diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index 69b402a..481468f 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -477,7 +477,7 @@ mc.subscribe(EventType.ACK, handler)
 | `MESHCORE_ENABLE_MESSAGE_POLL_FALLBACK` | `false` | Switch the always-on radio audit task from hourly checks to aggressive 10-second polling; the audit checks both missed message drift and channel-slot cache drift |
 | `MESHCORE_FORCE_CHANNEL_SLOT_RECONFIGURE` | `false` | Disable channel-slot reuse and force `set_channel(...)` before every channel send, even on serial/BLE |
 
-**Note:** Runtime app settings are stored in the database (`app_settings` table), not environment variables. These include `max_radio_contacts`, `auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert`, `sidebar_sort_order`, `advert_interval`, `last_advert_time`, `favorites`, `last_message_times`, `flood_scope`, `blocked_keys`, `blocked_names`, and `discovery_blocked_types`. `max_radio_contacts` is the configured radio contact capacity baseline used by background maintenance: favorites reload first, non-favorite fill targets about 80% of that value, and full offload/reload triggers around 95% occupancy. They are configured via `GET/PATCH /api/settings`. The backend still carries `sidebar_sort_order` for compatibility and migration, but the current frontend sidebar stores sort order per section (`Channels`, `Contacts`, `Repeaters`) in localStorage rather than treating it as one shared server-backed preference. MQTT, bot, webhook, Apprise, and SQS configs are stored in the `fanout_configs` table, managed via `/api/fanout`. If the radio's channel slots appear unstable or another client is mutating them underneath this app, operators can force the old always-reconfigure send path with `MESHCORE_FORCE_CHANNEL_SLOT_RECONFIGURE=true`.
+**Note:** Runtime app settings are stored in the database (`app_settings` table), not environment variables. These include `max_radio_contacts`, `auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert`, `advert_interval`, `last_advert_time`, `favorites`, `last_message_times`, `flood_scope`, `blocked_keys`, `blocked_names`, and `discovery_blocked_types`. `max_radio_contacts` is the configured radio contact capacity baseline used by background maintenance: favorites reload first, non-favorite fill targets about 80% of that value, and full offload/reload triggers around 95% occupancy. They are configured via `GET/PATCH /api/settings`. MQTT, bot, webhook, Apprise, and SQS configs are stored in the `fanout_configs` table, managed via `/api/fanout`. If the radio's channel slots appear unstable or another client is mutating them underneath this app, operators can force the old always-reconfigure send path with `MESHCORE_FORCE_CHANNEL_SLOT_RECONFIGURE=true`.
 
 Byte-perfect channel retries are user-triggered via `POST /api/messages/channel/{message_id}/resend` and are allowed for 30 seconds after the original send.
 
diff --git a/app/AGENTS.md b/app/AGENTS.md
index b4c1e49..ba7136d 100644
--- a/app/AGENTS.md
+++ b/app/AGENTS.md
@@ -302,7 +302,6 @@ Repository writes should prefer typed models such as `ContactUpsert` over ad hoc
 - `max_radio_contacts`
 - `favorites`
 - `auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert`
-- `sidebar_sort_order`
 - `last_message_times`
 - `preferences_migrated`
 - `advert_interval`
@@ -310,8 +309,6 @@ Repository writes should prefer typed models such as `ContactUpsert` over ad hoc
 - `flood_scope`
 - `blocked_keys`, `blocked_names`, `discovery_blocked_types`
 
-Note: `sidebar_sort_order` remains in the backend model for compatibility and migration, but the current frontend sidebar uses per-section localStorage sort preferences instead of a single shared server-backed sort mode.
-
 Note: MQTT, community MQTT, and bot configs were migrated to the `fanout_configs` table (migrations 36-38).
 
 ## Security Posture (intentional)
diff --git a/app/database.py b/app/database.py
index 130c129..b81e819 100644
--- a/app/database.py
+++ b/app/database.py
@@ -96,7 +96,6 @@ CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS app_settings (
     max_radio_contacts INTEGER DEFAULT 200,
     favorites TEXT DEFAULT '[]',
     auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert INTEGER DEFAULT 1,
-    sidebar_sort_order TEXT DEFAULT 'recent',
     last_message_times TEXT DEFAULT '{}',
     preferences_migrated INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
     advert_interval INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
diff --git a/app/migrations.py b/app/migrations.py
index 9a0ce70..52b6386 100644
--- a/app/migrations.py
+++ b/app/migrations.py
@@ -389,6 +389,12 @@ async def run_migrations(conn: aiosqlite.Connection) -> int:
         await set_version(conn, 50)
         applied += 1
 
+    if version < 51:
+        logger.info("Applying migration 51: drop sidebar_sort_order from app_settings")
+        await _migrate_051_drop_sidebar_sort_order(conn)
+        await set_version(conn, 51)
+        applied += 1
+
     if applied > 0:
         logger.info(
             "Applied %d migration(s), schema now at version %d", applied, await get_version(conn)
@@ -859,13 +865,9 @@ async def _migrate_009_create_app_settings_table(conn: aiosqlite.Connection) ->
         """
     )
 
-    # Initialize with default row
-    await conn.execute(
-        """
-        INSERT OR IGNORE INTO app_settings (id, max_radio_contacts, favorites, auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert, sidebar_sort_order, last_message_times, preferences_migrated)
-        VALUES (1, 200, '[]', 1, 'recent', '{}', 0)
-        """
-    )
+    # Initialize with default row (use only the id column so this works
+    # regardless of which columns exist — defaults fill the rest).
+    await conn.execute("INSERT OR IGNORE INTO app_settings (id) VALUES (1)")
 
     await conn.commit()
     logger.debug("Created app_settings table with default values")
@@ -3128,3 +3130,22 @@ async def _migrate_050_repeater_telemetry_history(conn: aiosqlite.Connection) ->
         """
     )
     await conn.commit()
+
+
+async def _migrate_051_drop_sidebar_sort_order(conn: aiosqlite.Connection) -> None:
+    """Remove vestigial sidebar_sort_order column from app_settings."""
+    col_cursor = await conn.execute("PRAGMA table_info(app_settings)")
+    columns = {row[1] for row in await col_cursor.fetchall()}
+    if "sidebar_sort_order" in columns:
+        try:
+            await conn.execute("ALTER TABLE app_settings DROP COLUMN sidebar_sort_order")
+            await conn.commit()
+        except Exception as e:
+            error_msg = str(e).lower()
+            if "syntax error" in error_msg or "drop column" in error_msg:
+                logger.debug(
+                    "SQLite doesn't support DROP COLUMN, sidebar_sort_order column will remain"
+                )
+                await conn.commit()
+            else:
+                raise
diff --git a/app/models.py b/app/models.py
index 1a49db3..17fca18 100644
--- a/app/models.py
+++ b/app/models.py
@@ -787,10 +787,6 @@ class AppSettings(BaseModel):
         default=True,
         description="Whether to attempt historical DM decryption on new contact advertisement",
     )
-    sidebar_sort_order: Literal["recent", "alpha"] = Field(
-        default="recent",
-        description="Sidebar sort order: 'recent' or 'alpha'",
-    )
     last_message_times: dict[str, int] = Field(
         default_factory=dict,
         description="Map of conversation state keys to last message timestamps",
diff --git a/app/repository/contacts.py b/app/repository/contacts.py
index 8ca2d9b..3a6a343 100644
--- a/app/repository/contacts.py
+++ b/app/repository/contacts.py
@@ -395,12 +395,9 @@ class ContactRepository:
     @staticmethod
     async def delete(public_key: str) -> None:
         normalized = public_key.lower()
-        # contact_name_history and contact_advert_paths cascade via FK, but
-        # messages has no FK to contacts — clean up DMs explicitly.
-        await db.conn.execute(
-            "DELETE FROM messages WHERE type = 'PRIV' AND conversation_key = ?",
-            (normalized,),
-        )
+        # contact_name_history and contact_advert_paths cascade via FK.
+        # Messages are intentionally preserved so history re-surfaces
+        # if the contact is re-added later.
         await db.conn.execute("DELETE FROM contacts WHERE public_key = ?", (normalized,))
         await db.conn.commit()
 
diff --git a/app/repository/messages.py b/app/repository/messages.py
index 93e4ed2..12adc96 100644
--- a/app/repository/messages.py
+++ b/app/repository/messages.py
@@ -675,7 +675,7 @@ class MessageRepository:
                            ELSE 0
                        END) > 0 as has_mention
             FROM messages m
-            JOIN contacts ct ON m.conversation_key = ct.public_key
+            LEFT JOIN contacts ct ON m.conversation_key = ct.public_key
             WHERE m.type = 'PRIV' AND m.outgoing = 0
               AND m.received_at > COALESCE(ct.last_read_at, 0)
               {blocked_sql}
diff --git a/app/repository/settings.py b/app/repository/settings.py
index 6b91148..1fba7b4 100644
--- a/app/repository/settings.py
+++ b/app/repository/settings.py
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ class AppSettingsRepository:
         cursor = await db.conn.execute(
             """
             SELECT max_radio_contacts, favorites, auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert,
-                   sidebar_sort_order, last_message_times, preferences_migrated,
+                   last_message_times, preferences_migrated,
                    advert_interval, last_advert_time, flood_scope,
                    blocked_keys, blocked_names, discovery_blocked_types
             FROM app_settings WHERE id = 1
@@ -89,16 +89,10 @@ class AppSettingsRepository:
             except (json.JSONDecodeError, TypeError):
                 discovery_blocked_types = []
 
-        # Validate sidebar_sort_order (fallback to "recent" if invalid)
-        sort_order = row["sidebar_sort_order"]
-        if sort_order not in ("recent", "alpha"):
-            sort_order = "recent"
-
         return AppSettings(
             max_radio_contacts=row["max_radio_contacts"],
             favorites=favorites,
             auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert=bool(row["auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert"]),
-            sidebar_sort_order=sort_order,
             last_message_times=last_message_times,
             preferences_migrated=bool(row["preferences_migrated"]),
             advert_interval=row["advert_interval"] or 0,
@@ -114,7 +108,6 @@ class AppSettingsRepository:
         max_radio_contacts: int | None = None,
         favorites: list[Favorite] | None = None,
         auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert: bool | None = None,
-        sidebar_sort_order: str | None = None,
         last_message_times: dict[str, int] | None = None,
         preferences_migrated: bool | None = None,
         advert_interval: int | None = None,
@@ -141,10 +134,6 @@ class AppSettingsRepository:
             updates.append("auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert = ?")
             params.append(1 if auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert else 0)
 
-        if sidebar_sort_order is not None:
-            updates.append("sidebar_sort_order = ?")
-            params.append(sidebar_sort_order)
-
         if last_message_times is not None:
             updates.append("last_message_times = ?")
             params.append(json.dumps(last_message_times))
@@ -252,7 +241,6 @@ class AppSettingsRepository:
         # Update with migrated preferences and mark as migrated
         settings = await AppSettingsRepository.update(
             favorites=new_favorites,
-            sidebar_sort_order=sort_order if sort_order in ("recent", "alpha") else "recent",
             last_message_times=last_message_times,
             preferences_migrated=True,
         )
diff --git a/app/routers/server_control.py b/app/routers/server_control.py
index 425978a..c348638 100644
--- a/app/routers/server_control.py
+++ b/app/routers/server_control.py
@@ -250,6 +250,7 @@ async def batch_cli_fetch(
             # Re-ensure contact is loaded each iteration; another operation
             # may have evicted it while we didn't hold the lock.
             await _ensure_on_radio(mc, contact)
+            await asyncio.sleep(1.0)  # settle after add_contact
 
             send_result = await mc.commands.send_cmd(contact.public_key, cmd)
             if send_result.type == EventType.ERROR:
diff --git a/app/routers/settings.py b/app/routers/settings.py
index 3625584..6a5687a 100644
--- a/app/routers/settings.py
+++ b/app/routers/settings.py
@@ -27,10 +27,6 @@ class AppSettingsUpdate(BaseModel):
         default=None,
         description="Whether to attempt historical DM decryption on new contact advertisement",
     )
-    sidebar_sort_order: Literal["recent", "alpha"] | None = Field(
-        default=None,
-        description="Sidebar sort order: 'recent' or 'alpha'",
-    )
     advert_interval: int | None = Field(
         default=None,
         ge=0,
@@ -111,10 +107,6 @@ async def update_settings(update: AppSettingsUpdate) -> AppSettings:
         logger.info("Updating auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert to %s", update.auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert)
         kwargs["auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert"] = update.auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert
 
-    if update.sidebar_sort_order is not None:
-        logger.info("Updating sidebar_sort_order to %s", update.sidebar_sort_order)
-        kwargs["sidebar_sort_order"] = update.sidebar_sort_order
-
     if update.advert_interval is not None:
         # Enforce minimum 1-hour interval; 0 means disabled
         interval = update.advert_interval
diff --git a/frontend/AGENTS.md b/frontend/AGENTS.md
index b1ee3e5..62ac406 100644
--- a/frontend/AGENTS.md
+++ b/frontend/AGENTS.md
@@ -350,7 +350,6 @@ LocalStorage migration helpers for favorites; canonical favorites are server-sid
 - `max_radio_contacts`
 - `favorites`
 - `auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert`
-- `sidebar_sort_order`
 - `last_message_times`
 - `preferences_migrated`
 - `advert_interval`
@@ -358,7 +357,6 @@ LocalStorage migration helpers for favorites; canonical favorites are server-sid
 - `flood_scope`
 - `blocked_keys`, `blocked_names`, `discovery_blocked_types`
 
-The backend still carries `sidebar_sort_order` for compatibility and old preference migration, but the current sidebar UI stores sort order per section (`Channels`, `Contacts`, `Repeaters`) in frontend localStorage rather than treating it as one global server-backed setting.
 
 Note: MQTT, bot, and community MQTT settings were migrated to the `fanout_configs` table (managed via `/api/fanout`). They are no longer part of `AppSettings`.
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/App.tsx b/frontend/src/App.tsx
index 8f8b3aa..e172f5f 100644
--- a/frontend/src/App.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/App.tsx
@@ -490,7 +490,6 @@ export function App() {
       void markAllRead();
     },
     favorites,
-    legacySortOrder: appSettings?.sidebar_sort_order,
     isConversationNotificationsEnabled,
     blockedKeys: appSettings?.blocked_keys ?? [],
     blockedNames: appSettings?.blocked_names ?? [],
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/Sidebar.tsx b/frontend/src/components/Sidebar.tsx
index 1a07a24..e6e4fea 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/Sidebar.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/Sidebar.tsx
@@ -107,36 +107,19 @@ interface SidebarProps {
   onToggleCracker: () => void;
   onMarkAllRead: () => void;
   favorites: Favorite[];
-  /** Legacy global sort order, used only to seed per-section local preferences. */
-  legacySortOrder?: SortOrder;
   isConversationNotificationsEnabled?: (type: 'channel' | 'contact', id: string) => boolean;
   blockedKeys?: string[];
   blockedNames?: string[];
 }
 
-type InitialSectionSortState = {
-  orders: SidebarSectionSortOrders;
-  source: 'section' | 'legacy' | 'none';
-};
-
-function loadInitialSectionSortOrders(): InitialSectionSortState {
+function loadInitialSectionSortOrders(): SidebarSectionSortOrders {
   const storedOrders = loadLocalStorageSidebarSectionSortOrders();
-  if (storedOrders) {
-    return { orders: storedOrders, source: 'section' };
-  }
+  if (storedOrders) return storedOrders;
 
   const legacyOrder = loadLegacyLocalStorageSortOrder();
-  if (legacyOrder) {
-    return {
-      orders: buildSidebarSectionSortOrders(legacyOrder),
-      source: 'legacy',
-    };
-  }
-
-  return {
-    orders: buildSidebarSectionSortOrders(),
-    source: 'none',
-  };
+  const orders = buildSidebarSectionSortOrders(legacyOrder ?? undefined);
+  saveLocalStorageSidebarSectionSortOrders(orders);
+  return orders;
 }
 
 export function Sidebar({
@@ -153,7 +136,6 @@ export function Sidebar({
   onToggleCracker,
   onMarkAllRead,
   favorites,
-  legacySortOrder,
   isConversationNotificationsEnabled,
   blockedKeys = [],
   blockedNames = [],
@@ -166,8 +148,8 @@ export function Sidebar({
   );
 
   const [searchQuery, setSearchQuery] = useState('');
-  const initialSectionSortState = useMemo(loadInitialSectionSortOrders, []);
-  const [sectionSortOrders, setSectionSortOrders] = useState(initialSectionSortState.orders);
+  const initialSectionSortOrders = useMemo(loadInitialSectionSortOrders, []);
+  const [sectionSortOrders, setSectionSortOrders] = useState(initialSectionSortOrders);
   const initialCollapsedState = useMemo(loadCollapsedState, []);
   const [toolsCollapsed, setToolsCollapsed] = useState(initialCollapsedState.tools);
   const [favoritesCollapsed, setFavoritesCollapsed] = useState(initialCollapsedState.favorites);
@@ -176,29 +158,12 @@ export function Sidebar({
   const [roomsCollapsed, setRoomsCollapsed] = useState(initialCollapsedState.rooms);
   const [repeatersCollapsed, setRepeatersCollapsed] = useState(initialCollapsedState.repeaters);
   const collapseSnapshotRef = useRef<CollapseState | null>(null);
-  const sectionSortSourceRef = useRef(initialSectionSortState.source);
-
-  useEffect(() => {
-    if (sectionSortSourceRef.current === 'legacy') {
-      saveLocalStorageSidebarSectionSortOrders(sectionSortOrders);
-      sectionSortSourceRef.current = 'section';
-      return;
-    }
-
-    if (sectionSortSourceRef.current !== 'none' || legacySortOrder === undefined) return;
-
-    const seededOrders = buildSidebarSectionSortOrders(legacySortOrder);
-    setSectionSortOrders(seededOrders);
-    saveLocalStorageSidebarSectionSortOrders(seededOrders);
-    sectionSortSourceRef.current = 'section';
-  }, [legacySortOrder, sectionSortOrders]);
 
   const handleSortToggle = (section: SidebarSortableSection) => {
     setSectionSortOrders((prev) => {
       const nextOrder = prev[section] === 'alpha' ? 'recent' : 'alpha';
       const updated = { ...prev, [section]: nextOrder };
       saveLocalStorageSidebarSectionSortOrders(updated);
-      sectionSortSourceRef.current = 'section';
       return updated;
     });
   };
diff --git a/frontend/src/test/appFavorites.test.tsx b/frontend/src/test/appFavorites.test.tsx
index 48781d0..428d87a 100644
--- a/frontend/src/test/appFavorites.test.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/test/appFavorites.test.tsx
@@ -190,7 +190,6 @@ const baseSettings = {
   max_radio_contacts: 200,
   favorites: [] as Array<{ type: 'channel' | 'contact'; id: string }>,
   auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert: false,
-  sidebar_sort_order: 'recent' as const,
   last_message_times: {},
   preferences_migrated: false,
   advert_interval: 0,
diff --git a/frontend/src/test/appSearchJump.test.tsx b/frontend/src/test/appSearchJump.test.tsx
index f871b84..3855527 100644
--- a/frontend/src/test/appSearchJump.test.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/test/appSearchJump.test.tsx
@@ -218,7 +218,6 @@ describe('App search jump target handling', () => {
       max_radio_contacts: 200,
       favorites: [],
       auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert: false,
-      sidebar_sort_order: 'recent',
       last_message_times: {},
       preferences_migrated: true,
       advert_interval: 0,
diff --git a/frontend/src/test/appStartupHash.test.tsx b/frontend/src/test/appStartupHash.test.tsx
index d0170af..f207419 100644
--- a/frontend/src/test/appStartupHash.test.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/test/appStartupHash.test.tsx
@@ -169,7 +169,6 @@ describe('App startup hash resolution', () => {
       max_radio_contacts: 200,
       favorites: [],
       auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert: false,
-      sidebar_sort_order: 'recent',
       last_message_times: {},
       preferences_migrated: true,
       advert_interval: 0,
diff --git a/frontend/src/test/settingsModal.test.tsx b/frontend/src/test/settingsModal.test.tsx
index 6bff4cb..3d27ff7 100644
--- a/frontend/src/test/settingsModal.test.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/test/settingsModal.test.tsx
@@ -61,7 +61,6 @@ const baseSettings: AppSettings = {
   max_radio_contacts: 200,
   favorites: [],
   auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert: false,
-  sidebar_sort_order: 'recent',
   last_message_times: {},
   preferences_migrated: false,
   advert_interval: 0,
diff --git a/frontend/src/test/sidebar.test.tsx b/frontend/src/test/sidebar.test.tsx
index a2a75ab..107d923 100644
--- a/frontend/src/test/sidebar.test.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/test/sidebar.test.tsx
@@ -92,7 +92,6 @@ function renderSidebar(overrides?: {
       onToggleCracker={vi.fn()}
       onMarkAllRead={vi.fn()}
       favorites={favorites}
-      legacySortOrder="recent"
       isConversationNotificationsEnabled={overrides?.isConversationNotificationsEnabled}
     />
   );
@@ -140,7 +139,6 @@ describe('Sidebar section summaries', () => {
         onToggleCracker={vi.fn()}
         onMarkAllRead={vi.fn()}
         favorites={[]}
-        legacySortOrder="recent"
       />
     );
 
@@ -300,7 +298,6 @@ describe('Sidebar section summaries', () => {
         onToggleCracker={vi.fn()}
         onMarkAllRead={vi.fn()}
         favorites={[]}
-        legacySortOrder="recent"
       />
     );
 
@@ -397,7 +394,6 @@ describe('Sidebar section summaries', () => {
       onToggleCracker: vi.fn(),
       onMarkAllRead: vi.fn(),
       favorites: [],
-      legacySortOrder: 'recent' as const,
     };
 
     const getChannelsOrder = () => screen.getAllByText(/^#/).map((node) => node.textContent);
@@ -469,7 +465,6 @@ describe('Sidebar section summaries', () => {
         onToggleCracker={vi.fn()}
         onMarkAllRead={vi.fn()}
         favorites={[]}
-        legacySortOrder="recent"
       />
     );
 
@@ -504,7 +499,6 @@ describe('Sidebar section summaries', () => {
         onToggleCracker={vi.fn()}
         onMarkAllRead={vi.fn()}
         favorites={[]}
-        legacySortOrder="recent"
       />
     );
 
@@ -553,7 +547,6 @@ describe('Sidebar section summaries', () => {
         onToggleCracker={vi.fn()}
         onMarkAllRead={vi.fn()}
         favorites={[]}
-        legacySortOrder="recent"
       />
     );
 
@@ -586,7 +579,6 @@ describe('Sidebar section summaries', () => {
         onToggleCracker={vi.fn()}
         onMarkAllRead={vi.fn()}
         favorites={[]}
-        legacySortOrder="alpha"
       />
     );
 
@@ -623,7 +615,6 @@ describe('Sidebar section summaries', () => {
         { type: 'contact', id: zed.public_key },
         { type: 'contact', id: amy.public_key },
       ] satisfies Favorite[],
-      legacySortOrder: 'recent' as const,
     };
 
     const getFavoritesOrder = () =>
diff --git a/frontend/src/types.ts b/frontend/src/types.ts
index 26ec9f3..e0ae2d1 100644
--- a/frontend/src/types.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/types.ts
@@ -316,7 +316,6 @@ export interface AppSettings {
   max_radio_contacts: number;
   favorites: Favorite[];
   auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert: boolean;
-  sidebar_sort_order: 'recent' | 'alpha';
   last_message_times: Record<string, number>;
   preferences_migrated: boolean;
   advert_interval: number;
@@ -330,7 +329,6 @@ export interface AppSettings {
 export interface AppSettingsUpdate {
   max_radio_contacts?: number;
   auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert?: boolean;
-  sidebar_sort_order?: 'recent' | 'alpha';
   advert_interval?: number;
   flood_scope?: string;
   blocked_keys?: string[];
diff --git a/tests/e2e/helpers/api.ts b/tests/e2e/helpers/api.ts
index 36d25f7..816c5fa 100644
--- a/tests/e2e/helpers/api.ts
+++ b/tests/e2e/helpers/api.ts
@@ -222,7 +222,6 @@ export interface AppSettings {
   max_radio_contacts: number;
   favorites: Favorite[];
   auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert: boolean;
-  sidebar_sort_order: string;
   last_message_times: Record<string, number>;
   preferences_migrated: boolean;
   advert_interval: number;
diff --git a/tests/e2e/specs/apprise.spec.ts b/tests/e2e/specs/apprise.spec.ts
index 3da6a09..abb6817 100644
--- a/tests/e2e/specs/apprise.spec.ts
+++ b/tests/e2e/specs/apprise.spec.ts
@@ -25,6 +25,16 @@ test.describe('Apprise integration settings', () => {
     receiver.close();
   });
 
+  test.beforeEach(async () => {
+    // Clean up any stale configs from previous failed runs
+    const configs = await getFanoutConfigs();
+    for (const c of configs.filter((c) => c.name === 'E2E Apprise')) {
+      try {
+        await deleteFanoutConfig(c.id);
+      } catch { /* ignore */ }
+    }
+  });
+
   test.afterEach(async () => {
     if (createdAppriseId) {
       try {
@@ -66,16 +76,15 @@ test.describe('Apprise integration settings', () => {
     await page.getByRole('button', { name: /Save as Enabled/i }).click();
     await expect(page.getByText('Integration saved and enabled')).toBeVisible();
 
-    // Should be back on list view with our apprise config visible
-    await expect(page.getByText('E2E Apprise')).toBeVisible();
-    await expect(page.getByText(appriseUrl)).toBeVisible();
-
-    // Clean up via API
+    // Capture ID for cleanup before assertions that might fail
     const configs = await getFanoutConfigs();
     const apprise = configs.find((c) => c.name === 'E2E Apprise');
     if (apprise) {
       createdAppriseId = apprise.id;
     }
+
+    // Should be back on list view with our apprise config visible
+    await expect(fanoutHeader(page, 'E2E Apprise')).toBeVisible();
   });
 
   test('create apprise via API, verify options persist after edit', async ({ page }) => {
diff --git a/tests/test_api.py b/tests/test_api.py
index 4b82358..cc8aeaf 100644
--- a/tests/test_api.py
+++ b/tests/test_api.py
@@ -293,7 +293,6 @@ class TestDebugEndpoint:
             json={
                 "max_radio_contacts": 321,
                 "auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert": True,
-                "sidebar_sort_order": "alpha",
                 "advert_interval": 7200,
                 "flood_scope": "US-CA",
                 "blocked_keys": [pub_key],
diff --git a/tests/test_contacts_router.py b/tests/test_contacts_router.py
index 2161ab1..633b762 100644
--- a/tests/test_contacts_router.py
+++ b/tests/test_contacts_router.py
@@ -364,7 +364,7 @@ class TestDeleteContactCascade:
         assert len(await ContactAdvertPathRepository.get_recent_for_contact(KEY_A)) == 0
 
     @pytest.mark.asyncio
-    async def test_delete_removes_direct_messages(self, test_db, client):
+    async def test_delete_preserves_direct_messages(self, test_db, client):
         await _insert_contact(KEY_A, "Alice")
 
         # Create a DM for this contact
@@ -375,8 +375,6 @@ class TestDeleteContactCascade:
             sender_timestamp=1000,
             received_at=1000,
         )
-        msgs = await MessageRepository.get_all(msg_type="PRIV", conversation_key=KEY_A)
-        assert len(msgs) == 1
 
         with patch("app.routers.contacts.radio_manager") as mock_rm:
             mock_rm.is_connected = False
@@ -387,9 +385,9 @@ class TestDeleteContactCascade:
 
         assert response.status_code == 200
 
-        # DMs for the deleted contact should be gone
+        # DMs are preserved so they re-surface if the contact is re-added
         msgs = await MessageRepository.get_all(msg_type="PRIV", conversation_key=KEY_A)
-        assert len(msgs) == 0
+        assert len(msgs) == 1
 
 
 class TestMarkRead:
diff --git a/tests/test_migrations.py b/tests/test_migrations.py
index 6c3044e..d5d48ab 100644
--- a/tests/test_migrations.py
+++ b/tests/test_migrations.py
@@ -1249,8 +1249,8 @@ class TestMigration039:
 
             applied = await run_migrations(conn)
 
-            assert applied == 12
-            assert await get_version(conn) == 50
+            assert applied == 13
+            assert await get_version(conn) == 51
 
             cursor = await conn.execute(
                 """
@@ -1321,8 +1321,8 @@ class TestMigration039:
 
             applied = await run_migrations(conn)
 
-            assert applied == 12
-            assert await get_version(conn) == 50
+            assert applied == 13
+            assert await get_version(conn) == 51
 
             cursor = await conn.execute(
                 """
@@ -1388,8 +1388,8 @@ class TestMigration039:
 
             applied = await run_migrations(conn)
 
-            assert applied == 6
-            assert await get_version(conn) == 50
+            assert applied == 7
+            assert await get_version(conn) == 51
 
             cursor = await conn.execute(
                 """
@@ -1441,8 +1441,8 @@ class TestMigration040:
 
             applied = await run_migrations(conn)
 
-            assert applied == 11
-            assert await get_version(conn) == 50
+            assert applied == 12
+            assert await get_version(conn) == 51
 
             await conn.execute(
                 """
@@ -1503,8 +1503,8 @@ class TestMigration041:
 
             applied = await run_migrations(conn)
 
-            assert applied == 10
-            assert await get_version(conn) == 50
+            assert applied == 11
+            assert await get_version(conn) == 51
 
             await conn.execute(
                 """
@@ -1556,8 +1556,8 @@ class TestMigration042:
 
             applied = await run_migrations(conn)
 
-            assert applied == 9
-            assert await get_version(conn) == 50
+            assert applied == 10
+            assert await get_version(conn) == 51
 
             await conn.execute(
                 """
@@ -1696,8 +1696,8 @@ class TestMigration046:
 
             applied = await run_migrations(conn)
 
-            assert applied == 5
-            assert await get_version(conn) == 50
+            assert applied == 6
+            assert await get_version(conn) == 51
 
             cursor = await conn.execute(
                 """
@@ -1790,8 +1790,8 @@ class TestMigration047:
 
             applied = await run_migrations(conn)
 
-            assert applied == 4
-            assert await get_version(conn) == 50
+            assert applied == 5
+            assert await get_version(conn) == 51
 
             cursor = await conn.execute(
                 """
diff --git a/tests/test_repository.py b/tests/test_repository.py
index a213113..cf72ea0 100644
--- a/tests/test_repository.py
+++ b/tests/test_repository.py
@@ -622,7 +622,6 @@ class TestAppSettingsRepository:
                 "max_radio_contacts": 250,
                 "favorites": "{not-json",
                 "auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert": 1,
-                "sidebar_sort_order": "invalid",
                 "last_message_times": "{also-not-json",
                 "preferences_migrated": 0,
                 "advert_interval": None,
@@ -645,7 +644,6 @@ class TestAppSettingsRepository:
         assert settings.max_radio_contacts == 250
         assert settings.favorites == []
         assert settings.last_message_times == {}
-        assert settings.sidebar_sort_order == "recent"
         assert settings.advert_interval == 0
         assert settings.last_advert_time == 0
 
@@ -680,7 +678,7 @@ class TestAppSettingsRepository:
         from app.models import AppSettings
 
         current = AppSettings(preferences_migrated=False)
-        migrated = AppSettings(preferences_migrated=True, sidebar_sort_order="recent")
+        migrated = AppSettings(preferences_migrated=True)
 
         with (
             patch(
@@ -704,7 +702,7 @@ class TestAppSettingsRepository:
 
         assert did_migrate is True
         assert result.preferences_migrated is True
-        assert mock_update.call_args.kwargs["sidebar_sort_order"] == "recent"
+        assert "sidebar_sort_order" not in mock_update.call_args.kwargs
         assert mock_update.call_args.kwargs["preferences_migrated"] is True
 
 
diff --git a/tests/test_settings_router.py b/tests/test_settings_router.py
index 36bc1b8..1c73d97 100644
--- a/tests/test_settings_router.py
+++ b/tests/test_settings_router.py
@@ -177,7 +177,6 @@ class TestMigratePreferences:
 
         assert response.migrated is True
         assert response.settings.preferences_migrated is True
-        assert response.settings.sidebar_sort_order == "alpha"
         assert len(response.settings.favorites) == 1
         assert response.settings.favorites[0].type == "contact"
         assert response.settings.favorites[0].id == "aa" * 32