diff --git a/src/components/auth/LoginDialog.tsx b/src/components/auth/LoginDialog.tsx
index ca86a08..8a3f21d 100644
--- a/src/components/auth/LoginDialog.tsx
+++ b/src/components/auth/LoginDialog.tsx
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ import { useLoginActions } from '@/hooks/useLoginActions';
 import { useToast } from '@/hooks/useToast';
 import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
 import { openAmberForLogin, subscribeToAmberReturn } from '@/lib/amber';
-import { getAmberPublicKeyViaPlugin, isAmberInstalled } from '@/lib/capacitorAmberSigner';
+import { getAmberPublicKeyViaPlugin } from '@/lib/capacitorAmberSigner';
 
 
 interface LoginDialogProps {
@@ -54,23 +54,23 @@ export const LoginDialog: React.FC<LoginDialogProps> = ({ isOpen, onClose, onLog
 
     if (isCapacitor) {
       // ── Native path (ZapStore/Capacitor APK) ────────────────────────────────
-      // Check Amber is installed first for a clear error message
-      const installed = await isAmberInstalled();
-      if (!installed) {
-        setAmberError('Amber is not installed. Install it from the ZapStore or GitHub.');
-        setAmberStep('error');
-        return;
-      }
+      // Attempt login directly — skip isExternalSignerInstalled() check because
+      // Android 11+ package visibility rules can make it return false even when
+      // Amber IS installed (requires <queries> in AndroidManifest.xml).
       try {
         // This opens Amber natively, user approves, pubkey comes back as a Promise
         const pubkey = await getAmberPublicKeyViaPlugin();
         completeAmberLogin(pubkey);
       } catch (e: unknown) {
-        // User cancelled or Amber threw
         const msg = (e as Error)?.message ?? 'Amber login failed';
-        setAmberError(msg.includes('cancelled') || msg.includes('cancel')
-          ? 'Login cancelled. Tap "Open Amber" to try again.'
-          : msg);
+        // Distinguish: user cancelled vs Amber not installed vs other error
+        if (msg.toLowerCase().includes('cancel') || msg.toLowerCase().includes('denied')) {
+          setAmberError('Login cancelled. Tap "Open Amber" to try again.');
+        } else if (msg.toLowerCase().includes('not found') || msg.toLowerCase().includes('no activity') || msg.toLowerCase().includes('resolve')) {
+          setAmberError('Amber not found. Make sure Amber is installed from the ZapStore.');
+        } else {
+          setAmberError(msg);
+        }
         setAmberStep('error');
       }
       return;