Backlight brightness % the heart button toggles to (MAX only)
+  ROW_KB_BACKLIGHT,   // Keyboard LED brightness % (MAX only)
   ROW_MSG_NOTIFY,     // Keyboard flash on new msg toggle
   ROW_DARK_MODE,      // Dark mode toggle (inverted display)
   ROW_LARGE_FONT,     // Font size toggle: 0=tiny (default), 1=larger
@@ -496,6 +497,7 @@ private:
       addRow(ROW_UTC_OFFSET);
 #if defined(LilyGo_TDeck_Pro_Max)
       addRow(ROW_BACKLIGHT_BRIGHTNESS);
+      addRow(ROW_KB_BACKLIGHT);
 #endif
       addRow(ROW_MSG_NOTIFY);
 #if HAS_GPS
@@ -1918,6 +1920,15 @@ public:
           display.print(tmp);
           break;
 
+        case ROW_KB_BACKLIGHT:
+          if (editing && _editMode == EDIT_NUMBER) {
+            snprintf(tmp, sizeof(tmp), "Keyboard LED: %d%% " EDIT_ADJ_HINT, _editInt);
+          } else {
+            snprintf(tmp, sizeof(tmp), "Keyboard LED: %d%%", _prefs->kb_backlight_pct);
+          }
+          display.print(tmp);
+          break;
+
         case ROW_MSG_NOTIFY:
           snprintf(tmp, sizeof(tmp), "Msg LED Flash: %s",
                    _prefs->kb_flash_notify ? "ON" : "OFF");
@@ -3459,6 +3470,7 @@ public:
           case ROW_TX_POWER: if (_editInt < MAX_LORA_TX_POWER) _editInt++; break;
           case ROW_UTC_OFFSET: if (_editInt < 14) _editInt++; break;
           case ROW_BACKLIGHT_BRIGHTNESS: if (_editInt < 100) { _editInt += 5; if (_editInt > 100) _editInt = 100; } break;
+          case ROW_KB_BACKLIGHT: if (_editInt < 100) { _editInt += 5; if (_editInt > 100) _editInt = 100; } break;
           case ROW_PATH_HASH_SIZE: if (_editInt < 3) _editInt++; break;
           default: break;
         }
@@ -3477,6 +3489,7 @@ public:
           case ROW_TX_POWER: if (_editInt > 1)  _editInt--; break;
           case ROW_UTC_OFFSET: if (_editInt > -12) _editInt--; break;
           case ROW_BACKLIGHT_BRIGHTNESS: if (_editInt > 5) { _editInt -= 5; if (_editInt < 5) _editInt = 5; } break;
+          case ROW_KB_BACKLIGHT: if (_editInt > 5) { _editInt -= 5; if (_editInt < 5) _editInt = 5; } break;
           case ROW_PATH_HASH_SIZE: if (_editInt > 1) _editInt--; break;
           default: break;
         }
@@ -3509,6 +3522,10 @@ public:
             _prefs->backlight_brightness_pct = (uint8_t)constrain(_editInt, 5, 100);
             the_mesh.savePrefs();
             break;
+          case ROW_KB_BACKLIGHT:
+            _prefs->kb_backlight_pct = (uint8_t)constrain(_editInt, 5, 100);
+            the_mesh.savePrefs();
+            break;
           case ROW_PATH_HASH_SIZE:
             _prefs->path_hash_mode = (uint8_t)constrain(_editInt - 1, 0, 2);  // display 1-3, store 0-2
             the_mesh.savePrefs();
@@ -3598,6 +3615,9 @@ public:
         case ROW_BACKLIGHT_BRIGHTNESS:
           startEditInt(_prefs->backlight_brightness_pct);
           break;
+        case ROW_KB_BACKLIGHT:
+          startEditInt(_prefs->kb_backlight_pct);
+          break;
         case ROW_MSG_NOTIFY:
           _prefs->kb_flash_notify = _prefs->kb_flash_notify ? 0 : 1;
           the_mesh.savePrefs();
diff --git a/variants/lilygo_tdeck_max/platformio.ini b/variants/lilygo_tdeck_max/platformio.ini
index 4d2d34c3..e401a20e 100644
--- a/variants/lilygo_tdeck_max/platformio.ini
+++ b/variants/lilygo_tdeck_max/platformio.ini
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ build_flags =
   -D MECK_WEB_READER=1
   -D HAS_4G_MODEM=1
   -D MECK_OTA_UPDATE=1
-  -D FIRMWARE_VERSION='"Meck v1.12.2.MAX"'
+  -D FIRMWARE_VERSION='"Meck v1.12.3.MAX"'
 build_src_filter = ${LilyGo_TDeck_Pro_Max.build_src_filter}
   +<helpers/esp32/*.cpp>
   +<helpers/ui/MomentaryButton.cpp>
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ build_flags =
   -D MECK_WEB_READER=1
   -D MECK_OTA_UPDATE=1
   -D HAS_4G_MODEM=1
-  -D FIRMWARE_VERSION='"Meck v1.12.2.MAX.WiFi"'
+  -D FIRMWARE_VERSION='"Meck v1.12.3.MAX.WiFi"'
 build_src_filter = ${LilyGo_TDeck_Pro_Max.build_src_filter}
   +<helpers/esp32/*.cpp>
   +<helpers/ui/MomentaryButton.cpp>
@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@ build_flags =
   -D MECK_OTA_UPDATE=1
   -D HAS_4G_MODEM=1
   -D MECK_WEB_READER=1
-  -D FIRMWARE_VERSION='"Meck v1.12.2.MAX.SA"'
+  -D FIRMWARE_VERSION='"Meck v1.12.3.MAX.SA"'
 build_src_filter = ${LilyGo_TDeck_Pro_Max.build_src_filter}
   +<helpers/esp32/*.cpp>
   +<helpers/ui/MomentaryButton.cpp>