diff --git a/apps/rebreak-native/app/(app)/chat.tsx b/apps/rebreak-native/app/(app)/chat.tsx
index 6e7c45a..85e4f5c 100644
--- a/apps/rebreak-native/app/(app)/chat.tsx
+++ b/apps/rebreak-native/app/(app)/chat.tsx
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import {
   Text,
   FlatList,
   TouchableOpacity,
+  TextInput,
   ActivityIndicator,
   Image,
   RefreshControl,
@@ -15,8 +16,6 @@ import { useQuery } from '@tanstack/react-query';
 import { useTranslation } from 'react-i18next';
 import { apiFetch } from '../../lib/api';
 import { AppHeader } from '../../components/AppHeader';
-import { RoomCard, type Room } from '../../components/chat/RoomCard';
-import { CreateRoomSheet } from '../../components/chat/CreateRoomSheet';
 import { useColors } from '../../lib/theme';
 
 type DmConversation = {
@@ -60,7 +59,7 @@ function DmItem({ conv, onPress }: { conv: DmConversation; onPress: () => void }
             <Text style={styles.dmName} numberOfLines={1}>
               {conv.partnerName}
             </Text>
-            <Text style={[styles.dmTime, { color: hasUnread ? '#007AFF' : colors.textMuted }]}>
+            <Text style={[styles.dmTime, { color: hasUnread ? colors.brandOrange : colors.textMuted }]}>
               {formatTime(conv.lastMessageAt, t('chat.just_now'))}
             </Text>
           </View>
@@ -97,19 +96,7 @@ export default function ChatScreen() {
   const router = useRouter();
   const colors = useColors();
   const styles = makeStyles(colors);
-  const [tab, setTab] = useState<'groups' | 'direct'>('groups');
-  const [createOpen, setCreateOpen] = useState(false);
-
-  const {
-    data: rooms = [],
-    isLoading: loadingRooms,
-    isRefetching: refetchingRooms,
-    refetch: refetchRooms,
-  } = useQuery<Room[]>({
-    queryKey: ['chat-rooms'],
-    queryFn: () => apiFetch('/api/chat/rooms'),
-    staleTime: 30_000,
-  });
+  const [search, setSearch] = useState('');
 
   const {
     data: convs = [],
@@ -120,17 +107,14 @@ export default function ChatScreen() {
     queryKey: ['dm-conversations'],
     queryFn: () => apiFetch('/api/chat/dm-conversations'),
     staleTime: 30_000,
-    enabled: tab === 'direct',
   });
 
-  const unreadDms = convs.reduce((s, c) => s + (c.unreadCount ?? 0), 0);
-
-  const openRoom = useCallback(
-    (roomId: string) => {
-      router.push(`/room?roomId=${roomId}`);
-    },
-    [router],
-  );
+  const filtered = search.trim()
+    ? convs.filter((c) =>
+        c.partnerName.toLowerCase().includes(search.toLowerCase()) ||
+        c.lastMessage.toLowerCase().includes(search.toLowerCase()),
+      )
+    : convs;
 
   const openDm = useCallback(
     (userId: string) => {
@@ -143,120 +127,53 @@ export default function ChatScreen() {
     <View style={styles.container}>
       <AppHeader />
 
-      {/* Header */}
+      {/* Search header */}
       <View style={styles.headerSection}>
-        <View style={styles.titleRow}>
-          <Text style={styles.title}>{t('chat.title')}</Text>
-          {tab === 'groups' && (
-            <TouchableOpacity
-              onPress={() => setCreateOpen(true)}
-              activeOpacity={0.7}
-              style={styles.createBtn}
-            >
-              <Ionicons name="add" size={20} color="#fff" />
+        <View style={styles.searchRow}>
+          <Ionicons name="search" size={16} color={colors.textMuted} style={styles.searchIcon} />
+          <TextInput
+            style={styles.searchInput}
+            value={search}
+            onChangeText={setSearch}
+            placeholder={t('chat.search_placeholder')}
+            placeholderTextColor={colors.textMuted}
+            returnKeyType="search"
+            clearButtonMode="never"
+            autoCorrect={false}
+            autoCapitalize="none"
+          />
+          {search.length > 0 && (
+            <TouchableOpacity onPress={() => setSearch('')} activeOpacity={0.7} hitSlop={8}>
+              <Ionicons name="close-circle" size={16} color={colors.textMuted} />
             </TouchableOpacity>
           )}
         </View>
-
-        {/* Tabs */}
-        <View style={styles.tabs}>
-          <TouchableOpacity
-            onPress={() => setTab('groups')}
-            activeOpacity={0.7}
-            style={[styles.tab, tab === 'groups' && styles.tabActive]}
-          >
-            <Ionicons
-              name="people"
-              size={14}
-              color={tab === 'groups' ? '#007AFF' : '#737373'}
-            />
-            <Text style={[styles.tabText, tab === 'groups' && styles.tabTextActive]}>
-              {t('chat.groups')}
-            </Text>
-          </TouchableOpacity>
-          <TouchableOpacity
-            onPress={() => setTab('direct')}
-            activeOpacity={0.7}
-            style={[styles.tab, tab === 'direct' && styles.tabActive]}
-          >
-            <Ionicons
-              name="chatbubbles"
-              size={14}
-              color={tab === 'direct' ? '#007AFF' : '#737373'}
-            />
-            <Text style={[styles.tabText, tab === 'direct' && styles.tabTextActive]}>
-              {t('chat.direct')}
-            </Text>
-            {unreadDms > 0 && (
-              <View style={styles.tabBadge}>
-                <Text style={styles.tabBadgeText}>{unreadDms}</Text>
-              </View>
-            )}
-          </TouchableOpacity>
-        </View>
       </View>
 
-      {tab === 'groups' ? (
-        <FlatList
-          data={loadingRooms ? [] : rooms}
-          keyExtractor={(item) => item.id}
-          refreshControl={
-            <RefreshControl
-              refreshing={refetchingRooms}
-              onRefresh={refetchRooms}
-              tintColor="#007AFF"
-            />
-          }
-          ListEmptyComponent={
-            loadingRooms ? (
-              <View style={styles.emptyBox}>
-                <ActivityIndicator color="#007AFF" />
-              </View>
-            ) : (
-              <View style={styles.emptyBox}>
-                <Ionicons name="people-outline" size={42} color="#d4d4d4" />
-                <Text style={styles.emptyText}>{t('chat.no_rooms')}</Text>
-              </View>
-            )
-          }
-          renderItem={({ item }) => <RoomCard room={item} onPress={() => openRoom(item.id)} />}
-          contentContainerStyle={{ paddingBottom: 100 }}
-        />
-      ) : (
-        <FlatList
-          data={loadingDms ? [] : convs}
-          keyExtractor={(item) => item.partnerId}
-          refreshControl={
-            <RefreshControl
-              refreshing={refetchingDms}
-              onRefresh={refetchDms}
-              tintColor="#007AFF"
-            />
-          }
-          ListEmptyComponent={
-            loadingDms ? (
-              <View style={styles.emptyBox}>
-                <ActivityIndicator color="#007AFF" />
-              </View>
-            ) : (
-              <View style={styles.emptyBox}>
-                <Ionicons name="chatbubble-ellipses-outline" size={42} color="#d4d4d4" />
-                <Text style={styles.emptyText}>{t('chat.no_chats')}</Text>
-              </View>
-            )
-          }
-          renderItem={({ item }) => <DmItem conv={item} onPress={() => openDm(item.partnerId)} />}
-          contentContainerStyle={{ paddingBottom: 100 }}
-        />
-      )}
-
-      <CreateRoomSheet
-        visible={createOpen}
-        onClose={() => setCreateOpen(false)}
-        onCreated={(room) => {
-          refetchRooms();
-          openRoom(room.id);
-        }}
+      <FlatList
+        data={loadingDms ? [] : filtered}
+        keyExtractor={(item) => item.partnerId}
+        refreshControl={
+          <RefreshControl
+            refreshing={refetchingDms}
+            onRefresh={refetchDms}
+            tintColor={colors.brandOrange}
+          />
+        }
+        ListEmptyComponent={
+          loadingDms ? (
+            <View style={styles.emptyBox}>
+              <ActivityIndicator color={colors.brandOrange} />
+            </View>
+          ) : (
+            <View style={styles.emptyBox}>
+              <Ionicons name="chatbubble-ellipses-outline" size={42} color="#d4d4d4" />
+              <Text style={styles.emptyText}>{t('chat.no_chats')}</Text>
+            </View>
+          )
+        }
+        renderItem={({ item }) => <DmItem conv={item} onPress={() => openDm(item.partnerId)} />}
+        contentContainerStyle={{ paddingBottom: 100 }}
       />
     </View>
   );
@@ -267,76 +184,27 @@ function makeStyles(colors: ReturnType<typeof useColors>) {
     container: { flex: 1, backgroundColor: colors.bg },
     headerSection: {
       paddingHorizontal: 16,
-      paddingTop: 14,
+      paddingTop: 12,
       paddingBottom: 10,
       backgroundColor: colors.bg,
       borderBottomWidth: StyleSheet.hairlineWidth,
       borderBottomColor: colors.border,
     },
-    titleRow: {
+    searchRow: {
       flexDirection: 'row',
       alignItems: 'center',
-      justifyContent: 'space-between',
-    },
-    title: {
-      fontSize: 22,
-      fontFamily: 'Nunito_800ExtraBold',
-      color: colors.text,
-    },
-    createBtn: {
-      width: 34,
-      height: 34,
-      borderRadius: 17,
-      backgroundColor: '#007AFF',
-      alignItems: 'center',
-      justifyContent: 'center',
-    },
-    tabs: {
-      flexDirection: 'row',
-      marginTop: 12,
       backgroundColor: colors.surfaceElevated,
       borderRadius: 10,
-      padding: 3,
+      paddingHorizontal: 10,
+      paddingVertical: 8,
     },
-    tab: {
+    searchIcon: { marginRight: 7 },
+    searchInput: {
       flex: 1,
-      flexDirection: 'row',
-      alignItems: 'center',
-      justifyContent: 'center',
-      paddingVertical: 7,
-      borderRadius: 8,
-    },
-    tabActive: {
-      backgroundColor: colors.surface,
-      shadowColor: '#000',
-      shadowOpacity: 0.05,
-      shadowRadius: 2,
-      shadowOffset: { width: 0, height: 1 },
-    },
-    tabText: {
-      fontSize: 12,
-      fontFamily: 'Nunito_600SemiBold',
-      color: colors.textMuted,
-      marginLeft: 5,
-    },
-    tabTextActive: {
-      color: '#007AFF',
-      fontFamily: 'Nunito_700Bold',
-    },
-    tabBadge: {
-      minWidth: 16,
-      height: 16,
-      borderRadius: 8,
-      backgroundColor: '#007AFF',
-      paddingHorizontal: 4,
-      alignItems: 'center',
-      justifyContent: 'center',
-      marginLeft: 5,
-    },
-    tabBadgeText: {
-      fontSize: 9,
-      fontFamily: 'Nunito_700Bold',
-      color: '#fff',
+      fontSize: 14,
+      fontFamily: 'Nunito_500Medium',
+      color: colors.text,
+      paddingVertical: 0,
     },
     emptyBox: {
       alignItems: 'center',
@@ -403,7 +271,7 @@ function makeStyles(colors: ReturnType<typeof useColors>) {
       height: 20,
       paddingHorizontal: 6,
       borderRadius: 10,
-      backgroundColor: '#007AFF',
+      backgroundColor: colors.brandOrange,
       alignItems: 'center',
       justifyContent: 'center',
       marginLeft: 8,
@@ -413,5 +281,53 @@ function makeStyles(colors: ReturnType<typeof useColors>) {
       fontFamily: 'Nunito_700Bold',
       color: '#fff',
     },
+    // Kept for v1.1 Groups comeback — tab styles no longer rendered
+    tabs: {
+      flexDirection: 'row',
+      marginTop: 12,
+      backgroundColor: colors.surfaceElevated,
+      borderRadius: 10,
+      padding: 3,
+    },
+    tab: {
+      flex: 1,
+      flexDirection: 'row',
+      alignItems: 'center',
+      justifyContent: 'center',
+      paddingVertical: 7,
+      borderRadius: 8,
+    },
+    tabActive: {
+      backgroundColor: colors.surface,
+      shadowColor: '#000',
+      shadowOpacity: 0.05,
+      shadowRadius: 2,
+      shadowOffset: { width: 0, height: 1 },
+    },
+    tabText: {
+      fontSize: 12,
+      fontFamily: 'Nunito_600SemiBold',
+      color: colors.textMuted,
+      marginLeft: 5,
+    },
+    tabTextActive: {
+      color: colors.brandOrange,
+      fontFamily: 'Nunito_700Bold',
+    },
+    tabBadge: {
+      minWidth: 16,
+      height: 16,
+      borderRadius: 8,
+      backgroundColor: colors.brandOrange,
+      paddingHorizontal: 4,
+      alignItems: 'center',
+      justifyContent: 'center',
+      marginLeft: 5,
+    },
+    tabBadgeText: {
+      fontSize: 9,
+      fontFamily: 'Nunito_700Bold',
+      color: '#fff',
+    },
   });
 }
diff --git a/apps/rebreak-native/locales/de.json b/apps/rebreak-native/locales/de.json
index 1222a0a..48bfe69 100644
--- a/apps/rebreak-native/locales/de.json
+++ b/apps/rebreak-native/locales/de.json
@@ -741,7 +741,8 @@
     "approve": "Annehmen",
     "reject": "Ablehnen",
     "avatar_updated": "Gruppenbild aktualisiert",
-    "send": "Senden"
+    "send": "Senden",
+    "search_placeholder": "Konversationen durchsuchen…"
   },
   "community": {
     "compose_placeholder": "Was bewegt dich gerade?",
diff --git a/apps/rebreak-native/locales/en.json b/apps/rebreak-native/locales/en.json
index 361b1f8..9e5e395 100644
--- a/apps/rebreak-native/locales/en.json
+++ b/apps/rebreak-native/locales/en.json
@@ -741,7 +741,8 @@
     "approve": "Approve",
     "reject": "Reject",
     "avatar_updated": "Group photo updated",
-    "send": "Send"
+    "send": "Send",
+    "search_placeholder": "Search conversations…"
   },
   "community": {
     "compose_placeholder": "What's on your mind?",
diff --git a/apps/rebreak-native/locales/fr.json b/apps/rebreak-native/locales/fr.json
index c92f74c..413ab14 100644
--- a/apps/rebreak-native/locales/fr.json
+++ b/apps/rebreak-native/locales/fr.json
@@ -741,7 +741,8 @@
     "approve": "Accepter",
     "reject": "Refuser",
     "avatar_updated": "Photo du groupe mise à jour",
-    "send": "Envoyer"
+    "send": "Envoyer",
+    "search_placeholder": "Rechercher des conversations…"
   },
   "community": {
     "compose_placeholder": "Qu'est-ce qui vous préoccupe en ce moment ?",