diff --git a/packages/app/src/app/agent/[id].tsx b/packages/app/src/app/agent/[id].tsx
index 85fde7cb0..eab03d0a1 100644
--- a/packages/app/src/app/agent/[id].tsx
+++ b/packages/app/src/app/agent/[id].tsx
@@ -68,13 +68,11 @@ export default function AgentScreen() {
           {/* Status bar - always visible, floating above controls */}
           <AgentStatusBar agentId={id!} />
           
-          {/* Controls - only show AgentInputArea when not in realtime mode */}
-          {/* When in realtime mode, GlobalFooter handles showing RealtimeControls */}
-          {!isRealtimeMode && (
-            <View style={styles.controlsContainer}>
-              <AgentInputArea agentId={id!} />
-            </View>
-          )}
+          {/* Controls - AgentInputArea always mounted, fades in/out */}
+          {/* When in realtime mode, GlobalFooter's RealtimeControls overlays this */}
+          <View style={styles.controlsContainer}>
+            <AgentInputArea agentId={id!} isRealtimeMode={isRealtimeMode} />
+          </View>
         </View>
       </ReanimatedAnimated.View>
     </View>
diff --git a/packages/app/src/components/agent-input-area.tsx b/packages/app/src/components/agent-input-area.tsx
index 7d084d8ee..aab38637f 100644
--- a/packages/app/src/components/agent-input-area.tsx
+++ b/packages/app/src/components/agent-input-area.tsx
@@ -1,16 +1,22 @@
 import { View, TextInput, Pressable } from "react-native";
-import { useState } from "react";
+import { useState, useEffect } from "react";
 import { StyleSheet, useUnistyles } from "react-native-unistyles";
 import { Mic, ArrowUp, AudioLines, Square } from "lucide-react-native";
 import { useSession } from "@/contexts/session-context";
 import { useRealtime } from "@/contexts/realtime-context";
 import { useAudioRecorder } from "@/hooks/use-audio-recorder";
+import Animated, {
+  useAnimatedStyle,
+  withTiming,
+  useSharedValue,
+} from "react-native-reanimated";
 
 interface AgentInputAreaProps {
   agentId: string;
+  isRealtimeMode: boolean;
 }
 
-export function AgentInputArea({ agentId }: AgentInputAreaProps) {
+export function AgentInputArea({ agentId, isRealtimeMode }: AgentInputAreaProps) {
   const { theme } = useUnistyles();
   const { ws, sendAgentMessage, sendAgentAudio } = useSession();
   const { startRealtime } = useRealtime();
@@ -20,6 +26,21 @@ export function AgentInputArea({ agentId }: AgentInputAreaProps) {
   const [isRecording, setIsRecording] = useState(false);
   const [isProcessing, setIsProcessing] = useState(false);
 
+  // Animated opacity for smooth transitions
+  const opacity = useSharedValue(isRealtimeMode ? 0 : 1);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    opacity.value = withTiming(isRealtimeMode ? 0 : 1, { duration: 250 });
+  }, [isRealtimeMode]);
+
+  const animatedStyle = useAnimatedStyle(() => {
+    return {
+      opacity: opacity.value,
+      // When hidden, disable pointer events so GlobalFooter's controls are interactive
+      pointerEvents: opacity.value < 0.5 ? ("none" as const) : ("auto" as const),
+    };
+  });
+
   async function handleSendMessage() {
     if (!userInput.trim() || !ws.isConnected) return;
 
@@ -76,7 +97,7 @@ export function AgentInputArea({ agentId }: AgentInputAreaProps) {
   const hasText = userInput.trim().length > 0;
 
   return (
-    <View style={styles.container}>
+    <Animated.View style={[styles.container, animatedStyle]}>
       {/* Text input */}
       <TextInput
         value={userInput}
@@ -136,7 +157,7 @@ export function AgentInputArea({ agentId }: AgentInputAreaProps) {
             </>
           )}
       </View>
-    </View>
+    </Animated.View>
   );
 }
 
diff --git a/packages/app/src/components/global-footer.tsx b/packages/app/src/components/global-footer.tsx
index f4f2b8632..b290a8574 100644
--- a/packages/app/src/components/global-footer.tsx
+++ b/packages/app/src/components/global-footer.tsx
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import { useEffect } from "react";
 import { View, Pressable } from "react-native";
 import { usePathname } from "expo-router";
 import { useSafeAreaInsets } from "react-native-safe-area-context";
@@ -6,7 +7,13 @@ import { AudioLines } from "lucide-react-native";
 import { useRealtime } from "@/contexts/realtime-context";
 import { useSession } from "@/contexts/session-context";
 import { RealtimeControls } from "./realtime-controls";
-import Animated, { FadeIn, FadeOut } from "react-native-reanimated";
+import Animated, { 
+  FadeIn, 
+  FadeOut,
+  useAnimatedStyle,
+  withTiming,
+  useSharedValue,
+} from "react-native-reanimated";
 
 export function GlobalFooter() {
   const { theme } = useUnistyles();
@@ -22,13 +29,36 @@ export function GlobalFooter() {
   // Hidden when: on agent screen AND realtime is off
   const shouldHide = isAgentScreen && !isRealtimeMode;
 
+  // Controlled opacity for agent screen transitions (synced with AgentInputArea)
+  const realtimeOpacity = useSharedValue(isRealtimeMode ? 1 : 0);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (isAgentScreen) {
+      // On agent screen, use controlled animation for smooth cross-fade
+      realtimeOpacity.value = withTiming(isRealtimeMode ? 1 : 0, { duration: 250 });
+    }
+  }, [isRealtimeMode, isAgentScreen]);
+
+  const realtimeAnimatedStyle = useAnimatedStyle(() => {
+    return {
+      opacity: realtimeOpacity.value,
+      pointerEvents: realtimeOpacity.value > 0.5 ? ("auto" as const) : ("none" as const),
+    };
+  });
+
   // If realtime is active, show realtime controls
   if (isRealtimeMode) {
     return (
       <Animated.View
-        entering={FadeIn.duration(400)}
-        exiting={FadeOut.duration(250)}
-        style={[styles.container, { paddingBottom: insets.bottom }]}
+        style={[
+          styles.container, 
+          { paddingBottom: insets.bottom },
+          // Use controlled opacity on agent screen for smooth transition
+          isAgentScreen && realtimeAnimatedStyle
+        ]}
+        // Keep FadeIn/FadeOut for non-agent screens (home, orchestrator, etc)
+        entering={!isAgentScreen ? FadeIn.duration(400) : undefined}
+        exiting={!isAgentScreen ? FadeOut.duration(250) : undefined}
       >
         <RealtimeControls />
       </Animated.View>