diff --git a/src/screens/Messages/Conversation/index.tsx b/src/screens/Messages/Conversation/index.tsx
index 70503986bd..01c205ac82 100644
--- a/src/screens/Messages/Conversation/index.tsx
+++ b/src/screens/Messages/Conversation/index.tsx
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ import {useGate} from '#/lib/statsig/statsig'
 import {useCurrentConvoId} from '#/state/messages/current-convo-id'
 import {BACK_HITSLOP} from 'lib/constants'
 import {isIOS, isWeb} from 'platform/detection'
-import {ConvoProvider, isConvoReady, useConvo} from 'state/messages/convo'
+import {ConvoProvider, isConvoActive, useConvo} from 'state/messages/convo'
 import {ConvoStatus} from 'state/messages/convo/types'
 import {PreviewableUserAvatar} from 'view/com/util/UserAvatar'
 import {CenteredView} from 'view/com/util/Views'
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ function Inner() {
   React.useEffect(() => {
     if (
       !hasInitiallyRendered &&
-      isConvoReady(convoState) &&
+      isConvoActive(convoState) &&
       !convoState.isFetchingHistory
     ) {
       setTimeout(() => {
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ function Inner() {
         <CenteredView style={a.flex_1} sideBorders>
           <Header profile={convoState.recipients?.[0]} />
           <View style={[a.flex_1]}>
-            {isConvoReady(convoState) ? (
+            {isConvoActive(convoState) ? (
               <MessagesList />
             ) : (
               <ListMaybePlaceholder isLoading />
@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@ let Header = ({
           </>
         )}
       </View>
-      {isConvoReady(convoState) && profile ? (
+      {isConvoActive(convoState) && profile ? (
         <ConvoMenu
           convo={convoState.convo}
           profile={profile}
diff --git a/src/state/messages/convo/index.tsx b/src/state/messages/convo/index.tsx
index 6249e43e0d..4c854efab8 100644
--- a/src/state/messages/convo/index.tsx
+++ b/src/state/messages/convo/index.tsx
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import {
   ConvoState,
   ConvoStatus,
 } from '#/state/messages/convo/types'
-import {isConvoReady} from '#/state/messages/convo/util'
+import {isConvoActive} from '#/state/messages/convo/util'
 import {useMessagesEventBus} from '#/state/messages/events'
 import {useMarkAsReadMutation} from '#/state/queries/messages/conversation'
 import {useAgent} from '#/state/session'
@@ -25,6 +25,11 @@ export function useConvo() {
   return ctx
 }
 
+/**
+ * This hook should only be used when the Convo is "active", meaning the chat
+ * is loaded and ready to be used, or its in a suspended or background state,
+ * and ready for resumption.
+ */
 export function useConvoActive() {
   const ctx = useContext(ChatContext) as ConvoState & {
     status: ConvoStatus.Ready | ConvoStatus.Backgrounded | ConvoStatus.Suspended
@@ -32,7 +37,7 @@ export function useConvoActive() {
   if (!ctx) {
     throw new Error('useConvo must be used within a ConvoProvider')
   }
-  if (!isConvoReady(ctx)) {
+  if (!isConvoActive(ctx)) {
     throw new Error(
       `useConvoActive must only be rendered when the Convo is ready. Current status: ${ctx.status}`,
     )
diff --git a/src/state/messages/convo/util.ts b/src/state/messages/convo/util.ts
index 5a7d197b98..d03ec878b8 100644
--- a/src/state/messages/convo/util.ts
+++ b/src/state/messages/convo/util.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,11 @@
 import {ConvoState, ConvoStatus} from './types'
 
-export function isConvoReady(convo: ConvoState) {
+/**
+ * Checks if a `Convo` has a `status` that is "active", meaning the chat is
+ * loaded and ready to be used, or its in a suspended or background state, and
+ * ready for resumption.
+ */
+export function isConvoActive(convo: ConvoState) {
   return (
     convo.status === ConvoStatus.Ready ||
     convo.status === ConvoStatus.Backgrounded ||