diff --git a/net_alerter/net_alerter.py b/net_alerter/net_alerter.py
index a1222c2..c3613e1 100644
--- a/net_alerter/net_alerter.py
+++ b/net_alerter/net_alerter.py
@@ -827,6 +827,17 @@ def seed_from_arp_cache():
             if mac == "00:00:00:00:00:00" or flags == "0x0":
                 continue
 
+            # Labeled personal devices must NOT be silently seeded — they need
+            # a real on_arrival call so ARRIVED fires when they rejoin.
+            # Just update last_seen as a baseline so the watchdog has a reference.
+            with personal_lock:
+                is_personal = mac in device_labels or mac in personal_devices
+            if is_personal:
+                with last_seen_lock:
+                    if mac not in last_seen:
+                        last_seen[mac] = time.time()
+                continue
+
             vendor = lookup_oui(mac)
             with known_lock:
                 if mac not in known_devices:
@@ -1579,10 +1590,14 @@ def parse_frame(data: bytes) -> None:
         
         # Branch A: ARP frame (ethertype 0x0806)
         if eth_type == 0x0806:
-            # Only ARP requests (opcode 1) are genuine device-originated signals.
-            # ARP replies (opcode 2) may be AP ARP proxy forgeries: the AP answers
-            # on behalf of disconnected clients with the client MAC as Ethernet source.
-            if len(data) >= 22 and struct.unpack('!H', data[20:22])[0] == 1:
+            opcode = struct.unpack('!H', data[20:22])[0] if len(data) >= 22 else 0
+            # Opcode 1 (request) is a genuine device signal.
+            # Opcode 2 (reply) may be an AP ARP proxy forgery — EXCEPT for explicitly
+            # labeled personal devices where we trust the frame regardless, because
+            # iPhones with privacy MACs often only emit opcode=2 after initial association.
+            with personal_lock:
+                is_labeled = src_mac in device_labels
+            if opcode == 1 or (opcode == 2 and is_labeled):
                 _update_last_seen(src_mac)
                 # Personal devices first seen via ARP get no DHCP/Netlink event.
                 # Fire on_arrival so they get ARRIVED alert and occupancy counts.