diff --git a/src/components/providers/presence-provider.tsx b/src/components/providers/presence-provider.tsx
index ef73687..0dce434 100644
--- a/src/components/providers/presence-provider.tsx
+++ b/src/components/providers/presence-provider.tsx
@@ -44,7 +44,11 @@ export function PresenceProvider({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) {
   const disconnectForIdle = useCallback(() => {
     if (!isConnectedRef.current) return;
     isIdleRef.current = true;
-    socketService.disconnect();
+    // Use pause() instead of disconnect() so subscriber handlers
+    // (useMessaging listeners) survive the reconnect. Otherwise the
+    // user would have to refresh the page after returning from idle
+    // to see new messages in real time again.
+    socketService.pause();
   }, []);
 
   // Track socket connection state
diff --git a/src/services/socket.service.ts b/src/services/socket.service.ts
index a2492c1..e1c61c2 100644
--- a/src/services/socket.service.ts
+++ b/src/services/socket.service.ts
@@ -176,17 +176,18 @@ class SocketService {
     });
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Fully disconnect and clear every subscriber handler. Use ONLY on logout
+   * — this invalidates every registered listener across the app.
+   *
+   * For transient disconnects (tab hidden, user idle), use `pause()` instead
+   * so React-registered listeners survive the reconnect.
+   */
   disconnect(): void {
-    if (this.socket) {
-      this.socket.removeAllListeners();
-      this.socket.disconnect();
-      this.socket = null;
-    }
+    this.pause();
     this.currentToken = null;
-    this.isConnecting = false;
-    this.connectPromise = null;
-    this.listenersAttached = false;
-    // Clear all handler sets to prevent leaks
+    // Clear all handler sets — only safe on logout because every subscriber
+    // must re-register after a fresh login.
     this.messageHandlers.clear();
     this.typingStartHandlers.clear();
     this.typingStopHandlers.clear();
@@ -199,6 +200,26 @@ class SocketService {
     this.authErrorHandlers.clear();
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Tear down the socket without clearing subscriber handler sets.
+   * Used for idle/visibility disconnects so that when we reconnect,
+   * the existing React hooks' handlers automatically resume receiving
+   * events without needing to re-register.
+   */
+  pause(): void {
+    if (this.socket) {
+      this.socket.removeAllListeners();
+      this.socket.disconnect();
+      this.socket = null;
+    }
+    this.isConnecting = false;
+    this.connectPromise = null;
+    this.listenersAttached = false;
+    // Intentionally keep: currentToken, messageHandlers, typingStart/StopHandlers,
+    // statusHandlers, readHandlers, deliveredHandlers, connectionRequest/ResponseHandlers,
+    // connectionHandlers, authErrorHandlers
+  }
+
   isConnected(): boolean {
     return this.socket?.connected || false;
   }