diff --git a/src/chat.rs b/src/chat.rs
index 7f49a4ace6..4ab87b1c87 100644
--- a/src/chat.rs
+++ b/src/chat.rs
@@ -4025,12 +4025,12 @@ pub(crate) async fn add_contact_to_chat_ex(
     Ok(true)
 }
 
-/// Returns true if an avatar should be attached in the given chat.
+/// Returns whether profile data should be attached when sending to the given chat.
 ///
-/// This function does not check if the avatar is set.
+/// This function does not check if the avatar/status is set.
 /// If avatar is not set and this function returns `true`,
 /// a `Chat-User-Avatar: 0` header should be sent to reset the avatar.
-pub(crate) async fn shall_attach_selfavatar(context: &Context, chat_id: ChatId) -> Result<bool> {
+pub(crate) async fn should_attach_profile(context: &Context, chat_id: ChatId) -> Result<bool> {
     let timestamp_some_days_ago = time() - DC_RESEND_USER_AVATAR_DAYS * 24 * 60 * 60;
     let needs_attach = context
         .sql
@@ -4045,8 +4045,8 @@ pub(crate) async fn shall_attach_selfavatar(context: &Context, chat_id: ChatId)
                 let mut needs_attach = false;
                 for row in rows {
                     let row = row?;
-                    let selfavatar_sent = row?;
-                    if selfavatar_sent < timestamp_some_days_ago {
+                    let profile_sent = row?;
+                    if profile_sent < timestamp_some_days_ago {
                         needs_attach = true;
                     }
                 }
diff --git a/src/chat/chat_tests.rs b/src/chat/chat_tests.rs
index e9980f97e9..4759744faf 100644
--- a/src/chat/chat_tests.rs
+++ b/src/chat/chat_tests.rs
@@ -1540,23 +1540,23 @@ async fn test_create_same_chat_twice() {
 }
 
 #[tokio::test(flavor = "multi_thread", worker_threads = 2)]
-async fn test_shall_attach_selfavatar() -> Result<()> {
+async fn test_should_attach_profile() -> Result<()> {
     let mut tcm = TestContextManager::new();
     let alice = &tcm.alice().await;
     let bob = &tcm.bob().await;
 
     let chat_id = create_group_chat(alice, ProtectionStatus::Unprotected, "foo").await?;
-    assert!(!shall_attach_selfavatar(alice, chat_id).await?);
+    assert!(!should_attach_profile(alice, chat_id).await?);
 
     let contact_id = alice.add_or_lookup_contact_id(bob).await;
     add_contact_to_chat(alice, chat_id, contact_id).await?;
-    assert!(shall_attach_selfavatar(alice, chat_id).await?);
+    assert!(should_attach_profile(alice, chat_id).await?);
 
     chat_id.set_selfavatar_timestamp(alice, time()).await?;
-    assert!(!shall_attach_selfavatar(alice, chat_id).await?);
+    assert!(!should_attach_profile(alice, chat_id).await?);
 
     alice.set_config(Config::Selfavatar, None).await?; // setting to None also forces re-sending
-    assert!(shall_attach_selfavatar(alice, chat_id).await?);
+    assert!(should_attach_profile(alice, chat_id).await?);
     Ok(())
 }
 
@@ -1580,7 +1580,7 @@ async fn test_profile_data_on_group_leave() -> Result<()> {
     tokio::fs::write(&file, bytes).await?;
     t.set_config(Config::Selfavatar, Some(file.to_str().unwrap()))
         .await?;
-    assert!(shall_attach_selfavatar(t, chat_id).await?);
+    assert!(should_attach_profile(t, chat_id).await?);
 
     remove_contact_from_chat(t, chat_id, ContactId::SELF).await?;
     let sent_msg = t.pop_sent_msg().await;
diff --git a/src/config.rs b/src/config.rs
index 6cd1705b6d..533e15bbd5 100644
--- a/src/config.rs
+++ b/src/config.rs
@@ -759,6 +759,14 @@ impl Context {
         let better_value;
 
         match key {
+            Config::Selfstatus => {
+                // Ensure that future versions send the self-status that after upgrade. Currently we
+                // send it in every appropriate message.
+                self.sql
+                    .execute("UPDATE contacts SET selfavatar_sent=0", ())
+                    .await?;
+                self.sql.set_raw_config(key.as_ref(), value).await?;
+            }
             Config::Selfavatar => {
                 self.sql
                     .execute("UPDATE contacts SET selfavatar_sent=0;", ())
diff --git a/src/config/config_tests.rs b/src/config/config_tests.rs
index fc0a296cf5..bec0fa2f78 100644
--- a/src/config/config_tests.rs
+++ b/src/config/config_tests.rs
@@ -278,7 +278,6 @@ async fn test_sync() -> Result<()> {
     Ok(())
 }
 
-/// Sync message mustn't be sent if self-{status,avatar} is changed by a self-sent message.
 #[tokio::test(flavor = "multi_thread", worker_threads = 2)]
 async fn test_no_sync_on_self_sent_msg() -> Result<()> {
     let mut tcm = TestContextManager::new();
@@ -288,7 +287,7 @@ async fn test_no_sync_on_self_sent_msg() -> Result<()> {
         a.set_config_bool(Config::SyncMsgs, true).await?;
     }
 
-    let status = "Synced via usual message";
+    let status = "Sent via usual message";
     alice0.set_config(Config::Selfstatus, Some(status)).await?;
     alice0.send_sync_msg().await?;
     alice0.pop_sent_sync_msg().await;
@@ -297,7 +296,7 @@ async fn test_no_sync_on_self_sent_msg() -> Result<()> {
     tcm.send_recv(alice0, alice1, "hi Alice!").await;
     assert_eq!(
         alice1.get_config(Config::Selfstatus).await?,
-        Some(status.to_string())
+        Some(status1.to_string())
     );
     sync(alice1, alice0).await;
     assert_eq!(
@@ -328,7 +327,7 @@ async fn test_no_sync_on_self_sent_msg() -> Result<()> {
         alice1
             .get_config(Config::Selfavatar)
             .await?
-            .filter(|path| path.ends_with(".png"))
+            .filter(|path| path.ends_with(".jpg"))
             .is_some()
     );
     sync(alice1, alice0).await;
diff --git a/src/contact.rs b/src/contact.rs
index 18893e98e5..e0c1def6e2 100644
--- a/src/contact.rs
+++ b/src/contact.rs
@@ -383,11 +383,7 @@ async fn import_vcard_contact(context: &Context, contact: &VcardContact) -> Resu
         None => None,
     };
     if let Some(path) = path {
-        // Currently this value doesn't matter as we don't import the contact of self.
-        let was_encrypted = false;
-        if let Err(e) =
-            set_profile_image(context, id, &AvatarAction::Change(path), was_encrypted).await
-        {
+        if let Err(e) = set_profile_image(context, id, &AvatarAction::Change(path)).await {
             warn!(
                 context,
                 "import_vcard_contact: Could not set avatar for {}: {e:#}.", contact.addr
@@ -395,7 +391,7 @@ async fn import_vcard_contact(context: &Context, contact: &VcardContact) -> Resu
         }
     }
     if let Some(biography) = &contact.biography {
-        if let Err(e) = set_status(context, id, biography.to_owned(), false, false).await {
+        if let Err(e) = set_status(context, id, biography.to_owned()).await {
             warn!(
                 context,
                 "import_vcard_contact: Could not set biography for {}: {e:#}.", contact.addr
@@ -1835,25 +1831,19 @@ WHERE type=? AND id IN (
 /// The given profile image is expected to be already in the blob directory
 /// as profile images can be set only by receiving messages, this should be always the case, however.
 ///
-/// For contact SELF, the image is not saved in the contact-database but as Config::Selfavatar;
-/// this typically happens if we see message with our own profile image.
+/// For contact SELF, the image is not saved in the contact-database but as Config::Selfavatar.
 pub(crate) async fn set_profile_image(
     context: &Context,
     contact_id: ContactId,
     profile_image: &AvatarAction,
-    was_encrypted: bool,
 ) -> Result<()> {
     let mut contact = Contact::get_by_id(context, contact_id).await?;
     let changed = match profile_image {
         AvatarAction::Change(profile_image) => {
             if contact_id == ContactId::SELF {
-                if was_encrypted {
-                    context
-                        .set_config_ex(Nosync, Config::Selfavatar, Some(profile_image))
-                        .await?;
-                } else {
-                    info!(context, "Do not use unencrypted selfavatar.");
-                }
+                context
+                    .set_config_ex(Nosync, Config::Selfavatar, Some(profile_image))
+                    .await?;
             } else {
                 contact.param.set(Param::ProfileImage, profile_image);
             }
@@ -1861,13 +1851,9 @@ pub(crate) async fn set_profile_image(
         }
         AvatarAction::Delete => {
             if contact_id == ContactId::SELF {
-                if was_encrypted {
-                    context
-                        .set_config_ex(Nosync, Config::Selfavatar, None)
-                        .await?;
-                } else {
-                    info!(context, "Do not use unencrypted selfavatar deletion.");
-                }
+                context
+                    .set_config_ex(Nosync, Config::Selfavatar, None)
+                    .await?;
             } else {
                 contact.param.remove(Param::ProfileImage);
             }
@@ -1884,22 +1870,16 @@ pub(crate) async fn set_profile_image(
 
 /// Sets contact status.
 ///
-/// For contact SELF, the status is not saved in the contact table, but as Config::Selfstatus.  This
-/// is only done if message is sent from Delta Chat and it is encrypted, to synchronize signature
-/// between Delta Chat devices.
+/// For contact SELF, the status is not saved in the contact table, but as Config::Selfstatus.
 pub(crate) async fn set_status(
     context: &Context,
     contact_id: ContactId,
     status: String,
-    encrypted: bool,
-    has_chat_version: bool,
 ) -> Result<()> {
     if contact_id == ContactId::SELF {
-        if encrypted && has_chat_version {
-            context
-                .set_config_ex(Nosync, Config::Selfstatus, Some(&status))
-                .await?;
-        }
+        context
+            .set_config_ex(Nosync, Config::Selfstatus, Some(&status))
+            .await?;
     } else {
         let mut contact = Contact::get_by_id(context, contact_id).await?;
 
diff --git a/src/contact/contact_tests.rs b/src/contact/contact_tests.rs
index 14ccc4d93b..56c2168d40 100644
--- a/src/contact/contact_tests.rs
+++ b/src/contact/contact_tests.rs
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ use super::*;
 use crate::chat::{Chat, get_chat_contacts, send_text_msg};
 use crate::chatlist::Chatlist;
 use crate::receive_imf::receive_imf;
-use crate::test_utils::{self, TestContext, TestContextManager, TimeShiftFalsePositiveNote};
+use crate::test_utils::{self, TestContext, TestContextManager, TimeShiftFalsePositiveNote, sync};
 
 #[test]
 fn test_contact_id_values() {
@@ -831,8 +831,7 @@ CCCB 5AA9 F6E1 141C 9431
     Ok(())
 }
 
-/// Tests that status is synchronized when sending encrypted BCC-self messages and not
-/// synchronized when the message is not encrypted.
+/// Tests that self-status is not synchronized from outgoing messages.
 #[tokio::test(flavor = "multi_thread", worker_threads = 2)]
 async fn test_synchronize_status() -> Result<()> {
     let mut tcm = TestContextManager::new();
@@ -851,21 +850,12 @@ async fn test_synchronize_status() -> Result<()> {
         .await?;
     let chat = alice1.create_email_chat(bob).await;
 
-    // Alice sends a message to Bob from the first device.
+    // Alice sends an unencrypted message to Bob from the first device.
     send_text_msg(alice1, chat.id, "Hello".to_string()).await?;
     let sent_msg = alice1.pop_sent_msg().await;
 
-    // Message is not encrypted.
-    let message = sent_msg.load_from_db().await;
-    assert!(!message.get_showpadlock());
-
     // Alice's second devices receives a copy of outgoing message.
     alice2.recv_msg(&sent_msg).await;
-
-    // Bob receives message.
-    bob.recv_msg(&sent_msg).await;
-
-    // Message was not encrypted, so status is not copied.
     assert_eq!(alice2.get_config(Config::Selfstatus).await?, default_status);
 
     // Alice sends encrypted message.
@@ -873,17 +863,9 @@ async fn test_synchronize_status() -> Result<()> {
     send_text_msg(alice1, chat.id, "Hello".to_string()).await?;
     let sent_msg = alice1.pop_sent_msg().await;
 
-    // Second message is encrypted.
-    let message = sent_msg.load_from_db().await;
-    assert!(message.get_showpadlock());
-
     // Alice's second devices receives a copy of second outgoing message.
     alice2.recv_msg(&sent_msg).await;
-
-    assert_eq!(
-        alice2.get_config(Config::Selfstatus).await?,
-        Some("New status".to_string())
-    );
+    assert_eq!(alice2.get_config(Config::Selfstatus).await?, default_status);
 
     Ok(())
 }
@@ -896,9 +878,9 @@ async fn test_selfavatar_changed_event() -> Result<()> {
     // Alice has two devices.
     let alice1 = &tcm.alice().await;
     let alice2 = &tcm.alice().await;
-
-    // Bob has one device.
-    let bob = &tcm.bob().await;
+    for a in [alice1, alice2] {
+        a.set_config_bool(Config::SyncMsgs, true).await?;
+    }
 
     assert_eq!(alice1.get_config(Config::Selfavatar).await?, None);
 
@@ -914,17 +896,7 @@ async fn test_selfavatar_changed_event() -> Result<()> {
         .get_matching(|e| matches!(e, EventType::SelfavatarChanged))
         .await;
 
-    // Alice sends a message.
-    let alice1_chat_id = alice1.create_chat(bob).await.id;
-    send_text_msg(alice1, alice1_chat_id, "Hello".to_string()).await?;
-    let sent_msg = alice1.pop_sent_msg().await;
-
-    // The message is encrypted.
-    let message = sent_msg.load_from_db().await;
-    assert!(message.get_showpadlock());
-
-    // Alice's second device receives a copy of the outgoing message.
-    alice2.recv_msg(&sent_msg).await;
+    sync(alice1, alice2).await;
 
     // Alice's second device applies the selfavatar.
     assert!(alice2.get_config(Config::Selfavatar).await?.is_some());
diff --git a/src/headerdef.rs b/src/headerdef.rs
index 330a4d9ba0..115efa1237 100644
--- a/src/headerdef.rs
+++ b/src/headerdef.rs
@@ -60,7 +60,12 @@ pub enum HeaderDef {
     ChatGroupNameTimestamp,
     ChatVerified,
     ChatGroupAvatar,
+
+    /// If present, contact's avatar and status should be applied from the message.
+    /// "Chat-User-Avatar: 0" means that the contact has no avatar. Contact's status is transferred
+    /// in the message footer.
     ChatUserAvatar,
+
     ChatVoiceMessage,
     ChatGroupMemberRemoved,
     ChatGroupMemberAdded,
diff --git a/src/mimefactory.rs b/src/mimefactory.rs
index 0d971bf243..cf17398b7b 100644
--- a/src/mimefactory.rs
+++ b/src/mimefactory.rs
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ impl MimeFactory {
     pub async fn from_msg(context: &Context, msg: Message) -> Result<MimeFactory> {
         let now = time();
         let chat = Chat::load_from_db(context, msg.chat_id).await?;
-        let attach_profile_data = Self::should_attach_profile_data(&msg);
+        let can_transfer_profile = Self::can_transfer_profile(&msg);
         let undisclosed_recipients = chat.typ == Chattype::OutBroadcast;
 
         let from_addr = context.get_primary_self_addr().await?;
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ impl MimeFactory {
             if let Some(override_name) = msg.param.get(Param::OverrideSenderDisplayname) {
                 (override_name.to_string(), Some(config_displayname))
             } else {
-                let name = match attach_profile_data {
+                let name = match can_transfer_profile {
                     true => config_displayname,
                     false => "".to_string(),
                 };
@@ -301,7 +301,7 @@ impl MimeFactory {
                             } else {
                                 addr
                             };
-                            let name = match attach_profile_data {
+                            let name = match can_transfer_profile {
                                 true => authname,
                                 false => "".to_string(),
                             };
@@ -453,14 +453,18 @@ impl MimeFactory {
             .split_ascii_whitespace()
             .map(|s| s.trim_start_matches('<').trim_end_matches('>').to_string())
             .collect();
-        let selfstatus = match attach_profile_data {
+        let should_attach_profile = Self::should_attach_profile(context, &msg).await;
+        // TODO: (2025-08) Attach self-status in every message for compatibility with older
+        // versions. Should be replaced with
+        // `should_attach_profile || !is_encrypted && can_transfer_profile`.
+        let selfstatus = match can_transfer_profile {
             true => context
                 .get_config(Config::Selfstatus)
                 .await?
                 .unwrap_or_default(),
             false => "".to_string(),
         };
-        let attach_selfavatar = Self::should_attach_selfavatar(context, &msg).await;
+        let attach_selfavatar = should_attach_profile;
 
         ensure_and_debug_assert!(
             member_timestamps.is_empty()
@@ -553,7 +557,7 @@ impl MimeFactory {
         }
     }
 
-    fn should_attach_profile_data(msg: &Message) -> bool {
+    fn can_transfer_profile(msg: &Message) -> bool {
         msg.param.get_cmd() != SystemMessage::SecurejoinMessage || {
             let step = msg.param.get(Param::Arg).unwrap_or_default();
             // Don't attach profile data at the earlier SecureJoin steps:
@@ -568,14 +572,14 @@ impl MimeFactory {
         }
     }
 
-    async fn should_attach_selfavatar(context: &Context, msg: &Message) -> bool {
-        Self::should_attach_profile_data(msg)
-            && match chat::shall_attach_selfavatar(context, msg.chat_id).await {
+    async fn should_attach_profile(context: &Context, msg: &Message) -> bool {
+        Self::can_transfer_profile(msg)
+            && match chat::should_attach_profile(context, msg.chat_id).await {
                 Ok(should) => should,
                 Err(err) => {
                     warn!(
                         context,
-                        "should_attach_selfavatar: cannot get selfavatar state: {err:#}."
+                        "should_attach_profile: chat::should_attach_profile: {err:#}."
                     );
                     false
                 }
@@ -640,7 +644,7 @@ impl MimeFactory {
                     return Ok(format!("Re: {}", remove_subject_prefix(last_subject)));
                 }
 
-                let self_name = match Self::should_attach_profile_data(msg) {
+                let self_name = match Self::can_transfer_profile(msg) {
                     true => context.get_config(Config::Displayname).await?,
                     false => None,
                 };
diff --git a/src/reaction.rs b/src/reaction.rs
index 685f811c95..2b9b58952c 100644
--- a/src/reaction.rs
+++ b/src/reaction.rs
@@ -962,42 +962,6 @@ Here's my footer -- bob@example.net"
         Ok(())
     }
 
-    /// Regression test for reaction resetting self-status.
-    ///
-    /// Reactions do not contain the status,
-    /// but should not result in self-status being reset on other devices.
-    #[tokio::test(flavor = "multi_thread", worker_threads = 2)]
-    async fn test_reaction_status_multidevice() -> Result<()> {
-        let mut tcm = TestContextManager::new();
-        let alice1 = tcm.alice().await;
-        let alice2 = tcm.alice().await;
-
-        alice1
-            .set_config(Config::Selfstatus, Some("New status"))
-            .await?;
-
-        let alice2_msg = tcm.send_recv(&alice1, &alice2, "Hi!").await;
-        assert_eq!(
-            alice2.get_config(Config::Selfstatus).await?.as_deref(),
-            Some("New status")
-        );
-
-        // Alice reacts to own message from second device,
-        // first device receives rection.
-        {
-            send_reaction(&alice2, alice2_msg.id, "👍").await?;
-            let msg = alice2.pop_sent_msg().await;
-            alice1.recv_msg_hidden(&msg).await;
-        }
-
-        // Check that the status is still the same.
-        assert_eq!(
-            alice1.get_config(Config::Selfstatus).await?.as_deref(),
-            Some("New status")
-        );
-        Ok(())
-    }
-
     #[tokio::test(flavor = "multi_thread", worker_threads = 2)]
     async fn test_send_reaction_multidevice() -> Result<()> {
         let mut tcm = TestContextManager::new();
diff --git a/src/receive_imf.rs b/src/receive_imf.rs
index 185a2626d0..27e5cfe130 100644
--- a/src/receive_imf.rs
+++ b/src/receive_imf.rs
@@ -918,7 +918,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn receive_imf_inner(
     }
 
     if let Some(avatar_action) = &mime_parser.user_avatar {
-        if from_id != ContactId::UNDEFINED
+        if !matches!(from_id, ContactId::UNDEFINED | ContactId::SELF)
             && context
                 .update_contacts_timestamp(
                     from_id,
@@ -927,23 +927,19 @@ pub(crate) async fn receive_imf_inner(
                 )
                 .await?
         {
-            if let Err(err) = contact::set_profile_image(
-                context,
-                from_id,
-                avatar_action,
-                mime_parser.was_encrypted(),
-            )
-            .await
-            {
+            if let Err(err) = contact::set_profile_image(context, from_id, avatar_action).await {
                 warn!(context, "receive_imf cannot update profile image: {err:#}.");
             };
         }
     }
 
-    // Ignore footers from mailinglists as they are often created or modified by the mailinglist software.
-    if let Some(footer) = &mime_parser.footer {
+    if let Some(footer) = mime_parser.footer.as_ref().filter(|footer| {
+        !footer.is_empty() || mime_parser.user_avatar.is_some() || !mime_parser.was_encrypted()
+    }) {
+        // Ignore footers from mailinglists as they are often created or modified by the mailinglist
+        // software.
         if !mime_parser.is_mailinglist_message()
-            && from_id != ContactId::UNDEFINED
+            && !matches!(from_id, ContactId::UNDEFINED | ContactId::SELF)
             && context
                 .update_contacts_timestamp(
                     from_id,
@@ -952,15 +948,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn receive_imf_inner(
                 )
                 .await?
         {
-            if let Err(err) = contact::set_status(
-                context,
-                from_id,
-                footer.to_string(),
-                mime_parser.was_encrypted(),
-                mime_parser.has_chat_version(),
-            )
-            .await
-            {
+            if let Err(err) = contact::set_status(context, from_id, footer.clone()).await {
                 warn!(context, "Cannot update contact status: {err:#}.");
             }
         }
diff --git a/src/receive_imf/receive_imf_tests.rs b/src/receive_imf/receive_imf_tests.rs
index 7f777742a8..3dd2575a22 100644
--- a/src/receive_imf/receive_imf_tests.rs
+++ b/src/receive_imf/receive_imf_tests.rs
@@ -2254,6 +2254,41 @@ sig thursday",
     Ok(())
 }
 
+#[tokio::test(flavor = "multi_thread", worker_threads = 2)]
+async fn test_contact_status_from_encrypted_msg() -> Result<()> {
+    let mut tcm = TestContextManager::new();
+    let alice = &tcm.alice().await;
+    let bob = &tcm.bob().await;
+
+    let alice_chat_id = alice.create_chat(bob).await.id;
+    let sent = alice.send_text(alice_chat_id, "hi").await;
+    bob.recv_msg(&sent).await;
+    alice.set_config(Config::Selfstatus, Some("status")).await?;
+    let sent = alice.send_text(alice_chat_id, "I've set self-status").await;
+    bob.recv_msg(&sent).await;
+    let bob_alice = bob.add_or_lookup_contact(alice).await;
+    assert_eq!(bob_alice.get_status(), "status");
+
+    alice
+        .set_config(Config::Selfstatus, Some("status1"))
+        .await?;
+    alice
+        .send_text(alice_chat_id, "I changed self-status")
+        .await;
+
+    // Currently we send self-status in every appropriate message.
+    let sent = alice
+        .send_text(alice_chat_id, "This message also contains my status")
+        .await;
+    let parsed_msg = bob.parse_msg(&sent).await;
+    assert!(parsed_msg.was_encrypted());
+    assert!(parsed_msg.get_header(HeaderDef::ChatUserAvatar).is_none());
+    bob.recv_msg(&sent).await;
+    let bob_alice = bob.add_or_lookup_contact(alice).await;
+    assert_eq!(bob_alice.get_status(), "status1");
+    Ok(())
+}
+
 #[tokio::test(flavor = "multi_thread", worker_threads = 2)]
 async fn test_chat_assignment_private_classical_reply() {
     for outgoing_is_classical in &[true, false] {