diff --git a/conversations.php b/conversations.php
index 2229cea..7e3fb30 100644
--- a/conversations.php
+++ b/conversations.php
@@ -798,7 +798,7 @@
                 <div class="chat-input" style="position:relative;">
                     <input type="file" id="file-input" accept="image/*,video/*,audio/*,.pdf,.doc,.docx,.xls,.xlsx,.ppt,.pptx" style="display: none;">
                     <button class="btn" id="attach-btn" title="Adjuntar">
-                        <i class="fas fa-paperclip" aria-hidden="true"></i>
+                        📎
                     </button>
                     <div id="attach-menu" class="attach-menu" style="display:none;">
                         <button class="attach-option" data-action="file">Enviar archivo</button>
@@ -912,7 +912,13 @@
                 this.conversationsLimit = 50;
                 this.hasMoreConversations = true;
                 this.loadingConversations = false;
-                
+
+                // Track whether the user is actively scrolling/reading to avoid forcing scroll-to-bottom
+                this._userScrolling = false;
+                this._userScrollTimer = null;
+                // Track last known messages count to show "Nuevos mensajes" indicator when new messages arrive while user is reading
+                this._lastRenderMessageCount = 0;
+
                 this.init();
             }
 
@@ -1312,10 +1318,16 @@
                 if (micBtn) {
                     micBtn.addEventListener('click', (ev) => {
                         ev.preventDefault();
+                        // Ensure recording functions are available (they are initialized when opening a conversation
+                        // but can be invoked earlier; initialize lazily if needed)
+                        if (typeof self.startRecording !== 'function' && typeof self.initRecordingHandlers === 'function') {
+                            try { self.initRecordingHandlers(); } catch(e) { console.warn('initRecordingHandlers failed', e); }
+                        }
+
                         if (self._mediaRecorder && self._mediaRecorder.state === 'recording') {
-                            self.stopRecording();
+                            try { self.stopRecording(); } catch (e) { console.warn('stopRecording failed', e); }
                         } else {
-                            self.startRecording();
+                            try { self.startRecording(); } catch (e) { console.warn('startRecording failed', e); alert('No se pudo iniciar la grabación.'); }
                         }
                     });
                 }
@@ -1971,6 +1983,13 @@
                 if (chatContainer) {
                     if (!chatContainer._infiniteScrollAdded) {
                         chatContainer.addEventListener('scroll', async () => {
+                            // Mark that the user is actively scrolling/reading so we don't yank the viewport to bottom
+                            try {
+                                this._userScrolling = true;
+                                if (this._userScrollTimer) clearTimeout(this._userScrollTimer);
+                                this._userScrollTimer = setTimeout(() => { this._userScrolling = false; this._userScrollTimer = null; }, 1500);
+                            } catch(e) { /* ignore */ }
+
                             if (chatContainer.scrollTop <= 60 && this.hasMoreMessages && !this.loadingMessages && this.currentUserId == userId) {
                                 await this.loadMessages(userId, false);
                             }
@@ -1987,81 +2006,15 @@
                     tplContainer.style.display = (document.getElementById('message-type').value === 'template') ? 'inline-block' : 'none';
                 }
 
-                // Recording support state
-                this._mediaRecorder = null;
-                this._recordingInterval = null;
-                this._recordingStart = null;
-
-                // Recording handlers
-                this.startRecording = async function() {
-                    try {
-                        const stream = await navigator.mediaDevices.getUserMedia({ audio: true });
-                        this._mediaRecorder = new MediaRecorder(stream);
-                        const chunks = [];
-                        this._mediaRecorder.ondataavailable = (e) => { if (e.data && e.data.size) chunks.push(e.data); };
-                        this._mediaRecorder.onstop = async () => {
-                            const blob = new Blob(chunks, { type: 'audio/webm' });
-                            let file = new File([blob], `record_${Date.now()}.webm`, { type: 'audio/webm' });
-                            // Try convert if FFmpeg available
-                            try {
-                                if (window && window.ensureFFmpeg) {
-                                    await window.ensureFFmpeg();
-                                    const converted = await window.convertWebmToOgg(file);
-                                    file = converted;
-                                }
-                            } catch (convErr) { console.warn('conversion failed', convErr); }
-
-                            // set as selected file and show preview
-                            this.selectedFile = file;
-                            this.showMediaPreview(file);
-                        };
-
-                        this._mediaRecorder.start();
-                        this._recordingStart = Date.now();
-                        document.getElementById('recording-indicator').style.display = 'block';
-                        document.getElementById('mic-btn').classList.add('recording');
-                        // Ensure UI shows mic and hides send while recording
-                        if (this._updateSendMicVisibility) this._updateSendMicVisibility();
-                        const update = () => {
-                            if (!this._recordingStart) return;
-                            const elapsed = Math.floor((Date.now() - this._recordingStart) / 1000);
-                            const m = Math.floor(elapsed/60); const s = elapsed % 60;
-                            document.getElementById('recording-time').textContent = `${m}:${String(s).padStart(2,'0')}`;
-                        };
-                        update();
-                        this._recordingInterval = setInterval(update, 1000);
-                    } catch (err) {
-                        console.error('startRecording error', err);
-                        alert('No se pudo acceder al micrófono: ' + (err.message||err));
-                    }
-                };
-
-                this.stopRecording = function() {
-                    if (this._mediaRecorder && this._mediaRecorder.state !== 'inactive') {
-                        this._mediaRecorder.stop();
-                    }
-                    if (this._recordingInterval) clearInterval(this._recordingInterval);
-                    this._recordingInterval = null;
-                    this._recordingStart = null;
-                    document.getElementById('recording-indicator').style.display = 'none';
-                    document.getElementById('mic-btn').classList.remove('recording');
-                    if (this._updateSendMicVisibility) this._updateSendMicVisibility();
-                };
-
-                this.cancelRecording = function() {
-                    if (this._mediaRecorder && this._mediaRecorder.state !== 'inactive') {
-                        this._mediaRecorder.stop();
-                    }
+                // Initialize recording handlers so the mic works even before opening a conversation
+                if (typeof this.initRecordingHandlers === 'function') {
+                    try { this.initRecordingHandlers(); } catch(e) { console.warn('initRecordingHandlers() failed', e); }
+                } else {
+                    // fallback: define minimal state
                     this._mediaRecorder = null;
-                    this.selectedFile = null;
-                    if (this._recordingInterval) clearInterval(this._recordingInterval);
                     this._recordingInterval = null;
                     this._recordingStart = null;
-                    document.getElementById('recording-indicator').style.display = 'none';
-                    document.getElementById('mic-btn').classList.remove('recording');
-                    if (this._updateSendMicVisibility) this._updateSendMicVisibility();
-                };
-
+                }
             }
 
             async loadconversations(userId, showLoading = true) {
@@ -2271,7 +2224,7 @@
 
                 const prependEls = []; // elements to insert at top if we loaded older messages
 
-                const wasNearBottom = (container.scrollHeight - container.scrollTop - container.clientHeight) < 150;
+                const nearBottom = (container.scrollHeight - container.scrollTop - container.clientHeight) < 150;
 
                 for (let i = 0; i < this.conversations.length; i++) {
                     const msg = this.conversations[i];
@@ -2297,9 +2250,40 @@
                                 let existingSrc = null;
                                 if (existingMedia) existingSrc = existingMedia.getAttribute('src') || existingMedia.getAttribute('data-src');
                                 const newMediaUrl = mediaPresent ? (msg.local_thumb || msg.local_file || msg.media_url_external || msg.media_url) : null;
-                                if (!(existingSrc && newMediaUrl && String(existingSrc).includes(newMediaUrl))) {
-                                    const newContent = mediaPresent ? (window.renderMediaMessage ? window.renderMediaMessage(msg) : (msg.content || '[Mensaje]')) : (msg.content || '[Mensaje vacío]');
-                                    body.innerHTML = newContent;
+
+                                // If media url unchanged, keep existing element (preserve playback)
+                                if (existingMedia && newMediaUrl && existingSrc && String(existingSrc).includes(newMediaUrl)) {
+                                    // nothing to change
+                                } else if (existingMedia && newMediaUrl && (!existingSrc || !String(existingSrc).includes(newMediaUrl))) {
+                                    // Replace src but preserve playback state for audio/video
+                                    try {
+                                        const tag = existingMedia.tagName && existingMedia.tagName.toLowerCase();
+                                        if (tag === 'audio' || tag === 'video') {
+                                            const currentTime = existingMedia.currentTime || 0;
+                                            const wasPaused = existingMedia.paused;
+                                            existingMedia.src = newMediaUrl;
+                                            existingMedia.addEventListener('loadedmetadata', () => {
+                                                try {
+                                                    if (typeof existingMedia.duration === 'number' && !isNaN(existingMedia.duration)) {
+                                                        existingMedia.currentTime = Math.min(currentTime, existingMedia.duration || currentTime);
+                                                    }
+                                                } catch (e) { /* ignore */ }
+                                                try { if (!wasPaused) existingMedia.play().catch(()=>{}); } catch(e){}
+                                            }, { once: true });
+                                        } else {
+                                            // image or other: just replace src
+                                            try { existingMedia.src = newMediaUrl; } catch(e) { body.innerHTML = window.renderMediaMessage ? window.renderMediaMessage(msg) : window.escapeHtml(msg.content || '[Mensaje]'); }
+                                        }
+                                    } catch (e) {
+                                        console.warn('preserve media update failed', e);
+                                        body.innerHTML = window.renderMediaMessage ? window.renderMediaMessage(msg) : window.escapeHtml(msg.content || '[Mensaje]');
+                                    }
+                                } else if (!existingMedia && newMediaUrl) {
+                                    // No existing media element, render new media block without touching other parts
+                                    try { body.innerHTML = window.renderMediaMessage ? window.renderMediaMessage(msg) : window.escapeHtml(msg.content || '[Mensaje]'); } catch(e) { /* ignore */ }
+                                } else if (existingMedia && !newMediaUrl) {
+                                    // Media removed in new message: replace body with text/content
+                                    try { body.innerHTML = window.escapeHtml(msg.content || '[Mensaje]'); } catch(e) { /* ignore */ }
                                 }
                             }
 
@@ -2369,8 +2353,140 @@
                 // remove any remaining old elements that weren't updated
                 existing.forEach((el) => el.remove());
 
-                // If user was near bottom before update, keep it at bottom to follow conversation
-                if (wasNearBottom) this.scrollToBottom();
+                // If user was near bottom before update and not actively scrolling, keep it at bottom to follow conversation
+                const nearBottom = (container.scrollHeight - container.scrollTop - container.clientHeight) < 150;
+                const shouldScroll = initial ? true : (nearBottom && !this._userScrolling);
+
+                // Determine if we received new messages since last render
+                const prevCount = this._lastRenderMessageCount || 0;
+                const newCount = this.conversations.length || 0;
+                const added = Math.max(0, newCount - prevCount);
+
+                if (shouldScroll) {
+                    this.scrollToBottom();
+                    // hide indicator if visible
+                    if (added) this.hideNewMessagesIndicator();
+                } else {
+                    if (added > 0) this.showNewMessagesIndicator(added);
+                }
+
+                // Save for next render
+                this._lastRenderMessageCount = newCount;
+
+            }
+
+            // Initialize recording handlers (so mic works before openConversation) and helper to manage recording state
+            initRecordingHandlers() {
+                if (this._recordingHandlersInitialized) return;
+                this._recordingHandlersInitialized = true;
+                this._mediaRecorder = null;
+                this._recordingInterval = null;
+                this._recordingStart = null;
+
+                this.startRecording = async function() {
+                    try {
+                        const stream = await navigator.mediaDevices.getUserMedia({ audio: true });
+                        this._mediaRecorder = new MediaRecorder(stream);
+                        const chunks = [];
+                        this._mediaRecorder.ondataavailable = (e) => { if (e.data && e.data.size) chunks.push(e.data); };
+                        this._mediaRecorder.onstop = async () => {
+                            const blob = new Blob(chunks, { type: 'audio/webm' });
+                            let file = new File([blob], `record_${Date.now()}.webm`, { type: 'audio/webm' });
+                            // Try convert if FFmpeg available
+                            try {
+                                if (window && window.ensureFFmpeg) {
+                                    await window.ensureFFmpeg();
+                                    const converted = await window.convertWebmToOgg(file);
+                                    file = converted;
+                                }
+                            } catch (convErr) { console.warn('conversion failed', convErr); }
+
+                            // set as selected file and show preview
+                            this.selectedFile = file;
+                            this.showMediaPreview(file);
+                        };
+
+                        this._mediaRecorder.start();
+                        this._recordingStart = Date.now();
+                        const ind = document.getElementById('recording-indicator'); if (ind) ind.style.display = 'block';
+                        const micEl = document.getElementById('mic-btn'); if (micEl) micEl.classList.add('recording');
+                        // Ensure UI shows mic and hides send while recording
+                        if (this._updateSendMicVisibility) this._updateSendMicVisibility();
+                        const update = () => {
+                            if (!this._recordingStart) return;
+                            const elapsed = Math.floor((Date.now() - this._recordingStart) / 1000);
+                            const m = Math.floor(elapsed/60); const s = elapsed % 60;
+                            const rt = document.getElementById('recording-time'); if (rt) rt.textContent = `${m}:${String(s).padStart(2,'0')}`;
+                        };
+                        update();
+                        this._recordingInterval = setInterval(update, 1000);
+                    } catch (err) {
+                        console.error('startRecording error', err);
+                        alert('No se pudo acceder al micrófono: ' + (err.message||err));
+                    }
+                };
+
+                this.stopRecording = function() {
+                    if (this._mediaRecorder && this._mediaRecorder.state !== 'inactive') {
+                        this._mediaRecorder.stop();
+                    }
+                    if (this._recordingInterval) clearInterval(this._recordingInterval);
+                    this._recordingInterval = null;
+                    this._recordingStart = null;
+                    const ind = document.getElementById('recording-indicator'); if (ind) ind.style.display = 'none';
+                    const micEl = document.getElementById('mic-btn'); if (micEl) micEl.classList.remove('recording');
+                    if (this._updateSendMicVisibility) this._updateSendMicVisibility();
+                };
+
+                this.cancelRecording = function() {
+                    if (this._mediaRecorder && this._mediaRecorder.state !== 'inactive') {
+                        this._mediaRecorder.stop();
+                    }
+                    this._mediaRecorder = null;
+                    this.selectedFile = null;
+                    if (this._recordingInterval) clearInterval(this._recordingInterval);
+                    this._recordingInterval = null;
+                    this._recordingStart = null;
+                    const ind = document.getElementById('recording-indicator'); if (ind) ind.style.display = 'none';
+                    const micEl = document.getElementById('mic-btn'); if (micEl) micEl.classList.remove('recording');
+                    if (this._updateSendMicVisibility) this._updateSendMicVisibility();
+                };
+
+                return true;
+            }
+
+            // --- New messages indicator helpers ---
+            showNewMessagesIndicator(count) {
+                try {
+                    let el = document.getElementById('new-messages-indicator');
+                    if (!el) {
+                        el = document.createElement('div');
+                        el.id = 'new-messages-indicator';
+                        el.style.position = 'fixed';
+                        el.style.bottom = '90px';
+                        el.style.left = '50%';
+                        el.style.transform = 'translateX(-50%)';
+                        el.style.background = '#0d6efd';
+                        el.style.color = 'white';
+                        el.style.padding = '8px 12px';
+                        el.style.borderRadius = '20px';
+                        el.style.boxShadow = '0 2px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.2)';
+                        el.style.zIndex = '2000';
+                        el.style.cursor = 'pointer';
+                        el.onclick = () => { this.scrollToBottom(); this.hideNewMessagesIndicator(); };
+                        document.body.appendChild(el);
+                    }
+                    el.textContent = (count > 1) ? (`${count} mensajes nuevos`) : '1 mensaje nuevo';
+                    el.style.display = 'block';
+                } catch (e) { console.warn('showNewMessagesIndicator failed', e); }
+            }
+
+            hideNewMessagesIndicator() {
+                try {
+                    const el = document.getElementById('new-messages-indicator');
+                    if (el) el.style.display = 'none';
+                } catch (e) { console.warn('hideNewMessagesIndicator failed', e); }
+            }
             }
 
             getStatusIcon(status) {