diff --git a/mobile/lib/features/channels/compose_bar/attachments.dart b/mobile/lib/features/channels/compose_bar/attachments.dart
index 33962f27c61..31493dad528 100644
--- a/mobile/lib/features/channels/compose_bar/attachments.dart
+++ b/mobile/lib/features/channels/compose_bar/attachments.dart
@@ -368,6 +368,10 @@ class _PendingAttachment {
 }
 
 Future<void> _deleteXFile(XFile file) async {
+  if (file is RetainedAttachmentFile) {
+    await file.dispose();
+    return;
+  }
   final path = file.path;
   if (path.isEmpty) return;
   try {
diff --git a/mobile/lib/features/channels/compose_bar/compose_bar_widget.dart b/mobile/lib/features/channels/compose_bar/compose_bar_widget.dart
index 9235231be40..603dd02a751 100644
--- a/mobile/lib/features/channels/compose_bar/compose_bar_widget.dart
+++ b/mobile/lib/features/channels/compose_bar/compose_bar_widget.dart
@@ -814,8 +814,13 @@ class ComposeBar extends HookConsumerWidget {
       uploadError.value = null;
       try {
         final picked = await pick();
-        if (picked == null || !context.mounted) return;
-        queueAttachment(picked, kind);
+        if (picked == null) return;
+        final owned = picked is RetainedAttachmentFile;
+        if (!context.mounted) {
+          if (owned) await picked.dispose();
+          return;
+        }
+        queueAttachment(picked, kind, deleteAfterUse: owned);
       } catch (error) {
         if (context.mounted) {
           uploadError.value = _formatUploadError(error);
diff --git a/mobile/lib/shared/relay/media_upload.dart b/mobile/lib/shared/relay/media_upload.dart
index ac6c6125123..63c238dad97 100644
--- a/mobile/lib/shared/relay/media_upload.dart
+++ b/mobile/lib/shared/relay/media_upload.dart
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import 'dart:async';
 import 'dart:convert';
 import 'dart:io';
 import 'dart:math' as math;
+import 'dart:typed_data';
 
 import 'package:file_selector/file_selector.dart' as file_selector;
 import 'package:flutter/foundation.dart';
@@ -444,23 +445,42 @@ class MediaUploadService {
     if (!_allowedAudioMimeTypes.contains(mimeType)) {
       throw Exception('unsupported voice note type: $mimeType');
     }
+    return _uploadPackagedAudio(
+      voiceNote,
+      duration: duration,
+      onProgress: onProgress,
+      cancellationToken: cancellationToken,
+    );
+  }
+
+  Future<BlobDescriptor> _uploadPackagedAudio(
+    XFile voiceNote, {
+    Duration? duration,
+    ValueChanged<double>? onProgress,
+    UploadCancellationToken? cancellationToken,
+  }) async {
+    _throwIfCancelled(cancellationToken);
+    final length = await voiceNote.length();
+    if (length == 0) throw Exception('Voice note is empty.');
+    if (length > _maxFileSizeBytes) {
+      throw Exception('Voice note is too large. Maximum is 100MB.');
+    }
     String? packagedPath;
     try {
       packagedPath = await _packageVoiceNoteForUpload(voiceNote.path);
       _throwIfCancelled(cancellationToken);
-      final bytes = await File(packagedPath).readAsBytes();
-      if (bytes.isEmpty) throw Exception('Voice note is empty.');
-      if (bytes.length > _maxFileSizeBytes) {
-        throw Exception('Voice note is too large. Maximum is 100MB.');
-      }
+      final bytes = await _readAttachmentBytes(XFile(packagedPath));
+      _throwIfCancelled(cancellationToken);
       final descriptor = await _uploadPreparedBytes(
         bytes,
         mimeType: 'video/mp4',
         onProgress: onProgress,
         cancellationToken: cancellationToken,
       );
+      final filename = _voiceNoteMp4Filename(voiceNote.name);
+      if (duration == null) return descriptor.withFilename(filename);
       return descriptor.withVoiceNoteMetadata(
-        filename: _voiceNoteMp4Filename(voiceNote.name),
+        filename: filename,
         fallbackDurationSeconds: duration.inMilliseconds / 1000,
       );
     } finally {
@@ -480,7 +500,12 @@ class MediaUploadService {
     if (pickAttachmentFile == null) {
       throw Exception("File attachments aren't available on this device.");
     }
-    return pickAttachmentFile();
+    final pickedFile = await pickAttachmentFile();
+    if (pickedFile == null) return null;
+    // Document pickers can return an iOS Inbox URL whose lifetime is shorter
+    // than the composer draft. Capture the contents before displaying a chip
+    // that promises the file is ready to send.
+    return RetainedAttachmentFile.capture(pickedFile);
   }
 
   /// Uploads [pickedFile] as a size-limited generic attachment.
@@ -490,16 +515,21 @@ class MediaUploadService {
     UploadCancellationToken? cancellationToken,
   }) async {
     _throwIfCancelled(cancellationToken);
-    final length = await pickedFile.length();
-    if (length == 0) {
-      throw Exception('File is empty.');
-    }
-    if (length > _maxFileSizeBytes) {
-      throw Exception(
-        'File is too large (${(length / 1024 / 1024).toStringAsFixed(0)}MB). Maximum is 100MB.',
+    // Imported AAC recordings need the same sanitized, fast-start envelope as
+    // in-app recordings. Never fall back to uploading a rejected raw container.
+    final name = pickedFile.name.toLowerCase();
+    final mimeType = pickedFile.mimeType?.split(';').first.trim().toLowerCase();
+    if (name.endsWith('.m4a') ||
+        name.endsWith('.aac') ||
+        _allowedAudioMimeTypes.contains(mimeType) ||
+        mimeType == 'audio/x-m4a') {
+      return _uploadPackagedAudio(
+        pickedFile,
+        onProgress: onProgress,
+        cancellationToken: cancellationToken,
       );
     }
-    final bytes = await pickedFile.readAsBytes();
+    final bytes = await _readAttachmentBytes(pickedFile);
     _throwIfCancelled(cancellationToken);
     final descriptor = await _uploadPreparedBytes(
       bytes,
diff --git a/mobile/lib/shared/relay/media_upload/helpers.dart b/mobile/lib/shared/relay/media_upload/helpers.dart
index c8dd4504d5a..4f496053cd2 100644
--- a/mobile/lib/shared/relay/media_upload/helpers.dart
+++ b/mobile/lib/shared/relay/media_upload/helpers.dart
@@ -1,5 +1,75 @@
 part of '../media_upload.dart';
 
+/// A composer-owned document copy, released when sent or discarded.
+class RetainedAttachmentFile extends XFile {
+  final Directory _directory;
+
+  RetainedAttachmentFile._(super.path, this._directory, String? mimeType)
+    : super(mimeType: mimeType);
+
+  /// Copies a picker result without retaining large recordings in memory.
+  static Future<RetainedAttachmentFile> capture(XFile source) async {
+    final directory = await Directory.systemTemp.createTemp('buzz-attachment-');
+    try {
+      final file = File(
+        '${directory.path}/${_safeAttachmentFilename(source.name)}',
+      );
+      final output = await file.open(mode: FileMode.write);
+      try {
+        await for (final chunk in _attachmentChunks(source)) {
+          await output.writeFrom(chunk);
+        }
+      } finally {
+        await output.close();
+      }
+      return RetainedAttachmentFile._(file.path, directory, source.mimeType);
+    } catch (_) {
+      await directory.delete(recursive: true);
+      rethrow;
+    }
+  }
+
+  /// Removes only this attachment's owned copy, never the picked original.
+  Future<void> dispose() async {
+    try {
+      await _directory.delete(recursive: true);
+    } on PathNotFoundException {
+      // Removal can race composer disposal after a completed send.
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+Future<Uint8List> _readAttachmentBytes(XFile file) async {
+  final builder = BytesBuilder(copy: false);
+  await for (final chunk in _attachmentChunks(file)) {
+    builder.add(chunk);
+  }
+  return builder.takeBytes();
+}
+
+Stream<Uint8List> _attachmentChunks(XFile file) async* {
+  try {
+    final length = await file.length();
+    if (length > _maxFileSizeBytes) {
+      throw Exception('File is too large. Maximum is 100MB.');
+    }
+    var size = 0;
+    // Bound the read too: a provider's file can change after its size check.
+    await for (final chunk in file.openRead()) {
+      size += chunk.length;
+      if (size > _maxFileSizeBytes) {
+        throw Exception('File is too large. Maximum is 100MB.');
+      }
+      yield chunk;
+    }
+    if (size == 0) throw Exception('File is empty.');
+  } on FileSystemException {
+    throw Exception(
+      'This file is no longer available. Save a copy in Files, then attach it again.',
+    );
+  }
+}
+
 bool _startsWith(Uint8List bytes, List<int> prefix) {
   if (bytes.length < prefix.length) return false;
   for (var i = 0; i < prefix.length; i++) {
diff --git a/mobile/test/shared/relay/imported_audio_upload_test.dart b/mobile/test/shared/relay/imported_audio_upload_test.dart
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..057fe86d433
--- /dev/null
+++ b/mobile/test/shared/relay/imported_audio_upload_test.dart
@@ -0,0 +1,171 @@
+import 'dart:convert';
+import 'dart:io';
+
+import 'package:buzz/shared/relay/media_upload.dart';
+import 'package:flutter/services.dart';
+import 'package:flutter_test/flutter_test.dart';
+import 'package:http/http.dart' as http;
+import 'package:http/testing.dart';
+import 'package:image_picker/image_picker.dart';
+import 'package:nostr/nostr.dart' as nostr;
+
+void main() {
+  TestWidgetsFlutterBinding.ensureInitialized();
+
+  test(
+    'imported recording survives failed preparation, cancel, and retry',
+    () async {
+      final directory = await Directory.systemTemp.createTemp('audio-import-');
+      addTearDown(() => directory.delete(recursive: true));
+      final source = File('${directory.path}/회의.M4A');
+      await source.writeAsBytes([1, 2, 3]);
+      final package = File('${directory.path}/prepared.mp4');
+      var failPreparation = true;
+      UploadCancellationToken? token;
+      final uploads = <List<int>>[];
+      final service = MediaUploadService(
+        baseUrl: 'https://relay.example',
+        pickGalleryImage: () async => null,
+        pickGalleryVideo: () async => null,
+        nsec: nostr.Keys.generate().nsec,
+        pickAttachmentFile: () async => XFile(source.path),
+        packageVoiceNoteForUpload: (path) async {
+          expect(await File(path).readAsBytes(), [1, 2, 3]);
+          if (failPreparation) {
+            throw PlatformException(code: 'transcode_failed');
+          }
+          await package.writeAsBytes([4, 5, 6]);
+          token?.cancel();
+          return package.path;
+        },
+        httpClient: MockClient((request) async {
+          expect(request.headers['Content-Type'], 'video/mp4');
+          uploads.add(request.bodyBytes);
+          return http.Response(
+            jsonEncode({
+              'url': 'https://relay.example/media/recording.mp4',
+              'sha256': 'a' * 64,
+              'size': request.bodyBytes.length,
+              'type': 'video/mp4',
+              'uploaded': 1,
+              'duration': 120.5,
+            }),
+            200,
+          );
+        }),
+      );
+      addTearDown(service.dispose);
+      final retained =
+          (await service.pickAttachmentFile())! as RetainedAttachmentFile;
+      addTearDown(retained.dispose);
+      await source.delete();
+      await expectLater(
+        service.uploadFile(retained),
+        throwsA(isA<PlatformException>()),
+      );
+      expect(uploads, isEmpty);
+      expect(await File(retained.path).exists(), isTrue);
+
+      failPreparation = false;
+      token = UploadCancellationToken();
+      await expectLater(
+        service.uploadFile(retained, cancellationToken: token),
+        throwsA(isA<UploadCancelledException>()),
+      );
+      expect(uploads, isEmpty);
+      expect(await package.exists(), isFalse);
+      expect(await File(retained.path).exists(), isTrue);
+
+      token = null;
+      final descriptor = await service.uploadFile(retained);
+      expect(uploads.single, [4, 5, 6]);
+      expect(descriptor.filename, 'voice-note-회의.mp4');
+      expect(descriptor.duration, 120.5);
+      expect(
+        descriptor.toMarkdownImage(),
+        '[voice-note-회의.mp4](${descriptor.url})',
+      );
+      expect(await package.exists(), isFalse);
+      expect(await File(retained.path).readAsBytes(), [1, 2, 3]);
+    },
+  );
+
+  test(
+    'routes supported audio metadata and bounds input/output before upload',
+    () async {
+      final directory = await Directory.systemTemp.createTemp('audio-bounds-');
+      addTearDown(() => directory.delete(recursive: true));
+      final source = File('${directory.path}/source');
+      final package = File('${directory.path}/package.mp4');
+      var packagingCount = 0;
+      var uploads = 0;
+      var oversizedOutput = false;
+      final service = MediaUploadService(
+        baseUrl: 'https://relay.example',
+        pickGalleryImage: () async => null,
+        pickGalleryVideo: () async => null,
+        nsec: nostr.Keys.generate().nsec,
+        packageVoiceNoteForUpload: (path) async {
+          packagingCount++;
+          await package.writeAsBytes([4]);
+          if (oversizedOutput) {
+            final handle = await package.open(mode: FileMode.append);
+            await handle.truncate(100 * 1024 * 1024 + 1);
+            await handle.close();
+          }
+          return package.path;
+        },
+        httpClient: MockClient((request) async {
+          uploads++;
+          return http.Response(
+            jsonEncode({
+              'url': 'https://relay.example/media/file',
+              'sha256': 'a' * 64,
+              'size': request.bodyBytes.length,
+              'type': request.headers['Content-Type'],
+              'uploaded': 1,
+            }),
+            200,
+          );
+        }),
+      );
+      addTearDown(service.dispose);
+      for (final (name, mime, shouldPackage) in [
+        ('memo.m4a', null, true),
+        ('memo.AAC', null, true),
+        ('memo', 'audio/mp4', true),
+        ('memo', 'audio/x-m4a', true),
+        ('memo', 'audio/aac', true),
+        ('memo.mp3', 'audio/mpeg', false),
+        ('video.mp4', 'video/mp4', false),
+        ('memo.txt', null, false),
+      ]) {
+        final file = File('${directory.path}/$name');
+        await file.writeAsBytes([1]);
+        final before = packagingCount;
+        final descriptor = await service.uploadFile(
+          XFile(file.path, mimeType: mime),
+        );
+        expect(packagingCount - before, shouldPackage ? 1 : 0, reason: name);
+        expect(descriptor.duration, isNull); // Do not invent a zero duration.
+        expect(await file.readAsBytes(), [1]);
+      }
+      await source.writeAsBytes([]);
+      final audio = XFile(source.path, mimeType: 'audio/mp4');
+      final before = packagingCount;
+      final sent = uploads;
+      await expectLater(service.uploadFile(audio), throwsException);
+      final handle = await source.open(mode: FileMode.append);
+      await handle.truncate(100 * 1024 * 1024 + 1);
+      await handle.close();
+      await expectLater(service.uploadFile(audio), throwsException);
+      expect(packagingCount, before);
+      await source.writeAsBytes([1]);
+      oversizedOutput = true;
+      await expectLater(service.uploadFile(audio), throwsException);
+      expect(uploads, sent);
+      expect(await package.exists(), isFalse);
+      expect(await source.readAsBytes(), [1]);
+    },
+  );
+}
diff --git a/mobile/test/shared/relay/media_upload_test.dart b/mobile/test/shared/relay/media_upload_test.dart
index 61db8725696..ab34eb63510 100644
--- a/mobile/test/shared/relay/media_upload_test.dart
+++ b/mobile/test/shared/relay/media_upload_test.dart
@@ -1158,6 +1158,70 @@ void main() {
       );
     });
 
+    test(
+      'retains picked files through source removal and allows recovery',
+      () async {
+        final directory = await Directory.systemTemp.createTemp('attachment-');
+        addTearDown(() => directory.delete(recursive: true));
+        final source = File('${directory.path}/Meeting: planning notes.txt');
+        final contents = [1, 2, 3, 4];
+        await source.writeAsBytes(contents);
+        final uploads = <List<int>>[];
+        final service = MediaUploadService(
+          baseUrl: 'https://relay.example',
+          nsec: nostr.Keys.generate().nsec,
+          pickGalleryVideo: () async => null,
+          pickGalleryImage: () async => null,
+          pickAttachmentFile: () async => XFile(source.path),
+          httpClient: http_testing.MockClient((request) async {
+            uploads.add(request.bodyBytes);
+            return http.Response(
+              jsonEncode({
+                'url': 'https://relay.example/media/recording.m4a',
+                'sha256':
+                    '0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef',
+                'size': request.bodyBytes.length,
+                'type': 'application/octet-stream',
+                'uploaded': 1,
+              }),
+              HttpStatus.ok,
+            );
+          }),
+        );
+        addTearDown(service.dispose);
+        final picked = await service.pickAttachmentFile();
+        final retained = picked!;
+        if (retained is RetainedAttachmentFile) {
+          addTearDown(retained.dispose);
+        }
+        await source.delete();
+        final uploaded = await service.uploadFile(retained);
+        expect(uploads.single, contents);
+        expect(uploaded.filename, 'Meeting: planning notes.txt');
+
+        await expectLater(
+          service.pickAttachmentFile(),
+          throwsA(
+            isA<Exception>().having(
+              (e) => e.toString(),
+              'recovery',
+              contains('Save a copy in Files, then attach it again'),
+            ),
+          ),
+        );
+        expect(uploads, hasLength(1));
+        await source.writeAsBytes([5, 6]);
+        final replacement = await service.pickAttachmentFile();
+        await service.uploadFile(replacement!);
+        expect(uploads.last, [5, 6]);
+        await (replacement as RetainedAttachmentFile).dispose();
+        expect(await File(replacement.path).parent.exists(), isFalse);
+        expect(await source.readAsBytes(), [5, 6]);
+        await (retained as RetainedAttachmentFile).dispose();
+        expect(await File(retained.path).parent.exists(), isFalse);
+      },
+    );
+
     test('rejects empty generic file attachments before upload', () async {
       var uploadRequested = false;
       final service = MediaUploadService(
@@ -1716,7 +1780,11 @@ extension on MediaUploadService {
 
   Future<BlobDescriptor?> pickAndUploadFile() async {
     final file = await pickAttachmentFile();
-    return file == null ? null : uploadFile(file);
+    try {
+      return file == null ? null : await uploadFile(file);
+    } finally {
+      if (file is RetainedAttachmentFile) await file.dispose();
+    }
   }
 
   Future<BlobDescriptor> readAndUploadClipboardImage() async {