diff --git a/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkClient/ContentView.swift b/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkClient/ContentView.swift
index 56b16525..61020f82 100644
--- a/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkClient/ContentView.swift
+++ b/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkClient/ContentView.swift
@@ -87,6 +87,10 @@ struct ContentView: View {
     // with no (extended) controller attached tvOS falls back to HomeView as before.
     @ObservedObject private var gamepadManager = GamepadManager.shared
     @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.gamepadUIEnabled) private var gamepadUIEnabled = true
+    /// Auto-wake on connect (Settings → General). On (default): a dial to an offline saved host
+    /// fires Wake-on-LAN up front and falls into the "Waking…" wait if the dial fails. Off: connects
+    /// go straight through with no wake. The explicit "Wake Host" action is unaffected either way.
+    @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.autoWake) private var autoWakeEnabled = true
     private var gamepadUIActive: Bool {
         GamepadUIEnvironment.isActive(
             gamepadConnected: gamepadManager.active != nil, enabledSetting: gamepadUIEnabled)
@@ -268,6 +272,7 @@ struct ContentView: View {
             ConnectOverlay(
                 connectingHostName: connectingOverlayName,
                 waker: waker,
+                gamepadUI: gamepadUIActive,
                 onCancelConnect: { model.disconnect() })
         }
     }
@@ -584,7 +589,8 @@ struct ContentView: View {
         // packet up front, so a genuinely-asleep host is waking while the connect times out; only
         // when that dial FAILS do we fall into the visible "Waking…" wait — a cold box takes far
         // longer to boot than a connect will sit — and redial once it's back on mDNS.
-        if PunktfunkConnection.wakeOnLANAvailable, !host.wakeMacs.isEmpty, !discovery.advertises(host) {
+        if autoWakeEnabled, PunktfunkConnection.wakeOnLANAvailable,
+           !host.wakeMacs.isEmpty, !discovery.advertises(host) {
             discovery.start() // so the wake-wait can observe it reappear
             startSessionDirect(
                 host, launchID: launchID, allowTofu: allowTofu,
@@ -641,7 +647,9 @@ struct ContentView: View {
     private func prepareWake(for host: StoredHost) {
         if let live = discovery.hosts.first(where: { host.matches($0) }) {
             store.updateMacs(host.id, macs: live.macAddresses) // learn — on every platform
-        } else if PunktfunkConnection.wakeOnLANAvailable, !host.wakeMacs.isEmpty {
+        } else if autoWakeEnabled, PunktfunkConnection.wakeOnLANAvailable, !host.wakeMacs.isEmpty {
+            // Auto-wake only: fire the up-front packet so a genuinely-asleep host is booting while the
+            // dial times out. With auto-wake off, connects go straight through (no packet).
             let macs = host.wakeMacs
             let ip = host.address
             DispatchQueue.global(qos: .userInitiated).async {
diff --git a/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkClient/Home/ConnectOverlay.swift b/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkClient/Home/ConnectOverlay.swift
index 58c3e469..b8246e98 100644
--- a/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkClient/Home/ConnectOverlay.swift
+++ b/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkClient/Home/ConnectOverlay.swift
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
-// The unified full-screen "getting you connected" takeover — one look for BOTH phases of reaching a
-// host, so the user gets feedback the instant they pick one and it flows seamlessly into a wake if
-// the host turns out to be asleep. The Apple mirror of the Android client's `ConnectOverlay` and the
-// shared console UI's connect/wake takeover; it replaces the old centered-card `WakeOverlay`.
+// The unified "getting you connected" overlay — one look for BOTH phases of reaching a host, so the
+// user gets feedback the instant they pick one and it flows seamlessly into a wake if the host turns
+// out to be asleep. The Apple mirror of the Android client's `ConnectOverlay` and the shared console
+// UI's connect/wake takeover; it replaces the old centered-card `WakeOverlay`.
 //
 //   - Connecting (`connectingHostName` non-nil): the dial is in flight. Shown immediately on activate
 //     so a host that takes a beat to answer no longer looks like nothing happened.
@@ -9,10 +9,15 @@
 //     Wake-on-LAN and waiting for it to advertise again, escalating to a retry/cancel prompt on
 //     timeout.
 //
+// Presentation is mode-aware: the gamepad ("console") UI gets a full-screen aurora takeover — the
+// same living backdrop the console home wears, so it reads as a deliberate 10-foot moment; the
+// default touch/desktop UI gets a Liquid Glass modal over a dim scrim, which sits right at home among
+// the app's other floating surfaces (the trust card, the HUD) instead of a full-screen aurora that
+// looked out of place there.
+//
 // The two phases hand off within a single view update (HostWaker clears `waking` and starts the
-// connect in the same MainActor step), so the overlay never blinks between them. Presented over BOTH
-// the touch and gamepad home; it swallows input to the screen behind it, and on iOS/macOS the pad
-// drives it (B cancels, A retries once timed out) while the buttons work for a pointer / tvOS focus.
+// connect in the same MainActor step), so the overlay never blinks between them. It swallows input to
+// the screen behind it, and on iOS/macOS the pad drives it (B cancels, A retries once timed out).
 
 import PunktfunkKit
 import SwiftUI
@@ -22,6 +27,9 @@ struct ConnectOverlay: View {
     /// passes nil here). Drives the "Connecting…" phase.
     let connectingHostName: String?
     @ObservedObject var waker: HostWaker
+    /// The console launcher is up → full-screen aurora takeover; otherwise the default UI's Liquid
+    /// Glass modal.
+    var gamepadUI: Bool
     /// Cancel a dial in flight — tears down the (uncancelable) connect and returns the UI; the late
     /// result is discarded by SessionModel's connect guard.
     var onCancelConnect: () -> Void
@@ -42,13 +50,25 @@ struct ConnectOverlay: View {
     var body: some View {
         if let phase {
             ZStack {
-                // Opaque aurora — the same living backdrop the console home wears, so the takeover
-                // reads as a deliberate full-screen moment rather than a card popping up.
-                Color.black.ignoresSafeArea()
-                GamepadScreenBackground().ignoresSafeArea()
-                // Swallow taps so the home behind can't be touched through the takeover.
-                Color.clear.contentShape(Rectangle()).onTapGesture {}
-                content(phase).padding(40).frame(maxWidth: 460)
+                if gamepadUI {
+                    // Console: an opaque, living aurora over everything.
+                    Color.black.ignoresSafeArea()
+                    GamepadScreenBackground().ignoresSafeArea()
+                    Color.clear.contentShape(Rectangle()).onTapGesture {}
+                    content(phase).padding(40).frame(maxWidth: 460)
+                } else {
+                    // Default UI: a Liquid Glass modal over a dim scrim.
+                    Rectangle().fill(.black.opacity(0.5)).ignoresSafeArea()
+                        .contentShape(Rectangle()).onTapGesture {}
+                    content(phase)
+                        .padding(28)
+                        .frame(maxWidth: 380)
+                        .glassBackground(RoundedRectangle(cornerRadius: 26, style: .continuous))
+                        .overlay(
+                            RoundedRectangle(cornerRadius: 26, style: .continuous)
+                                .strokeBorder(.white.opacity(0.12), lineWidth: 1))
+                        .padding(40)
+                }
             }
             .environment(\.colorScheme, .dark)
             .transition(.opacity)
@@ -59,24 +79,27 @@ struct ConnectOverlay: View {
     }
 
     @ViewBuilder private func content(_ phase: Phase) -> some View {
-        VStack(spacing: 16) {
+        // The takeover carries larger type than the compact modal.
+        let titleSize: CGFloat = gamepadUI ? 24 : 19
+        let bodySize: CGFloat = gamepadUI ? 14 : 13
+        VStack(spacing: gamepadUI ? 16 : 14) {
             switch phase {
             case .connecting(let name):
                 ProgressView().controlSize(.large).tint(.white)
                 Text("Connecting to \(name)")
-                    .font(.geist(24, .bold, relativeTo: .title2)).foregroundStyle(.white)
+                    .font(.geist(titleSize, .bold, relativeTo: .title3)).foregroundStyle(.white)
                     .multilineTextAlignment(.center)
                 Text("Establishing a secure connection…")
-                    .font(.geist(14, relativeTo: .callout)).foregroundStyle(.white.opacity(0.65))
+                    .font(.geist(bodySize, relativeTo: .caption)).foregroundStyle(.white.opacity(0.6))
                 Button("Cancel") { onCancelConnect() }.buttonStyle(.bordered).padding(.top, 6)
             case .waking(let w) where w.timedOut:
                 Image(systemName: "moon.zzz.fill")
-                    .font(.system(size: 40)).foregroundStyle(.white.opacity(0.9))
+                    .font(.system(size: gamepadUI ? 40 : 34)).foregroundStyle(.white.opacity(0.9))
                 Text("\(w.hostName) didn't wake")
-                    .font(.geist(24, .bold, relativeTo: .title2)).foregroundStyle(.white)
+                    .font(.geist(titleSize, .bold, relativeTo: .title3)).foregroundStyle(.white)
                     .multilineTextAlignment(.center)
                 Text("It may still be booting, or it's powered off / off this network.")
-                    .font(.geist(14, relativeTo: .callout)).foregroundStyle(.white.opacity(0.65))
+                    .font(.geist(bodySize, relativeTo: .caption)).foregroundStyle(.white.opacity(0.6))
                     .multilineTextAlignment(.center)
                 HStack(spacing: 12) {
                     Button("Cancel") { waker.cancel() }.buttonStyle(.bordered)
@@ -86,10 +109,10 @@ struct ConnectOverlay: View {
             case .waking(let w):
                 ProgressView().controlSize(.large).tint(.white)
                 Text("Waking \(w.hostName)…")
-                    .font(.geist(24, .bold, relativeTo: .title2)).foregroundStyle(.white)
+                    .font(.geist(titleSize, .bold, relativeTo: .title3)).foregroundStyle(.white)
                     .multilineTextAlignment(.center)
                 Text("Waiting for it to come online · \(w.seconds)s")
-                    .font(.geistFixed(14)).foregroundStyle(.white.opacity(0.65)).monospacedDigit()
+                    .font(.geistFixed(bodySize)).foregroundStyle(.white.opacity(0.6)).monospacedDigit()
                 // A wake-only wait (no dial after) offers "Stop Waiting"; a wake-&-connect is "Cancel".
                 Button(w.connectsAfter ? "Cancel" : "Stop Waiting") { waker.cancel() }
                     .buttonStyle(.bordered).padding(.top, 6)
diff --git a/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkClient/Home/GamepadHomeView.swift b/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkClient/Home/GamepadHomeView.swift
index b984a8d2..a0d63d3f 100644
--- a/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkClient/Home/GamepadHomeView.swift
+++ b/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkClient/Home/GamepadHomeView.swift
@@ -65,6 +65,9 @@ struct GamepadHomeView: View {
     /// Same gate the touch grid's "Browse Library…" context-menu item uses (default ON; the
     /// Settings "Game library" toggle opts out).
     @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.libraryEnabled) private var libraryEnabled = true
+    /// Auto-wake on connect (default ON) — when off, activating an offline host just dials (no wake),
+    /// so the tile drops its "Wake & Connect" affordance for a plain "Connect".
+    @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.autoWake) private var autoWakeEnabled = true
     #if os(iOS)
     /// `.compact` in a landscape phone window — drives tighter chrome so everything still fits.
     @Environment(\.verticalSizeClass) private var vSizeClass
@@ -259,7 +262,7 @@ struct GamepadHomeView: View {
                 isConnecting: model.phase == .connecting && model.activeHost?.id == host.id,
                 filled: true,
                 hasLibrary: true,
-                canWake: PunktfunkConnection.wakeOnLANAvailable
+                canWake: autoWakeEnabled && PunktfunkConnection.wakeOnLANAvailable
                     && !discovery.advertises(host) && !store.probedOnline.contains(host.id)
                     && !host.wakeMacs.isEmpty,
                 activate: { connect(host) })
diff --git a/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkClient/Screenshots/ScreenshotScenes.swift b/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkClient/Screenshots/ScreenshotScenes.swift
index f1d07d01..2b980e82 100644
--- a/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkClient/Screenshots/ScreenshotScenes.swift
+++ b/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkClient/Screenshots/ScreenshotScenes.swift
@@ -58,6 +58,16 @@ enum ShotScenes {
             ShotScene(name: "09c-wake-timed-out", orientation: .natural, colorScheme: .dark) {
                 AnyView(ShotConnect(kind: .timedOut))
             },
+            // The default-UI presentation (Liquid Glass modal over the touch grid) of the same phases.
+            ShotScene(name: "09d-connecting-modal", orientation: .natural, colorScheme: .dark) {
+                AnyView(ShotConnect(kind: .connecting, gamepadUI: false))
+            },
+            ShotScene(name: "09e-waking-modal", orientation: .natural, colorScheme: .dark) {
+                AnyView(ShotConnect(kind: .waking, gamepadUI: false))
+            },
+            ShotScene(name: "09f-wake-timed-out-modal", orientation: .natural, colorScheme: .dark) {
+                AnyView(ShotConnect(kind: .timedOut, gamepadUI: false))
+            },
         ]
         #endif
         scenes.append(ShotScene(name: "10-edithost", orientation: .natural, colorScheme: .dark) {
@@ -143,11 +153,14 @@ private struct ShotGamepadAddHost: View {
     var body: some View { GamepadAddHostView(onAdd: { _ in }) }
 }
 
-/// The unified full-screen connect takeover (the real `ConnectOverlay`) in each phase — instant
-/// "Connecting…" feedback, the "Waking…" wait, and the wake-timed-out prompt — over the gamepad home.
+/// The unified connect overlay (the real `ConnectOverlay`) in each phase — instant "Connecting…"
+/// feedback, the "Waking…" wait, and the wake-timed-out prompt. `gamepadUI` picks the presentation:
+/// the console's full-screen aurora takeover over the gamepad home, or the default UI's Liquid Glass
+/// modal over the touch host grid.
 private struct ShotConnect: View {
     enum Kind { case connecting, waking, timedOut }
     let kind: Kind
+    var gamepadUI = true
 
     @StateObject private var store = ShotMock.hostStore()
     @StateObject private var model = SessionModel()
@@ -155,30 +168,38 @@ private struct ShotConnect: View {
     @StateObject private var waker = HostWaker()
 
     var body: some View {
-        GamepadHomeView(
-            store: store, model: model, discovery: discovery,
-            libraryTarget: .constant(nil), waker: waker,
-            connect: { _ in }, connectDiscovered: { _ in }
-        )
-        .overlay {
-            ConnectOverlay(
-                connectingHostName: kind == .connecting ? "Battlestation" : nil,
-                waker: waker,
-                onCancelConnect: {})
-        }
-        .onAppear {
-            switch kind {
-            case .connecting:
-                break
-            case .waking:
-                waker.debugSet(.init(
-                    hostID: store.hosts.first?.id ?? UUID(),
-                    hostName: "Battlestation", connectsAfter: true, seconds: 14))
-            case .timedOut:
-                waker.debugSet(.init(
-                    hostID: store.hosts.first?.id ?? UUID(),
-                    hostName: "Battlestation", connectsAfter: true, seconds: 90, timedOut: true))
+        backdrop
+            .overlay {
+                ConnectOverlay(
+                    connectingHostName: kind == .connecting ? "Battlestation" : nil,
+                    waker: waker,
+                    gamepadUI: gamepadUI,
+                    onCancelConnect: {})
             }
+            .onAppear {
+                switch kind {
+                case .connecting:
+                    break
+                case .waking:
+                    waker.debugSet(.init(
+                        hostID: store.hosts.first?.id ?? UUID(),
+                        hostName: "Battlestation", connectsAfter: true, seconds: 14))
+                case .timedOut:
+                    waker.debugSet(.init(
+                        hostID: store.hosts.first?.id ?? UUID(),
+                        hostName: "Battlestation", connectsAfter: true, seconds: 90, timedOut: true))
+                }
+            }
+    }
+
+    @ViewBuilder private var backdrop: some View {
+        if gamepadUI {
+            GamepadHomeView(
+                store: store, model: model, discovery: discovery,
+                libraryTarget: .constant(nil), waker: waker,
+                connect: { _ in }, connectDiscovered: { _ in })
+        } else {
+            ShotHome()
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkClient/Settings/GamepadSettingsView.swift b/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkClient/Settings/GamepadSettingsView.swift
index b7bde578..80a8bb48 100644
--- a/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkClient/Settings/GamepadSettingsView.swift
+++ b/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkClient/Settings/GamepadSettingsView.swift
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ struct GamepadSettingsView: View {
     @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.hudPlacement) private var hudPlacement = HUDPlacement.topTrailing.rawValue
     @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.libraryEnabled) private var libraryEnabled = true
     @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.gamepadUIEnabled) private var gamepadUIEnabled = true
+    @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.autoWake) private var autoWakeEnabled = true
     @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.presenter) private var presenter = SettingsOptions.presenterDefault
     @ObservedObject private var gamepads = GamepadManager.shared
 
@@ -258,6 +259,11 @@ struct GamepadSettingsView: View {
                     + "available on the host.",
                 options: SettingsOptions.compositors, current: compositor
             ) { compositor = $0 },
+            toggleRow(
+                id: "autoWake", icon: "power", label: "Auto-wake on connect",
+                detail: "Send Wake-on-LAN to a sleeping saved host and wait for it before "
+                    + "streaming. Off connects straight through.",
+                value: $autoWakeEnabled),
 
             choiceRow(
                 id: "codec", header: "Video", icon: "film", label: "Video codec",
diff --git a/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkClient/Settings/SettingsView+Sections.swift b/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkClient/Settings/SettingsView+Sections.swift
index a4cf536e..6d2c10b5 100644
--- a/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkClient/Settings/SettingsView+Sections.swift
+++ b/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkClient/Settings/SettingsView+Sections.swift
@@ -42,9 +42,10 @@ extension SettingsView {
         } footer: {
             Text(matchWindow
                 ? "The stream follows this window — the host resizes its virtual output to match "
-                    + "as you resize, no scaling. \(Self.bitrateFooter)"
-                : "The host creates a virtual output at exactly this mode — "
-                    + "native resolution, no scaling. \(Self.bitrateFooter)")
+                    + "as you resize, so the picture stays pixel-exact (1:1) with no scaling. "
+                    + "\(Self.bitrateFooter)"
+                : "The host creates a virtual output at exactly this mode — native resolution, but "
+                    + "a window that isn't this size is scaled to fit. \(Self.bitrateFooter)")
                 .font(.geist(12, relativeTo: .caption))
                 .foregroundStyle(.secondary)
         }
@@ -294,6 +295,24 @@ extension SettingsView {
         }
     }
 
+    /// Auto-wake on connect — fire Wake-on-LAN + wait for a sleeping saved host to come back before
+    /// giving up. Now available on every platform (the iOS/tvOS multicast entitlement is granted).
+    @ViewBuilder var wakeSection: some View {
+        Section {
+            Toggle("Auto-wake on connect", isOn: $autoWakeEnabled)
+        } header: {
+            Text("Wake-on-LAN")
+        } footer: {
+            Text("Connecting to a saved host that isn't on the network yet sends a Wake-on-LAN "
+                + "packet and waits for it to come back before streaming. Turn off if a host that's "
+                + "already on just isn't visible here (e.g. over a VPN), so connects go straight "
+                + "through instead of waiting out the wake. A host's “Wake” action still works either "
+                + "way.")
+                .font(.geist(12, relativeTo: .caption))
+                .foregroundStyle(.secondary)
+        }
+    }
+
     @ViewBuilder var windowSection: some View {
         #if os(macOS)
         Section {
diff --git a/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkClient/Settings/SettingsView.swift b/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkClient/Settings/SettingsView.swift
index f53e1694..73015bb5 100644
--- a/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkClient/Settings/SettingsView.swift
+++ b/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkClient/Settings/SettingsView.swift
@@ -21,7 +21,10 @@ struct SettingsView: View {
     @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.streamWidth) var width = 1920
     @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.streamHeight) var height = 1080
     @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.streamHz) var hz = 60
-    @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.matchWindow) var matchWindow = false
+    // Default ON: a windowed session streams at the window's native pixels (1:1, no scaling) so it
+    // stays pixel-exact instead of the presenter resampling a fixed-mode frame into the window.
+    // Off falls back to the explicit mode below (fixed output, scaled to non-matching windows).
+    @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.matchWindow) var matchWindow = true
     @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.compositor) var compositor = 0
     @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.gamepadType) var gamepadType = 0
     @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.bitrateKbps) var bitrateKbps = 0
@@ -45,6 +48,7 @@ struct SettingsView: View {
     @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.hudPlacement) var hudPlacement = HUDPlacement.topTrailing.rawValue
     @ObservedObject var gamepads = GamepadManager.shared
     @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.gamepadUIEnabled) var gamepadUIEnabled = true
+    @AppStorage(DefaultsKey.autoWake) var autoWakeEnabled = true
     #if DEBUG && !os(tvOS)
     @State var showControllerTest = false
     #endif
@@ -106,6 +110,7 @@ struct SettingsView: View {
             Form {
                 streamModeSection
                 compositorSection
+                wakeSection
             }
             .formStyle(.grouped)
             .tabItem { Label("General", systemImage: "gearshape") }
@@ -235,6 +240,7 @@ struct SettingsView: View {
                 streamModeSection
                 pointerSection
                 compositorSection
+                wakeSection
             }
             .formStyle(.grouped)
             .navigationTitle("General")
@@ -305,6 +311,10 @@ struct SettingsView: View {
         Binding(get: { gamepadUIEnabled ? "on" : "off" }, set: { gamepadUIEnabled = $0 == "on" })
     }
 
+    private var autoWakeEnabledTag: Binding<String> {
+        Binding(get: { autoWakeEnabled ? "on" : "off" }, set: { autoWakeEnabled = $0 == "on" })
+    }
+
     private var tvBody: some View {
         let currentTag = "\(width)x\(height)x\(hz)"
         let bounds = UIScreen.main.nativeBounds
@@ -344,9 +354,13 @@ struct SettingsView: View {
                 TVSelectionRow(
                     title: "10-bit HDR",
                     options: [("On", "on"), ("Off", "off")], selection: hdrEnabledTag)
+                TVSelectionRow(
+                    title: "Auto-wake on connect",
+                    options: [("On", "on"), ("Off", "off")], selection: autoWakeEnabledTag)
                 Text("The host creates a virtual output at exactly this mode — native "
                     + "resolution, no scaling. \(Self.bitrateFooter) A specific compositor "
-                    + "is honored only if available on the host.")
+                    + "is honored only if available on the host. Auto-wake sends Wake-on-LAN to a "
+                    + "sleeping saved host and waits for it before streaming.")
                     .font(.geist(20, relativeTo: .caption))
                     .foregroundStyle(.secondary)
                     .multilineTextAlignment(.center)
diff --git a/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkKit/Support/DefaultsKeys.swift b/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkKit/Support/DefaultsKeys.swift
index 33955d4d..65073f4b 100644
--- a/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkKit/Support/DefaultsKeys.swift
+++ b/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkKit/Support/DefaultsKeys.swift
@@ -97,6 +97,12 @@ public enum DefaultsKey {
     /// layout (the console launcher, gamepad-navigable settings, a coverflow-style library)
     /// whenever a gamepad is connected. On by default; see `GamepadUIEnvironment.isActive`.
     public static let gamepadUIEnabled = "punktfunk.gamepadUIEnabled"
+    /// Auto-wake on connect: when connecting to a saved host that isn't advertising on mDNS, fire
+    /// Wake-on-LAN and, if the dial fails, wait for it to come back before retrying (the "Waking…"
+    /// overlay). On by default. Turn off if a host that's already on just isn't seen on mDNS (a
+    /// routed/VPN host), so connects go straight through instead of waiting out the wake timeout.
+    /// The explicit "Wake Host" action stays available regardless. Read by ContentView.startSession.
+    public static let autoWake = "punktfunk.autoWake"
 }
 
 extension Notification.Name {
diff --git a/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkKit/Video/SessionPresenter.swift b/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkKit/Video/SessionPresenter.swift
index e11db891..71c299da 100644
--- a/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkKit/Video/SessionPresenter.swift
+++ b/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkKit/Video/SessionPresenter.swift
@@ -70,6 +70,15 @@ final class SessionPresenter {
     private var stage2Link: CADisplayLink?
     private var metalLayer: CAMetalLayer?
     private var connection: PunktfunkConnection?
+    /// The decoded frame's REAL pixel dimensions (ground truth, pushed by the view from the pump's
+    /// `onDecodedSize` new-mode-IDR callback). Used for the aspect-fit in `layout` in preference to
+    /// `connection.currentMode()`, which (a) lags a mid-stream resize — it only updates on the
+    /// `Reconfigured` ack, and a resize-END produces no bounds change to re-run `layout` afterward —
+    /// and (b) can disagree with what the host actually DELIVERED (Windows corrective-ack falls back
+    /// to an advertised mode). The pixels we're drawing are the only correct aspect source; a wrong
+    /// one here is the "black bars + stretched" resize artifact. nil until the first frame → `layout`
+    /// falls back to `currentMode()`. Main-thread only.
+    private var contentSize: CGSize?
 
     /// Start the presenter for `connection`. `baseLayer` is the view's AVSampleBufferDisplayLayer:
     /// stage-1 enqueues into it; stage-2 leaves it idle and composites an opaque CAMetalLayer
@@ -184,11 +193,18 @@ final class SessionPresenter {
         guard let metalLayer, let connection else { return }
         let mode = connection.currentMode()
         syncFrameRate(hz: mode.refreshHz) // track a mid-session Reconfigure's new refresh
-        let fit: CGRect = (mode.width > 0 && mode.height > 0)
-            ? AVMakeRect(
-                aspectRatio: CGSize(width: Int(mode.width), height: Int(mode.height)),
-                insideRect: bounds)
-            : bounds
+        // Aspect source: the ACTUAL decoded dims when known (survives a lagging `currentMode()` and a
+        // host that delivered a different size than requested), else the negotiated mode. The shader
+        // stretches the frame across the WHOLE drawable, so this rect's aspect is the only thing that
+        // keeps the picture undistorted — a stale aspect here is the post-resize black-bars+stretch.
+        let aspect: CGSize? = {
+            if let c = contentSize, c.width > 0, c.height > 0 { return c }
+            if mode.width > 0, mode.height > 0 {
+                return CGSize(width: Int(mode.width), height: Int(mode.height))
+            }
+            return nil
+        }()
+        let fit: CGRect = aspect.map { AVMakeRect(aspectRatio: $0, insideRect: bounds) } ?? bounds
         // No implicit resize animation; contentsScale tracks the view's backing/display scale.
         CATransaction.begin()
         CATransaction.setDisableActions(true)
@@ -209,10 +225,20 @@ final class SessionPresenter {
         #endif
     }
 
+    /// Record the decoded frame's real dimensions (the view hops the pump's `onDecodedSize` to main
+    /// and calls this) so `layout` aspect-fits to what's actually on screen instead of the possibly-
+    /// stale `currentMode()`. Only stores — the caller re-runs `layout` right after, because a
+    /// resize-END produces no bounds change to trigger one. No-op on a zero/unchanged size.
+    func setContentSize(_ size: CGSize) {
+        guard size.width > 0, size.height > 0, size != contentSize else { return }
+        contentSize = size
+    }
+
     /// Stop the active pump/pipeline (≤ one poll timeout; stage-2 joins its pump) and detach the
     /// stage-2 layer + link. Does not close the connection — that stays with whoever owns it.
     /// Idempotent.
     func stop() {
+        contentSize = nil // a new session re-derives it from its first frame
         pump?.stop()
         pump = nil
         stage2Link?.invalidate()
diff --git a/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkKit/Views/StreamView.swift b/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkKit/Views/StreamView.swift
index 2d0f7db1..97bc7ecb 100644
--- a/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkKit/Views/StreamView.swift
+++ b/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkKit/Views/StreamView.swift
@@ -176,8 +176,14 @@ public final class StreamLayerView: NSView {
     private let presenter = SessionPresenter()
     public private(set) var connection: PunktfunkConnection?
     /// Match-window resize follower (C3) — non-nil while a session is active AND the `matchWindow`
-    /// setting is on; fed the view's physical-pixel size on every relayout.
+    /// setting is on (DEFAULT on, for pixel-exact windowed streaming); fed the view's physical-pixel
+    /// size on every relayout so the host mode tracks the window (1:1, no presenter resample).
     private var matchFollower: MatchWindowFollower?
+    /// Last decoded frame size fed into the presenter's aspect-fit. A new-mode IDR after a resize
+    /// re-fits the metal sublayer to the REAL content aspect here — `layout()` only re-runs on a
+    /// bounds change and a resize-END has none, so without this the layer keeps its pre-resize aspect
+    /// and the shader stretches the new frame into it (black bars + squish). Main-thread only.
+    private var lastDecodedContentSize: CGSize?
     private let cursorCapture = CursorCapture()
     private var inputCapture: InputCapture?
     private var appObservers: [NSObjectProtocol] = []
@@ -638,6 +644,10 @@ public final class StreamLayerView: NSView {
         // (explicit VTDecompressionSession decode + a CAMetalLayer/display-link present) by
         // default, the stage-1 pump as the Metal-missing / DEBUG fallback. The link comes from
         // NSView.displayLink so it tracks the display this view is on.
+        // Intercept the pump's coded-dims callback: re-fit the metal sublayer to the real content
+        // aspect (main thread) BEFORE forwarding to the owner's overlay END-signal. Fires only on a
+        // size CHANGE (first frame + each resolved resize), so this is rare, not per-frame.
+        let overlayDecodedSize = onDecodedSize
         presenter.start(
             connection: connection,
             baseLayer: displayLayer,
@@ -647,13 +657,19 @@ public final class StreamLayerView: NSView {
             makeDisplayLink: { displayLink(target: $0, selector: $1) },
             onFrame: onFrame,
             onSessionEnd: onSessionEnd,
-            onDecodedSize: onDecodedSize) // resize overlay END signal (new-mode IDR dims)
-        // Match-window (C3): follow the window's pixel size when the setting is on. Latched at
-        // session start (mirrors the other clients); the first real `layout()` feeds the initial
-        // size, so the stream converges to the window even if the connect used the explicit mode.
+            onDecodedSize: { [weak self] w, h in // resize overlay END signal (new-mode IDR dims)
+                DispatchQueue.main.async { self?.noteDecodedContentSize(width: w, height: h) }
+                overlayDecodedSize?(w, h)
+            })
+        // Match-window (C3): follow the window's pixel size — DEFAULT ON, so a windowed session
+        // streams 1:1 (pixel-exact) instead of the presenter resampling a fixed-mode frame into a
+        // non-matching window. The first real `layout()` feeds the initial size, so the stream
+        // converges to the window even though the connect used the explicit/display mode; entering
+        // fullscreen reports the full-display px, restoring a native-res 1:1 present there too.
+        // `?? true` so an unset default matches the Settings toggle (which also defaults on).
         let follower = MatchWindowFollower(
             connection: connection,
-            enabled: UserDefaults.standard.bool(forKey: DefaultsKey.matchWindow))
+            enabled: UserDefaults.standard.object(forKey: DefaultsKey.matchWindow) as? Bool ?? true)
         follower.onResizeTarget = onResizeTarget // resize overlay START signal (instant, on the follower)
         matchFollower = follower
         layoutPresenter()
@@ -679,6 +695,18 @@ public final class StreamLayerView: NSView {
         layoutPresenter() // backing scale changed (e.g. moved to a non-retina display)
     }
 
+    /// A new decoded size landed (a new-mode IDR after a resize, or the session's first frame): push
+    /// it to the presenter's aspect-fit and re-layout NOW. A resize-END triggers no `layout()`, so
+    /// this is what makes the metal sublayer track the new content aspect instead of stretching the
+    /// new frame into the pre-resize box. Deduped so a same-size repeat is a no-op. Main thread.
+    private func noteDecodedContentSize(width: Int, height: Int) {
+        let size = CGSize(width: width, height: height)
+        guard size.width > 0, size.height > 0, size != lastDecodedContentSize else { return }
+        lastDecodedContentSize = size
+        presenter.setContentSize(size)
+        layoutPresenter()
+    }
+
     /// Stop pumping (≤ one poll timeout). Does not close the connection — that stays with
     /// whoever owns it (PunktfunkConnection.close() is safe alongside a draining pump).
     public func stop() {
@@ -688,6 +716,7 @@ public final class StreamLayerView: NSView {
         inputCapture = nil
         presenter.stop()
         matchFollower = nil
+        lastDecodedContentSize = nil // the next session re-derives it from its first frame
         connection = nil
     }
 
diff --git a/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkKit/Views/StreamViewIOS.swift b/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkKit/Views/StreamViewIOS.swift
index f79d002b..b912a99a 100644
--- a/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkKit/Views/StreamViewIOS.swift
+++ b/clients/apple/Sources/PunktfunkKit/Views/StreamViewIOS.swift
@@ -158,9 +158,10 @@ public final class StreamViewController: StreamViewControllerBase {
     /// mouse/keyboard stay released after navigating out and nothing re-grabs them.
     private var wasCapturedOnResign = false
     /// Match-window resize follower (C3) — non-nil while a session is active AND the `matchWindow`
-    /// setting is on; fed the view's physical-pixel size from `viewDidLayoutSubviews` so an iPad
-    /// Stage Manager / Split View scene resize renegotiates the host mode. iOS only (iPhone
-    /// naturally no-ops fullscreen; tvOS drives display modes via AVDisplayManager instead).
+    /// setting is on (DEFAULT on, for pixel-exact scene streaming); fed the view's physical-pixel
+    /// size from `viewDidLayoutSubviews` so an iPad Stage Manager / Split View scene resize
+    /// renegotiates the host mode (1:1, no presenter resample). iOS only (iPhone naturally no-ops
+    /// its fixed full-screen scene; tvOS drives display modes via AVDisplayManager instead).
     private var matchFollower: MatchWindowFollower?
     #endif
 
@@ -183,6 +184,11 @@ public final class StreamViewController: StreamViewControllerBase {
     /// Resize-overlay END: the presenter reports the coded dims of each new-mode IDR here, so the
     /// overlay clears when a frame at the requested size actually decodes.
     var onDecodedSize: (@Sendable (Int, Int) -> Void)?
+    /// Last decoded size fed into the presenter's aspect-fit. A new-mode IDR (an iPad scene resize,
+    /// or a tvOS AVDisplayManager mode switch) re-fits the metal sublayer to the REAL content aspect
+    /// here — `viewDidLayoutSubviews` only re-runs on a bounds change, which a resize-END lacks, so
+    /// without this the layer keeps its pre-resize aspect and stretches the new frame into it. Main.
+    private var lastDecodedContentSize: CGSize?
 
     var captureEnabled = true {
         didSet {
@@ -349,12 +355,14 @@ public final class StreamViewController: StreamViewControllerBase {
         }
         capture.start()
         inputCapture = capture
-        // Match-window (C3): follow the scene's pixel size when the setting is on. Latched at
-        // session start (mirrors the other clients); `viewDidLayoutSubviews` feeds it — covers
-        // Stage Manager / Split View resizes and rotation. iPhone fullscreen naturally no-ops.
+        // Match-window (C3): follow the scene's pixel size — DEFAULT ON, so a resizable iPad scene
+        // streams 1:1 (pixel-exact) instead of the presenter resampling a fixed-mode frame into it.
+        // `viewDidLayoutSubviews` feeds it — covers Stage Manager / Split View resizes and rotation.
+        // iPhone is a fixed full-screen scene, so this naturally no-ops (reports the device mode).
+        // `?? true` so an unset default matches the Settings toggle (which also defaults on).
         let follower = MatchWindowFollower(
             connection: connection,
-            enabled: UserDefaults.standard.bool(forKey: DefaultsKey.matchWindow))
+            enabled: UserDefaults.standard.object(forKey: DefaultsKey.matchWindow) as? Bool ?? true)
         follower.onResizeTarget = onResizeTarget
         matchFollower = follower
         #endif
@@ -362,6 +370,10 @@ public final class StreamViewController: StreamViewControllerBase {
         // Presenter choice + lifecycle live in SessionPresenter (shared with macOS): stage-2
         // (explicit VTDecompressionSession decode + a CAMetalLayer/display-link present) by
         // default, the stage-1 pump as the Metal-missing / DEBUG fallback.
+        // Intercept the pump's coded-dims callback: re-fit the metal sublayer to the real content
+        // aspect (main thread) BEFORE forwarding to the owner's overlay END-signal. Fires only on a
+        // size CHANGE (first frame + each resolved resize), so this is rare, not per-frame.
+        let overlayDecodedSize = onDecodedSize
         presenter.start(
             connection: connection,
             baseLayer: streamView.displayLayer,
@@ -371,7 +383,10 @@ public final class StreamViewController: StreamViewControllerBase {
             makeDisplayLink: { CADisplayLink(target: $0, selector: $1) },
             onFrame: onFrame,
             onSessionEnd: onSessionEnd,
-            onDecodedSize: onDecodedSize)
+            onDecodedSize: { [weak self] w, h in
+                DispatchQueue.main.async { self?.noteDecodedContentSize(width: w, height: h) }
+                overlayDecodedSize?(w, h)
+            })
         layoutMetalLayer()
 
         #if os(iOS)
@@ -451,6 +466,7 @@ public final class StreamViewController: StreamViewControllerBase {
         sessionDisplayManager = nil
         #endif
         presenter.stop()
+        lastDecodedContentSize = nil // the next session re-derives it from its first frame
         connection = nil
     }
 
@@ -527,6 +543,18 @@ public final class StreamViewController: StreamViewControllerBase {
         presenter.layout(in: streamView.bounds, contentsScale: renderScale)
     }
 
+    /// A new decoded size landed (a scene/mode resize's new IDR, or the first frame): push it to the
+    /// presenter's aspect-fit and re-layout NOW. A resize-END triggers no `viewDidLayoutSubviews`, so
+    /// this is what makes the metal sublayer track the new content aspect instead of stretching the
+    /// new frame into the pre-resize box. Deduped so a same-size repeat is a no-op. Main thread.
+    private func noteDecodedContentSize(width: Int, height: Int) {
+        let size = CGSize(width: width, height: height)
+        guard size.width > 0, size.height > 0, size != lastDecodedContentSize else { return }
+        lastDecodedContentSize = size
+        presenter.setContentSize(size)
+        layoutMetalLayer()
+    }
+
     #if os(iOS)
     private func setCaptured(_ on: Bool) {
         if on {