diff --git a/android/app/src/main/java/com/shonar/recording/RecordingNotificationHelper.kt b/android/app/src/main/java/com/shonar/recording/RecordingNotificationHelper.kt
index 8f9fa97..60cb0f9 100644
--- a/android/app/src/main/java/com/shonar/recording/RecordingNotificationHelper.kt
+++ b/android/app/src/main/java/com/shonar/recording/RecordingNotificationHelper.kt
@@ -9,16 +9,16 @@ import android.content.Intent
 import android.os.Build
 import android.widget.RemoteViews
 import androidx.core.app.NotificationCompat
-import androidx.media.app.NotificationCompat.MediaStyle
 import com.shonar.MainActivity
 import com.shonar.R
 
 /**
- * System MediaStyle card: "Recording / <file> / 00:06" + 3 icon pills
- * X (discard-confirm) / pause-resume (Shonar navy) / check (save).
- * System renders the pills (like Easy Voice Recorder) — custom RemoteViews
- * get flattened on Android 12+/Graphene, so we don't fight the OS.
- * Shonar flavor: mic small icon, navy pause icon, teal check icon.
+ * Single custom card — Image 1 is the ONLY view.
+ * mic | "Recording" + filename | big timer, then X / pause / check pills.
+ * Same RemoteViews for collapsed AND expanded, so there is no duality:
+ * the default view already has full controls.
+ * Light system card (DecoratedCustomViewStyle + CATEGORY_SERVICE) — never
+ * the dark media-player template.
  */
 object RecordingNotificationHelper {
     const val CHANNEL_ID = "shonar_recording_ongoing"
@@ -30,7 +30,9 @@ object RecordingNotificationHelper {
         val mgr = ctx.getSystemService(NotificationManager::class.java)
         runCatching { mgr.deleteNotificationChannel(LEGACY_CHANNEL_ID) }
         val existing = runCatching { mgr.getNotificationChannel(CHANNEL_ID) }.getOrNull()
-        if (existing == null || existing.importance != NotificationManager.IMPORTANCE_HIGH) {
+        if (existing == null || existing.importance != NotificationManager.IMPORTANCE_HIGH ||
+            existing.sound != null
+        ) {
             runCatching { mgr.deleteNotificationChannel(CHANNEL_ID) }
         }
         mgr.createNotificationChannel(
@@ -38,7 +40,11 @@ object RecordingNotificationHelper {
                 CHANNEL_ID,
                 ctx.getString(R.string.notif_channel_recording),
                 NotificationManager.IMPORTANCE_HIGH,
-            ).apply { description = ctx.getString(R.string.notif_channel_recording_desc) },
+            ).apply {
+                description = ctx.getString(R.string.notif_channel_recording_desc)
+                setSound(null, null)
+                enableVibration(false)
+            },
         )
     }
 
@@ -69,6 +75,31 @@ object RecordingNotificationHelper {
         val paused = phase == RecordingSnapshot.Phase.PAUSED
         val elapsed = formatElapsed(elapsedMs)
 
+        val card = RemoteViews(ctx.packageName, R.layout.notification_recording)
+        card.setTextViewText(R.id.notif_title, "Recording")
+        card.setTextViewText(R.id.notif_subtitle, fileName)
+        card.setTextViewText(R.id.notif_timer, elapsed)
+        card.setImageViewResource(
+            R.id.notif_btn_pause,
+            if (paused) R.drawable.ic_notif_play else R.drawable.ic_notif_pause,
+        )
+        card.setOnClickPendingIntent(
+            R.id.notif_btn_discard,
+            svcIntent(ctx, RecordingService.ACTION_DISCARD_REQUEST, 21),
+        )
+        card.setOnClickPendingIntent(
+            R.id.notif_btn_pause,
+            svcIntent(
+                ctx,
+                if (paused) RecordingService.ACTION_RESUME else RecordingService.ACTION_PAUSE, 22,
+            ),
+        )
+        card.setOnClickPendingIntent(
+            R.id.notif_btn_save,
+            svcIntent(ctx, RecordingService.ACTION_SAVE, 24),
+        )
+        card.setOnClickPendingIntent(R.id.notif_icon, openApp)
+
         return NotificationCompat.Builder(ctx, CHANNEL_ID)
             .setSmallIcon(R.drawable.ic_stat_mic)
             .setContentTitle("Recording")
@@ -76,13 +107,16 @@ object RecordingNotificationHelper {
             .setSubText("SHONAR")
             .setOngoing(true)
             .setOnlyAlertOnce(true)
-            .setCategory(NotificationCompat.CATEGORY_TRANSPORT)
+            .setCategory(NotificationCompat.CATEGORY_SERVICE)
             .setVisibility(NotificationCompat.VISIBILITY_PUBLIC)
             .setContentIntent(openApp)
             .setShowWhen(false)
             .setPriority(NotificationCompat.PRIORITY_HIGH)
-            .addAction(R.drawable.ic_notif_close, "Discard",
-                svcIntent(ctx, RecordingService.ACTION_DISCARD_REQUEST, 21))
+            // Fallback actions (Android Auto, watches, if custom is ever stripped).
+            .addAction(
+                R.drawable.ic_notif_close, "Discard",
+                svcIntent(ctx, RecordingService.ACTION_DISCARD_REQUEST, 21),
+            )
             .addAction(
                 if (paused) R.drawable.ic_notif_play else R.drawable.ic_notif_pause,
                 if (paused) "Resume" else "Pause",
@@ -91,13 +125,18 @@ object RecordingNotificationHelper {
                     if (paused) RecordingService.ACTION_RESUME else RecordingService.ACTION_PAUSE, 22,
                 ),
             )
-            .addAction(R.drawable.ic_notif_check, "Save",
-                svcIntent(ctx, RecordingService.ACTION_SAVE, 24))
-            .setStyle(MediaStyle().setShowActionsInCompactView(0, 1, 2))
+            .addAction(
+                R.drawable.ic_notif_check, "Save",
+                svcIntent(ctx, RecordingService.ACTION_SAVE, 24),
+            )
+            // Same card for collapsed + big: no expanded duality.
+            .setCustomContentView(card)
+            .setCustomBigContentView(card)
+            .setStyle(NotificationCompat.DecoratedCustomViewStyle())
             .build()
     }
 
-    /** "Delete current recording? No / Yes" — recording keeps running underneath. */
+    /** "Delete current recording? No / Yes" — same single-card pattern. */
     private fun buildConfirm(ctx: Context, openApp: PendingIntent): Notification {
         val card = RemoteViews(ctx.packageName, R.layout.notification_confirm_delete)
         card.setOnClickPendingIntent(
@@ -110,10 +149,10 @@ object RecordingNotificationHelper {
         return NotificationCompat.Builder(ctx, CHANNEL_ID)
             .setSmallIcon(R.drawable.ic_stat_mic)
             .setContentTitle("Delete current recording?")
-            .setContentText("No  •  Yes")
+            .setContentText("Shonar")
             .setOngoing(true)
             .setOnlyAlertOnce(true)
-            .setCategory(NotificationCompat.CATEGORY_STATUS)
+            .setCategory(NotificationCompat.CATEGORY_SERVICE)
             .setVisibility(NotificationCompat.VISIBILITY_PUBLIC)
             .setContentIntent(openApp)
             .setShowWhen(false)
@@ -121,10 +160,14 @@ object RecordingNotificationHelper {
             .setCustomBigContentView(card)
             .setStyle(NotificationCompat.DecoratedCustomViewStyle())
             .setPriority(NotificationCompat.PRIORITY_HIGH)
-            .addAction(R.drawable.ic_notif_close, "No",
-                svcIntent(ctx, RecordingService.ACTION_DISCARD_CANCEL, 43))
-            .addAction(R.drawable.ic_notif_check, "Yes",
-                svcIntent(ctx, RecordingService.ACTION_CANCEL, 44))
+            .addAction(
+                R.drawable.ic_notif_close, "No",
+                svcIntent(ctx, RecordingService.ACTION_DISCARD_CANCEL, 43),
+            )
+            .addAction(
+                R.drawable.ic_notif_check, "Yes",
+                svcIntent(ctx, RecordingService.ACTION_CANCEL, 44),
+            )
             .build()
     }
 
diff --git a/android/app/src/main/java/com/shonar/recording/RecordingService.kt b/android/app/src/main/java/com/shonar/recording/RecordingService.kt
index 5a50383..28a4d73 100644
--- a/android/app/src/main/java/com/shonar/recording/RecordingService.kt
+++ b/android/app/src/main/java/com/shonar/recording/RecordingService.kt
@@ -112,6 +112,7 @@ class RecordingService : Service() {
         runCatching { temp.parentFile?.mkdirs() }
 
         try {
+            createdAtMs = System.currentTimeMillis()
             val notif = RecordingNotificationHelper.build(
                 this, RecordingSnapshot.Phase.RECORDING, 0L,
                 displayFileName(),
@@ -158,7 +159,6 @@ class RecordingService : Service() {
 
         currentId = id
         currentTemp = temp
-        createdAtMs = System.currentTimeMillis()
         accumulatedMs = 0L
         resumedAtElapsed = SystemClock.elapsedRealtime()
         acquireWake()
@@ -338,14 +338,64 @@ class RecordingService : Service() {
         val nm = getSystemService(android.app.NotificationManager::class.java)
         runCatching {
             nm.notify(
-                RecordingNotificationHelper.NOTIFICATION_ID,
+                activeNotifId,
                 RecordingNotificationHelper.build(
                     this, s.phase, s.elapsedMs, displayFileName(), s.confirmingDiscard,
+                    alertOnce = true, sessionToken = mediaSession?.sessionToken,
                 ),
             )
         }
     }
 
+    private fun startMediaSession(playing: Boolean, positionMs: Long) {
+        releaseMediaSession()
+        val session = android.support.v4.media.session.MediaSessionCompat(this, "ShonarRec").apply {
+            setFlags(android.support.v4.media.session.MediaSessionCompat.FLAG_HANDLES_TRANSPORT_CONTROLS)
+            setMetadata(
+                android.support.v4.media.MediaMetadataCompat.Builder()
+                    .putString(
+                        android.support.v4.media.MediaMetadataCompat.METADATA_KEY_TITLE,
+                        "Recording",
+                    )
+                    .putString(
+                        android.support.v4.media.MediaMetadataCompat.METADATA_KEY_ARTIST,
+                        displayFileName(),
+                    )
+                    .build(),
+            )
+            setActive(true)
+        }
+        mediaSession = session
+        updateMediaSession(playing, positionMs)
+    }
+
+    private fun updateMediaSession(playing: Boolean, positionMs: Long) {
+        val session = mediaSession ?: return
+        val state = if (playing) {
+            android.support.v4.media.session.PlaybackStateCompat.STATE_PLAYING
+        } else {
+            android.support.v4.media.session.PlaybackStateCompat.STATE_PAUSED
+        }
+        session.setPlaybackState(
+            android.support.v4.media.session.PlaybackStateCompat.Builder()
+                .setActions(
+                    android.support.v4.media.session.PlaybackStateCompat.ACTION_PLAY or
+                        android.support.v4.media.session.PlaybackStateCompat.ACTION_PAUSE or
+                        android.support.v4.media.session.PlaybackStateCompat.ACTION_STOP,
+                )
+                .setState(state, positionMs, if (playing) 1f else 0f, SystemClock.elapsedRealtime())
+                .build(),
+        )
+    }
+
+    private fun releaseMediaSession() {
+        runCatching {
+            mediaSession?.setActive(false)
+            mediaSession?.release()
+        }
+        mediaSession = null
+    }
+
     private fun displayFileName(): String {
         val base = RecordingFiles.defaultDisplayName(createdAtMs.takeIf { it > 0 } ?: System.currentTimeMillis())
         return "$base.m4a"
@@ -504,6 +554,7 @@ class RecordingService : Service() {
         // a 0-byte temp here; anything with audio is NEVER silently dropped.
         if (_snapshot.value.phase != RecordingSnapshot.Phase.IDLE) {
             val tmp = currentTemp
+            releaseMediaSession()
             shutdownRecorder(releaseOnly = true, keepTemp = true)
             if (tmp != null && tmp.exists() && tmp.length() == 0L) {
                 runCatching { tmp.delete() }
diff --git a/android/app/src/main/res/layout/notification_recording.xml b/android/app/src/main/res/layout/notification_recording.xml
index 96d3e8d..f171d4f 100644
--- a/android/app/src/main/res/layout/notification_recording.xml
+++ b/android/app/src/main/res/layout/notification_recording.xml
@@ -1,12 +1,11 @@
 <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
-<!-- Shonar media-card: mic | titles | timer, then X / pause / check pills.
-     RemoteViews-safe views only. System controls the card background;
-     Shonar flavor comes from the navy mic disc + navy pause pill + teal check. -->
+<!-- Top-card clone: mic | titles | big timer, then 3 wide ovals.
+     RemoteViews-safe views only. No system header (fully custom). -->
 <LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
     android:layout_width="match_parent"
     android:layout_height="wrap_content"
     android:orientation="vertical"
-    android:padding="12dp">
+    android:padding="14dp">
 
     <LinearLayout
         android:layout_width="match_parent"
@@ -16,9 +15,10 @@
 
         <ImageView
             android:id="@+id/notif_icon"
-            android:layout_width="44dp"
-            android:layout_height="44dp"
+            android:layout_width="48dp"
+            android:layout_height="48dp"
             android:contentDescription="@string/widget_record"
+            android:scaleType="fitCenter"
             android:src="@drawable/ic_widget_mic" />
 
         <LinearLayout
@@ -32,16 +32,18 @@
                 android:id="@+id/notif_title"
                 android:layout_width="wrap_content"
                 android:layout_height="wrap_content"
-                android:text="@string/notif_recording"
-                android:textSize="15sp"
+                android:singleLine="true"
+                android:text="Recording"
+                android:textSize="16sp"
                 android:textStyle="bold" />
 
             <TextView
                 android:id="@+id/notif_subtitle"
-                android:layout_width="wrap_content"
+                android:layout_width="match_parent"
                 android:layout_height="wrap_content"
+                android:singleLine="true"
                 android:text="Shonar"
-                android:textSize="13sp" />
+                android:textSize="14sp" />
         </LinearLayout>
 
         <TextView
@@ -51,21 +53,21 @@
             android:layout_marginStart="8dp"
             android:singleLine="true"
             android:text="00:00"
-            android:textSize="22sp"
+            android:textSize="28sp"
             android:textStyle="bold" />
     </LinearLayout>
 
     <LinearLayout
         android:layout_width="match_parent"
         android:layout_height="wrap_content"
-        android:layout_marginTop="10dp"
+        android:layout_marginTop="12dp"
         android:gravity="center"
         android:orientation="horizontal">
 
         <ImageButton
             android:id="@+id/notif_btn_discard"
             android:layout_width="0dp"
-            android:layout_height="48dp"
+            android:layout_height="52dp"
             android:layout_marginEnd="6dp"
             android:layout_weight="1"
             android:background="@drawable/notif_pill"
@@ -76,7 +78,7 @@
         <ImageButton
             android:id="@+id/notif_btn_pause"
             android:layout_width="0dp"
-            android:layout_height="48dp"
+            android:layout_height="52dp"
             android:layout_marginStart="6dp"
             android:layout_marginEnd="6dp"
             android:layout_weight="1"
@@ -88,7 +90,7 @@
         <ImageButton
             android:id="@+id/notif_btn_save"
             android:layout_width="0dp"
-            android:layout_height="48dp"
+            android:layout_height="52dp"
             android:layout_marginStart="6dp"
             android:layout_weight="1"
             android:background="@drawable/notif_pill"
diff --git a/android/app/src/main/res/layout/notification_recording_small.xml b/android/app/src/main/res/layout/notification_recording_small.xml
index 1fff372..9b49ff5 100644
--- a/android/app/src/main/res/layout/notification_recording_small.xml
+++ b/android/app/src/main/res/layout/notification_recording_small.xml
@@ -1,51 +1,99 @@
 <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
-<!-- Collapsed row: mic | titles | timer. No buttons (expand for pills). -->
+<!-- Collapsed: same pills, compact (40dp buttons, tighter padding) so the
+     system doesn't truncate it back to the stock row. -->
 <LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
     android:layout_width="match_parent"
     android:layout_height="wrap_content"
-    android:gravity="center_vertical"
-    android:minHeight="64dp"
-    android:orientation="horizontal"
+    android:orientation="vertical"
     android:padding="10dp">
 
-    <ImageView
-        android:layout_width="40dp"
-        android:layout_height="40dp"
-        android:scaleType="fitCenter"
-        android:src="@drawable/ic_widget_mic" />
-
     <LinearLayout
-        android:layout_width="0dp"
+        android:layout_width="match_parent"
         android:layout_height="wrap_content"
-        android:layout_marginStart="10dp"
-        android:layout_weight="1"
-        android:orientation="vertical">
+        android:gravity="center_vertical"
+        android:orientation="horizontal">
+
+        <ImageView
+            android:layout_width="40dp"
+            android:layout_height="40dp"
+            android:scaleType="fitCenter"
+            android:src="@drawable/ic_widget_mic" />
+
+        <LinearLayout
+            android:layout_width="0dp"
+            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
+            android:layout_marginStart="10dp"
+            android:layout_weight="1"
+            android:orientation="vertical">
+
+            <TextView
+                android:id="@+id/notif_title_small"
+                android:layout_width="wrap_content"
+                android:layout_height="wrap_content"
+                android:singleLine="true"
+                android:text="Recording"
+                android:textSize="14sp"
+                android:textStyle="bold" />
+
+            <TextView
+                android:id="@+id/notif_subtitle_small"
+                android:layout_width="match_parent"
+                android:layout_height="wrap_content"
+                android:singleLine="true"
+                android:text="Shonar"
+                android:textSize="12sp" />
+        </LinearLayout>
 
         <TextView
-            android:id="@+id/notif_title_small"
+            android:id="@+id/notif_timer_small"
             android:layout_width="wrap_content"
             android:layout_height="wrap_content"
+            android:layout_marginStart="8dp"
             android:singleLine="true"
-            android:text="@string/notif_recording"
-            android:textSize="14sp"
+            android:text="00:00"
+            android:textSize="20sp"
             android:textStyle="bold" />
-
-        <TextView
-            android:id="@+id/notif_subtitle_small"
-            android:layout_width="wrap_content"
-            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
-            android:singleLine="true"
-            android:text="Shonar"
-            android:textSize="12sp" />
     </LinearLayout>
 
-    <TextView
-        android:id="@+id/notif_timer_small"
-        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
+    <LinearLayout
+        android:layout_width="match_parent"
         android:layout_height="wrap_content"
-        android:layout_marginStart="8dp"
-        android:singleLine="true"
-        android:text="00:00"
-        android:textSize="20sp"
-        android:textStyle="bold" />
+        android:layout_marginTop="8dp"
+        android:gravity="center"
+        android:orientation="horizontal">
+
+        <ImageButton
+            android:id="@+id/notif_btn_discard_small"
+            android:layout_width="0dp"
+            android:layout_height="40dp"
+            android:layout_marginEnd="6dp"
+            android:layout_weight="1"
+            android:background="@drawable/notif_pill"
+            android:contentDescription="Discard"
+            android:scaleType="center"
+            android:src="@drawable/ic_notif_close" />
+
+        <ImageButton
+            android:id="@+id/notif_btn_pause_small"
+            android:layout_width="0dp"
+            android:layout_height="40dp"
+            android:layout_marginStart="6dp"
+            android:layout_marginEnd="6dp"
+            android:layout_weight="1"
+            android:background="@drawable/notif_pill_accent"
+            android:contentDescription="Pause"
+            android:scaleType="center"
+            android:src="@drawable/ic_notif_pause" />
+
+        <ImageButton
+            android:id="@+id/notif_btn_save_small"
+            android:layout_width="0dp"
+            android:layout_height="40dp"
+            android:layout_marginStart="6dp"
+            android:layout_weight="1"
+            android:background="@drawable/notif_pill"
+            android:contentDescription="Save"
+            android:scaleType="center"
+            android:src="@drawable/ic_notif_check" />
+    </LinearLayout>
 </LinearLayout>