diff --git a/packages/web/src/components/layout/AppLayout.tsx b/packages/web/src/components/layout/AppLayout.tsx
index ff4f1998..f148582a 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/components/layout/AppLayout.tsx
+++ b/packages/web/src/components/layout/AppLayout.tsx
@@ -108,18 +108,24 @@ export function AppLayout() {
   
   const channels = useSpaceStore((s) => s.channels);
 
-  const currentVoiceChannelId = useVoiceStore((s) => s.currentVoiceChannelId);
-  const activeDmCall = useVoiceStore((s) => s.activeDmCall);
   const {
     connect: connectVoice,
     disconnect: disconnectVoice,
-    isConnected: isVoiceConnected,
-    isConnecting: isVoiceConnecting,
-    connectedChannelId,
   } = useLiveKit();
 
+  // Register connect/disconnect refs in voiceStore so click handlers can access them
+  // without calling useLiveKit() (which would create duplicate Room instances).
+  useEffect(() => {
+    useVoiceStore.getState().setConnectFn(connectVoice);
+    useVoiceStore.getState().setDisconnectFn(disconnectVoice);
+    return () => {
+      useVoiceStore.getState().setConnectFn(null);
+      useVoiceStore.getState().setDisconnectFn(null);
+    };
+  }, [connectVoice, disconnectVoice]);
+
   // Initialize WebSocket
-  const { isConnected: isWsConnected } = useWebSocket();
+  useWebSocket();
 
   // Federation toast notifications for remote instance connection state changes
   useFederationToasts();
@@ -136,67 +142,6 @@ export function AppLayout() {
     return () => teardownActivityBridge();
   }, []);
 
-  // Track the last channel we attempted to connect to, to prevent effect loops
-  const lastAttemptedRef = React.useRef<string | null>(null);
-
-  // Manage voice connection
-  useEffect(() => {
-    if (isLoading || !user || !isWsConnected) return;
-
-    const manageConnection = async () => {
-      // Determine what we SHOULD be connected to
-      const targetChannelId = activeDmCall 
-        ? `dm-${activeDmCall.dmChannelId}` 
-        : currentVoiceChannelId;
-
-      // 1. If we have a target
-      if (targetChannelId) {
-        // If we're not connected to the RIGHT place, trigger connect.
-        // We IGNORE isVoiceConnecting here to allow "interrupting" a connection
-        // or switching rooms immediately.
-        if (connectedChannelId !== targetChannelId) {
-          // Prevent spamming the same connection attempt if React re-renders
-          if (lastAttemptedRef.current === targetChannelId && isVoiceConnecting) {
-            return;
-          }
-          
-          console.log(`[AppLayout] Switching/Connecting to: ${targetChannelId}`);
-          lastAttemptedRef.current = targetChannelId;
-          
-          if (activeDmCall) {
-            await connectVoice(activeDmCall.dmChannelId, true);
-          } else {
-            await connectVoice(targetChannelId);
-          }
-        } else {
-          // We are connected to the right place. Reset ref.
-          lastAttemptedRef.current = null;
-        }
-        return;
-      }
-
-      // 2. No target — ensure disconnected
-      if (connectedChannelId !== null || isVoiceConnected || isVoiceConnecting) {
-        console.log('[AppLayout] Leaving voice (no target)');
-        lastAttemptedRef.current = null;
-        await disconnectVoice();
-      }
-    };
-
-    manageConnection();
-  }, [
-    currentVoiceChannelId, 
-    activeDmCall, 
-    connectedChannelId,
-    isVoiceConnected, 
-    isVoiceConnecting, 
-    isWsConnected, 
-    isLoading, 
-    user, 
-    connectVoice,
-    disconnectVoice
-  ]);
-
   // Responsive detection
   useEffect(() => {
     const checkMobile = () => setIsMobile(window.innerWidth < 768);
diff --git a/packages/web/src/components/layout/ChannelSidebar.tsx b/packages/web/src/components/layout/ChannelSidebar.tsx
index caba7df2..d6b5f0f1 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/components/layout/ChannelSidebar.tsx
+++ b/packages/web/src/components/layout/ChannelSidebar.tsx
@@ -403,7 +403,8 @@ export function ChannelSidebar() {
       navigate(`/channels/${currentSpaceId}/${channelId}`);
       return;
     }
-    joinVoiceChannel(channelId);
+    const connectFn = useVoiceStore.getState().connectFn;
+    joinVoiceChannel(channelId, connectFn ?? undefined);
     navigate(`/channels/${currentSpaceId}/${channelId}`);
   };
 
diff --git a/packages/web/src/components/layout/MainContent.tsx b/packages/web/src/components/layout/MainContent.tsx
index ce988998..fa42568c 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/components/layout/MainContent.tsx
+++ b/packages/web/src/components/layout/MainContent.tsx
@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@ export function MainContent() {
               <p className="text-txt-tertiary text-[15px]">No one is currently in this voice channel.</p>
             </div>
             <button
-              onClick={() => joinVoiceChannel(currentChannelId)}
+              onClick={() => joinVoiceChannel(currentChannelId, useVoiceStore.getState().connectFn ?? undefined)}
               className="relative z-10 px-8 py-3 bg-accent-primary hover:bg-accent-primary-hover text-white font-semibold rounded-full transition-all text-[15px] shadow-[0_4px_20px_rgba(124,108,246,0.3)]"
             >
               Join Voice
diff --git a/packages/web/src/components/layout/MobileSpacesScreen.tsx b/packages/web/src/components/layout/MobileSpacesScreen.tsx
index 6928073b..e8479f13 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/components/layout/MobileSpacesScreen.tsx
+++ b/packages/web/src/components/layout/MobileSpacesScreen.tsx
@@ -194,8 +194,12 @@ export function MobileSpacesScreen() {
     });
   };
 
-  const handleVoiceJoin = useCallback((chId: string, _preMuted: boolean) => {
-    joinVoiceChannel(chId);
+  const handleVoiceJoin = useCallback((chId: string, preMuted: boolean) => {
+    if (preMuted) {
+      useVoiceStore.getState().setMuted(true);
+    }
+    const connectFn = useVoiceStore.getState().connectFn;
+    joinVoiceChannel(chId, connectFn ?? undefined);
     setVoiceJoinChannelId(null);
     pushMobileScreen('voice');
   }, [pushMobileScreen]);
diff --git a/packages/web/src/components/layout/MobileVoiceFullScreen.tsx b/packages/web/src/components/layout/MobileVoiceFullScreen.tsx
index 898afcc3..a76e341b 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/components/layout/MobileVoiceFullScreen.tsx
+++ b/packages/web/src/components/layout/MobileVoiceFullScreen.tsx
@@ -97,6 +97,8 @@ export function MobileVoiceFullScreen() {
 
   const handleDisconnect = () => {
     leaveVoice();
+    const disconnectFn = useVoiceStore.getState().disconnectFn;
+    if (disconnectFn) disconnectFn();
     popMobileScreen();
   };
 
diff --git a/packages/web/src/components/layout/MobileVoiceMiniBar.tsx b/packages/web/src/components/layout/MobileVoiceMiniBar.tsx
index 0a03b671..f0f3869d 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/components/layout/MobileVoiceMiniBar.tsx
+++ b/packages/web/src/components/layout/MobileVoiceMiniBar.tsx
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ export function MobileVoiceMiniBar() {
         </button>
 
         <button
-          onClick={(e) => { e.stopPropagation(); leaveVoice(); }}
+          onClick={(e) => { e.stopPropagation(); leaveVoice(); const df = useVoiceStore.getState().disconnectFn; if (df) df(); }}
           className="w-8 h-8 rounded-full flex items-center justify-center bg-accent-rose/20 text-accent-rose hover:bg-accent-rose/30 transition-colors"
         >
           <svg className="w-4 h-4" fill="none" viewBox="0 0 24 24" stroke="currentColor" strokeWidth={2}>
diff --git a/packages/web/src/components/voice/VoiceControls.tsx b/packages/web/src/components/voice/VoiceControls.tsx
index facdfca2..eea6cb13 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/components/voice/VoiceControls.tsx
+++ b/packages/web/src/components/voice/VoiceControls.tsx
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ export function VoiceControls() {
   };
 
   const handleDisconnect = () => {
-    const { activeDmCall } = useVoiceStore.getState();
+    const { activeDmCall, disconnectFn } = useVoiceStore.getState();
     if (activeDmCall) {
       wsSend({ type: 'dm_call_end', dmChannelId: activeDmCall.dmChannelId }, getChannelOrigin(activeDmCall.dmChannelId));
       useVoiceStore.getState().setActiveDmCall(null);
@@ -83,6 +83,7 @@ export function VoiceControls() {
       wsSend({ type: 'voice_leave' }, voiceOrigin);
       useVoiceStore.getState().leaveVoice();
     }
+    if (disconnectFn) disconnectFn();
   };
 
   const statusColor = connectionError
diff --git a/packages/web/src/hooks/useWebSocket.ts b/packages/web/src/hooks/useWebSocket.ts
index cf152b2b..a5e17e4a 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/hooks/useWebSocket.ts
+++ b/packages/web/src/hooks/useWebSocket.ts
@@ -302,13 +302,19 @@ function handleEvent(origin: string, event: ServerEvent): void {
 
       // Restore DM call state from server (all origins — federated DMs live on remote instances)
       {
-        const { activeDmCall, setActiveDmCall, setIncomingCall, incomingCall } = useVoiceStore.getState();
+        const { activeDmCall, setActiveDmCall, setIncomingCall, incomingCall, connectFn, disconnectFn } = useVoiceStore.getState();
         const myId = event.user.id;
         if (event.activeCalls && event.activeCalls.length > 0) {
           for (const call of event.activeCalls) {
             const isParticipant = call.participants.includes(myId);
             if (call.state === 'active' && isParticipant) {
               setActiveDmCall({ dmChannelId: call.dmChannelId });
+              // Re-establish LiveKit connection for DM call if needed (WS reconnect)
+              if (connectFn) {
+                connectFn(call.dmChannelId, true).catch((err) => {
+                  console.error('[WS] DM call reconnect failed:', err);
+                });
+              }
               break;
             } else if (call.state === 'ringing' && call.callerId !== myId) {
               const dmCh = event.dmChannels?.find((d: any) => d.id === call.dmChannelId);
@@ -323,6 +329,7 @@ function handleEvent(origin: string, event: ServerEvent): void {
         } else {
           if (activeDmCall) {
             setActiveDmCall(null);
+            if (disconnectFn) disconnectFn();
           }
           if (incomingCall) {
             setIncomingCall(null);
@@ -466,7 +473,7 @@ function handleEvent(origin: string, event: ServerEvent): void {
           const vs = useVoiceStore.getState();
           // Clear current channel first so joinVoiceChannel doesn't bail
           vs.setCurrentVoiceChannel(null);
-          joinVoiceChannel(event.newChannelId);
+          joinVoiceChannel(event.newChannelId, vs.connectFn ?? undefined);
         });
       }
       break;
@@ -693,26 +700,34 @@ function handleEvent(origin: string, event: ServerEvent): void {
     }
 
     case 'dm_call_accepted': {
-      const { setIncomingCall, setOutgoingCall, setActiveDmCall } = useVoiceStore.getState();
+      const { setIncomingCall, setOutgoingCall, setActiveDmCall, connectFn } = useVoiceStore.getState();
       setIncomingCall(null);
       setOutgoingCall(null);
       setActiveDmCall({ dmChannelId: event.dmChannelId });
+      // Initiate LiveKit connection for the DM call
+      if (connectFn) {
+        connectFn(event.dmChannelId, true).catch((err) => {
+          console.error('[WS] DM call connect failed:', err);
+        });
+      }
       break;
     }
 
     case 'dm_call_rejected': {
-      const { setIncomingCall, setOutgoingCall, setActiveDmCall } = useVoiceStore.getState();
+      const { setIncomingCall, setOutgoingCall, setActiveDmCall, disconnectFn } = useVoiceStore.getState();
       setIncomingCall(null);
       setOutgoingCall(null);
       setActiveDmCall(null);
+      if (disconnectFn) disconnectFn();
       break;
     }
 
     case 'dm_call_ended': {
-      const { setIncomingCall, setOutgoingCall, setActiveDmCall } = useVoiceStore.getState();
+      const { setIncomingCall, setOutgoingCall, setActiveDmCall, disconnectFn } = useVoiceStore.getState();
       setIncomingCall(null);
       setOutgoingCall(null);
       setActiveDmCall(null);
+      if (disconnectFn) disconnectFn();
       break;
     }
 
diff --git a/packages/web/src/stores/voiceStore.ts b/packages/web/src/stores/voiceStore.ts
index 2aef5805..f84ec393 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/stores/voiceStore.ts
+++ b/packages/web/src/stores/voiceStore.ts
@@ -116,6 +116,11 @@ interface VoiceState {
   clearVoiceUsersForOrigin: (origin: string) => void;
   leaveVoice: () => void;
   handleForceDisconnect: () => void;
+  // Gesture-aware connect/disconnect refs — registered by AppLayout from useLiveKit()
+  connectFn: ((channelId: string, isDm?: boolean) => Promise<void>) | null;
+  disconnectFn: (() => Promise<void>) | null;
+  setConnectFn: (fn: ((channelId: string, isDm?: boolean) => Promise<void>) | null) => void;
+  setDisconnectFn: (fn: (() => Promise<void>) | null) => void;
   reset: () => void;
 }
 
@@ -471,6 +476,12 @@ export const useVoiceStore = create<VoiceState>()(
         });
       },
 
+      // Gesture-aware connect/disconnect refs — set by AppLayout, read by click handlers
+      connectFn: null,
+      disconnectFn: null,
+      setConnectFn: (fn) => set({ connectFn: fn }),
+      setDisconnectFn: (fn) => set({ disconnectFn: fn }),
+
       // Force disconnect: clear local connection state but do NOT touch voiceUsers.
       // Used for involuntary disconnects (identity collision, server shutdown, etc.)
       // where the server is the authority on who's actually in voice.
diff --git a/packages/web/src/utils/voice.ts b/packages/web/src/utils/voice.ts
index d065adfe..3fb9a35e 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/utils/voice.ts
+++ b/packages/web/src/utils/voice.ts
@@ -65,8 +65,17 @@ export function broadcastDeafenViaLiveKit(): void {
  * When switching from a channel on Instance A to one on Instance B,
  * this sends an explicit voice_leave to Instance A first so it
  * broadcasts a leave event and the client cleans up stale voice state.
+ *
+ * @param channelId   The channel to join.
+ * @param connectFn   The LiveKit connect function, obtained from
+ *                    `useVoiceStore.getState().connectFn`. When provided the
+ *                    LiveKit connection is initiated directly within the
+ *                    caller's gesture context (required on iOS).
  */
-export function joinVoiceChannel(channelId: string): void {
+export function joinVoiceChannel(
+  channelId: string,
+  connectFn?: (channelId: string, isDm?: boolean) => Promise<void>,
+): void {
   const { currentVoiceChannelId, setCurrentVoiceChannel, addVoiceUser, removeVoiceUser } = useVoiceStore.getState();
   if (currentVoiceChannelId === channelId) return;
 
@@ -83,8 +92,16 @@ export function joinVoiceChannel(channelId: string): void {
   }
 
   setCurrentVoiceChannel(channelId);
-  // voice_join is now sent by useLiveKit after successful LiveKit connection
   // Optimistic: immediately show self in new channel (using origin-aware ID)
   const myNewId = getMyUserIdForOrigin(getChannelOrigin(channelId));
   if (myNewId) addVoiceUser(channelId, myNewId);
+
+  // Direct connection within gesture context
+  if (connectFn) {
+    connectFn(channelId).catch((err) => {
+      console.error('[voice] Connection failed:', err);
+      setCurrentVoiceChannel(null);
+      if (myNewId) removeVoiceUser(channelId, myNewId);
+    });
+  }
 }
diff --git a/packages/web/src/utils/voiceActions.ts b/packages/web/src/utils/voiceActions.ts
index 83c548f5..bb168933 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/utils/voiceActions.ts
+++ b/packages/web/src/utils/voiceActions.ts
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ export async function handleScreenShareAction(): Promise<void> {
  */
 export function handleDisconnectAction(): void {
   const voice = useVoiceStore.getState();
-  const { activeDmCall, currentVoiceChannelId } = voice;
+  const { activeDmCall, currentVoiceChannelId, disconnectFn } = voice;
 
   if (activeDmCall) {
     wsSend(
@@ -99,6 +99,9 @@ export function handleDisconnectAction(): void {
     voice.leaveVoice();
   }
 
+  // Tear down the LiveKit connection
+  if (disconnectFn) disconnectFn();
+
   // Exit fullscreen if active
   const voiceFullscreen = useUIStore.getState().voiceFullscreen;
   if (voiceFullscreen) {