diff --git a/app/soapbox/actions/streaming.ts b/app/soapbox/actions/streaming.ts
index 9df408bcc..1a7516396 100644
--- a/app/soapbox/actions/streaming.ts
+++ b/app/soapbox/actions/streaming.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import { InfiniteData } from '@tanstack/react-query';
 
 import { getSettings } from 'soapbox/actions/settings';
 import messages from 'soapbox/locales/messages';
-import { ChatKeys, isLastMessage } from 'soapbox/queries/chats';
+import { ChatKeys, IChat, isLastMessage } from 'soapbox/queries/chats';
 import { queryClient } from 'soapbox/queries/client';
 import { updatePageItem, appendPageItem, removePageItem, flattenPages, PaginatedResult } from 'soapbox/utils/queries';
 import { play, soundCache } from 'soapbox/utils/sounds';
@@ -91,6 +91,21 @@ const removeChatMessage = (payload: string) => {
   removePageItem(ChatKeys.chatMessages(chatId), chatMessageId, (o: any, n: any) => String(o.id) === String(n));
 };
 
+// Update the specific Chat query data.
+const updateChatQuery = (chat: IChat) => {
+  const cachedChat = queryClient.getQueryData<IChat>(ChatKeys.chat(chat.id));
+  if (!cachedChat) {
+    return;
+  }
+
+  const newChat = {
+    ...cachedChat,
+    latest_read_message_by_account: chat.latest_read_message_by_account,
+    latest_read_message_created_at: chat.latest_read_message_created_at,
+  };
+  queryClient.setQueryData<Chat>(ChatKeys.chat(chat.id), newChat as any);
+};
+
 const connectTimelineStream = (
   timelineId: string,
   path: string,
@@ -152,6 +167,9 @@ const connectTimelineStream = (
         case 'chat_message.deleted': // TruthSocial
           removeChatMessage(data.payload);
           break;
+        case 'chat_message.read': // TruthSocial
+          updateChatQuery(JSON.parse(data.payload));
+          break;
         case 'pleroma:follow_relationships_update':
           dispatch(updateFollowRelationships(JSON.parse(data.payload)));
           break;
diff --git a/app/soapbox/contexts/chat-context.tsx b/app/soapbox/contexts/chat-context.tsx
index cc380a280..bffad93e8 100644
--- a/app/soapbox/contexts/chat-context.tsx
+++ b/app/soapbox/contexts/chat-context.tsx
@@ -3,44 +3,52 @@ import { useDispatch } from 'react-redux';
 
 import { toggleMainWindow } from 'soapbox/actions/chats';
 import { useOwnAccount, useSettings } from 'soapbox/hooks';
-
-import type { IChat } from 'soapbox/queries/chats';
+import { IChat, useChat } from 'soapbox/queries/chats';
 
 type WindowState = 'open' | 'minimized';
 
 const ChatContext = createContext<any>({
-  chat: null,
   isOpen: false,
-  isEditing: false,
   needsAcceptance: false,
 });
 
+enum ChatWidgetScreens {
+  INBOX = 'INBOX',
+  SEARCH = 'SEARCH',
+  CHAT = 'CHAT',
+  CHAT_SETTINGS = 'CHAT_SETTINGS'
+}
+
 const ChatProvider: React.FC = ({ children }) => {
   const dispatch = useDispatch();
   const settings = useSettings();
   const account = useOwnAccount();
 
-  const [chat, setChat] = useState<IChat | null>(null);
-  const [isEditing, setEditing] = useState<boolean>(false);
-  const [isSearching, setSearching] = useState<boolean>(false);
+  const [screen, setScreen] = useState<ChatWidgetScreens>(ChatWidgetScreens.INBOX);
+  const [currentChatId, setCurrentChatId] = useState<null | string>(null);
+
+  const { data: chat } = useChat(currentChatId as string);
 
   const mainWindowState = settings.getIn(['chats', 'mainWindow']) as WindowState;
   const needsAcceptance = !chat?.accepted && chat?.created_by_account !== account?.id;
   const isOpen = mainWindowState === 'open';
 
+  const changeScreen = (screen: ChatWidgetScreens, currentChatId?: string | null) => {
+    setCurrentChatId(currentChatId || null);
+    setScreen(screen);
+  };
+
   const toggleChatPane = () => dispatch(toggleMainWindow());
 
   const value = useMemo(() => ({
     chat,
-    setChat,
     needsAcceptance,
     isOpen,
-    isEditing,
-    isSearching,
-    setEditing,
-    setSearching,
     toggleChatPane,
-  }), [chat, needsAcceptance, isOpen, isEditing, isSearching]);
+    screen,
+    changeScreen,
+    currentChatId,
+  }), [chat, currentChatId, needsAcceptance, isOpen, screen, changeScreen]);
 
   return (
     <ChatContext.Provider value={value}>
@@ -51,16 +59,14 @@ const ChatProvider: React.FC = ({ children }) => {
 
 interface IChatContext {
   chat: IChat | null
-  isEditing: boolean
   isOpen: boolean
-  isSearching: boolean
   needsAcceptance: boolean
-  setChat: React.Dispatch<React.SetStateAction<IChat | null>>
-  setEditing: React.Dispatch<React.SetStateAction<boolean>>
-  setSearching: React.Dispatch<React.SetStateAction<boolean>>
   toggleChatPane(): void
+  screen: ChatWidgetScreens
+  currentChatId: string | null
+  changeScreen(screen: ChatWidgetScreens, currentChatId?: string | null): void
 }
 
 const useChatContext = (): IChatContext => useContext(ChatContext);
 
-export { ChatContext, ChatProvider, useChatContext };
+export { ChatContext, ChatProvider, useChatContext, ChatWidgetScreens };
diff --git a/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-composer.tsx b/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-composer.tsx
index 3243e2182..0db5ed158 100644
--- a/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-composer.tsx
+++ b/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-composer.tsx
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ const ChatComposer = React.forwardRef<HTMLTextAreaElement | null, IChatComposer>
   const intl = useIntl();
 
   const { chat } = useChatContext();
+
   const isBlocked = useAppSelector((state) => state.getIn(['relationships', chat?.account?.id, 'blocked_by']));
   const isBlocking = useAppSelector((state) => state.getIn(['relationships', chat?.account?.id, 'blocking']));
 
diff --git a/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-list.tsx b/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-list.tsx
index 31f40dc26..9de6d5c2d 100644
--- a/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-list.tsx
+++ b/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-list.tsx
@@ -1,11 +1,10 @@
 import classNames from 'clsx';
 import React, { useRef, useState } from 'react';
-import { FormattedMessage } from 'react-intl';
 import { Virtuoso } from 'react-virtuoso';
 
 import { fetchChats } from 'soapbox/actions/chats';
 import PullToRefresh from 'soapbox/components/pull-to-refresh';
-import { Spinner, Stack, Text } from 'soapbox/components/ui';
+import { Spinner, Stack } from 'soapbox/components/ui';
 import PlaceholderChat from 'soapbox/features/placeholder/components/placeholder-chat';
 import { useAppDispatch } from 'soapbox/hooks';
 import { useChats } from 'soapbox/queries/chats';
diff --git a/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-message-list.tsx b/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-message-list.tsx
index 635f6c014..674416a31 100644
--- a/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-message-list.tsx
+++ b/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-message-list.tsx
@@ -73,6 +73,8 @@ const ChatMessageList: React.FC<IChatMessageList> = ({ chat, autosize }) => {
   const intl = useIntl();
   const dispatch = useAppDispatch();
   const account = useOwnAccount();
+  const lastReadMessageDateString = chat.latest_read_message_by_account.find((latest) => latest.id === chat.account.id)?.date;
+  const lastReadMessageTimestamp = lastReadMessageDateString ? new Date(lastReadMessageDateString) : null;
 
   const node = useRef<VirtuosoHandle>(null);
   const [firstItemIndex, setFirstItemIndex] = useState(START_INDEX - 20);
@@ -211,15 +213,19 @@ const ChatMessageList: React.FC<IChatMessageList> = ({ chat, autosize }) => {
 
   const renderDivider = (key: React.Key, text: string) => <Divider key={key} text={text} textSize='sm' />;
 
-  const handleCopyText = (chatMessage: IChatMessage) => {
+  const handleCopyText = (chatMessage: ChatMessageEntity) => {
     if (navigator.clipboard) {
       const text = stripHTML(chatMessage.content);
       navigator.clipboard.writeText(text);
     }
   };
 
-  const renderMessage = (chatMessage: any) => {
+  const renderMessage = (chatMessage: ChatMessageEntity) => {
     const isMyMessage = chatMessage.account_id === me;
+    // did this occur before this time?
+    const isRead = isMyMessage
+      && lastReadMessageTimestamp
+      && lastReadMessageTimestamp >= new Date(chatMessage.created_at);
 
     const menu: Menu = [];
 
@@ -241,7 +247,7 @@ const ChatMessageList: React.FC<IChatMessageList> = ({ chat, autosize }) => {
     } else {
       menu.push({
         text: intl.formatMessage(messages.report),
-        action: () => dispatch(initReport(normalizeAccount(chat.account) as any, { chatMessage })),
+        action: () => dispatch(initReport(normalizeAccount(chat.account) as any, { chatMessage } as any)),
         icon: require('@tabler/icons/flag.svg'),
       });
       menu.push({
@@ -336,7 +342,7 @@ const ChatMessageList: React.FC<IChatMessageList> = ({ chat, autosize }) => {
                   {intl.formatTime(chatMessage.created_at)}
                 </Text>
 
-                {isMyMessage && !chatMessage.unread ? (
+                {isRead ? (
                   <span className='rounded-full flex flex-col items-center justify-center h-3.5 w-3.5 dark:bg-primary-400 dark:text-primary-900'>
                     <Icon src={require('@tabler/icons/check.svg')} strokeWidth={3} className='w-2.5 h-2.5' />
                   </span>
diff --git a/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-page/chat-page.tsx b/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-page/chat-page.tsx
index 32a69ee0d..d7502ea54 100644
--- a/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-page/chat-page.tsx
+++ b/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-page/chat-page.tsx
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ import React, { useEffect, useRef, useState } from 'react';
 import { Route, Switch } from 'react-router-dom';
 
 import { Stack } from 'soapbox/components/ui';
-import { useChatContext } from 'soapbox/contexts/chat-context';
 import { useOwnAccount } from 'soapbox/hooks';
 import { useChat } from 'soapbox/queries/chats';
 
@@ -21,8 +20,7 @@ const ChatPage: React.FC<IChatPage> = ({ chatId }) => {
   const account = useOwnAccount();
   const isOnboarded = account?.chats_onboarded;
 
-  const { chat, setChat } = useChatContext();
-  const { chat: chatQueryResult } = useChat(chatId);
+  const { data: chat } = useChat(chatId);
 
   const containerRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
   const [height, setHeight] = useState<string | number>('100%');
@@ -41,14 +39,6 @@ const ChatPage: React.FC<IChatPage> = ({ chatId }) => {
     setHeight(fullHeight - top + offset);
   };
 
-  useEffect(() => {
-    const data = chatQueryResult?.data;
-
-    if (data) {
-      setChat(data);
-    }
-  }, [chatQueryResult?.isLoading]);
-
   useEffect(() => {
     calculateHeight();
   }, [containerRef.current]);
diff --git a/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-page/components/chat-page-main.tsx b/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-page/components/chat-page-main.tsx
index cd0c2dc2e..ba897b350 100644
--- a/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-page/components/chat-page-main.tsx
+++ b/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-page/components/chat-page-main.tsx
@@ -1,14 +1,14 @@
 import React, { useRef } from 'react';
 import { defineMessages, useIntl } from 'react-intl';
+import { useHistory, useParams } from 'react-router-dom';
 
 import { blockAccount, unblockAccount } from 'soapbox/actions/accounts';
 import { openModal } from 'soapbox/actions/modals';
 import List, { ListItem } from 'soapbox/components/list';
 import { Avatar, HStack, Icon, IconButton, Menu, MenuButton, MenuItem, MenuList, Stack, Text } from 'soapbox/components/ui';
 import VerificationBadge from 'soapbox/components/verification_badge';
-import { useChatContext } from 'soapbox/contexts/chat-context';
 import { useAppDispatch, useAppSelector } from 'soapbox/hooks';
-import { MessageExpirationValues, useChatActions } from 'soapbox/queries/chats';
+import { MessageExpirationValues, useChat, useChatActions } from 'soapbox/queries/chats';
 import { secondsToDays } from 'soapbox/utils/numbers';
 
 import Chat from '../../chat';
@@ -41,10 +41,14 @@ const messages = defineMessages({
 const ChatPageMain = () => {
   const dispatch = useAppDispatch();
   const intl = useIntl();
+  const history = useHistory();
+
+  const { chatId } = useParams<{ chatId: string }>();
+
+  const { data: chat } = useChat(chatId);
 
   const inputRef = useRef<HTMLTextAreaElement | null>(null);
 
-  const { chat, setChat } = useChatContext();
   const { deleteChat, updateChat } = useChatActions(chat?.id as string);
 
   const handleUpdateChat = (value: MessageExpirationValues) => updateChat.mutate({ message_expiration: value });
@@ -93,7 +97,7 @@ const ChatPageMain = () => {
             <IconButton
               src={require('@tabler/icons/arrow-left.svg')}
               className='sm:hidden h-7 w-7 mr-2 sm:mr-0'
-              onClick={() => setChat(null)}
+              onClick={() => history.push('/chats')}
             />
 
             <Avatar src={chat.account?.avatar} size={40} className='flex-none' />
diff --git a/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-page/components/chat-page-new.tsx b/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-page/components/chat-page-new.tsx
index 3c11258ff..44c1ea0c2 100644
--- a/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-page/components/chat-page-new.tsx
+++ b/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-page/components/chat-page-new.tsx
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ import { useHistory } from 'react-router-dom';
 
 import AccountSearch from 'soapbox/components/account_search';
 import { CardTitle, HStack, Stack, Text } from 'soapbox/components/ui';
-import { useChatContext } from 'soapbox/contexts/chat-context';
 import { ChatKeys, useChats } from 'soapbox/queries/chats';
 import { queryClient } from 'soapbox/queries/client';
 
@@ -14,12 +13,10 @@ interface IChatPageNew {
 /** New message form to create a chat. */
 const ChatPageNew: React.FC<IChatPageNew> = () => {
   const history = useHistory();
-  const { setChat } = useChatContext();
   const { getOrCreateChatByAccountId } = useChats();
 
   const handleAccountSelected = async (accountId: string) => {
     const { data } = await getOrCreateChatByAccountId(accountId);
-    setChat(data);
     history.push(`/chats/${data.id}`);
     queryClient.invalidateQueries(ChatKeys.chatSearch());
   };
diff --git a/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-page/components/chat-page-sidebar.tsx b/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-page/components/chat-page-sidebar.tsx
index ac5b3c472..c70e03fb0 100644
--- a/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-page/components/chat-page-sidebar.tsx
+++ b/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-page/components/chat-page-sidebar.tsx
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ import { defineMessages, useIntl } from 'react-intl';
 import { useHistory } from 'react-router-dom';
 
 import { CardTitle, HStack, IconButton, Stack } from 'soapbox/components/ui';
-import { useChatContext } from 'soapbox/contexts/chat-context';
 import { useDebounce, useFeatures } from 'soapbox/hooks';
 import { IChat } from 'soapbox/queries/chats';
 
@@ -20,12 +19,10 @@ const ChatPageSidebar = () => {
   const features = useFeatures();
 
   const [search, setSearch] = useState('');
-  const { setChat } = useChatContext();
 
   const debouncedSearch = useDebounce(search, 300);
 
   const handleClickChat = (chat: IChat) => {
-    setChat(chat);
     history.push(`/chats/${chat.id}`);
   };
 
diff --git a/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-pane/chat-pane.tsx b/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-pane/chat-pane.tsx
index 5659f363e..97fd3db0e 100644
--- a/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-pane/chat-pane.tsx
+++ b/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-pane/chat-pane.tsx
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import React, { useState } from 'react';
 
 import { Stack } from 'soapbox/components/ui';
-import { useChatContext } from 'soapbox/contexts/chat-context';
+import { ChatWidgetScreens, useChatContext } from 'soapbox/contexts/chat-context';
 import { useStatContext } from 'soapbox/contexts/stat-context';
 import { useDebounce, useFeatures } from 'soapbox/hooks';
 import { IChat, useChats } from 'soapbox/queries/chats';
@@ -24,13 +24,13 @@ const ChatPane = () => {
   const [value, setValue] = useState<string>();
   const debouncedValue = debounce(value as string, 300);
 
-  const { chat, setChat, isOpen, isSearching, setSearching, toggleChatPane } = useChatContext();
+  const { screen, changeScreen, isOpen, toggleChatPane } = useChatContext();
   const { chatsQuery: { data: chats, isLoading } } = useChats(debouncedValue);
 
   const hasSearchValue = Number(debouncedValue?.length) > 0;
 
   const handleClickChat = (nextChat: IChat) => {
-    setChat(nextChat);
+    changeScreen(ChatWidgetScreens.CHAT, nextChat.id);
     setValue(undefined);
   };
 
@@ -66,13 +66,17 @@ const ChatPane = () => {
       );
     } else if (chats?.length === 0) {
       return (
-        <Blankslate onSearch={() => setSearching(true)} />
+        <Blankslate
+          onSearch={() => {
+            changeScreen(ChatWidgetScreens.SEARCH);
+          }}
+        />
       );
     }
   };
 
   // Active chat
-  if (chat?.id) {
+  if (screen === ChatWidgetScreens.CHAT || screen === ChatWidgetScreens.CHAT_SETTINGS) {
     return (
       <Pane isOpen={isOpen} index={0} main>
         <ChatWindow />
@@ -80,7 +84,7 @@ const ChatPane = () => {
     );
   }
 
-  if (isSearching) {
+  if (screen === ChatWidgetScreens.SEARCH) {
     return <ChatSearch />;
   }
 
@@ -92,7 +96,7 @@ const ChatPane = () => {
         isOpen={isOpen}
         onToggle={toggleChatPane}
         secondaryAction={() => {
-          setSearching(true);
+          changeScreen(ChatWidgetScreens.SEARCH);
           setValue(undefined);
 
           if (!isOpen) {
diff --git a/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-search/chat-search.tsx b/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-search/chat-search.tsx
index 94135ae62..43fa95361 100644
--- a/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-search/chat-search.tsx
+++ b/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-search/chat-search.tsx
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import { defineMessages, useIntl } from 'react-intl';
 
 import snackbar from 'soapbox/actions/snackbar';
 import { HStack, Icon, Input, Stack, Text } from 'soapbox/components/ui';
-import { useChatContext } from 'soapbox/contexts/chat-context';
+import { ChatWidgetScreens, useChatContext } from 'soapbox/contexts/chat-context';
 import { useAppDispatch, useDebounce } from 'soapbox/hooks';
 import { useChats } from 'soapbox/queries/chats';
 import { queryClient } from 'soapbox/queries/client';
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ const ChatSearch = () => {
   const dispatch = useAppDispatch();
   const intl = useIntl();
 
-  const { isOpen, setChat, setSearching, toggleChatPane } = useChatContext();
+  const { isOpen, changeScreen, toggleChatPane } = useChatContext();
   const { getOrCreateChatByAccountId } = useChats();
 
   const [value, setValue] = useState<string>();
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ const ChatSearch = () => {
       dispatch(snackbar.error(data?.error));
     },
     onSuccess: (response) => {
-      setChat(response.data);
+      changeScreen(ChatWidgetScreens.CHAT, response.data.id);
       queryClient.invalidateQueries(ChatKeys.chatSearch());
     },
   });
@@ -82,7 +82,11 @@ const ChatSearch = () => {
         data-testid='pane-header'
         title={
           <HStack alignItems='center' space={2}>
-            <button onClick={() => setSearching(false)}>
+            <button
+              onClick={() => {
+                changeScreen(ChatWidgetScreens.INBOX);
+              }}
+            >
               <Icon
                 src={require('@tabler/icons/arrow-left.svg')}
                 className='h-6 w-6 text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-400'
diff --git a/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-widget/chat-settings.tsx b/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-widget/chat-settings.tsx
index 89fe20bae..e67b28269 100644
--- a/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-widget/chat-settings.tsx
+++ b/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-widget/chat-settings.tsx
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import { blockAccount, unblockAccount } from 'soapbox/actions/accounts';
 import { openModal } from 'soapbox/actions/modals';
 import List, { ListItem } from 'soapbox/components/list';
 import { Avatar, HStack, Icon, Select, Stack, Text } from 'soapbox/components/ui';
-import { useChatContext } from 'soapbox/contexts/chat-context';
+import { ChatWidgetScreens, useChatContext } from 'soapbox/contexts/chat-context';
 import { useAppDispatch, useAppSelector } from 'soapbox/hooks';
 import { messageExpirationOptions, MessageExpirationValues, useChatActions } from 'soapbox/queries/chats';
 import { secondsToDays } from 'soapbox/utils/numbers';
@@ -34,14 +34,16 @@ const ChatSettings = () => {
   const dispatch = useAppDispatch();
   const intl = useIntl();
 
-  const { chat, setEditing, toggleChatPane } = useChatContext();
+  const { chat, changeScreen, toggleChatPane } = useChatContext();
   const { deleteChat, updateChat } = useChatActions(chat?.id as string);
 
   const handleUpdateChat = (value: MessageExpirationValues) => updateChat.mutate({ message_expiration: value });
 
   const isBlocking = useAppSelector((state) => state.getIn(['relationships', chat?.account?.id, 'blocking']));
 
-  const closeSettings = () => setEditing(false);
+  const closeSettings = () => {
+    changeScreen(ChatWidgetScreens.CHAT, chat?.id);
+  };
 
   const minimizeChatPane = () => {
     closeSettings();
diff --git a/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-widget/chat-window.tsx b/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-widget/chat-window.tsx
index 0dea7aac7..ddf869b13 100644
--- a/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-widget/chat-window.tsx
+++ b/app/soapbox/features/chats/components/chat-widget/chat-window.tsx
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import { Link } from 'react-router-dom';
 
 import { Avatar, HStack, Icon, Stack, Text } from 'soapbox/components/ui';
 import VerificationBadge from 'soapbox/components/verification_badge';
-import { useChatContext } from 'soapbox/contexts/chat-context';
+import { ChatWidgetScreens, useChatContext } from 'soapbox/contexts/chat-context';
 import { secondsToDays } from 'soapbox/utils/numbers';
 
 import Chat from '../chat';
@@ -32,19 +32,22 @@ const LinkWrapper = ({ enabled, to, children }: { enabled: boolean, to: string,
 const ChatWindow = () => {
   const intl = useIntl();
 
-  const { chat, setChat, isOpen, isEditing, needsAcceptance, setEditing, setSearching, toggleChatPane } = useChatContext();
+  const { chat, currentChatId, screen, changeScreen, isOpen, needsAcceptance, toggleChatPane } = useChatContext();
 
   const inputRef = useRef<HTMLTextAreaElement | null>(null);
 
-  const closeChat = () => setChat(null);
+  const closeChat = () => {
+    changeScreen(ChatWidgetScreens.INBOX);
+  };
 
   const openSearch = () => {
     toggleChatPane();
-    setSearching(true);
-    setChat(null);
+    changeScreen(ChatWidgetScreens.SEARCH);
   };
 
-  const openChatSettings = () => setEditing(true);
+  const openChatSettings = () => {
+    changeScreen(ChatWidgetScreens.CHAT_SETTINGS, currentChatId);
+  };
 
   const secondaryAction = () => {
     if (needsAcceptance) {
@@ -56,7 +59,7 @@ const ChatWindow = () => {
 
   if (!chat) return null;
 
-  if (isEditing) {
+  if (screen === ChatWidgetScreens.CHAT_SETTINGS) {
     return <ChatSettings />;
   }
 
diff --git a/app/soapbox/queries/__tests__/chats.test.ts b/app/soapbox/queries/__tests__/chats.test.ts
index ea2dc99ae..6680bbf13 100644
--- a/app/soapbox/queries/__tests__/chats.test.ts
+++ b/app/soapbox/queries/__tests__/chats.test.ts
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ const chat: IChat = {
   discarded_at: null,
   id: '1',
   last_message: null,
-  latest_read_message_by_account: null,
+  latest_read_message_by_account: [],
   latest_read_message_created_at: null,
   message_expiration: 1209600,
   unread: 0,
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ describe('useChat()', () => {
     });
 
     it('is successful', async () => {
-      const { result } = renderHook(() => useChat(chat.id).chat);
+      const { result } = renderHook(() => useChat(chat.id));
 
       await waitFor(() => expect(result.current.isFetching).toBe(false));
 
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ describe('useChat()', () => {
     });
 
     it('is has error state', async() => {
-      const { result } = renderHook(() => useChat(chat.id).chat);
+      const { result } = renderHook(() => useChat(chat.id));
 
       await waitFor(() => expect(result.current.isFetching).toBe(false));
 
diff --git a/app/soapbox/queries/chats.ts b/app/soapbox/queries/chats.ts
index 182304c85..d41185682 100644
--- a/app/soapbox/queries/chats.ts
+++ b/app/soapbox/queries/chats.ts
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import { importFetchedAccount, importFetchedAccounts } from 'soapbox/actions/imp
 import snackbar from 'soapbox/actions/snackbar';
 import { getNextLink } from 'soapbox/api';
 import compareId from 'soapbox/compare_id';
-import { useChatContext } from 'soapbox/contexts/chat-context';
+import { ChatWidgetScreens, useChatContext } from 'soapbox/contexts/chat-context';
 import { useStatContext } from 'soapbox/contexts/stat-context';
 import { useApi, useAppDispatch, useAppSelector, useFeatures } from 'soapbox/hooks';
 import { flattenPages, PaginatedResult, updatePageItem } from 'soapbox/utils/queries';
@@ -40,8 +40,9 @@ export interface IChat {
     id: string
     unread: boolean
   }
-  latest_read_message_by_account: null | {
-    [id: number]: string
+  latest_read_message_by_account: {
+    id: string,
+    date: string
   }[]
   latest_read_message_created_at: null | string
   message_expiration: MessageExpirationValues
@@ -177,7 +178,6 @@ const useChats = (search?: string) => {
 
 const useChat = (chatId?: string) => {
   const api = useApi();
-  const actions = useChatActions(chatId!);
   const dispatch = useAppDispatch();
 
   const getChat = async () => {
@@ -190,9 +190,9 @@ const useChat = (chatId?: string) => {
     }
   };
 
-  const chat = useQuery<IChat | undefined>(ChatKeys.chat(chatId), getChat);
-
-  return { ...actions, chat };
+  return useQuery<IChat | undefined>(ChatKeys.chat(chatId), getChat, {
+    enabled: !!chatId,
+  });
 };
 
 const useChatActions = (chatId: string) => {
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ const useChatActions = (chatId: string) => {
   const dispatch = useAppDispatch();
   const { setUnreadChatsCount } = useStatContext();
 
-  const { chat, setChat, setEditing } = useChatContext();
+  const { chat, changeScreen } = useChatContext();
 
   const markChatAsRead = async (lastReadId: string) => {
     return api.post<IChat>(`/api/v1/pleroma/chats/${chatId}/read`, { last_read_id: lastReadId })
@@ -239,21 +239,22 @@ const useChatActions = (chatId: string) => {
 
       // Optimistically update to the new value
       queryClient.setQueryData(ChatKeys.chat(chatId), nextChat);
-      setChat(nextChat as IChat);
+
+      changeScreen(ChatWidgetScreens.CHAT, nextChat.id);
 
       // Return a context object with the snapshotted value
       return { prevChat };
     },
     // If the mutation fails, use the context returned from onMutate to roll back
     onError: (_error: any, _newData: any, context: any) => {
-      setChat(context?.prevChat);
+      changeScreen(ChatWidgetScreens.CHAT, context.prevChat.id);
       queryClient.setQueryData(ChatKeys.chat(chatId), context.prevChat);
       dispatch(snackbar.error('Chat Settings failed to update.'));
     },
     onSuccess(response) {
       queryClient.invalidateQueries(ChatKeys.chat(chatId));
       queryClient.invalidateQueries(ChatKeys.chatSearch());
-      setChat(response.data);
+      changeScreen(ChatWidgetScreens.CHAT, response.data.id);
       dispatch(snackbar.success('Chat Settings updated successfully'));
     },
   });
@@ -262,16 +263,15 @@ const useChatActions = (chatId: string) => {
 
   const acceptChat = useMutation(() => api.post<IChat>(`/api/v1/pleroma/chats/${chatId}/accept`), {
     onSuccess(response) {
-      setChat(response.data);
+      changeScreen(ChatWidgetScreens.CHAT, response.data.id);
       queryClient.invalidateQueries(ChatKeys.chatMessages(chatId));
       queryClient.invalidateQueries(ChatKeys.chatSearch());
     },
   });
 
   const deleteChat = useMutation(() => api.delete<IChat>(`/api/v1/pleroma/chats/${chatId}`), {
-    onSuccess(response) {
-      setChat(null);
-      setEditing(false);
+    onSuccess() {
+      changeScreen(ChatWidgetScreens.INBOX);
       queryClient.invalidateQueries(ChatKeys.chatMessages(chatId));
       queryClient.invalidateQueries(ChatKeys.chatSearch());
     },