diff --git a/apps/multiplatform/common/build.gradle.kts b/apps/multiplatform/common/build.gradle.kts
index 6a5fd1d0f..9fb40c93d 100644
--- a/apps/multiplatform/common/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/apps/multiplatform/common/build.gradle.kts
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ kotlin {
         implementation("com.github.Dansoftowner:jSystemThemeDetector:3.6")
         implementation("com.sshtools:two-slices:0.9.0-SNAPSHOT")
         implementation("org.slf4j:slf4j-simple:2.0.7")
-        implementation("uk.co.caprica:vlcj:4.7.0")
+        implementation("uk.co.caprica:vlcj:4.7.3")
       }
     }
     val desktopTest by getting
diff --git a/apps/multiplatform/common/src/commonMain/cpp/desktop/CMakeLists.txt b/apps/multiplatform/common/src/commonMain/cpp/desktop/CMakeLists.txt
index 849a6c98a..5cbc6883a 100644
--- a/apps/multiplatform/common/src/commonMain/cpp/desktop/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/apps/multiplatform/common/src/commonMain/cpp/desktop/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -73,6 +73,11 @@ else()
 	target_link_libraries(app-lib rts simplex)
 endif()
 
+if(APPLE)
+    add_custom_command(TARGET app-lib POST_BUILD
+        COMMAND  ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/patch-libapp-mac.sh
+)
+endif()
 
 
 # Trying to copy resulting files into needed directory, but none of these work for some reason. This could allow to
diff --git a/apps/multiplatform/common/src/commonMain/cpp/desktop/patch-libapp-mac.sh b/apps/multiplatform/common/src/commonMain/cpp/desktop/patch-libapp-mac.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..c44df8f1f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/multiplatform/common/src/commonMain/cpp/desktop/patch-libapp-mac.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+set -e
+
+lib=libapp-lib.dylib
+RPATHS=$(otool -l $lib | grep -E '/Users|/opt/|/usr/local' | cut -d' ' -f11)
+for RPATH in $RPATHS; do
+    install_name_tool -delete_rpath $RPATH $lib
+done
diff --git a/apps/multiplatform/common/src/commonMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/model/SimpleXAPI.kt b/apps/multiplatform/common/src/commonMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/model/SimpleXAPI.kt
index 060738bc1..87cac179f 100644
--- a/apps/multiplatform/common/src/commonMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/model/SimpleXAPI.kt
+++ b/apps/multiplatform/common/src/commonMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/model/SimpleXAPI.kt
@@ -516,8 +516,8 @@ object ChatController {
     throw Exception("failed to delete the user ${r.responseType} ${r.details}")
   }
 
-  suspend fun apiStartChat(): Boolean {
-    val r = sendCmd(CC.StartChat(expire = true))
+  suspend fun apiStartChat(openDBWithKey: String? = null): Boolean {
+    val r = sendCmd(CC.StartChat(ChatCtrlCfg(subConns = true, enableExpireCIs = true, startXFTPWorkers = true, openDBWithKey = openDBWithKey)))
     when (r) {
       is CR.ChatStarted -> return true
       is CR.ChatRunning -> return false
@@ -525,8 +525,8 @@ object ChatController {
     }
   }
 
-  suspend fun apiStopChat(): Boolean {
-    val r = sendCmd(CC.ApiStopChat())
+  suspend fun apiStopChat(closeStore: Boolean): Boolean {
+    val r = sendCmd(CC.ApiStopChat(closeStore))
     when (r) {
       is CR.ChatStopped -> return true
       else -> throw Error("failed stopping chat: ${r.responseType} ${r.details}")
@@ -1829,8 +1829,8 @@ sealed class CC {
   class ApiMuteUser(val userId: Long): CC()
   class ApiUnmuteUser(val userId: Long): CC()
   class ApiDeleteUser(val userId: Long, val delSMPQueues: Boolean, val viewPwd: String?): CC()
-  class StartChat(val expire: Boolean): CC()
-  class ApiStopChat: CC()
+  class StartChat(val cfg: ChatCtrlCfg): CC()
+  class ApiStopChat(val closeStore: Boolean): CC()
   class SetTempFolder(val tempFolder: String): CC()
   class SetFilesFolder(val filesFolder: String): CC()
   class ApiSetXFTPConfig(val config: XFTPFileConfig?): CC()
@@ -1933,8 +1933,9 @@ sealed class CC {
     is ApiMuteUser -> "/_mute user $userId"
     is ApiUnmuteUser -> "/_unmute user $userId"
     is ApiDeleteUser -> "/_delete user $userId del_smp=${onOff(delSMPQueues)}${maybePwd(viewPwd)}"
-    is StartChat -> "/_start subscribe=on expire=${onOff(expire)} xftp=on"
-    is ApiStopChat -> "/_stop"
+//    is StartChat -> "/_start ${json.encodeToString(cfg)}" // this can be used with the new core
+    is StartChat -> "/_start subscribe=on expire=${onOff(cfg.enableExpireCIs)} xftp=on"
+    is ApiStopChat -> if (closeStore) "/_stop close" else "/_stop"
     is SetTempFolder -> "/_temp_folder $tempFolder"
     is SetFilesFolder -> "/_files_folder $filesFolder"
     is ApiSetXFTPConfig -> if (config != null) "/_xftp on ${json.encodeToString(config)}" else "/_xftp off"
@@ -2151,6 +2152,14 @@ sealed class CC {
   }
 }
 
+@Serializable
+data class ChatCtrlCfg (
+  val subConns: Boolean,
+  val enableExpireCIs: Boolean,
+  val startXFTPWorkers: Boolean,
+  val openDBWithKey: String?
+)
+
 @Serializable
 data class NewUser(
   val profile: Profile?,
diff --git a/apps/multiplatform/common/src/commonMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/views/chat/item/CIVIdeoView.kt b/apps/multiplatform/common/src/commonMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/views/chat/item/CIVIdeoView.kt
index 78bdf53d1..996dc819f 100644
--- a/apps/multiplatform/common/src/commonMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/views/chat/item/CIVIdeoView.kt
+++ b/apps/multiplatform/common/src/commonMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/views/chat/item/CIVIdeoView.kt
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ private fun VideoView(uri: URI, file: CIFile, defaultPreview: ImageBitmap, defau
     )
     if (showPreview.value) {
       VideoPreviewImageView(preview, onClick, onLongClick)
-      PlayButton(brokenVideo, onLongClick = onLongClick, if (appPlatform.isAndroid) play else onClick)
+      PlayButton(brokenVideo, onLongClick = onLongClick, play)
     }
     DurationProgress(file, videoPlaying, duration, progress/*, soundEnabled*/)
   }
diff --git a/apps/multiplatform/common/src/commonMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/views/chat/item/ImageFullScreenView.kt b/apps/multiplatform/common/src/commonMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/views/chat/item/ImageFullScreenView.kt
index 05d11208f..4d4d847cc 100644
--- a/apps/multiplatform/common/src/commonMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/views/chat/item/ImageFullScreenView.kt
+++ b/apps/multiplatform/common/src/commonMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/views/chat/item/ImageFullScreenView.kt
@@ -158,12 +158,11 @@ private fun VideoView(modifier: Modifier, uri: URI, defaultPreview: ImageBitmap,
     player.stop()
   }
   LaunchedEffect(Unit) {
-    player.enableSound(true)
     snapshotFlow { isCurrentPage.value }
       .distinctUntilChanged()
       .collect {
-        // Do not autoplay on desktop because it needs workaround
-        if (it && appPlatform.isAndroid) play() else if (!it) stop()
+        if (it) play() else stop()
+        player.enableSound(true)
       }
   }
 
diff --git a/apps/multiplatform/common/src/commonMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/views/database/DatabaseView.kt b/apps/multiplatform/common/src/commonMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/views/database/DatabaseView.kt
index fa0f8f54d..3eb2e7d73 100644
--- a/apps/multiplatform/common/src/commonMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/views/database/DatabaseView.kt
+++ b/apps/multiplatform/common/src/commonMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/views/database/DatabaseView.kt
@@ -419,7 +419,7 @@ private fun stopChat(m: ChatModel) {
 }
 
 suspend fun stopChatAsync(m: ChatModel) {
-  m.controller.apiStopChat()
+  m.controller.apiStopChat(false)
   m.chatRunning.value = false
 }
 
diff --git a/apps/multiplatform/common/src/desktopMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/other/videoplayer/SkiaBitmapVideoSurface.kt b/apps/multiplatform/common/src/desktopMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/other/videoplayer/SkiaBitmapVideoSurface.kt
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c2f37fd5d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/multiplatform/common/src/desktopMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/other/videoplayer/SkiaBitmapVideoSurface.kt
@@ -0,0 +1,79 @@
+package org.jetbrains.compose.videoplayer
+
+import androidx.compose.runtime.State
+import androidx.compose.runtime.mutableStateOf
+import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.ImageBitmap
+import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.asComposeImageBitmap
+import org.jetbrains.skia.Bitmap
+import org.jetbrains.skia.ColorAlphaType
+import org.jetbrains.skia.ColorType
+import org.jetbrains.skia.ImageInfo
+import uk.co.caprica.vlcj.player.base.MediaPlayer
+import uk.co.caprica.vlcj.player.embedded.videosurface.CallbackVideoSurface
+import uk.co.caprica.vlcj.player.embedded.videosurface.VideoSurface
+import uk.co.caprica.vlcj.player.embedded.videosurface.VideoSurfaceAdapters
+import uk.co.caprica.vlcj.player.embedded.videosurface.callback.BufferFormat
+import uk.co.caprica.vlcj.player.embedded.videosurface.callback.BufferFormatCallback
+import uk.co.caprica.vlcj.player.embedded.videosurface.callback.RenderCallback
+import uk.co.caprica.vlcj.player.embedded.videosurface.callback.format.RV32BufferFormat
+import java.nio.ByteBuffer
+import javax.swing.SwingUtilities
+
+// https://github.com/JetBrains/compose-multiplatform/pull/3336/files
+internal class SkiaBitmapVideoSurface : VideoSurface(VideoSurfaceAdapters.getVideoSurfaceAdapter()) {
+
+  private val videoSurface = SkiaBitmapVideoSurface()
+  private lateinit var imageInfo: ImageInfo
+  private lateinit var frameBytes: ByteArray
+  private val skiaBitmap: Bitmap = Bitmap()
+  private val composeBitmap = mutableStateOf<ImageBitmap?>(null)
+
+  val bitmap: State<ImageBitmap?> = composeBitmap
+
+  override fun attach(mediaPlayer: MediaPlayer) {
+    videoSurface.attach(mediaPlayer)
+  }
+
+  private inner class SkiaBitmapBufferFormatCallback : BufferFormatCallback {
+    private var sourceWidth: Int = 0
+    private var sourceHeight: Int = 0
+
+    override fun getBufferFormat(sourceWidth: Int, sourceHeight: Int): BufferFormat {
+      this.sourceWidth = sourceWidth
+      this.sourceHeight = sourceHeight
+      return RV32BufferFormat(sourceWidth, sourceHeight)
+    }
+
+    override fun allocatedBuffers(buffers: Array<ByteBuffer>) {
+      frameBytes = buffers[0].run { ByteArray(remaining()).also(::get) }
+      imageInfo = ImageInfo(
+        sourceWidth,
+        sourceHeight,
+        ColorType.BGRA_8888,
+        ColorAlphaType.PREMUL,
+      )
+    }
+  }
+
+  private inner class SkiaBitmapRenderCallback : RenderCallback {
+    override fun display(
+      mediaPlayer: MediaPlayer,
+      nativeBuffers: Array<ByteBuffer>,
+      bufferFormat: BufferFormat,
+    ) {
+      SwingUtilities.invokeLater {
+        nativeBuffers[0].rewind()
+        nativeBuffers[0].get(frameBytes)
+        skiaBitmap.installPixels(imageInfo, frameBytes, bufferFormat.width * 4)
+        composeBitmap.value = skiaBitmap.asComposeImageBitmap()
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  private inner class SkiaBitmapVideoSurface : CallbackVideoSurface(
+    SkiaBitmapBufferFormatCallback(),
+    SkiaBitmapRenderCallback(),
+    true,
+    videoSurfaceAdapter,
+  )
+}
diff --git a/apps/multiplatform/common/src/desktopMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/platform/Images.desktop.kt b/apps/multiplatform/common/src/desktopMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/platform/Images.desktop.kt
index b7341cb4a..c04587656 100644
--- a/apps/multiplatform/common/src/desktopMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/platform/Images.desktop.kt
+++ b/apps/multiplatform/common/src/desktopMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/platform/Images.desktop.kt
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ import boofcv.struct.image.GrayU8
 import chat.simplex.res.MR
 import org.jetbrains.skia.Image
 import java.awt.RenderingHints
+import java.awt.geom.AffineTransform
+import java.awt.image.AffineTransformOp
 import java.awt.image.BufferedImage
 import java.io.*
 import java.net.URI
@@ -171,3 +173,37 @@ actual fun isAnimImage(uri: URI, drawable: Any?): Boolean {
 @Suppress("NewApi")
 actual fun loadImageBitmap(inputStream: InputStream): ImageBitmap =
   Image.makeFromEncoded(inputStream.readAllBytes()).toComposeImageBitmap()
+
+// https://stackoverflow.com/a/68926993
+fun BufferedImage.rotate(angle: Double): BufferedImage {
+  val sin = Math.abs(Math.sin(Math.toRadians(angle)))
+  val cos = Math.abs(Math.cos(Math.toRadians(angle)))
+  val w = width
+  val h = height
+  val neww = Math.floor(w * cos + h * sin).toInt()
+  val newh = Math.floor(h * cos + w * sin).toInt()
+  val rotated = BufferedImage(neww, newh, type)
+  val graphic = rotated.createGraphics()
+  graphic.translate((neww - w) / 2, (newh - h) / 2)
+  graphic.rotate(Math.toRadians(angle), (w / 2).toDouble(), (h / 2).toDouble())
+  graphic.drawRenderedImage(this, null)
+  graphic.dispose()
+  return rotated
+}
+
+// https://stackoverflow.com/a/9559043
+fun BufferedImage.flip(vertically: Boolean, horizontally: Boolean): BufferedImage {
+  if (!vertically && !horizontally) return this
+  val tx: AffineTransform
+  if (vertically && horizontally) {
+    tx = AffineTransform.getScaleInstance(-1.0, -1.0)
+    tx.translate(-width.toDouble(), -height.toDouble())
+  } else if (vertically) {
+    tx = AffineTransform.getScaleInstance(1.0, -1.0)
+    tx.translate(0.0, -height.toDouble())
+  } else {
+    tx = AffineTransform.getScaleInstance(-1.0, 1.0)
+    tx.translate(-width.toDouble(), 0.0)
+  }
+  return AffineTransformOp(tx, AffineTransformOp.TYPE_NEAREST_NEIGHBOR).filter(this, null)
+}
diff --git a/apps/multiplatform/common/src/desktopMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/platform/VideoPlayer.desktop.kt b/apps/multiplatform/common/src/desktopMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/platform/VideoPlayer.desktop.kt
index e590c2e20..9f8c1884e 100644
--- a/apps/multiplatform/common/src/desktopMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/platform/VideoPlayer.desktop.kt
+++ b/apps/multiplatform/common/src/desktopMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/platform/VideoPlayer.desktop.kt
@@ -2,17 +2,20 @@ package chat.simplex.common.platform
 
 import androidx.compose.runtime.MutableState
 import androidx.compose.runtime.mutableStateOf
-import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.ImageBitmap
-import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.toComposeImageBitmap
+import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.*
 import chat.simplex.common.views.helpers.*
 import chat.simplex.res.MR
 import kotlinx.coroutines.*
-import uk.co.caprica.vlcj.player.base.MediaPlayer
+import uk.co.caprica.vlcj.media.VideoOrientation
+import uk.co.caprica.vlcj.player.base.*
 import uk.co.caprica.vlcj.player.component.CallbackMediaPlayerComponent
 import uk.co.caprica.vlcj.player.component.EmbeddedMediaPlayerComponent
 import java.awt.Component
+import java.awt.image.BufferedImage
 import java.io.File
 import java.net.URI
+import java.util.concurrent.Executors
+import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicBoolean
 import kotlin.math.max
 
 actual class VideoPlayer actual constructor(
@@ -29,17 +32,14 @@ actual class VideoPlayer actual constructor(
   override val duration: MutableState<Long> = mutableStateOf(0L)
   override val preview: MutableState<ImageBitmap> = mutableStateOf(defaultPreview)
 
-  val mediaPlayerComponent = initializeMediaPlayerComponent()
+  val mediaPlayerComponent by lazy { runBlocking(playerThread.asCoroutineDispatcher()) { getOrCreatePlayer() } }
   val player by lazy { mediaPlayerComponent.mediaPlayer() }
 
   init {
-    withBGApi {
-      setPreviewAndDuration()
-    }
+    setPreviewAndDuration()
   }
 
-  private val currentVolume: Int by lazy { player.audio().volume() }
-  private var isReleased: Boolean = false
+  private var isReleased: AtomicBoolean = AtomicBoolean(false)
 
   private val listener: MutableState<((position: Long?, state: TrackState) -> Unit)?> = mutableStateOf(null)
   private var progressJob: Job? = null
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ actual class VideoPlayer actual constructor(
     PLAYING, PAUSED, STOPPED
   }
 
+  /** Should be called in [playerThread]. Otherwise, it creates deadlocks in [player.stop] and [player.release] calls */
   private fun start(seek: Long? = null, onProgressUpdate: (position: Long?, state: TrackState) -> Unit): Boolean {
     val filepath = getAppFilePath(uri)
     if (filepath == null || !File(filepath).exists()) {
@@ -87,7 +88,7 @@ actual class VideoPlayer actual constructor(
     // Player can only be accessed in one specific thread
     progressJob = CoroutineScope(Dispatchers.Main).launch {
       onProgressUpdate(player.currentPosition.toLong(), TrackState.PLAYING)
-      while (isActive && !isReleased && player.isPlaying) {
+      while (isActive && !isReleased.get() && player.isPlaying) {
         // Even when current position is equal to duration, the player has isPlaying == true for some time,
         // so help to make the playback stopped in UI immediately
         if (player.currentPosition == player.duration) {
@@ -97,7 +98,7 @@ actual class VideoPlayer actual constructor(
         delay(50)
         onProgressUpdate(player.currentPosition.toLong(), TrackState.PLAYING)
       }
-      if (isActive && !isReleased) {
+      if (isActive && !isReleased.get()) {
         onProgressUpdate(player.currentPosition.toLong(), TrackState.PAUSED)
       }
       onProgressUpdate(null, TrackState.PAUSED)
@@ -107,9 +108,11 @@ actual class VideoPlayer actual constructor(
   }
 
   override fun stop() {
-    if (isReleased || !videoPlaying.value) return
-    player.controls().stop()
-    stopListener()
+    if (isReleased.get() || !videoPlaying.value) return
+    playerThread.execute {
+      player.stop()
+      stopListener()
+    }
   }
 
   private fun stopListener() {
@@ -133,45 +136,57 @@ actual class VideoPlayer actual constructor(
     if (progress.value == duration.value) {
       progress.value = 0
     }
-    videoPlaying.value = start(progress.value) { pro, _ ->
-      if (pro != null) {
-        progress.value = pro
-      }
-      if ((pro == null || pro == duration.value) && duration.value != 0L) {
-        videoPlaying.value = false
-        if (pro == duration.value) {
-          progress.value = if (resetOnEnd) 0 else duration.value
-        }/* else if (state == TrackState.STOPPED) {
+    playerThread.execute {
+      videoPlaying.value = start(progress.value) { pro, _ ->
+        if (pro != null) {
+          progress.value = pro
+        }
+        if ((pro == null || pro == duration.value) && duration.value != 0L) {
+          videoPlaying.value = false
+          if (pro == duration.value) {
+            progress.value = if (resetOnEnd) 0 else duration.value
+          }/* else if (state == TrackState.STOPPED) {
           progress.value = 0 //
         }*/
+        }
       }
     }
   }
 
   override fun enableSound(enable: Boolean): Boolean {
-    if (isReleased) return false
-    if (soundEnabled.value == enable) return false
+    // Impossible to change volume for only one player. It changes for every player
+    // https://github.com/caprica/vlcj/issues/985
+    return false
+    /*if (isReleased.get() || soundEnabled.value == enable) return false
     soundEnabled.value = enable
-    player.audio().setVolume(if (enable) currentVolume else 0)
-    return true
+    playerThread.execute {
+      player.audio().isMute = !enable
+    }
+    return true*/
   }
 
-  override fun release(remove: Boolean) { withApi {
-    if (isReleased) return@withApi
-    isReleased = true
-    // TODO
-    /** [player.release] freezes thread for some reason. It happens periodically. So doing this we don't see the freeze, but it's still there */
-    if (player.isPlaying) player.stop()
-    CoroutineScope(Dispatchers.IO).launch { player.release() }
-    if (remove) {
-      VideoPlayerHolder.players.remove(uri to gallery)
+  override fun release(remove: Boolean) {
+    CoroutineScope(playerThread.asCoroutineDispatcher()).launch {
+      if (isReleased.get()) return@launch
+      isReleased.set(true)
+      if (player.isPlaying) {
+        player.stop()
+      }
+      if (usePool) {
+        putPlayer(mediaPlayerComponent)
+      } else {
+        player.release()
+      }
+      if (remove) {
+        VideoPlayerHolder.players.remove(uri to gallery)
+      }
     }
-  }}
+  }
 
   private val MediaPlayer.currentPosition: Int
-    get() = if (isReleased) 0 else max(0, player.status().time().toInt())
+    get() = if (isReleased.get()) 0 else max(0, status().time().toInt())
 
-  private suspend fun setPreviewAndDuration() {
+  private fun setPreviewAndDuration() {
     // It freezes main thread, doing it in IO thread
     CoroutineScope(Dispatchers.IO).launch {
       val previewAndDuration = VideoPlayerHolder.previewsAndDurations.getOrPut(uri) { getBitmapFromVideo(defaultPreview, uri) }
@@ -182,35 +197,79 @@ actual class VideoPlayer actual constructor(
     }
   }
 
-  private fun initializeMediaPlayerComponent(): Component {
-    return if (desktopPlatform.isMac()) {
-      CallbackMediaPlayerComponent()
-    } else {
-      EmbeddedMediaPlayerComponent()
-    }
-  }
-
-  private fun Component.mediaPlayer() = when (this) {
-    is CallbackMediaPlayerComponent -> mediaPlayer()
-    is EmbeddedMediaPlayerComponent -> mediaPlayer()
-    else -> error("mediaPlayer() can only be called on vlcj player components")
-  }
-
   companion object {
-    suspend fun getBitmapFromVideo(defaultPreview: ImageBitmap?, uri: URI?): VideoPlayerInterface.PreviewAndDuration {
-      val player = CallbackMediaPlayerComponent().mediaPlayer()
+    private val usePool = false
+
+    private fun Component.mediaPlayer() = when (this) {
+      is CallbackMediaPlayerComponent -> mediaPlayer()
+      is EmbeddedMediaPlayerComponent -> mediaPlayer()
+      else -> error("mediaPlayer() can only be called on vlcj player components")
+    }
+
+    private fun initializeMediaPlayerComponent(): Component {
+      return if (desktopPlatform.isMac()) {
+        CallbackMediaPlayerComponent()
+      } else {
+        EmbeddedMediaPlayerComponent()
+      }
+    }
+
+    suspend fun getBitmapFromVideo(defaultPreview: ImageBitmap?, uri: URI?): VideoPlayerInterface.PreviewAndDuration = withContext(playerThread.asCoroutineDispatcher()) {
+      val mediaComponent = getOrCreateHelperPlayer()
+      val player = mediaComponent.mediaPlayer()
       if (uri == null || !File(uri.rawPath).exists()) {
-        return VideoPlayerInterface.PreviewAndDuration(preview = defaultPreview, timestamp = 0L, duration = 0L)
+        return@withContext VideoPlayerInterface.PreviewAndDuration(preview = defaultPreview, timestamp = 0L, duration = 0L)
       }
       player.media().startPaused(uri.toString().replaceFirst("file:", "file://"))
       val start = System.currentTimeMillis()
-      while (player.snapshots()?.get() == null && start + 5000 > System.currentTimeMillis()) {
+      var snap: BufferedImage? = null
+      while (snap == null && start + 5000 > System.currentTimeMillis()) {
+        snap = player.snapshots()?.get()
         delay(10)
       }
-      val preview = player.snapshots()?.get()?.toComposeImageBitmap()
+      val orientation = player.media().info().videoTracks().first().orientation()
+      val preview: ImageBitmap? = when (orientation) {
+        VideoOrientation.TOP_LEFT -> snap
+        VideoOrientation.TOP_RIGHT -> snap?.flip(false, true)
+        VideoOrientation.BOTTOM_LEFT -> snap?.flip(true, false)
+        VideoOrientation.BOTTOM_RIGHT -> snap?.rotate(180.0)
+        VideoOrientation.LEFT_TOP -> snap  /* Transposed */
+        VideoOrientation.LEFT_BOTTOM -> snap?.rotate(-90.0)
+        VideoOrientation.RIGHT_TOP -> snap?.rotate(90.0)
+        VideoOrientation.RIGHT_BOTTOM -> snap /* Anti-transposed */
+        else -> snap
+      }?.toComposeImageBitmap()
       val duration = player.duration.toLong()
-      CoroutineScope(Dispatchers.IO).launch { player.release() }
-      return VideoPlayerInterface.PreviewAndDuration(preview = preview, timestamp = 0L, duration = duration)
+      player.stop()
+      putHelperPlayer(mediaComponent)
+      return@withContext VideoPlayerInterface.PreviewAndDuration(preview = preview, timestamp = 0L, duration = duration)
     }
+
+    val playerThread = Executors.newSingleThreadExecutor()
+    private val playersPool: ArrayList<Component> = ArrayList()
+    private val helperPlayersPool: ArrayList<CallbackMediaPlayerComponent> = ArrayList()
+
+    private fun getOrCreatePlayer(): Component = playersPool.removeFirstOrNull() ?: createNew()
+
+    private fun createNew(): Component =
+      initializeMediaPlayerComponent().apply {
+        mediaPlayer().events().addMediaPlayerEventListener(object: MediaPlayerEventAdapter() {
+          override fun mediaPlayerReady(mediaPlayer: MediaPlayer?) {
+            playerThread.execute {
+              mediaPlayer?.audio()?.setVolume(100)
+              mediaPlayer?.audio()?.isMute = false
+            }
+          }
+
+          override fun stopped(mediaPlayer: MediaPlayer?) {
+            //playerThread.execute { mediaPlayer().videoSurface().set(null) }
+          }
+        })
+      }
+
+    private fun putPlayer(player: Component) = playersPool.add(player)
+
+    private fun getOrCreateHelperPlayer(): CallbackMediaPlayerComponent = helperPlayersPool.removeFirstOrNull() ?: CallbackMediaPlayerComponent()
+    private fun putHelperPlayer(player: CallbackMediaPlayerComponent) = helperPlayersPool.add(player)
   }
 }
diff --git a/apps/multiplatform/common/src/desktopMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/views/chat/item/CIVideoView.desktop.kt b/apps/multiplatform/common/src/desktopMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/views/chat/item/CIVideoView.desktop.kt
index c85057b47..7a46873f7 100644
--- a/apps/multiplatform/common/src/desktopMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/views/chat/item/CIVideoView.desktop.kt
+++ b/apps/multiplatform/common/src/desktopMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/views/chat/item/CIVideoView.desktop.kt
@@ -1,12 +1,29 @@
 package chat.simplex.common.views.chat.item
 
+import androidx.compose.foundation.combinedClickable
+import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.*
 import androidx.compose.runtime.*
+import androidx.compose.ui.Modifier
 import androidx.compose.ui.platform.LocalDensity
 import androidx.compose.ui.unit.Dp
 import chat.simplex.common.platform.VideoPlayer
+import chat.simplex.common.platform.isPlaying
+import chat.simplex.common.views.helpers.onRightClick
 
 @Composable
-actual fun PlayerView(player: VideoPlayer, width: Dp, onClick: () -> Unit, onLongClick: () -> Unit, stop: () -> Unit) {}
+actual fun PlayerView(player: VideoPlayer, width: Dp, onClick: () -> Unit, onLongClick: () -> Unit, stop: () -> Unit) {
+  Box {
+    SurfaceFromPlayer(player,
+      Modifier
+        .width(width)
+        .combinedClickable(
+          onLongClick = onLongClick,
+          onClick = { if (player.player.isPlaying) stop() else onClick() }
+        )
+        .onRightClick(onLongClick)
+    )
+  }
+}
 
 @Composable
 actual fun LocalWindowWidth(): Dp {
diff --git a/apps/multiplatform/common/src/desktopMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/views/chat/item/ImageFullScreenView.desktop.kt b/apps/multiplatform/common/src/desktopMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/views/chat/item/ImageFullScreenView.desktop.kt
index 9aafc83d2..bd395c2c9 100644
--- a/apps/multiplatform/common/src/desktopMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/views/chat/item/ImageFullScreenView.desktop.kt
+++ b/apps/multiplatform/common/src/desktopMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/views/chat/item/ImageFullScreenView.desktop.kt
@@ -6,17 +6,15 @@ import androidx.compose.material.*
 import androidx.compose.runtime.*
 import androidx.compose.ui.Alignment
 import androidx.compose.ui.Modifier
-import androidx.compose.ui.awt.SwingPanel
 import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.*
 import androidx.compose.ui.layout.ContentScale
 import androidx.compose.ui.unit.dp
 import chat.simplex.common.platform.*
-import chat.simplex.common.simplexWindowState
 import chat.simplex.common.views.helpers.getBitmapFromByteArray
 import chat.simplex.res.MR
 import dev.icerock.moko.resources.compose.painterResource
 import dev.icerock.moko.resources.compose.stringResource
-import kotlinx.coroutines.delay
+import org.jetbrains.compose.videoplayer.SkiaBitmapVideoSurface
 import kotlin.math.max
 
 @Composable
@@ -28,30 +26,40 @@ actual fun FullScreenImageView(modifier: Modifier, data: ByteArray, imageBitmap:
     modifier = modifier,
   )
 }
+
 @Composable
 actual fun FullScreenVideoView(player: VideoPlayer, modifier: Modifier, close: () -> Unit) {
-  // Workaround. Without changing size of the window the screen flashes a lot even if it's not being recomposed
-  LaunchedEffect(Unit) {
-    simplexWindowState.windowState.size = simplexWindowState.windowState.size.copy(width = simplexWindowState.windowState.size.width + 1.dp)
-    delay(50)
-    player.play(true)
-    simplexWindowState.windowState.size = simplexWindowState.windowState.size.copy(width = simplexWindowState.windowState.size.width - 1.dp)
-  }
   Box {
     Box(Modifier.fillMaxSize().padding(bottom = 50.dp)) {
-      val factory = remember { { player.mediaPlayerComponent } }
-      SwingPanel(
-        background = Color.Transparent,
-        modifier = Modifier,
-        factory = factory
-      )
+      SurfaceFromPlayer(player, modifier)
+      IconButton(onClick = close, Modifier.padding(top = 5.dp)) {
+        Icon(painterResource(MR.images.ic_arrow_back_ios_new), null, Modifier.size(30.dp), tint = MaterialTheme.colors.primary)
+      }
     }
-    Controls(player, close)
+    Controls(player)
   }
 }
 
 @Composable
-private fun BoxScope.Controls(player: VideoPlayer, close: () -> Unit) {
+fun BoxScope.SurfaceFromPlayer(player: VideoPlayer, modifier: Modifier) {
+  val surface = remember {
+    SkiaBitmapVideoSurface().also {
+      player.player.videoSurface().set(it)
+    }
+  }
+  surface.bitmap.value?.let { bitmap ->
+    Image(
+      bitmap,
+      modifier = modifier.align(Alignment.Center),
+      contentDescription = null,
+      contentScale = ContentScale.Fit,
+      alignment = Alignment.Center,
+    )
+  }
+}
+
+@Composable
+private fun BoxScope.Controls(player: VideoPlayer) {
   val playing = remember(player) { player.videoPlaying }
   val progress = remember(player) { player.progress }
   val duration = remember(player) { player.duration }
@@ -62,10 +70,7 @@ private fun BoxScope.Controls(player: VideoPlayer, close: () -> Unit) {
     Slider(
       value = progress.value.toFloat() / max(0.0001f, duration.value.toFloat()),
       onValueChange = { player.player.seekTo((it * duration.value).toInt()) },
-      modifier = Modifier.fillMaxWidth().weight(1f)
+      modifier = Modifier.fillMaxWidth()
     )
-    IconButton(onClick = close,) {
-      Icon(painterResource(MR.images.ic_close), null, Modifier.size(30.dp), tint = MaterialTheme.colors.primary)
-    }
   }
 }
diff --git a/blog/20230925-simplex-chat-v5-3-desktop-app-local-file-encryption-directory-service.md b/blog/20230925-simplex-chat-v5-3-desktop-app-local-file-encryption-directory-service.md
index 2aa8a7bc0..8928e9724 100644
--- a/blog/20230925-simplex-chat-v5-3-desktop-app-local-file-encryption-directory-service.md
+++ b/blog/20230925-simplex-chat-v5-3-desktop-app-local-file-encryption-directory-service.md
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 layout: layouts/article.html
 title: "SimpleX Chat v5.3 released: desktop app, local file encryption and improved groups with directory service"
 date: 2023-09-25
-image: /docs/images/simplex-desktop-light.png
+image: images/simplex-desktop-light.png
 imageWide: true
 previewBody: blog_previews/20230925.html
 permalink: "/blog/20230925-simplex-chat-v5-3-desktop-app-local-file-encryption-directory-service.html"
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ Also, we added 6 new interface languages: Arabic<sup>*</sup>, Bulgarian, Finnish
 
 ## Multiplatform desktop app
 
-<img src="/docs/images/simplex-desktop-light.png" width="640">
+<img src="./images/simplex-desktop-light.png" width="640">
 
 Thanks a lot to everybody who was testing the desktop app since July – it really helped to make it stable!
 
@@ -50,6 +50,8 @@ Other limitations of the desktop app:
 - you cannot send voice messages.
 - there is no support for calls yet.
 
+You can download the desktop app for Linux and Mac via [downloads page](https://simplex.chat/downloads). Windows version will be available soon.
+
 ## Group directory service and other group improvements
 
 <img src="./images/20230925-directory.png" width="330" class="float-to-left">
diff --git a/blog/images/simplex-desktop-light.png b/blog/images/simplex-desktop-light.png
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d28b7b88c
Binary files /dev/null and b/blog/images/simplex-desktop-light.png differ
diff --git a/cabal.project b/cabal.project
index 7c8886d94..3012f0186 100644
--- a/cabal.project
+++ b/cabal.project
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ constraints: zip +disable-bzip2 +disable-zstd
 source-repository-package
     type: git
     location: https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplexmq.git
-    tag: 53c793d5590d3c781aa3fbf72993eee262c7aa83
+    tag: e7bd0fb31af4f04ce7ac6fdc2c81ef52ce918b48
 
 source-repository-package
     type: git
diff --git a/docs/DOWNLOADS.md b/docs/DOWNLOADS.md
index 83fa18f97..810fd6f4c 100644
--- a/docs/DOWNLOADS.md
+++ b/docs/DOWNLOADS.md
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ revision: 20.09.2023
 | Updated 20.09.2023 | Languages: EN |
 # Download SimpleX apps
 
-The latest version is v5.3.
+The latest version is v5.3.1.
 
 - [desktop](#desktop-app)
 - [mobile](#mobile-apps)
@@ -19,24 +19,24 @@ The latest version is v5.3.
 
 Using the same profile as on mobile device is not yet supported – you need to create a separate profile to use desktop apps.
 
-**Linux**: [AppImage](https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/releases/download/v5.3.0/simplex-desktop-x86_64.AppImage) (most Linux distros), [Ubuntu 20.04](https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/releases/download/v5.3.0/simplex-desktop-ubuntu-20_04-x86_64.deb) (and Debian-based distros), [Ubuntu 22.04](https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/releases/download/v5.3.0/simplex-desktop-ubuntu-22_04-x86_64.deb).
+**Linux**: [AppImage](https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/releases/download/v5.3.1/simplex-desktop-x86_64.AppImage) (most Linux distros), [Ubuntu 20.04](https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/releases/download/v5.3.1/simplex-desktop-ubuntu-20_04-x86_64.deb) (and Debian-based distros), [Ubuntu 22.04](https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/releases/download/v5.3.1/simplex-desktop-ubuntu-22_04-x86_64.deb).
 
-**Mac**: [x86_64](https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/releases/download/v5.3.0/simplex-desktop-macos-x86_64.dmg) (Intel), [aarch64](https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/releases/download/v5.3.0/simplex-desktop-macos-aarch64.dmg) (Apple Silicon).
+**Mac**: [x86_64](https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/releases/download/v5.3.1/simplex-desktop-macos-x86_64.dmg) (Intel), [aarch64](https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/releases/download/v5.3.1/simplex-desktop-macos-aarch64.dmg) (Apple Silicon).
 
 **Windows**: coming soon.
 
 ## Mobile apps
 
-**iOS**: [App store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/simplex-chat/id1605771084) (v5.2.3), [TestFlight](https://testflight.apple.com/join/DWuT2LQu) (v5.3-beta.9).
+**iOS**: [App store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/simplex-chat/id1605771084), [TestFlight](https://testflight.apple.com/join/DWuT2LQu).
 
-**Android**: [Play store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=chat.simplex.app), [F-Droid](https://simplex.chat/fdroid/), [APK aarch64](https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/releases/download/v5.3.0/simplex.apk), [APK armv7](https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/releases/download/v5.3.0/simplex-armv7a.apk).
+**Android**: [Play store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=chat.simplex.app), [F-Droid](https://simplex.chat/fdroid/), [APK aarch64](https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/releases/download/v5.3.1/simplex.apk), [APK armv7](https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/releases/download/v5.3.1/simplex-armv7a.apk).
 
 ## Terminal (console) app
 
 See [Using terminal app](/docs/CLI.md).
 
-**Linux**: [Ubuntu 20.04](https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/releases/download/v5.3.0/simplex-chat-ubuntu-20_04-x86-64), [Ubuntu 22.04](https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/releases/download/v5.3.0/simplex-chat-ubuntu-22_04-x86-64).
+**Linux**: [Ubuntu 20.04](https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/releases/download/v5.3.1/simplex-chat-ubuntu-20_04-x86-64), [Ubuntu 22.04](https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/releases/download/v5.3.1/simplex-chat-ubuntu-22_04-x86-64).
 
-**Mac** [x86_64](https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/releases/download/v5.3.0/simplex-chat-macos-x86-64), aarch64 - [compile from source](./CLI.md#).
+**Mac** [x86_64](https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/releases/download/v5.3.1/simplex-chat-macos-x86-64), aarch64 - [compile from source](./CLI.md#).
 
-**Windows**: [x86_64](https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/releases/download/v5.3.0/simplex-chat-windows-x86-64).
+**Windows**: [x86_64](https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat/releases/download/v5.3.1/simplex-chat-windows-x86-64).
diff --git a/scripts/desktop/build-lib-mac.sh b/scripts/desktop/build-lib-mac.sh
index b5d738be9..4b73bbf1a 100755
--- a/scripts/desktop/build-lib-mac.sh
+++ b/scripts/desktop/build-lib-mac.sh
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 #!/bin/bash
 
+set -e
+
 OS=mac
 ARCH="${1:-`uname -a | rev | cut -d' ' -f1 | rev`}"
 if [ "$ARCH" == "arm64" ]; then
@@ -15,7 +17,7 @@ rm -rf $BUILD_DIR
 cabal build lib:simplex-chat lib:simplex-chat --ghc-options="-optl-Wl,-rpath,@loader_path -optl-Wl,-L$GHC_LIBS_DIR/rts -optl-lHSrts_thr-ghc8.10.7 -optl-lffi"
 
 cd $BUILD_DIR/build
-mkdir deps 2> /dev/null
+mkdir deps 2> /dev/null || true
 
 # It's not included by default for some reason. Compiled lib tries to find system one but it's not always available
 cp $GHC_LIBS_DIR/rts/libffi.dylib ./deps
@@ -38,7 +40,7 @@ function copy_deps() {
 
 	cp $LIB ./deps
     if [[ "$NON_FINAL_RPATHS" == *"@loader_path/.."* ]]; then
-		# Need to point the lib to @loader_path instead
+        # Need to point the lib to @loader_path instead
 		install_name_tool -add_rpath @loader_path ./deps/`basename $LIB`
 	fi
 	#echo LIB $LIB
@@ -61,13 +63,6 @@ function copy_deps() {
 copy_deps $LIB
 rm deps/`basename $LIB`
 
-if [ -e deps/libHSdrct-*.$LIB_EXT ]; then
-    LIBCRYPTO_PATH=$(otool -l deps/libHSdrct-*.$LIB_EXT | grep libcrypto | cut -d' ' -f11)
-    install_name_tool -change $LIBCRYPTO_PATH @rpath/libcrypto.1.1.$LIB_EXT deps/libHSdrct*.$LIB_EXT
-    cp $LIBCRYPTO_PATH deps/libcrypto.1.1.$LIB_EXT
-    chmod 755 deps/libcrypto.1.1.$LIB_EXT
-fi
-
 cd -
 
 rm -rf apps/multiplatform/common/src/commonMain/cpp/desktop/libs/$OS-$ARCH/
@@ -77,4 +72,39 @@ rm -rf apps/multiplatform/desktop/build/cmake
 mkdir -p apps/multiplatform/common/src/commonMain/cpp/desktop/libs/$OS-$ARCH/
 cp -r $BUILD_DIR/build/deps apps/multiplatform/common/src/commonMain/cpp/desktop/libs/$OS-$ARCH/
 cp $BUILD_DIR/build/libHSsimplex-chat-*-inplace-ghc*.$LIB_EXT apps/multiplatform/common/src/commonMain/cpp/desktop/libs/$OS-$ARCH/
+
+cd apps/multiplatform/common/src/commonMain/cpp/desktop/libs/$OS-$ARCH/
+
+LIBCRYPTO_PATH=$(otool -l deps/libHSdrct-*.$LIB_EXT | grep libcrypto | cut -d' ' -f11)
+install_name_tool -change $LIBCRYPTO_PATH @rpath/libcrypto.1.1.$LIB_EXT deps/libHSdrct-*.$LIB_EXT
+cp $LIBCRYPTO_PATH deps/libcrypto.1.1.$LIB_EXT
+chmod 755 deps/libcrypto.1.1.$LIB_EXT
+install_name_tool -id "libcrypto.1.1.$LIB_EXT" deps/libcrypto.1.1.$LIB_EXT
+install_name_tool -id "libffi.8.$LIB_EXT" deps/libffi.$LIB_EXT
+
+LIBCRYPTO_PATH=$(otool -l $LIB | grep libcrypto | cut -d' ' -f11)
+if [ -n "$LIBCRYPTO_PATH" ]; then
+    install_name_tool -change $LIBCRYPTO_PATH @rpath/libcrypto.1.1.$LIB_EXT $LIB
+fi
+
+LIBCRYPTO_PATH=$(otool -l deps/libHSsmplxmq*.$LIB_EXT | grep libcrypto | cut -d' ' -f11)
+if [ -n "$LIBCRYPTO_PATH" ]; then
+    install_name_tool -change $LIBCRYPTO_PATH @rpath/libcrypto.1.1.$LIB_EXT deps/libHSsmplxmq*.$LIB_EXT
+fi
+
+for lib in $(find . -type f -name "*.$LIB_EXT"); do
+    RPATHS=`otool -l $lib | grep -E "path /Users/|path /usr/local|path /opt/" | cut -d' ' -f11`
+    for RPATH in $RPATHS; do
+        install_name_tool -delete_rpath $RPATH $lib
+    done
+done
+
+LOCAL_DIRS=`for lib in $(find . -type f -name "*.$LIB_EXT"); do otool -l $lib | grep -E "/Users|/opt/|/usr/local" && echo $lib; done`
+if [ -n "$LOCAL_DIRS" ]; then
+    echo These libs still point to local directories:
+    echo $LOCAL_DIRS
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+cd -
 scripts/desktop/prepare-vlc-mac.sh
diff --git a/scripts/nix/sha256map.nix b/scripts/nix/sha256map.nix
index 2ac9c9f1f..6d085d97d 100644
--- a/scripts/nix/sha256map.nix
+++ b/scripts/nix/sha256map.nix
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 {
-  "https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplexmq.git"."53c793d5590d3c781aa3fbf72993eee262c7aa83" = "0f0ldlgqwrapgfw5gnaj00xvb14c8nykyjr9fhy79h4r16g614x8";
+  "https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplexmq.git"."e7bd0fb31af4f04ce7ac6fdc2c81ef52ce918b48" = "0yzf8a3267c1iihhl1vx3rybzq0mwzkff57nrqhww1i8pmgva74i";
   "https://github.com/simplex-chat/hs-socks.git"."a30cc7a79a08d8108316094f8f2f82a0c5e1ac51" = "0yasvnr7g91k76mjkamvzab2kvlb1g5pspjyjn2fr6v83swjhj38";
   "https://github.com/kazu-yamamoto/http2.git"."b5a1b7200cf5bc7044af34ba325284271f6dff25" = "0dqb50j57an64nf4qcf5vcz4xkd1vzvghvf8bk529c1k30r9nfzb";
   "https://github.com/simplex-chat/direct-sqlcipher.git"."34309410eb2069b029b8fc1872deb1e0db123294" = "0kwkmhyfsn2lixdlgl15smgr1h5gjk7fky6abzh8rng2h5ymnffd";
diff --git a/src/Simplex/Chat.hs b/src/Simplex/Chat.hs
index b331faf5d..1854ede26 100644
--- a/src/Simplex/Chat.hs
+++ b/src/Simplex/Chat.hs
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ import Simplex.Messaging.Agent.Client (AgentStatsKey (..), SubInfo (..), agentCl
 import Simplex.Messaging.Agent.Env.SQLite (AgentConfig (..), InitialAgentServers (..), createAgentStore, defaultAgentConfig)
 import Simplex.Messaging.Agent.Lock
 import Simplex.Messaging.Agent.Protocol
-import Simplex.Messaging.Agent.Store.SQLite (MigrationConfirmation (..), MigrationError, SQLiteStore (dbNew), execSQL, upMigration, withConnection)
+import Simplex.Messaging.Agent.Store.SQLite (MigrationConfirmation (..), MigrationError, SQLiteStore (dbNew), execSQL, upMigration, withConnection, closeSQLiteStore, openSQLiteStore)
 import Simplex.Messaging.Agent.Store.SQLite.DB (SlowQueryStats (..))
 import qualified Simplex.Messaging.Agent.Store.SQLite.DB as DB
 import qualified Simplex.Messaging.Agent.Store.SQLite.Migrations as Migrations
@@ -245,9 +245,13 @@ cfgServers = \case
   SPSMP -> smp
   SPXFTP -> xftp
 
-startChatController :: forall m. ChatMonad' m => Bool -> Bool -> Bool -> m (Async ())
-startChatController subConns enableExpireCIs startXFTPWorkers = do
-  asks smpAgent >>= resumeAgentClient
+startChatController :: forall m. ChatMonad' m => ChatCtrlCfg -> m (Async ())
+startChatController ChatCtrlCfg {subConns, enableExpireCIs, startXFTPWorkers, openDBWithKey} = do
+  ChatController {chatStore, smpAgent} <- ask
+  forM_ openDBWithKey $ \(DBEncryptionKey dbKey) -> liftIO $ do
+    openSQLiteStore chatStore dbKey
+    openSQLiteStore (agentClientStore smpAgent) dbKey
+  resumeAgentClient smpAgent
   unless subConns $
     chatWriteVar subscriptionMode SMOnlyCreate
   users <- fromRight [] <$> runExceptT (withStoreCtx' (Just "startChatController, getUsers") getUsers)
@@ -319,8 +323,8 @@ restoreCalls = do
   calls <- asks currentCalls
   atomically $ writeTVar calls callsMap
 
-stopChatController :: forall m. MonadUnliftIO m => ChatController -> m ()
-stopChatController ChatController {smpAgent, agentAsync = s, sndFiles, rcvFiles, expireCIFlags} = do
+stopChatController :: forall m. MonadUnliftIO m => ChatController -> Bool -> m ()
+stopChatController ChatController {chatStore, smpAgent, agentAsync = s, sndFiles, rcvFiles, expireCIFlags} closeStore = do
   disconnectAgentClient smpAgent
   readTVarIO s >>= mapM_ (\(a1, a2) -> uninterruptibleCancel a1 >> mapM_ uninterruptibleCancel a2)
   closeFiles sndFiles
@@ -329,6 +333,9 @@ stopChatController ChatController {smpAgent, agentAsync = s, sndFiles, rcvFiles,
     keys <- M.keys <$> readTVar expireCIFlags
     forM_ keys $ \k -> TM.insert k False expireCIFlags
     writeTVar s Nothing
+  when closeStore $ liftIO $ do
+    closeSQLiteStore chatStore
+    closeSQLiteStore $ agentClientStore smpAgent
   where
     closeFiles :: TVar (Map Int64 Handle) -> m ()
     closeFiles files = do
@@ -458,12 +465,12 @@ processChatCommand = \case
     checkDeleteChatUser user'
     withChatLock "deleteUser" . procCmd $ deleteChatUser user' delSMPQueues
   DeleteUser uName delSMPQueues viewPwd_ -> withUserName uName $ \userId -> APIDeleteUser userId delSMPQueues viewPwd_
-  StartChat subConns enableExpireCIs startXFTPWorkers -> withUser' $ \_ ->
+  APIStartChat cfg -> withUser' $ \_ ->
     asks agentAsync >>= readTVarIO >>= \case
       Just _ -> pure CRChatRunning
-      _ -> checkStoreNotChanged $ startChatController subConns enableExpireCIs startXFTPWorkers $> CRChatStarted
-  APIStopChat -> do
-    ask >>= stopChatController
+      _ -> checkStoreNotChanged $ startChatController cfg $> CRChatStarted
+  APIStopChat closeStore -> do
+    ask >>= (`stopChatController` closeStore)
     pure CRChatStopped
   APIActivateChat -> withUser $ \_ -> do
     restoreCalls
@@ -5370,9 +5377,9 @@ chatCommandP =
       "/_delete user " *> (APIDeleteUser <$> A.decimal <* " del_smp=" <*> onOffP <*> optional (A.space *> jsonP)),
       "/delete user " *> (DeleteUser <$> displayName <*> pure True <*> optional (A.space *> pwdP)),
       ("/user" <|> "/u") $> ShowActiveUser,
-      "/_start subscribe=" *> (StartChat <$> onOffP <* " expire=" <*> onOffP <* " xftp=" <*> onOffP),
-      "/_start" $> StartChat True True True,
-      "/_stop" $> APIStopChat,
+      "/_start" *> (APIStartChat <$> ((A.space *> jsonP) <|> chatCtrlCfgP)),
+      "/_stop close" $> APIStopChat {closeStore = True},
+      "/_stop" $> APIStopChat False,
       "/_app activate" $> APIActivateChat,
       "/_app suspend " *> (APISuspendChat <$> A.decimal),
       "/_resubscribe all" $> ResubscribeAllConnections,
@@ -5600,6 +5607,12 @@ chatCommandP =
     ]
   where
     choice = A.choice . map (\p -> p <* A.takeWhile (== ' ') <* A.endOfInput)
+    chatCtrlCfgP = do
+      subConns <- (" subscribe=" *> onOffP) <|> pure True
+      enableExpireCIs <- (" expire=" *> onOffP) <|> pure True
+      startXFTPWorkers <- (" xftp=" *> onOffP) <|> pure True
+      openDBWithKey <- optional $ " key=" *> dbKeyP
+      pure ChatCtrlCfg {subConns, enableExpireCIs, startXFTPWorkers, openDBWithKey}
     incognitoP = (A.space *> ("incognito" <|> "i")) $> True <|> pure False
     incognitoOnOffP = (A.space *> "incognito=" *> onOffP) <|> pure False
     imagePrefix = (<>) <$> "data:" <*> ("image/png;base64," <|> "image/jpg;base64,")
diff --git a/src/Simplex/Chat/Archive.hs b/src/Simplex/Chat/Archive.hs
index 244478550..6ede07f7d 100644
--- a/src/Simplex/Chat/Archive.hs
+++ b/src/Simplex/Chat/Archive.hs
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ sqlCipherExport DBEncryptionConfig {currentKey = DBEncryptionKey key, newKey = D
     checkFile `with` fs
     backup `with` fs
     (export chatDb chatEncrypted >> export agentDb agentEncrypted)
-      `catchChatError` \e -> (restore `with` fs) >> throwError e
+      `catchChatError` \e -> tryChatError (restore `with` fs) >> throwError e
   where
     action `with` StorageFiles {chatDb, agentDb} = action chatDb >> action agentDb
     backup f = copyFile f (f <> ".bak")
diff --git a/src/Simplex/Chat/Controller.hs b/src/Simplex/Chat/Controller.hs
index 2c829e4a9..69bc13ddd 100644
--- a/src/Simplex/Chat/Controller.hs
+++ b/src/Simplex/Chat/Controller.hs
@@ -221,8 +221,8 @@ data ChatCommand
   | UnmuteUser
   | APIDeleteUser UserId Bool (Maybe UserPwd)
   | DeleteUser UserName Bool (Maybe UserPwd)
-  | StartChat {subscribeConnections :: Bool, enableExpireChatItems :: Bool, startXFTPWorkers :: Bool}
-  | APIStopChat
+  | APIStartChat ChatCtrlCfg
+  | APIStopChat {closeStore :: Bool}
   | APIActivateChat
   | APISuspendChat {suspendTimeout :: Int}
   | ResubscribeAllConnections
@@ -620,6 +620,17 @@ instance ToJSON ChatResponse where
   toJSON = J.genericToJSON . sumTypeJSON $ dropPrefix "CR"
   toEncoding = J.genericToEncoding . sumTypeJSON $ dropPrefix "CR"
 
+data ChatCtrlCfg = ChatCtrlCfg
+  { subConns :: Bool,
+    enableExpireCIs :: Bool,
+    startXFTPWorkers :: Bool,
+    openDBWithKey :: Maybe DBEncryptionKey
+  }
+  deriving (Show, Generic, FromJSON)
+
+defChatCtrlCfg :: ChatCtrlCfg
+defChatCtrlCfg = ChatCtrlCfg True True True Nothing
+
 newtype UserPwd = UserPwd {unUserPwd :: Text}
   deriving (Eq, Show)
 
diff --git a/src/Simplex/Chat/Core.hs b/src/Simplex/Chat/Core.hs
index 4af161ab4..b09413037 100644
--- a/src/Simplex/Chat/Core.hs
+++ b/src/Simplex/Chat/Core.hs
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ runSimplexChat :: ChatOpts -> User -> ChatController -> (User -> ChatController
 runSimplexChat ChatOpts {maintenance} u cc chat
   | maintenance = wait =<< async (chat u cc)
   | otherwise = do
-    a1 <- runReaderT (startChatController True True True) cc
+    a1 <- runReaderT (startChatController defChatCtrlCfg) cc
     a2 <- async $ chat u cc
     waitEither_ a1 a2
 
diff --git a/stack.yaml b/stack.yaml
index 868e19faf..7cae228d9 100644
--- a/stack.yaml
+++ b/stack.yaml
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ extra-deps:
   # - simplexmq-1.0.0@sha256:34b2004728ae396e3ae449cd090ba7410781e2b3cefc59259915f4ca5daa9ea8,8561
   # - ../simplexmq
   - github: simplex-chat/simplexmq
-    commit: 53c793d5590d3c781aa3fbf72993eee262c7aa83
+    commit: e7bd0fb31af4f04ce7ac6fdc2c81ef52ce918b48
   - github: kazu-yamamoto/http2
     commit: b5a1b7200cf5bc7044af34ba325284271f6dff25
   # - ../direct-sqlcipher
diff --git a/tests/ChatClient.hs b/tests/ChatClient.hs
index de6353d2e..baf232107 100644
--- a/tests/ChatClient.hs
+++ b/tests/ChatClient.hs
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ startTestChat_ db cfg opts user = do
 
 stopTestChat :: TestCC -> IO ()
 stopTestChat TestCC {chatController = cc, chatAsync, termAsync} = do
-  stopChatController cc
+  stopChatController cc False
   uninterruptibleCancel termAsync
   uninterruptibleCancel chatAsync
   threadDelay 200000
diff --git a/tests/ChatTests/Direct.hs b/tests/ChatTests/Direct.hs
index 3db405222..7dbff89a2 100644
--- a/tests/ChatTests/Direct.hs
+++ b/tests/ChatTests/Direct.hs
@@ -953,10 +953,15 @@ testDatabaseEncryption tmp = do
       alice ##> "/_start"
       alice <## "chat started"
       testChatWorking alice bob
-      alice ##> "/_stop"
+      alice ##> "/_stop close"
       alice <## "chat stopped"
       alice ##> "/db key wrongkey nextkey"
       alice <## "error encrypting database: wrong passphrase or invalid database file"
+      alice ##> "/_start key=mykey"
+      alice <## "chat started"
+      testChatWorking alice bob
+      alice ##> "/_stop close"
+      alice <## "chat stopped"
       alice ##> "/db key mykey nextkey"
       alice <## "ok"
       alice ##> "/_db encryption {\"currentKey\":\"nextkey\",\"newKey\":\"anotherkey\"}"
diff --git a/website/src/_includes/blog_previews/20230925.html b/website/src/_includes/blog_previews/20230925.html
index 9fb062639..fa05fa72c 100644
--- a/website/src/_includes/blog_previews/20230925.html
+++ b/website/src/_includes/blog_previews/20230925.html
@@ -2,10 +2,10 @@
 
 <ul class="mb-[12px]">
     <li>new desktop app! 💻</li>
-    <li>encrypt locally storead files & media</li>
+    <li>encrypt locally stored files & media</li>
     <li>directory service and other group improvements</li>
     <li>simplified incognito mode</li>
-    <li>better app responsiveness and stability, and 40% reduced memory usage.</li>
+    <li>better app responsiveness, stability and 40% reduced memory usage.</li>
     <li>new privacy settings: show last messages & save draft.</li>
 </ul>