diff --git a/src/lib/strings.ts b/src/lib/strings.ts
index 8b93fa9333..a2d3f502a7 100644
--- a/src/lib/strings.ts
+++ b/src/lib/strings.ts
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ export function enforceLen(str: string, len: number, ellipsis = false): string {
 
 export function cleanError(str: any): string {
   if (!str) {
-    return str
+    return ''
   }
   if (typeof str !== 'string') {
     str = str.toString()
@@ -206,6 +206,9 @@ export function cleanError(str: any): string {
   if (isNetworkError(str)) {
     return 'Unable to connect. Please check your internet connection and try again.'
   }
+  if (str.includes('Upstream Failure')) {
+    return 'The server appears to be experiencing issues. Please try again in a few moments.'
+  }
   if (str.startsWith('Error: ')) {
     return str.slice('Error: '.length)
   }
diff --git a/src/state/models/feed-view.ts b/src/state/models/feed-view.ts
index bab308e989..e25445314e 100644
--- a/src/state/models/feed-view.ts
+++ b/src/state/models/feed-view.ts
@@ -378,7 +378,7 @@ export class FeedModel {
     this.isLoading = false
     this.isRefreshing = false
     this.hasLoaded = true
-    this.error = err ? cleanError(err.toString()) : ''
+    this.error = cleanError(err)
     if (err) {
       this.rootStore.log.error('Posts feed request failed', err)
     }
@@ -420,7 +420,11 @@ export class FeedModel {
       await this._prependAll(res)
       this._xIdle()
     } catch (e: any) {
-      this._xIdle(e)
+      this._xIdle() // don't bubble the error to the user
+      this.rootStore.log.error('FeedView: Failed to load latest', {
+        params: this.params,
+        e,
+      })
     }
   }
 
@@ -437,7 +441,11 @@ export class FeedModel {
       await this._appendAll(res)
       this._xIdle()
     } catch (e: any) {
-      this._xIdle(e)
+      this._xIdle() // don't bubble the error to the user
+      this.rootStore.log.error('FeedView: Failed to load more', {
+        params: this.params,
+        e,
+      })
     }
   }
 
@@ -463,7 +471,11 @@ export class FeedModel {
       } while (cursor && numToFetch > 0)
       this._xIdle()
     } catch (e: any) {
-      this._xIdle(e)
+      this._xIdle() // don't bubble the error to the user
+      this.rootStore.log.error('FeedView: Failed to update', {
+        params: this.params,
+        e,
+      })
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/src/state/models/get-assertions-view.ts b/src/state/models/get-assertions-view.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index bdb2c0894b..0000000000
--- a/src/state/models/get-assertions-view.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,123 +0,0 @@
-import {makeAutoObservable} from 'mobx'
-import {AppBskyGraphGetAssertions as GetAssertions} from '@atproto/api'
-import {RootStoreModel} from './root-store'
-
-export type Assertion = GetAssertions.Assertion & {
-  _reactKey: string
-}
-
-export class GetAssertionsView {
-  // state
-  isLoading = false
-  isRefreshing = false
-  hasLoaded = false
-  error = ''
-  params: GetAssertions.QueryParams
-
-  // data
-  assertions: Assertion[] = []
-
-  constructor(
-    public rootStore: RootStoreModel,
-    params: GetAssertions.QueryParams,
-  ) {
-    makeAutoObservable(
-      this,
-      {
-        rootStore: false,
-        params: false,
-      },
-      {autoBind: true},
-    )
-    this.params = params
-  }
-
-  get hasContent() {
-    return this.assertions.length > 0
-  }
-
-  get hasError() {
-    return this.error !== ''
-  }
-
-  get isEmpty() {
-    return this.hasLoaded && !this.hasContent
-  }
-
-  getBySubject(did: string) {
-    return this.assertions.find(assertion => assertion.subject.did === did)
-  }
-
-  get confirmed() {
-    return this.assertions.filter(assertion => !!assertion.confirmation)
-  }
-
-  get unconfirmed() {
-    return this.assertions.filter(assertion => !assertion.confirmation)
-  }
-
-  // public api
-  // =
-
-  async setup() {
-    await this._fetch()
-  }
-
-  async refresh() {
-    await this._fetch(true)
-  }
-
-  async loadMore() {
-    // TODO
-  }
-
-  // state transitions
-  // =
-
-  private _xLoading(isRefreshing = false) {
-    this.isLoading = true
-    this.isRefreshing = isRefreshing
-    this.error = ''
-  }
-
-  private _xIdle(err?: any) {
-    this.isLoading = false
-    this.isRefreshing = false
-    this.hasLoaded = true
-    this.error = err ? err.toString() : ''
-    if (err) {
-      this.rootStore.log.error('Failed to fetch assertions', err)
-    }
-  }
-
-  // loader functions
-  // =
-
-  private async _fetch(isRefreshing = false) {
-    this._xLoading(isRefreshing)
-    try {
-      const res = await this.rootStore.api.app.bsky.graph.getAssertions(
-        this.params,
-      )
-      this._replaceAll(res)
-      this._xIdle()
-    } catch (e: any) {
-      this._xIdle(e)
-    }
-  }
-
-  private _replaceAll(res: GetAssertions.Response) {
-    this.assertions.length = 0
-    let counter = 0
-    for (const item of res.data.assertions) {
-      this._append({
-        _reactKey: `item-${counter++}`,
-        ...item,
-      })
-    }
-  }
-
-  private _append(item: Assertion) {
-    this.assertions.push(item)
-  }
-}
diff --git a/src/state/models/notifications-view.ts b/src/state/models/notifications-view.ts
index 93b6a398f6..2c1c39b497 100644
--- a/src/state/models/notifications-view.ts
+++ b/src/state/models/notifications-view.ts
@@ -329,7 +329,6 @@ export class NotificationsViewModel {
     this.isRefreshing = false
     this.hasLoaded = true
     this.error = cleanError(err)
-    this.error = err ? cleanError(err) : ''
     if (err) {
       this.rootStore.log.error('Failed to fetch notifications', err)
     }
@@ -378,7 +377,11 @@ export class NotificationsViewModel {
       await this._appendAll(res)
       this._xIdle()
     } catch (e: any) {
-      this._xIdle(e)
+      this._xIdle() // don't bubble the error to the user
+      this.rootStore.log.error('NotificationsView: Failed to load more', {
+        params: this.params,
+        e,
+      })
     }
   }
 
@@ -405,7 +408,11 @@ export class NotificationsViewModel {
       } while (cursor && numToFetch > 0)
       this._xIdle()
     } catch (e: any) {
-      this._xIdle(e)
+      this._xIdle() // don't bubble the error to the user
+      this.rootStore.log.error('NotificationsView: Failed to update', {
+        params: this.params,
+        e,
+      })
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/src/state/models/post-thread-view.ts b/src/state/models/post-thread-view.ts
index 584658e144..251fd1b445 100644
--- a/src/state/models/post-thread-view.ts
+++ b/src/state/models/post-thread-view.ts
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import {
 import {AtUri} from '../../third-party/uri'
 import {RootStoreModel} from './root-store'
 import * as apilib from '../lib/api'
+import {cleanError} from '../../lib/strings'
 
 function* reactKeyGenerator(): Generator<string> {
   let counter = 0
@@ -276,7 +277,7 @@ export class PostThreadViewModel {
     this.isLoading = false
     this.isRefreshing = false
     this.hasLoaded = true
-    this.error = err ? err.toString() : ''
+    this.error = cleanError(err)
     if (err) {
       this.rootStore.log.error('Failed to fetch post thread', err)
     }
diff --git a/src/state/models/post.ts b/src/state/models/post.ts
index 497c8e4c92..04107dd48b 100644
--- a/src/state/models/post.ts
+++ b/src/state/models/post.ts
@@ -67,7 +67,6 @@ export class PostModel implements RemoveIndex<Post.Record> {
     this.isLoading = false
     this.hasLoaded = true
     this.error = cleanError(err)
-    this.error = err ? cleanError(err) : ''
     if (err) {
       this.rootStore.log.error('Failed to fetch post', err)
     }
diff --git a/src/state/models/profile-view.ts b/src/state/models/profile-view.ts
index a1535693c9..df86ebd9c6 100644
--- a/src/state/models/profile-view.ts
+++ b/src/state/models/profile-view.ts
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ type Entity = AppBskyFeedPost.Entity
 import {extractEntities} from '../../lib/strings'
 import {RootStoreModel} from './root-store'
 import * as apilib from '../lib/api'
+import {cleanError} from '../../lib/strings'
 
 export const ACTOR_TYPE_USER = 'app.bsky.system.actorUser'
 
@@ -175,7 +176,7 @@ export class ProfileViewModel {
     this.isLoading = false
     this.isRefreshing = false
     this.hasLoaded = true
-    this.error = err ? err.toString() : ''
+    this.error = cleanError(err)
     if (err) {
       this.rootStore.log.error('Failed to fetch profile', err)
     }
diff --git a/src/state/models/reposted-by-view.ts b/src/state/models/reposted-by-view.ts
index 1de6b7c58b..5d7f4a3380 100644
--- a/src/state/models/reposted-by-view.ts
+++ b/src/state/models/reposted-by-view.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import {makeAutoObservable, runInAction} from 'mobx'
 import {AtUri} from '../../third-party/uri'
 import {AppBskyFeedGetRepostedBy as GetRepostedBy} from '@atproto/api'
 import {RootStoreModel} from './root-store'
+import {cleanError} from '../../lib/strings'
 
 const PAGE_SIZE = 30
 
@@ -82,7 +83,7 @@ export class RepostedByViewModel {
     this.isLoading = false
     this.isRefreshing = false
     this.hasLoaded = true
-    this.error = err ? err.toString() : ''
+    this.error = cleanError(err)
     if (err) {
       this.rootStore.log.error('Failed to fetch reposted by view', err)
     }
diff --git a/src/state/models/suggested-actors-view.ts b/src/state/models/suggested-actors-view.ts
index ebc9e8bc20..421ac0f182 100644
--- a/src/state/models/suggested-actors-view.ts
+++ b/src/state/models/suggested-actors-view.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import {makeAutoObservable, runInAction} from 'mobx'
 import {AppBskyActorGetSuggestions as GetSuggestions} from '@atproto/api'
 import {RootStoreModel} from './root-store'
+import {cleanError} from '../../lib/strings'
 
 const PAGE_SIZE = 30
 
@@ -70,7 +71,7 @@ export class SuggestedActorsViewModel {
     this.isLoading = false
     this.isRefreshing = false
     this.hasLoaded = true
-    this.error = err ? err.toString() : ''
+    this.error = cleanError(err)
     if (err) {
       this.rootStore.log.error('Failed to fetch suggested actors', err)
     }
diff --git a/src/state/models/user-followers-view.ts b/src/state/models/user-followers-view.ts
index 9daaf35a4b..b6e12f64d6 100644
--- a/src/state/models/user-followers-view.ts
+++ b/src/state/models/user-followers-view.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import {
   AppBskyActorRef as ActorRef,
 } from '@atproto/api'
 import {RootStoreModel} from './root-store'
+import {cleanError} from '../../lib/strings'
 
 const PAGE_SIZE = 30
 
@@ -84,7 +85,7 @@ export class UserFollowersViewModel {
     this.isLoading = false
     this.isRefreshing = false
     this.hasLoaded = true
-    this.error = err ? err.toString() : ''
+    this.error = cleanError(err)
     if (err) {
       this.rootStore.log.error('Failed to fetch user followers', err)
     }
diff --git a/src/state/models/user-follows-view.ts b/src/state/models/user-follows-view.ts
index d43a10c75f..db9d86152c 100644
--- a/src/state/models/user-follows-view.ts
+++ b/src/state/models/user-follows-view.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import {
   AppBskyActorRef as ActorRef,
 } from '@atproto/api'
 import {RootStoreModel} from './root-store'
+import {cleanError} from '../../lib/strings'
 
 const PAGE_SIZE = 30
 
@@ -84,7 +85,7 @@ export class UserFollowsViewModel {
     this.isLoading = false
     this.isRefreshing = false
     this.hasLoaded = true
-    this.error = err ? err.toString() : ''
+    this.error = cleanError(err)
     if (err) {
       this.rootStore.log.error('Failed to fetch user follows', err)
     }
diff --git a/src/state/models/votes-view.ts b/src/state/models/votes-view.ts
index df939226fe..76eb52e6e5 100644
--- a/src/state/models/votes-view.ts
+++ b/src/state/models/votes-view.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import {makeAutoObservable, runInAction} from 'mobx'
 import {AtUri} from '../../third-party/uri'
 import {AppBskyFeedGetVotes as GetVotes} from '@atproto/api'
 import {RootStoreModel} from './root-store'
+import {cleanError} from '../../lib/strings'
 
 const PAGE_SIZE = 30
 
@@ -79,7 +80,7 @@ export class VotesViewModel {
     this.isLoading = false
     this.isRefreshing = false
     this.hasLoaded = true
-    this.error = err ? err.toString() : ''
+    this.error = cleanError(err)
     if (err) {
       this.rootStore.log.error('Failed to fetch votes', err)
     }
diff --git a/src/view/com/login/CreateAccount.tsx b/src/view/com/login/CreateAccount.tsx
index c912837825..4a3245ad0e 100644
--- a/src/view/com/login/CreateAccount.tsx
+++ b/src/view/com/login/CreateAccount.tsx
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ import {useStores, DEFAULT_SERVICE} from '../../../state'
 import {ServiceDescription} from '../../../state/models/session'
 import {ServerInputModal} from '../../../state/models/shell-ui'
 import {usePalette} from '../../lib/hooks/usePalette'
+import {cleanError} from '../../../lib/strings'
 
 export const CreateAccount = ({onPressBack}: {onPressBack: () => void}) => {
   const {track, screen} = useAnalytics()
@@ -119,7 +120,7 @@ export const CreateAccount = ({onPressBack}: {onPressBack: () => void}) => {
       }
       store.log.error('Failed to create account', e)
       setIsProcessing(false)
-      setError(errMsg.replace(/^Error:/, ''))
+      setError(cleanError(errMsg))
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/src/view/com/login/Signin.tsx b/src/view/com/login/Signin.tsx
index 0c1f0620ca..ea968cdf2c 100644
--- a/src/view/com/login/Signin.tsx
+++ b/src/view/com/login/Signin.tsx
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ import {ServerInputModal} from '../../../state/models/shell-ui'
 import {AccountData} from '../../../state/models/session'
 import {isNetworkError} from '../../../lib/errors'
 import {usePalette} from '../../lib/hooks/usePalette'
+import {cleanError} from '../../../lib/strings'
 
 enum Forms {
   Login,
@@ -322,7 +323,7 @@ const LoginForm = ({
           'Unable to contact your service. Please check your Internet connection.',
         )
       } else {
-        setError(errMsg.replace(/^Error:/, ''))
+        setError(cleanError(errMsg))
       }
     }
   }
@@ -499,7 +500,7 @@ const ForgotPasswordForm = ({
           'Unable to contact your service. Please check your Internet connection.',
         )
       } else {
-        setError(errMsg.replace(/^Error:/, ''))
+        setError(cleanError(errMsg))
       }
     }
   }
@@ -636,7 +637,7 @@ const SetNewPasswordForm = ({
           'Unable to contact your service. Please check your Internet connection.',
         )
       } else {
-        setError(errMsg.replace(/^Error:/, ''))
+        setError(cleanError(errMsg))
       }
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/view/com/modals/Confirm.tsx b/src/view/com/modals/Confirm.tsx
index 3e2ad6eea4..929e684fc8 100644
--- a/src/view/com/modals/Confirm.tsx
+++ b/src/view/com/modals/Confirm.tsx
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import {Text} from '../util/text/Text'
 import {useStores} from '../../../state'
 import {s, colors, gradients} from '../../lib/styles'
 import {ErrorMessage} from '../util/error/ErrorMessage'
+import {cleanError} from '../../../lib/strings'
 
 export const snapPoints = ['50%']
 
@@ -33,7 +34,7 @@ export function Component({
       store.shell.closeModal()
       return
     } catch (e: any) {
-      setError(e.toString())
+      setError(cleanError(e))
       setIsProcessing(false)
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/view/com/modals/EditProfile.tsx b/src/view/com/modals/EditProfile.tsx
index 15bf7115ea..c732a4ed51 100644
--- a/src/view/com/modals/EditProfile.tsx
+++ b/src/view/com/modals/EditProfile.tsx
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ import {UserBanner} from '../util/UserBanner'
 import {UserAvatar} from '../util/UserAvatar'
 import {usePalette} from '../../lib/hooks/usePalette'
 import {useAnalytics} from '@segment/analytics-react-native'
+import {cleanError} from '../../../lib/strings'
 
 export const snapPoints = ['80%']
 
@@ -65,7 +66,7 @@ export function Component({
       setNewUserAvatar(finalImg)
       setUserAvatar(finalImg.path)
     } catch (e: any) {
-      setError(e.message || e.toString())
+      setError(cleanError(e))
     }
   }
   const onSelectNewBanner = async (img: PickedImage) => {
@@ -75,7 +76,7 @@ export function Component({
       setNewUserBanner(finalImg)
       setUserBanner(finalImg.path)
     } catch (e: any) {
-      setError(e.message || e.toString())
+      setError(cleanError(e))
     }
   }
   const onPressSave = async () => {
@@ -102,7 +103,7 @@ export function Component({
           'Failed to save your profile. Check your internet connection and try again.',
         )
       } else {
-        setError(e.message)
+        setError(cleanError(e))
       }
     }
     setProcessing(false)
diff --git a/src/view/com/modals/ReportAccount.tsx b/src/view/com/modals/ReportAccount.tsx
index 1385d57113..91ab4a3a9f 100644
--- a/src/view/com/modals/ReportAccount.tsx
+++ b/src/view/com/modals/ReportAccount.tsx
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import {s, colors, gradients} from '../../lib/styles'
 import {RadioGroup, RadioGroupItem} from '../util/forms/RadioGroup'
 import {Text} from '../util/text/Text'
 import {ErrorMessage} from '../util/error/ErrorMessage'
+import {cleanError} from '../../../lib/strings'
 
 const ITEMS: RadioGroupItem[] = [
   {key: 'spam', label: 'Spam or excessive repeat posts'},
@@ -34,7 +35,7 @@ export function Component() {
       store.shell.closeModal()
       return
     } catch (e: any) {
-      setError(e.toString())
+      setError(cleanError(e))
       setIsProcessing(false)
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/view/com/modals/ReportPost.tsx b/src/view/com/modals/ReportPost.tsx
index 8a3a1f758c..a051bf2b0d 100644
--- a/src/view/com/modals/ReportPost.tsx
+++ b/src/view/com/modals/ReportPost.tsx
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import {s, colors, gradients} from '../../lib/styles'
 import {RadioGroup, RadioGroupItem} from '../util/forms/RadioGroup'
 import {Text} from '../util/text/Text'
 import {ErrorMessage} from '../util/error/ErrorMessage'
+import {cleanError} from '../../../lib/strings'
 
 const ITEMS: RadioGroupItem[] = [
   {key: 'spam', label: 'Spam or excessive repeat posts'},
@@ -35,7 +36,7 @@ export function Component() {
       store.shell.closeModal()
       return
     } catch (e: any) {
-      setError(e.toString())
+      setError(cleanError(e))
       setIsProcessing(false)
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/view/com/notifications/FeedItem.tsx b/src/view/com/notifications/FeedItem.tsx
index 48c8b9a1f9..35012abc05 100644
--- a/src/view/com/notifications/FeedItem.tsx
+++ b/src/view/com/notifications/FeedItem.tsx
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@ import {HeartIconSolid} from '../../lib/icons'
 import {Text} from '../util/text/Text'
 import {UserAvatar} from '../util/UserAvatar'
 import {ImageHorzList} from '../util/images/ImageHorzList'
-import {ErrorMessage} from '../util/error/ErrorMessage'
 import {Post} from '../post/Post'
 import {Link} from '../util/Link'
 import {usePalette} from '../../lib/hooks/usePalette'
@@ -74,6 +73,10 @@ export const FeedItem = observer(function FeedItem({
   }
 
   if (item.isReply || item.isMention) {
+    if (item.additionalPost?.error) {
+      // hide errors - it doesnt help the user to show them
+      return <View />
+    }
     return (
       <Link href={itemHref} title={itemTitle} noFeedback>
         <Post
@@ -336,12 +339,13 @@ function AdditionalPostText({
   additionalPost?: PostThreadViewModel
 }) {
   const pal = usePalette('default')
-  if (!additionalPost || !additionalPost.thread?.postRecord) {
+  if (
+    !additionalPost ||
+    !additionalPost.thread?.postRecord ||
+    additionalPost.error
+  ) {
     return <View />
   }
-  if (additionalPost.error) {
-    return <ErrorMessage message={additionalPost.error} />
-  }
   const text = additionalPost.thread?.postRecord.text
   const images = (
     additionalPost.thread.post.embed as AppBskyEmbedImages.Presented
diff --git a/src/view/screens/Home.tsx b/src/view/screens/Home.tsx
index e549c21142..05cec3f2ae 100644
--- a/src/view/screens/Home.tsx
+++ b/src/view/screens/Home.tsx
@@ -40,9 +40,7 @@ export const Home = observer(function Home({
         return
       }
       store.log.debug('Polling home feed')
-      store.me.mainFeed.checkForLatest().catch(e => {
-        store.log.error('Failed to poll feed', e)
-      })
+      store.me.mainFeed.checkForLatest()
     },
     [appState, visible, store],
   )
diff --git a/src/view/screens/Notifications.tsx b/src/view/screens/Notifications.tsx
index eade8f6dc3..e4c0d1382a 100644
--- a/src/view/screens/Notifications.tsx
+++ b/src/view/screens/Notifications.tsx
@@ -22,14 +22,9 @@ export const Notifications = ({navIdx, visible}: ScreenParams) => {
       return
     }
     store.log.debug('Updating notifications feed')
-    store.me.notifications
-      .update()
-      .catch(e => {
-        store.log.error('Error while updating notifications feed', e)
-      })
-      .then(() => {
-        store.me.notifications.updateReadState()
-      })
+    store.me.notifications.update().then(() => {
+      store.me.notifications.updateReadState()
+    })
     store.nav.setTitle(navIdx, 'Notifications')
   }, [visible, store, navIdx])