diff --git a/src/Navigation.tsx b/src/Navigation.tsx
index 6f661e03e9..7889f0ff5f 100644
--- a/src/Navigation.tsx
+++ b/src/Navigation.tsx
@@ -143,6 +143,7 @@ import {setNavigationMetadata} from '#/analytics/metadata'
 import {IS_LIQUID_GLASS, IS_NATIVE, IS_WEB} from '#/env'
 import {router} from '#/routes'
 import {Referrer} from '../modules/expo-bluesky-swiss-army'
+import {renderMessagesSplitViewLayout} from './screens/Messages/components/splitView/MessagesSplitViewLayout'
 
 const navigationRef = createNavigationContainerRef<AllNavigatorParams>()
 
@@ -564,26 +565,28 @@ function commonScreens(Stack: typeof Flat, unreadCountLabel?: string) {
         getComponent={() => TopicScreen}
         options={{title: title(msg`Topic`)}}
       />
-      <Stack.Screen
-        name="MessagesConversation"
-        getComponent={() => MessagesConversationScreen}
-        options={{title: title(msg`Chat`), requireAuth: true}}
-      />
-      <Stack.Screen
-        name="MessagesConversationSettings"
-        getComponent={() => MessagesConversationSettingsScreen}
-        options={{title: title(msg`Group chat settings`), requireAuth: true}}
-      />
-      <Stack.Screen
-        name="MessagesSettings"
-        getComponent={() => MessagesSettingsScreen}
-        options={{title: title(msg`Chat settings`), requireAuth: true}}
-      />
-      <Stack.Screen
-        name="MessagesInbox"
-        getComponent={() => MessagesInboxScreen}
-        options={{title: title(msg`Chat request inbox`), requireAuth: true}}
-      />
+      <Stack.Group screenLayout={renderMessagesSplitViewLayout}>
+        <Stack.Screen
+          name="MessagesConversation"
+          getComponent={() => MessagesConversationScreen}
+          options={{title: title(msg`Chat`), requireAuth: true}}
+        />
+        <Stack.Screen
+          name="MessagesConversationSettings"
+          getComponent={() => MessagesConversationSettingsScreen}
+          options={{title: title(msg`Group chat settings`), requireAuth: true}}
+        />
+        <Stack.Screen
+          name="MessagesSettings"
+          getComponent={() => MessagesSettingsScreen}
+          options={{title: title(msg`Chat settings`), requireAuth: true}}
+        />
+        <Stack.Screen
+          name="MessagesInbox"
+          getComponent={() => MessagesInboxScreen}
+          options={{title: title(msg`Chat request inbox`), requireAuth: true}}
+        />
+      </Stack.Group>
       <Stack.Screen
         name="NotificationsActivityList"
         getComponent={() => NotificationsActivityListScreen}
@@ -832,6 +835,7 @@ const FlatNavigator = ({
         name="Messages"
         getComponent={() => MessagesScreen}
         options={{title: title(msg`Messages`), requireAuth: true}}
+        layout={renderMessagesSplitViewLayout}
       />
       <Flat.Screen
         name="Start"
diff --git a/src/components/Layout/Header/index.tsx b/src/components/Layout/Header/index.tsx
index 8109914dce..3d2ee0acda 100644
--- a/src/components/Layout/Header/index.tsx
+++ b/src/components/Layout/Header/index.tsx
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import {useNavigation} from '@react-navigation/native'
 import {HITSLOP_30} from '#/lib/constants'
 import {type NavigationProp} from '#/lib/routes/types'
 import {useSetDrawerOpen} from '#/state/shell'
+import {useIsWithinSplitView} from '#/screens/Messages/components/splitView/context'
 import {
   atoms as a,
   platform,
@@ -46,6 +47,7 @@ export function Outer({
   const {gtMobile} = useBreakpoints()
   const {isWithinOffsetView} = useContext(ScrollbarOffsetContext)
   const {centerColumnOffset} = useLayoutBreakpoints()
+  const {isWithinSplitView} = useIsWithinSplitView()
 
   return (
     <View
@@ -64,12 +66,13 @@ export function Outer({
         }),
         t.atoms.border_contrast_low,
         gtMobile && [a.mx_auto, {maxWidth: 600}],
-        !isWithinOffsetView && {
-          transform: [
-            {translateX: centerColumnOffset ? CENTER_COLUMN_OFFSET : 0},
-            {translateX: web(SCROLLBAR_OFFSET) ?? 0},
-          ],
-        },
+        !isWithinOffsetView &&
+          !isWithinSplitView && {
+            transform: [
+              {translateX: centerColumnOffset ? CENTER_COLUMN_OFFSET : 0},
+              {translateX: web(SCROLLBAR_OFFSET) ?? 0},
+            ],
+          },
       ]}>
       {children}
     </View>
@@ -108,6 +111,7 @@ export function Slot({children}: {children?: React.ReactNode}) {
 export function BackButton({onPress, style, ...props}: Partial<ButtonProps>) {
   const {_} = useLingui()
   const navigation = useNavigation<NavigationProp>()
+  const {isWithinRightPanel} = useIsWithinSplitView()
 
   const onPressBack = useCallback(
     (evt: GestureResponderEvent) => {
@@ -122,6 +126,10 @@ export function BackButton({onPress, style, ...props}: Partial<ButtonProps>) {
     [onPress, navigation],
   )
 
+  if (isWithinRightPanel) {
+    return null
+  }
+
   return (
     <Slot>
       <Button
diff --git a/src/components/Layout/index.tsx b/src/components/Layout/index.tsx
index 43ae23b52b..41f42268b2 100644
--- a/src/components/Layout/index.tsx
+++ b/src/components/Layout/index.tsx
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ import {useSafeAreaInsets} from 'react-native-safe-area-context'
 
 import {useEnableMinimalShellModeForScreen} from '#/state/shell'
 import {useShellLayout} from '#/state/shell/shell-layout'
+import {useIsWithinSplitView} from '#/screens/Messages/components/splitView/context'
 import {
   atoms as a,
   useBreakpoints,
@@ -49,12 +50,13 @@ export const Screen = memo(function Screen({
   ...props
 }: ScreenProps) {
   const {top} = useSafeAreaInsets()
+  const {isWithinSplitView} = useIsWithinSplitView()
 
   useEnableMinimalShellModeForScreen({enabled: minimalShell})
 
   return (
     <>
-      {IS_WEB && <WebCenterBorders />}
+      {IS_WEB && !isWithinSplitView && <WebCenterBorders />}
       <View
         style={[a.util_screen_outer, {paddingTop: noInsetTop ? 0 : top}, style]}
         {...props}
@@ -174,28 +176,30 @@ export const Center = memo(function LayoutCenter({
   const {gtMobile} = useBreakpoints()
   const {centerColumnOffset} = useLayoutBreakpoints()
   const {isWithinDialog} = useDialogContext()
+  const {isWithinSplitView} = useIsWithinSplitView()
   const ctx = useMemo(() => ({isWithinOffsetView: true}), [])
   return (
     <View
       style={[
         a.w_full,
-        a.mx_auto,
+        !isWithinSplitView && a.mx_auto,
         gtMobile && {
           maxWidth: 600,
         },
-        !isWithinOffsetView && {
-          transform: [
-            {
-              translateX:
-                centerColumnOffset &&
-                !ignoreTabletLayoutOffset &&
-                !isWithinDialog
-                  ? CENTER_COLUMN_OFFSET
-                  : 0,
-            },
-            {translateX: web(SCROLLBAR_OFFSET) ?? 0},
-          ],
-        },
+        !isWithinOffsetView &&
+          !isWithinSplitView && {
+            transform: [
+              {
+                translateX:
+                  centerColumnOffset &&
+                  !ignoreTabletLayoutOffset &&
+                  !isWithinDialog
+                    ? CENTER_COLUMN_OFFSET
+                    : 0,
+              },
+              {translateX: web(SCROLLBAR_OFFSET) ?? 0},
+            ],
+          },
         style,
       ]}
       {...props}>
diff --git a/src/components/dms/dialogs/NewChatDialog.tsx b/src/components/dms/dialogs/NewChatDialog.tsx
index 6686a6ffe2..ce33644f1e 100644
--- a/src/components/dms/dialogs/NewChatDialog.tsx
+++ b/src/components/dms/dialogs/NewChatDialog.tsx
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import {logger} from '#/logger'
 import {useCreateGroupChat} from '#/state/queries/messages/create-group-chat'
 import {useGetConvoForMembers} from '#/state/queries/messages/get-convo-for-members'
 import {FAB} from '#/view/com/util/fab/FAB'
+import {useIsWithinSplitView} from '#/screens/Messages/components/splitView/context'
 import {useTheme} from '#/alf'
 import * as Dialog from '#/components/Dialog'
 import {SearchablePeopleList} from '#/components/dialogs/SearchablePeopleList'
@@ -25,6 +26,7 @@ export function NewChat({
   const {t: l} = useLingui()
   const ax = useAnalytics()
   const requireEmailVerification = useRequireEmailVerification()
+  const {isWithinSplitView} = useIsWithinSplitView()
 
   const isGroupChatEnabled = ax.features.enabled(ax.features.GroupChatsEnable)
 
@@ -99,14 +101,17 @@ export function NewChat({
 
   return (
     <>
-      <FAB
-        testID="newChatFAB"
-        onPress={wrappedOnPress}
-        icon={<NewChatIcon size="lg" fill={t.palette.white} />}
-        accessibilityRole="button"
-        accessibilityLabel={l`New chat`}
-        accessibilityHint=""
-      />
+      {/* in split view, header button is always available, so no need for FAB */}
+      {!isWithinSplitView && (
+        <FAB
+          testID="newChatFAB"
+          onPress={wrappedOnPress}
+          icon={<NewChatIcon size="lg" fill={t.palette.white} />}
+          accessibilityRole="button"
+          accessibilityLabel={l`New chat`}
+          accessibilityHint=""
+        />
+      )}
       <Dialog.Outer
         control={control}
         testID="newChatDialog"
diff --git a/src/lib/routes/types.ts b/src/lib/routes/types.ts
index e87aad55c3..1786040568 100644
--- a/src/lib/routes/types.ts
+++ b/src/lib/routes/types.ts
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ export type AllNavigatorParams = CommonNavigatorParams & {
   Notifications: undefined
   MyProfileTab: undefined
   MessagesTab: undefined
-  Messages: {animation?: 'push' | 'pop'}
+  Messages: {pushToConversation?: string; animation?: 'push' | 'pop'}
 }
 
 // NOTE
diff --git a/src/screens/Messages/ChatList.tsx b/src/screens/Messages/ChatList.tsx
index eddedff3e0..03a641de86 100644
--- a/src/screens/Messages/ChatList.tsx
+++ b/src/screens/Messages/ChatList.tsx
@@ -2,9 +2,7 @@ import {useCallback, useEffect, useMemo, useState} from 'react'
 import {View} from 'react-native'
 import {useAnimatedRef} from 'react-native-reanimated'
 import {type ChatBskyConvoDefs} from '@atproto/api'
-import {msg} from '@lingui/core/macro'
-import {useLingui} from '@lingui/react'
-import {Trans} from '@lingui/react/macro'
+import {Trans, useLingui} from '@lingui/react/macro'
 import {useFocusEffect, useIsFocused} from '@react-navigation/native'
 import {type NativeStackScreenProps} from '@react-navigation/native-stack'
 
@@ -19,9 +17,10 @@ import {MESSAGE_SCREEN_POLL_INTERVAL} from '#/state/messages/convo/const'
 import {useMessagesEventBus} from '#/state/messages/events'
 import {useLeftConvos} from '#/state/queries/messages/leave-conversation'
 import {useListConvosQuery} from '#/state/queries/messages/list-conversations'
+import {EmptyState} from '#/view/com/util/EmptyState'
 import {List, type ListRef} from '#/view/com/util/List'
 import {ChatListLoadingPlaceholder} from '#/view/com/util/LoadingPlaceholder'
-import {atoms as a, useBreakpoints, useTheme} from '#/alf'
+import {atoms as a, useBreakpoints, useTheme, web} from '#/alf'
 import {AgeRestrictedScreen} from '#/components/ageAssurance/AgeRestrictedScreen'
 import {useAgeAssuranceCopy} from '#/components/ageAssurance/useAgeAssuranceCopy'
 import {Button, ButtonIcon, ButtonText} from '#/components/Button'
@@ -41,14 +40,16 @@ import {useAgeAssurance} from '#/ageAssurance'
 import {IS_NATIVE} from '#/env'
 import {ChatListItem} from './components/ChatListItem'
 import {InboxRequests} from './components/InboxRequests'
+import {useIsWithinSplitView} from './components/splitView/context'
 
 type ListItem = {
   type: 'CONVERSATION'
   conversation: ChatBskyConvoDefs.ConvoView
+  selected: boolean
 }
 
 function renderItem({item}: {item: ListItem}) {
-  return <ChatListItem convo={item.conversation} />
+  return <ChatListItem convo={item.conversation} selected={item.selected} />
 }
 
 function keyExtractor(item: ListItem) {
@@ -58,19 +59,19 @@ function keyExtractor(item: ListItem) {
 type Props = NativeStackScreenProps<MessagesTabNavigatorParams, 'Messages'>
 
 export function MessagesScreen(props: Props) {
-  const {_} = useLingui()
+  const {t: l} = useLingui()
   const aaCopy = useAgeAssuranceCopy()
   const aa = useAgeAssurance()
 
   return (
     <AgeRestrictedScreen
-      screenTitle={_(msg`Chats`)}
+      screenTitle={l`Chats`}
       infoText={aaCopy.chatsInfoText}
       rightHeaderSlot={
         aa.flags.chatDisabled ? null : (
           <Link
             to="/messages/settings"
-            label={_(msg`Chat settings`)}
+            label={l`Chat settings`}
             size="small"
             color="secondary">
             <ButtonText>
@@ -85,10 +86,9 @@ export function MessagesScreen(props: Props) {
 }
 
 export function MessagesScreenInner({navigation, route}: Props) {
-  const {_} = useLingui()
-  const t = useTheme()
+  const {isWithinSplitView} = useIsWithinSplitView()
+  const {t: l} = useLingui()
   const newChatControl = useDialogControl()
-  const scrollElRef: ListRef = useAnimatedRef()
   const pushToConversation = route.params?.pushToConversation
 
   // Whenever we have `pushToConversation` set, it means we pressed a notification for a chat without being on
@@ -120,6 +120,48 @@ export function MessagesScreenInner({navigation, route}: Props) {
     }, [messagesBus, isActive]),
   )
 
+  const onNewChat = useCallback(
+    (conversation: string) =>
+      navigation.navigate('MessagesConversation', {conversation}),
+    [navigation],
+  )
+
+  if (isWithinSplitView) {
+    return (
+      <>
+        <EmptyState
+          message={l`Start a conversation`}
+          icon={MessageIcon}
+          iconSize="3xl"
+          button={{
+            label: l`New chat`,
+            text: l`New chat`,
+            onPress: newChatControl.open,
+            size: 'small',
+            color: 'secondary_inverted',
+          }}
+          style={[a.h_full, a.justify_center, a.pb_5xl]}
+        />
+        <NewChat onNewChat={onNewChat} control={newChatControl} />
+      </>
+    )
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <Layout.Screen testID="messagesScreen">
+      <Header newChatControl={newChatControl} />
+      <ChatList />
+      <NewChat onNewChat={onNewChat} control={newChatControl} />
+    </Layout.Screen>
+  )
+}
+
+export function ChatList({selectedChat}: {selectedChat?: string}) {
+  const t = useTheme()
+  const {t: l} = useLingui()
+  const scrollElRef: ListRef = useAnimatedRef()
+  const {isWithinSplitView} = useIsWithinSplitView()
+
   const initialNumToRender = useInitialNumToRender({minItemHeight: 80})
   const [isPTRing, setIsPTRing] = useState(false)
 
@@ -134,11 +176,7 @@ export function MessagesScreenInner({navigation, route}: Props) {
     refetch,
   } = useListConvosQuery({status: 'accepted'})
 
-  const {
-    data: inboxData,
-    refetch: refetchInbox,
-    hasNextPage: hasMoreRequests,
-  } = useListConvosQuery({
+  const {refetch: refetchInbox} = useListConvosQuery({
     status: 'request',
   })
 
@@ -147,16 +185,6 @@ export function MessagesScreenInner({navigation, route}: Props) {
 
   const leftConvos = useLeftConvos()
 
-  const inboxAllConvos =
-    inboxData?.pages
-      .flatMap(page => page.convos)
-      .filter(
-        convo =>
-          !leftConvos.includes(convo.id) &&
-          !convo.muted &&
-          convo.members.every(member => member.handle !== 'missing.invalid'),
-      ) ?? []
-
   const conversations = useMemo(() => {
     if (data?.pages) {
       const conversations = data.pages
@@ -164,18 +192,17 @@ export function MessagesScreenInner({navigation, route}: Props) {
         // filter out convos that are actively being left
         .filter(convo => !leftConvos.includes(convo.id))
 
-      return [
-        ...conversations.map(
-          convo =>
-            ({
-              type: 'CONVERSATION',
-              conversation: convo,
-            }) as const,
-        ),
-      ] satisfies ListItem[]
+      return conversations.map(
+        convo =>
+          ({
+            type: 'CONVERSATION',
+            conversation: convo,
+            selected: convo.id === selectedChat,
+          }) as const,
+      ) satisfies ListItem[]
     }
     return []
-  }, [data, leftConvos])
+  }, [data, leftConvos, selectedChat])
 
   const onRefresh = useCallback(async () => {
     setIsPTRing(true)
@@ -196,12 +223,6 @@ export function MessagesScreenInner({navigation, route}: Props) {
     }
   }, [isFetchingNextPage, hasNextPage, isError, fetchNextPage])
 
-  const onNewChat = useCallback(
-    (conversation: string) =>
-      navigation.navigate('MessagesConversation', {conversation}),
-    [navigation],
-  )
-
   const onSoftReset = useCallback(async () => {
     scrollElRef.current?.scrollToOffset({
       animated: IS_NATIVE,
@@ -222,141 +243,122 @@ export function MessagesScreenInner({navigation, route}: Props) {
     return listenSoftReset(() => void onSoftReset())
   }, [onSoftReset, isScreenFocused])
 
-  // NOTE(APiligrim)
-  // Show empty state only if there are no conversations at all
-  const activeConversations = conversations.filter(
-    item => item.type === 'CONVERSATION',
-  )
-
-  if (activeConversations.length === 0) {
+  if (conversations.length === 0) {
     return (
-      <Layout.Screen>
-        <Header
-          newChatControl={newChatControl}
-          requestsCount={inboxAllConvos.length}
-          hasMoreRequests={hasMoreRequests}
-        />
-        <Layout.Center>
-          {isLoading ? (
-            <ChatListLoadingPlaceholder />
-          ) : (
-            <>
-              {isError ? (
-                <>
-                  <View style={[a.pt_3xl, a.align_center]}>
-                    <CircleInfoIcon
-                      width={48}
-                      fill={t.atoms.text_contrast_low.color}
-                    />
-                    <Text
-                      style={[a.pt_md, a.pb_sm, a.text_2xl, a.font_semi_bold]}>
-                      <Trans>Whoops!</Trans>
-                    </Text>
-                    <Text
-                      style={[
-                        a.text_md,
-                        a.pb_xl,
-                        a.text_center,
-                        a.leading_snug,
-                        t.atoms.text_contrast_medium,
-                        {maxWidth: 360},
-                      ]}>
-                      {cleanError(error) ||
-                        _(msg`Failed to load conversations`)}
-                    </Text>
+      <Layout.Center>
+        {isLoading ? (
+          <ChatListLoadingPlaceholder />
+        ) : (
+          <>
+            {isError ? (
+              <>
+                <View style={[a.pt_3xl, a.align_center]}>
+                  <CircleInfoIcon
+                    width={48}
+                    fill={t.atoms.text_contrast_low.color}
+                  />
+                  <Text
+                    style={[a.pt_md, a.pb_sm, a.text_2xl, a.font_semi_bold]}>
+                    <Trans>Whoops!</Trans>
+                  </Text>
+                  <Text
+                    style={[
+                      a.text_md,
+                      a.pb_xl,
+                      a.text_center,
+                      a.leading_snug,
+                      t.atoms.text_contrast_medium,
+                      {maxWidth: 360},
+                    ]}>
+                    {cleanError(error) || l`Failed to load conversations`}
+                  </Text>
 
-                    <Button
-                      label={_(msg`Reload conversations`)}
-                      size="small"
-                      color="secondary_inverted"
-                      variant="solid"
-                      onPress={() => void refetch()}>
-                      <ButtonText>
-                        <Trans>Retry</Trans>
-                      </ButtonText>
-                      <ButtonIcon icon={RetryIcon} position="right" />
-                    </Button>
-                  </View>
-                </>
-              ) : (
-                <>
-                  <View style={[a.pt_3xl, a.align_center]}>
-                    <MessageIcon width={48} fill={t.palette.primary_500} />
-                    <Text
-                      style={[a.pt_md, a.pb_sm, a.text_2xl, a.font_semi_bold]}>
-                      <Trans>Nothing here</Trans>
-                    </Text>
-                    <Text
-                      style={[
-                        a.text_md,
-                        a.pb_xl,
-                        a.text_center,
-                        a.leading_snug,
-                        t.atoms.text_contrast_medium,
-                      ]}>
-                      <Trans>You have no conversations yet. Start one!</Trans>
-                    </Text>
-                  </View>
-                </>
-              )}
-            </>
-          )}
-        </Layout.Center>
-
-        {!isLoading && !isError && (
-          <NewChat onNewChat={onNewChat} control={newChatControl} />
+                  <Button
+                    label={l`Reload conversations`}
+                    size="small"
+                    color="secondary_inverted"
+                    onPress={() => void refetch()}>
+                    <ButtonText>
+                      <Trans>Retry</Trans>
+                    </ButtonText>
+                    <ButtonIcon icon={RetryIcon} />
+                  </Button>
+                </View>
+              </>
+            ) : isWithinSplitView ? (
+              <EmptyState
+                message={l`Your conversations will appear here`}
+                icon={MessageIcon}
+              />
+            ) : (
+              <EmptyState
+                message={l`No chats yet`}
+                icon={MessageIcon}
+                iconSize="3xl"
+              />
+            )}
+          </>
         )}
-      </Layout.Screen>
+      </Layout.Center>
     )
   }
 
   return (
-    <Layout.Screen testID="messagesScreen">
-      <Header
-        newChatControl={newChatControl}
-        requestsCount={inboxAllConvos.length}
-        hasMoreRequests={hasMoreRequests}
-      />
-      <NewChat onNewChat={onNewChat} control={newChatControl} />
-      <List
-        ref={scrollElRef}
-        data={conversations}
-        renderItem={renderItem}
-        keyExtractor={keyExtractor}
-        refreshing={isPTRing}
-        onRefresh={() => void onRefresh()}
-        onEndReached={() => void onEndReached()}
-        ListFooterComponent={
-          <ListFooter
-            isFetchingNextPage={isFetchingNextPage}
-            error={cleanError(error)}
-            onRetry={fetchNextPage}
-            style={{borderColor: 'transparent'}}
-            hasNextPage={hasNextPage}
-          />
-        }
-        onEndReachedThreshold={IS_NATIVE ? 1.5 : 0}
-        initialNumToRender={initialNumToRender}
-        windowSize={11}
-        desktopFixedHeight
-        sideBorders={false}
-      />
-    </Layout.Screen>
+    <List
+      ref={scrollElRef}
+      data={conversations}
+      renderItem={renderItem}
+      keyExtractor={keyExtractor}
+      refreshing={isPTRing}
+      onRefresh={() => void onRefresh()}
+      onEndReached={() => void onEndReached()}
+      ListFooterComponent={
+        <ListFooter
+          isFetchingNextPage={isFetchingNextPage}
+          error={cleanError(error)}
+          onRetry={fetchNextPage}
+          style={{borderColor: 'transparent'}}
+          hasNextPage={hasNextPage}
+        />
+      }
+      onEndReachedThreshold={IS_NATIVE ? 1.5 : 0}
+      initialNumToRender={initialNumToRender}
+      windowSize={11}
+      desktopFixedHeight
+      sideBorders={false}
+      disableFullWindowScroll={isWithinSplitView}
+      style={
+        isWithinSplitView && [
+          a.w_full,
+          web({
+            scrollbarWidth: 'thin',
+            scrollbarColor: `${t.palette.contrast_100} transparent`,
+          }),
+        ]
+      }
+    />
   )
 }
 
-function Header({
-  newChatControl,
-  requestsCount,
-  hasMoreRequests,
-}: {
-  newChatControl: DialogControlProps
-  requestsCount: number
-  hasMoreRequests: boolean
-}) {
-  const {_} = useLingui()
+export function Header({newChatControl}: {newChatControl: DialogControlProps}) {
+  const {t: l} = useLingui()
   const {gtMobile} = useBreakpoints()
   const requireEmailVerification = useRequireEmailVerification()
+  const leftConvos = useLeftConvos()
+
+  const {data: inboxData, hasNextPage: hasMoreRequests} = useListConvosQuery({
+    status: 'request',
+  })
+
+  const inboxAllConvos =
+    inboxData?.pages
+      .flatMap(page => page.convos)
+      .filter(
+        convo =>
+          !leftConvos.includes(convo.id) &&
+          !convo.muted &&
+          convo.members.every(member => member.handle !== 'missing.invalid'),
+      ) ?? []
 
   const openChatControl = useCallback(() => {
     newChatControl.open()
@@ -370,13 +372,16 @@ function Header({
   })
 
   const requestsLink = (
-    <InboxRequests count={requestsCount} more={hasMoreRequests} />
+    <InboxRequests
+      count={inboxAllConvos.length}
+      more={hasMoreRequests ?? false}
+    />
   )
 
   const settingsLink = (
     <Link
       to="/messages/settings"
-      label={_(msg`Chat settings`)}
+      label={l`Chat settings`}
       size="small"
       variant="ghost"
       color="secondary"
@@ -400,12 +405,11 @@ function Header({
             {requestsLink}
             {settingsLink}
             <Button
-              label={_(msg`New chat`)}
+              label={l`New chat`}
               color="primary"
               size="small"
-              variant="solid"
               onPress={wrappedOpenChatControl}>
-              <ButtonIcon icon={PlusIcon} position="left" />
+              <ButtonIcon icon={PlusIcon} />
               <ButtonText>
                 <Trans>New chat</Trans>
               </ButtonText>
diff --git a/src/screens/Messages/Inbox.tsx b/src/screens/Messages/Inbox.tsx
index b00bc3f5b1..b9d0792464 100644
--- a/src/screens/Messages/Inbox.tsx
+++ b/src/screens/Messages/Inbox.tsx
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ import * as Toast from '#/components/Toast'
 import {Text} from '#/components/Typography'
 import {IS_NATIVE} from '#/env'
 import {RequestListItem} from './components/RequestListItem'
+import {useIsWithinSplitView} from './components/splitView/context'
 
 type Props = NativeStackScreenProps<CommonNavigatorParams, 'MessagesInbox'>
 
@@ -127,6 +128,7 @@ function RequestList({
   const {t: l} = useLingui()
   const t = useTheme()
   const navigation = useNavigation<NavigationProp>()
+  const {isWithinSplitView} = useIsWithinSplitView()
 
   // Request the poll interval to be 10s (or whatever the MESSAGE_SCREEN_POLL_INTERVAL is set to in the future)
   // but only when the screen is active
@@ -217,7 +219,7 @@ function RequestList({
                     <ButtonText>
                       <Trans>Retry</Trans>
                     </ButtonText>
-                    <ButtonIcon icon={RetryIcon} position="right" />
+                    <ButtonIcon icon={RetryIcon} />
                   </Button>
                 </View>
               </>
@@ -243,23 +245,25 @@ function RequestList({
                       You don't have any chat requests at the moment.
                     </Trans>
                   </Text>
-                  <Button
-                    variant="solid"
-                    color="secondary"
-                    size="small"
-                    label={l`Go back`}
-                    onPress={() => {
-                      if (navigation.canGoBack()) {
-                        navigation.goBack()
-                      } else {
-                        navigation.navigate('Messages', {animation: 'pop'})
-                      }
-                    }}>
-                    <ButtonIcon icon={ArrowLeftIcon} />
-                    <ButtonText>
-                      <Trans>Back to Chats</Trans>
-                    </ButtonText>
-                  </Button>
+                  {!isWithinSplitView && (
+                    <Button
+                      variant="solid"
+                      color="secondary"
+                      size="small"
+                      label={l`Go back`}
+                      onPress={() => {
+                        if (navigation.canGoBack()) {
+                          navigation.goBack()
+                        } else {
+                          navigation.navigate('Messages', {animation: 'pop'})
+                        }
+                      }}>
+                      <ButtonIcon icon={ArrowLeftIcon} />
+                      <ButtonText>
+                        <Trans>Back to Chats</Trans>
+                      </ButtonText>
+                    </Button>
+                  )}
                 </View>
               </>
             )}
diff --git a/src/screens/Messages/components/ChatListItem.tsx b/src/screens/Messages/components/ChatListItem.tsx
index 721454dd6f..01de080936 100644
--- a/src/screens/Messages/components/ChatListItem.tsx
+++ b/src/screens/Messages/components/ChatListItem.tsx
@@ -57,10 +57,12 @@ export const ChatListItemPortal = createPortalGroup()
 export function ChatListItem({
   convo: convoView,
   showMenu = true,
+  selected = false,
   children,
 }: {
   convo: ChatBskyConvoDefs.ConvoView
   showMenu?: boolean
+  selected?: boolean
   children?: React.ReactNode
 }) {
   const {currentAccount} = useSession()
@@ -78,7 +80,8 @@ export function ChatListItem({
         <DirectChatItem
           convo={convo}
           moderationOpts={moderationOpts}
-          showMenu={showMenu}>
+          showMenu={showMenu}
+          selected={selected}>
           {children}
         </DirectChatItem>
       )
@@ -88,7 +91,8 @@ export function ChatListItem({
         <GroupChatItem
           convo={convo}
           moderationOpts={moderationOpts}
-          showMenu={showMenu}>
+          showMenu={showMenu}
+          selected={selected}>
           {children}
         </GroupChatItem>
       )
@@ -103,11 +107,13 @@ function DirectChatItem({
   convo,
   moderationOpts,
   showMenu,
+  selected,
   children,
 }: {
   convo: Extract<ConvoWithDetails, {kind: 'direct'}>
   moderationOpts: ModerationOpts
   showMenu?: boolean
+  selected?: boolean
   children?: React.ReactNode
 }) {
   const {t: l} = useLingui()
@@ -145,6 +151,7 @@ function DirectChatItem({
           : l`This conversation is with a deleted or a deactivated account. Press for options`
       }
       showMenu={showMenu}
+      selected={selected}
       isDeletedAccount={isDeletedAccount}
       isBlockedAccount={moderation.blocked}
       showProfileBadges
@@ -164,11 +171,13 @@ function GroupChatItem({
   convo,
   moderationOpts,
   showMenu,
+  selected,
   children,
 }: {
   convo: Extract<ConvoWithDetails, {kind: 'group'}>
   moderationOpts: ModerationOpts
   showMenu?: boolean
+  selected?: boolean
   children?: React.ReactNode
 }) {
   const {t: l} = useLingui()
@@ -193,6 +202,7 @@ function GroupChatItem({
       isBlockedAccount={false}
       isDeletedAccount={false}
       showProfileBadges={false}
+      selected={selected}
       showMenu={showMenu}>
       {children}
     </BaseChatItem>
@@ -210,6 +220,7 @@ function BaseChatItem({
   primaryProfile,
   primaryProfileModeration,
   showMenu,
+  selected,
   showProfileBadges,
   postAlerts,
   children,
@@ -224,6 +235,7 @@ function BaseChatItem({
   primaryProfile?: Shadow<bsky.profile.AnyProfileView>
   primaryProfileModeration?: ModerationDecision
   showMenu?: boolean
+  selected?: boolean
   showProfileBadges: boolean
   postAlerts?: React.ReactNode
   children?: React.ReactNode
@@ -457,7 +469,8 @@ function BaseChatItem({
                   a.px_lg,
                   a.py_md,
                   a.gap_md,
-                  (hovered || pressed || focused) && t.atoms.bg_contrast_25,
+                  selected && t.atoms.bg_contrast_25,
+                  (hovered || pressed || focused) && t.atoms.bg_contrast_50,
                 ]}>
                 {/* Avatar goes here */}
                 <View style={{width: 52, height: 52}} />
diff --git a/src/screens/Messages/components/splitView/MessagesSplitViewLayout.tsx b/src/screens/Messages/components/splitView/MessagesSplitViewLayout.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..212ebb5440
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/screens/Messages/components/splitView/MessagesSplitViewLayout.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,85 @@
+import {View} from 'react-native'
+import {type ScreenLayoutArgs, useIsFocused} from '@react-navigation/native'
+import {RemoveScrollBar} from 'react-remove-scroll-bar'
+
+import {type AllNavigatorParams, type NavigationProp} from '#/lib/routes/types'
+import {atoms as a, useLayoutBreakpoints, useTheme, web} from '#/alf'
+import {useDialogControl} from '#/components/Dialog'
+import {NewChat} from '#/components/dms/dialogs/NewChatDialog'
+import {SCROLLBAR_OFFSET} from '#/components/Layout'
+import {useAgeAssurance} from '#/ageAssurance'
+import {IS_WEB} from '#/env'
+import {ChatList, Header as ChatListHeader} from '../../ChatList'
+import {SplitViewProvider} from './context'
+
+const LEFT_NAV_MINIMAL_WIDTH = 86
+const RIGHT_NAV_WIDTH = 330 + 28
+
+type LayoutProps = ScreenLayoutArgs<
+  AllNavigatorParams,
+  'MessagesConversation',
+  {},
+  NavigationProp
+>
+export function renderMessagesSplitViewLayout(props: LayoutProps) {
+  return <MessagesSplitViewLayout {...props} />
+}
+
+function MessagesSplitViewLayout({children, navigation, route}: LayoutProps) {
+  const {rightNavVisible, centerColumnOffset} = useLayoutBreakpoints()
+  const newChatControl = useDialogControl()
+  const t = useTheme()
+  const aa = useAgeAssurance()
+  const isFocused = useIsFocused()
+
+  if (!IS_WEB || !rightNavVisible || aa.state.access !== aa.Access.Full) {
+    return children
+  }
+
+  const onNewChat = (conversation: string) =>
+    navigation.navigate('MessagesConversation', {conversation})
+
+  const selectedChat =
+    route.name === 'MessagesConversation'
+      ? route?.params?.conversation
+      : undefined
+
+  return (
+    <View
+      style={[
+        a.flex_1,
+        a.flex_row,
+        a.mx_auto,
+        {maxWidth: centerColumnOffset ? 900 : 950},
+        {
+          transform: [
+            {
+              translateX: centerColumnOffset
+                ? LEFT_NAV_MINIMAL_WIDTH / 2
+                : RIGHT_NAV_WIDTH / 2,
+            },
+            {translateX: web(SCROLLBAR_OFFSET) ?? 0},
+          ],
+        },
+      ]}>
+      {isFocused && <RemoveScrollBar />}
+      <SplitViewProvider side="left">
+        <View
+          style={[
+            a.border_l,
+            t.atoms.border_contrast_low,
+            {width: centerColumnOffset ? 300 : 350},
+          ]}>
+          <ChatListHeader newChatControl={newChatControl} />
+          <ChatList selectedChat={selectedChat} />
+          <NewChat onNewChat={onNewChat} control={newChatControl} />
+        </View>
+      </SplitViewProvider>
+      <SplitViewProvider side="right">
+        <View style={[a.border_x, t.atoms.border_contrast_low, {width: 600}]}>
+          {children}
+        </View>
+      </SplitViewProvider>
+    </View>
+  )
+}
diff --git a/src/screens/Messages/components/splitView/context.tsx b/src/screens/Messages/components/splitView/context.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..8b896d7dc9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/screens/Messages/components/splitView/context.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+import {createContext, useContext, useMemo} from 'react'
+
+const SplitViewContext = createContext<{
+  isWithinSplitView: boolean
+  isWithinLeftPanel: boolean
+  isWithinRightPanel: boolean
+}>({
+  isWithinSplitView: false,
+  isWithinLeftPanel: false,
+  isWithinRightPanel: false,
+})
+
+export function SplitViewProvider({
+  children,
+  side,
+}: {
+  children: React.ReactNode
+  side: 'left' | 'right'
+}) {
+  const value = useMemo(
+    () => ({
+      isWithinSplitView: true,
+      isWithinLeftPanel: side === 'left',
+      isWithinRightPanel: side === 'right',
+    }),
+    [side],
+  )
+  return <SplitViewContext value={value}>{children}</SplitViewContext>
+}
+
+export const useIsWithinSplitView = () => useContext(SplitViewContext)
diff --git a/src/view/com/util/EmptyState.tsx b/src/view/com/util/EmptyState.tsx
index 232212f8f4..8362cf2918 100644
--- a/src/view/com/util/EmptyState.tsx
+++ b/src/view/com/util/EmptyState.tsx
@@ -2,8 +2,6 @@ import {isValidElement} from 'react'
 import {type StyleProp, type TextStyle, type ViewStyle} from 'react-native'
 import {View} from 'react-native'
 
-import {usePalette} from '#/lib/hooks/usePalette'
-import {useWebMediaQueries} from '#/lib/hooks/useWebMediaQueries'
 import {atoms as a, useBreakpoints, useTheme} from '#/alf'
 import {Button, type ButtonProps, ButtonText} from '#/components/Button'
 import {EditBig_Stroke1_Corner0_Rounded as EditIcon} from '#/components/icons/EditBig'
@@ -24,23 +22,25 @@ export function EmptyState({
   button,
 }: {
   testID?: string
-  icon?: React.ComponentType<any> | React.ReactElement
+  icon?: React.ComponentType<any> | React.ReactElement | null
   iconSize?: 'xs' | 'sm' | 'md' | 'lg' | 'xl' | '2xl' | '3xl'
   message: string
   style?: StyleProp<ViewStyle>
   textStyle?: StyleProp<TextStyle>
   button?: EmptyStateButtonProps
 }) {
-  const pal = usePalette('default')
-  const {isTabletOrDesktop} = useWebMediaQueries()
   const t = useTheme()
-  const {gtMobile} = useBreakpoints()
+  const {gtMobile, gtTablet} = useBreakpoints()
 
   const placeholderIcon = (
     <EditIcon size="2xl" fill={t.atoms.text_contrast_medium.color} />
   )
 
   const renderIcon = () => {
+    if (icon === null) {
+      return null
+    }
+
     if (!icon) {
       return placeholderIcon
     }
@@ -79,16 +79,14 @@ export function EmptyState({
           {height: 64, width: 64},
           isValidElement(icon)
             ? a.bg_transparent
-            : [isTabletOrDesktop && {marginTop: 50}],
+            : [gtTablet && {marginTop: 50}],
         ]}>
         {renderIcon()}
       </View>
       <Text
         style={[
-          {
-            color: pal.colors.textLight,
-            maxWidth: gtMobile ? '40%' : '60%',
-          },
+          t.atoms.text_contrast_high,
+          {maxWidth: gtMobile ? '40%' : '60%'},
           a.pt_xs,
           a.font_medium,
           a.text_md,
diff --git a/src/view/shell/desktop/RightNav.tsx b/src/view/shell/desktop/RightNav.tsx
index 07ea25632a..405386ae10 100644
--- a/src/view/shell/desktop/RightNav.tsx
+++ b/src/view/shell/desktop/RightNav.tsx
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ export function DesktopRightNav({routeName}: {routeName: string}) {
   const kawaii = useKawaiiMode()
   const gutters = useGutters(['base', 0, 'base', 'wide'])
   const isSearchScreen = routeName === 'Search'
+  const isMessagesRelatedScreen = routeName.startsWith('Messages')
   const webqueryParams = useWebQueryParams()
   const searchQuery = webqueryParams?.q
   const showExploreScreenDuplicatedContent =
@@ -56,7 +57,7 @@ export function DesktopRightNav({routeName}: {routeName: string}) {
   const {rightNavVisible, centerColumnOffset, leftNavMinimal} =
     useLayoutBreakpoints()
 
-  if (!rightNavVisible) {
+  if (!rightNavVisible || isMessagesRelatedScreen) {
     return null
   }