diff --git a/Emby.Server.Implementations/Session/RedisPodMessageBus.cs b/Emby.Server.Implementations/Session/RedisPodMessageBus.cs
index bad3d80ecd..955be0454d 100644
--- a/Emby.Server.Implementations/Session/RedisPodMessageBus.cs
+++ b/Emby.Server.Implementations/Session/RedisPodMessageBus.cs
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 using System;
 using System.Text.Json;
+using System.Threading;
 using System.Threading.Tasks;
 using Jellyfin.Extensions.Json;
 using MediaBrowser.Controller.Session;
@@ -16,6 +17,8 @@ public sealed class RedisPodMessageBus : IPodMessageBus
 {
     private const string ChannelPrefix = "jellyfin:pod:";
 
+    private static readonly TimeSpan _publishTimeout = TimeSpan.FromSeconds(5);
+
     private static readonly JsonSerializerOptions _jsonOptions = JsonDefaults.Options;
 
     private readonly ISubscriber _subscriber;
@@ -39,7 +42,7 @@ public sealed class RedisPodMessageBus : IPodMessageBus
     public string PodId { get; }
 
     /// <inheritdoc />
-    public void Publish(string targetPod, PodMessage message)
+    public async Task<long> PublishAsync(string targetPod, PodMessage message, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
     {
         ArgumentException.ThrowIfNullOrEmpty(targetPod);
         ArgumentNullException.ThrowIfNull(message);
@@ -48,14 +51,14 @@ public sealed class RedisPodMessageBus : IPodMessageBus
 
         try
         {
-            _subscriber.Publish(
+            return await _subscriber.PublishAsync(
                 RedisChannel.Literal(ChannelPrefix + targetPod),
-                JsonSerializer.Serialize(message, _jsonOptions),
-                CommandFlags.FireAndForget);
+                JsonSerializer.Serialize(message, _jsonOptions)).WaitAsync(_publishTimeout, cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
         }
         catch (Exception ex)
         {
             _logger.LogWarning(ex, "Failed to send a {Kind} message to {TargetPod}.", message.Kind, targetPod);
+            return 0;
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/Emby.Server.Implementations/Session/RedisSessionDirectory.cs b/Emby.Server.Implementations/Session/RedisSessionDirectory.cs
index 20980983a6..14be5e0162 100644
--- a/Emby.Server.Implementations/Session/RedisSessionDirectory.cs
+++ b/Emby.Server.Implementations/Session/RedisSessionDirectory.cs
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 using System;
 using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.Globalization;
 using System.Linq;
 using System.Text.Json;
 using System.Threading;
@@ -13,12 +14,47 @@ using StackExchange.Redis;
 namespace Emby.Server.Implementations.Session;
 
 /// <summary>
-/// A Redis-backed <see cref="ISessionDirectory"/>. Each entry is a key with an expiry, so the sessions of
-/// an instance that stops refreshing them disappear on their own.
+/// A Redis-backed <see cref="ISessionDirectory"/>. A session is owned by the instance holding its
+/// connection: ownership is claimed through a check-and-set, so an instance that only served a request
+/// for the session cannot take it from the instance the device is actually connected to. Each entry is a
+/// key with an expiry, so the sessions of an instance that stops refreshing them disappear on their own.
 /// </summary>
 public sealed class RedisSessionDirectory : ISessionDirectory
 {
     private const string KeyPrefix = "jellyfin:session:";
+    private const string OwnerKeyPrefix = "jellyfin:sessionowner:";
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Lua script for an atomic ownership claim. The owner key holds <c>pod|connectedTicks</c>, where
+    /// the ticks are zero for an instance that holds no connection. A claim by another instance is
+    /// refused unless its connection is newer than the recorded one, so the instance holding the live
+    /// connection keeps ownership however many requests the others serve.
+    /// </summary>
+    private const string ClaimScript = @"
+local current = redis.call('GET', KEYS[1])
+if current then
+    local separator = string.find(current, '|', 1, true)
+    local owner = string.sub(current, 1, separator - 1)
+    local connected = tonumber(string.sub(current, separator + 1))
+    if owner ~= ARGV[1] and connected > 0 and tonumber(ARGV[2]) <= connected then
+        return 0
+    end
+end
+redis.call('SET', KEYS[1], ARGV[1] .. '|' .. ARGV[2], 'PX', ARGV[4])
+redis.call('SET', KEYS[2], ARGV[3], 'PX', ARGV[4])
+return 1";
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Lua script for an atomic, ownership-checked removal, so that an instance ending its own copy of a
+    /// session cannot erase the entry of the instance still holding the connection.
+    /// </summary>
+    private const string ReleaseScript = @"
+local current = redis.call('GET', KEYS[1])
+if not current then return 0 end
+local separator = string.find(current, '|', 1, true)
+if string.sub(current, 1, separator - 1) ~= ARGV[1] then return 0 end
+redis.call('DEL', KEYS[1], KEYS[2])
+return 1";
 
     private static readonly JsonSerializerOptions _jsonOptions = JsonDefaults.Options;
 
@@ -47,35 +83,52 @@ public sealed class RedisSessionDirectory : ISessionDirectory
         _logger = logger;
     }
 
-    private TimeSpan EntryTtl => TimeSpan.FromSeconds(Math.Max(1, _options.EntryTtlSeconds));
+    private long EntryTtlMs => Math.Max(1, _options.EntryTtlSeconds) * 1000L;
+
+    private TimeSpan OperationTimeout => TimeSpan.FromSeconds(Math.Max(1, _options.OperationTimeoutSeconds));
 
     /// <inheritdoc />
-    public async Task PublishAsync(SessionDirectoryEntry entry, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+    public async Task<bool> PublishAsync(SessionDirectoryEntry entry, long connectedUtcTicks, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
     {
         ArgumentNullException.ThrowIfNull(entry);
 
         var sessionId = entry.Session?.Id;
         if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(sessionId))
         {
-            return;
+            return false;
         }
 
         try
         {
-            await _db.StringSetAsync(KeyPrefix + sessionId, JsonSerializer.Serialize(entry, _jsonOptions), EntryTtl).ConfigureAwait(false);
+            var claimed = (long?)await _db.ScriptEvaluateAsync(
+                ClaimScript,
+                keys: new RedisKey[] { OwnerKeyPrefix + sessionId, KeyPrefix + sessionId },
+                values: new RedisValue[]
+                {
+                    entry.OwnerPod,
+                    connectedUtcTicks.ToString(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture),
+                    JsonSerializer.Serialize(entry, _jsonOptions),
+                    EntryTtlMs
+                }).WaitAsync(OperationTimeout, cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
+
+            return claimed == 1;
         }
         catch (Exception ex)
         {
             _logger.LogWarning(ex, "Failed to publish session {SessionId}; it stays invisible to the other instances.", sessionId);
+            return false;
         }
     }
 
     /// <inheritdoc />
-    public async Task RemoveAsync(string sessionId, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+    public async Task RemoveAsync(string sessionId, string ownerPod, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
     {
         try
         {
-            await _db.KeyDeleteAsync(KeyPrefix + sessionId).ConfigureAwait(false);
+            await _db.ScriptEvaluateAsync(
+                ReleaseScript,
+                keys: new RedisKey[] { OwnerKeyPrefix + sessionId, KeyPrefix + sessionId },
+                values: new RedisValue[] { ownerPod }).WaitAsync(OperationTimeout, cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
         }
         catch (Exception ex)
         {
@@ -83,6 +136,22 @@ public sealed class RedisSessionDirectory : ISessionDirectory
         }
     }
 
+    /// <inheritdoc />
+    public async Task<SessionDirectoryEntry?> GetAsync(string sessionId, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+    {
+        try
+        {
+            var raw = await _db.StringGetAsync(KeyPrefix + sessionId).WaitAsync(OperationTimeout, cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
+
+            return raw.HasValue ? Deserialize(raw) : null;
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex)
+        {
+            _logger.LogWarning(ex, "Failed to read session {SessionId} from the directory.", sessionId);
+            return null;
+        }
+    }
+
     /// <inheritdoc />
     public async Task<IReadOnlyList<SessionDirectoryEntry>> GetAllAsync(CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
     {
@@ -103,7 +172,8 @@ public sealed class RedisSessionDirectory : ISessionDirectory
                     keys.Add(key);
                 }
 
-                var values = await Task.WhenAll(keys.Select(key => _db.StringGetAsync(key))).ConfigureAwait(false);
+                var values = await Task.WhenAll(keys.Select(key => _db.StringGetAsync(key)))
+                    .WaitAsync(OperationTimeout, cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
 
                 foreach (var raw in values)
                 {
@@ -112,17 +182,10 @@ public sealed class RedisSessionDirectory : ISessionDirectory
                         continue;
                     }
 
-                    try
+                    var entry = Deserialize(raw);
+                    if (entry?.Session is not null)
                     {
-                        var entry = JsonSerializer.Deserialize<SessionDirectoryEntry>(raw.ToString(), _jsonOptions);
-                        if (entry?.Session is not null)
-                        {
-                            entries.Add(entry);
-                        }
-                    }
-                    catch (JsonException ex)
-                    {
-                        _logger.LogWarning(ex, "Failed to deserialize a session directory entry.");
+                        entries.Add(entry);
                     }
                 }
             }
@@ -136,4 +199,17 @@ public sealed class RedisSessionDirectory : ISessionDirectory
 
         return entries;
     }
+
+    private SessionDirectoryEntry? Deserialize(RedisValue raw)
+    {
+        try
+        {
+            return JsonSerializer.Deserialize<SessionDirectoryEntry>(raw.ToString(), _jsonOptions);
+        }
+        catch (JsonException ex)
+        {
+            _logger.LogWarning(ex, "Failed to deserialize a session directory entry.");
+            return null;
+        }
+    }
 }
diff --git a/Emby.Server.Implementations/Session/RemoteSessionController.cs b/Emby.Server.Implementations/Session/RemoteSessionController.cs
index 51cd17a91a..e1c3cb005d 100644
--- a/Emby.Server.Implementations/Session/RemoteSessionController.cs
+++ b/Emby.Server.Implementations/Session/RemoteSessionController.cs
@@ -1,10 +1,13 @@
 using System;
+using System.Globalization;
 using System.Text.Json;
 using System.Threading;
 using System.Threading.Tasks;
 using Jellyfin.Extensions.Json;
+using MediaBrowser.Common.Extensions;
 using MediaBrowser.Controller.Session;
 using MediaBrowser.Model.Session;
+using Microsoft.Extensions.Logging;
 
 namespace Emby.Server.Implementations.Session;
 
@@ -15,6 +18,7 @@ namespace Emby.Server.Implementations.Session;
 public sealed class RemoteSessionController : ISessionController
 {
     private readonly IPodMessageBus _bus;
+    private readonly ILogger _logger;
     private readonly string _ownerPod;
     private readonly string _sessionId;
 
@@ -22,27 +26,27 @@ public sealed class RemoteSessionController : ISessionController
     /// Initializes a new instance of the <see cref="RemoteSessionController"/> class.
     /// </summary>
     /// <param name="bus">The cross-instance bus.</param>
+    /// <param name="logger">The logger.</param>
     /// <param name="ownerPod">The instance holding the connection.</param>
     /// <param name="sessionId">The session identifier.</param>
-    /// <param name="isSessionActive">Whether the owner reported the session as active.</param>
     /// <param name="supportsMediaControl">Whether the owner reported the session as controllable.</param>
-    public RemoteSessionController(IPodMessageBus bus, string ownerPod, string sessionId, bool isSessionActive, bool supportsMediaControl)
+    public RemoteSessionController(IPodMessageBus bus, ILogger logger, string ownerPod, string sessionId, bool supportsMediaControl)
     {
         _bus = bus;
+        _logger = logger;
         _ownerPod = ownerPod;
         _sessionId = sessionId;
-        IsSessionActive = isSessionActive;
         SupportsMediaControl = supportsMediaControl;
     }
 
     /// <inheritdoc />
-    public bool IsSessionActive { get; }
+    public bool IsSessionActive => true;
 
     /// <inheritdoc />
     public bool SupportsMediaControl { get; }
 
     /// <inheritdoc />
-    public Task SendMessage<T>(SessionMessageType name, Guid messageId, T data, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
+    public async Task SendMessage<T>(SessionMessageType name, Guid messageId, T data, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
     {
         var routed = new RoutedSessionMessage
         {
@@ -52,14 +56,21 @@ public sealed class RemoteSessionController : ISessionController
             Data = JsonSerializer.Serialize(data, JsonDefaults.Options)
         };
 
-        _bus.Publish(
+        var delivered = await _bus.PublishAsync(
             _ownerPod,
             new PodMessage
             {
                 Kind = RoutedSessionMessage.Kind,
                 Payload = JsonSerializer.Serialize(routed, JsonDefaults.Options)
-            });
+            },
+            cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
 
-        return Task.CompletedTask;
+        if (delivered == 0)
+        {
+            _logger.LogWarning("Instance {OwnerPod} holds session {SessionId} but is not listening; the {MessageType} message was not delivered.", _ownerPod, _sessionId, name);
+
+            throw new ResourceNotFoundException(
+                string.Format(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture, "The instance holding session {0} is unreachable.", _sessionId));
+        }
     }
 }
diff --git a/Emby.Server.Implementations/Session/SessionManager.cs b/Emby.Server.Implementations/Session/SessionManager.cs
index c0adde9a5f..5a62ecca77 100644
--- a/Emby.Server.Implementations/Session/SessionManager.cs
+++ b/Emby.Server.Implementations/Session/SessionManager.cs
@@ -71,6 +71,9 @@ namespace Emby.Server.Implementations.Session
         private readonly ConcurrentDictionary<string, SessionInfo> _activeConnections
             = new(StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
 
+        private readonly ConcurrentDictionary<string, long> _connectionEpochs = new(StringComparer.Ordinal);
+        private readonly ConcurrentDictionary<string, long> _lastDirectoryPublish = new(StringComparer.Ordinal);
+
         private readonly ConcurrentDictionary<string, ConcurrentDictionary<string, string>> _activeLiveStreamSessions
             = new(StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
 
@@ -316,13 +319,13 @@ namespace Emby.Server.Implementations.Session
                     });
             }
 
-            await PublishToDirectoryAsync(session).ConfigureAwait(false);
+            QueueDirectoryPublish(session);
 
             return session;
         }
 
         /// <inheritdoc />
-        public void OnSessionControllerConnected(SessionInfo session)
+        public async Task OnSessionControllerConnected(SessionInfo session)
         {
             EventHelper.QueueEventIfNotNull(
                 SessionControllerConnected,
@@ -333,9 +336,32 @@ namespace Emby.Server.Implementations.Session
                 },
                 _logger);
 
-            // The session only becomes remote-controllable once it has a connection, so the other
-            // instances have to be told again now that it does.
-            _ = PublishToDirectoryAsync(session);
+            // Ownership of the session belongs to whichever instance holds its connection, so this one
+            // claims it before the connection is used.
+            _lastDirectoryPublish[session.Id] = Environment.TickCount64;
+            await PublishToDirectoryAsync(session).ConfigureAwait(false);
+        }
+
+        // Keeps the directory write off the request path: the caller does not wait for Redis, and a
+        // session reporting playback every few seconds does not write on every report.
+        private void QueueDirectoryPublish(SessionInfo session)
+        {
+            if (!_directoryEnabled || string.IsNullOrEmpty(session.Id))
+            {
+                return;
+            }
+
+            var now = Environment.TickCount64;
+            var throttleMs = Math.Max(1000L, _sessionDirectoryOptions.RefreshIntervalSeconds * 500L);
+            var scheduled = _lastDirectoryPublish.AddOrUpdate(
+                session.Id,
+                now,
+                (_, last) => now - last >= throttleMs ? now : last);
+
+            if (scheduled == now)
+            {
+                _ = PublishToDirectoryAsync(session);
+            }
         }
 
         private async Task PublishToDirectoryAsync(SessionInfo session)
@@ -347,12 +373,16 @@ namespace Emby.Server.Implementations.Session
 
             try
             {
+                var connectedUtcTicks = GetConnectionEpoch(session);
+
                 await _sessionDirectory.PublishAsync(
                     new SessionDirectoryEntry
                     {
                         OwnerPod = _podMessageBus.PodId,
+                        HoldsConnection = connectedUtcTicks > 0,
                         Session = ToSessionInfoDto(session)
-                    }).ConfigureAwait(false);
+                    },
+                    connectedUtcTicks).ConfigureAwait(false);
             }
             catch (Exception ex)
             {
@@ -360,14 +390,30 @@ namespace Emby.Server.Implementations.Session
             }
         }
 
+        // Ownership follows the connection, not the last request served: an instance without a live
+        // controller claims with epoch zero, which never displaces an instance that has one.
+        private long GetConnectionEpoch(SessionInfo session)
+        {
+            if (!session.SessionControllers.Any(i => i.IsSessionActive))
+            {
+                _connectionEpochs.TryRemove(session.Id, out _);
+                return 0;
+            }
+
+            return _connectionEpochs.GetOrAdd(session.Id, _ => DateTime.UtcNow.Ticks);
+        }
+
         private async ValueTask RemoveFromDirectoryAsync(SessionInfo session)
         {
+            _connectionEpochs.TryRemove(session.Id, out _);
+            _lastDirectoryPublish.TryRemove(session.Id, out _);
+
             if (!_directoryEnabled || string.IsNullOrEmpty(session.Id))
             {
                 return;
             }
 
-            await _sessionDirectory.RemoveAsync(session.Id).ConfigureAwait(false);
+            await _sessionDirectory.RemoveAsync(session.Id, _podMessageBus.PodId).ConfigureAwait(false);
         }
 
         private async void RefreshSessionDirectory(object state)
@@ -402,10 +448,15 @@ namespace Emby.Server.Implementations.Session
 
         private async Task<SessionInfo> GetRemoteSession(string sessionId)
         {
-            var entries = await GetRemoteEntriesAsync(CancellationToken.None).ConfigureAwait(false);
-            var entry = entries.FirstOrDefault(i => string.Equals(i.Session.Id, sessionId, StringComparison.Ordinal));
+            if (!_directoryEnabled)
+            {
+                return null;
+            }
 
-            if (entry is null)
+            var entry = await _sessionDirectory.GetAsync(sessionId).ConfigureAwait(false);
+
+            if (entry?.Session is null
+                || string.Equals(entry.OwnerPod, _podMessageBus.PodId, StringComparison.Ordinal))
             {
                 return null;
             }
@@ -428,18 +479,30 @@ namespace Emby.Server.Implementations.Session
                 Capabilities = dto.Capabilities?.ToClientCapabilities()
             };
 
-            session.AddController(new RemoteSessionController(_podMessageBus, entry.OwnerPod, dto.Id, dto.IsActive, dto.SupportsMediaControl));
+            if (entry.HoldsConnection)
+            {
+                session.AddController(new RemoteSessionController(_podMessageBus, _logger, entry.OwnerPod, dto.Id, dto.SupportsMediaControl));
+            }
 
             return session;
         }
 
-        private async Task OnPodMessage(PodMessage message)
+        private Task OnPodMessage(PodMessage message)
         {
-            if (!string.Equals(message.Kind, RoutedSessionMessage.Kind, StringComparison.Ordinal))
+            switch (message.Kind)
             {
-                return;
+                case RoutedSessionMessage.Kind:
+                    return OnRoutedSessionMessage(message);
+                case RoutedAdditionalUserChange.Kind:
+                    OnRoutedAdditionalUserChange(message);
+                    return Task.CompletedTask;
+                default:
+                    return Task.CompletedTask;
             }
+        }
 
+        private async Task OnRoutedSessionMessage(PodMessage message)
+        {
             var routed = JsonSerializer.Deserialize<RoutedSessionMessage>(message.Payload, JsonDefaults.Options);
             if (routed is null)
             {
@@ -447,19 +510,46 @@ namespace Emby.Server.Implementations.Session
             }
 
             var session = Sessions.FirstOrDefault(i => string.Equals(i.Id, routed.SessionId, StringComparison.Ordinal));
-            if (session is null)
+            var controllers = session?.SessionControllers.Where(i => i.IsSessionActive).ToList();
+
+            if (controllers is null || controllers.Count == 0)
             {
-                _logger.LogDebug("Session {Session} was routed here but is no longer held by this instance.", routed.SessionId);
+                _logger.LogWarning(
+                    "A {MessageType} message for session {Session} was routed to this instance, which no longer holds its connection.",
+                    routed.MessageType,
+                    routed.SessionId);
                 return;
             }
 
             using var data = JsonDocument.Parse(routed.Data);
-            foreach (var controller in session.SessionControllers)
+            foreach (var controller in controllers)
             {
                 await controller.SendMessage(routed.MessageType, routed.MessageId, data.RootElement, CancellationToken.None).ConfigureAwait(false);
             }
         }
 
+        private void OnRoutedAdditionalUserChange(PodMessage message)
+        {
+            var routed = JsonSerializer.Deserialize<RoutedAdditionalUserChange>(message.Payload, JsonDefaults.Options);
+            var session = routed is null
+                ? null
+                : Sessions.FirstOrDefault(i => string.Equals(i.Id, routed.SessionId, StringComparison.Ordinal));
+
+            if (session is null)
+            {
+                return;
+            }
+
+            if (routed.Add)
+            {
+                AttachAdditionalUser(session, routed.UserId, _userManager.GetUserById(routed.UserId)?.Username);
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                DetachAdditionalUser(session, routed.UserId);
+            }
+        }
+
         /// <inheritdoc />
         public async Task CloseIfNeededAsync(SessionInfo session)
         {
@@ -1375,12 +1465,18 @@ namespace Emby.Server.Implementations.Session
             return session;
         }
 
-        // A session held by another instance is reachable too: the returned SessionInfo carries a
-        // controller that forwards to its owner instead of writing to a local connection.
+        // A local SessionInfo without a live controller is a copy left behind by a request this instance
+        // happened to serve, not the connection: prefer the owner named by the directory over it.
         private async Task<SessionInfo> GetSessionToRemoteControl(string sessionId)
         {
-            var session = Sessions.FirstOrDefault(i => string.Equals(i.Id, sessionId, StringComparison.Ordinal))
-                ?? await GetRemoteSession(sessionId).ConfigureAwait(false);
+            var local = Sessions.FirstOrDefault(i => string.Equals(i.Id, sessionId, StringComparison.Ordinal));
+
+            if (local is not null && local.SessionControllers.Any(i => i.IsSessionActive))
+            {
+                return local;
+            }
+
+            var session = await GetRemoteSession(sessionId).ConfigureAwait(false) ?? local;
 
             if (session is null)
             {
@@ -1583,7 +1679,16 @@ namespace Emby.Server.Implementations.Session
         public async Task SendSyncPlayCommand(string sessionId, SendCommand command, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
         {
             CheckDisposed();
-            var session = GetSession(sessionId);
+
+            // SyncPlay group membership is instance-local, so a session listed by another instance is not
+            // reachable from here. It is skipped rather than reported as missing.
+            var session = GetSession(sessionId, false);
+            if (session is null)
+            {
+                _logger.LogDebug("SyncPlay command for session {Session} dropped; it is not held by this instance.", sessionId);
+                return;
+            }
+
             await SendMessageToSession(session, SessionMessageType.SyncPlayCommand, command, cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
         }
 
@@ -1591,7 +1696,14 @@ namespace Emby.Server.Implementations.Session
         public async Task SendSyncPlayGroupUpdate<T>(string sessionId, GroupUpdate<T> command, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
         {
             CheckDisposed();
-            var session = GetSession(sessionId);
+
+            var session = GetSession(sessionId, false);
+            if (session is null)
+            {
+                _logger.LogDebug("SyncPlay group update for session {Session} dropped; it is not held by this instance.", sessionId);
+                return;
+            }
+
             await SendMessageToSession(session, SessionMessageType.SyncPlayGroupUpdate, command, cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
         }
 
@@ -1764,17 +1876,18 @@ namespace Emby.Server.Implementations.Session
         /// <param name="controllingSessionId">The controlling session identifier.</param>
         /// <param name="sessionId">The session identifier.</param>
         /// <param name="userId">The user identifier.</param>
+        /// <returns>A task representing the operation.</returns>
         /// <exception cref="SecurityException">The controlling user is not allowed to attach the user to the session.</exception>
         /// <exception cref="ArgumentException">The requested user is already the primary user of the session.</exception>
-        public void AddAdditionalUser(string controllingSessionId, string sessionId, Guid userId)
+        public async Task AddAdditionalUser(string controllingSessionId, string sessionId, Guid userId)
         {
             CheckDisposed();
 
-            var session = GetSession(sessionId);
+            var session = await GetSessionToRemoteControl(sessionId).ConfigureAwait(false);
 
             if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(controllingSessionId))
             {
-                var controllingSession = GetSession(controllingSessionId);
+                var controllingSession = await GetSessionToRemoteControl(controllingSessionId).ConfigureAwait(false);
                 AssertCanControl(session, controllingSession);
                 AssertCanAttachUser(controllingSession, userId);
             }
@@ -1784,18 +1897,16 @@ namespace Emby.Server.Implementations.Session
                 throw new ArgumentException("The requested user is already the primary user of the session.");
             }
 
-            if (session.AdditionalUsers.All(i => !i.UserId.Equals(userId)))
-            {
-                var user = _userManager.GetUserById(userId)
-                    ?? throw new ArgumentException("The requested user does not exist.");
-                var newUser = new SessionUserInfo
-                {
-                    UserId = userId,
-                    UserName = user.Username
-                };
+            var user = _userManager.GetUserById(userId)
+                ?? throw new ArgumentException("The requested user does not exist.");
 
-                session.AdditionalUsers = [.. session.AdditionalUsers, newUser];
+            var local = GetSession(sessionId, false);
+            if (local is not null)
+            {
+                AttachAdditionalUser(local, userId, user.Username);
             }
+
+            await RouteAdditionalUserChange(sessionId, userId, true).ConfigureAwait(false);
         }
 
         /// <summary>
@@ -1804,17 +1915,18 @@ namespace Emby.Server.Implementations.Session
         /// <param name="controllingSessionId">The controlling session identifier.</param>
         /// <param name="sessionId">The session identifier.</param>
         /// <param name="userId">The user identifier.</param>
+        /// <returns>A task representing the operation.</returns>
         /// <exception cref="SecurityException">The controlling user is not allowed to control the session.</exception>
         /// <exception cref="ArgumentException">The requested user is already the primary user of the session.</exception>
-        public void RemoveAdditionalUser(string controllingSessionId, string sessionId, Guid userId)
+        public async Task RemoveAdditionalUser(string controllingSessionId, string sessionId, Guid userId)
         {
             CheckDisposed();
 
-            var session = GetSession(sessionId);
+            var session = await GetSessionToRemoteControl(sessionId).ConfigureAwait(false);
 
             if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(controllingSessionId))
             {
-                AssertCanControl(session, GetSession(controllingSessionId));
+                AssertCanControl(session, await GetSessionToRemoteControl(controllingSessionId).ConfigureAwait(false));
             }
 
             if (session.UserId.Equals(userId))
@@ -1822,17 +1934,73 @@ namespace Emby.Server.Implementations.Session
                 throw new ArgumentException("The requested user is already the primary user of the session.");
             }
 
-            var user = session.AdditionalUsers.FirstOrDefault(i => i.UserId.Equals(userId));
+            var local = GetSession(sessionId, false);
+            if (local is not null)
+            {
+                DetachAdditionalUser(local, userId);
+            }
 
-            if (user is not null)
+            await RouteAdditionalUserChange(sessionId, userId, false).ConfigureAwait(false);
+        }
+
+        private static void AttachAdditionalUser(SessionInfo session, Guid userId, string userName)
+        {
+            if (session.AdditionalUsers.All(i => !i.UserId.Equals(userId)))
+            {
+                session.AdditionalUsers = [.. session.AdditionalUsers, new SessionUserInfo { UserId = userId, UserName = userName }];
+            }
+        }
+
+        private static void DetachAdditionalUser(SessionInfo session, Guid userId)
+        {
+            var existing = session.AdditionalUsers.FirstOrDefault(i => i.UserId.Equals(userId));
+
+            if (existing is not null)
             {
                 var list = session.AdditionalUsers.ToList();
-                list.Remove(user);
+                list.Remove(existing);
 
                 session.AdditionalUsers = list.ToArray();
             }
         }
 
+        // The owner is the instance whose copy of the session is the one everyone else is shown, so the
+        // change has to be applied there as well as on whichever instance served the request.
+        private async Task RouteAdditionalUserChange(string sessionId, Guid userId, bool add)
+        {
+            if (!_directoryEnabled)
+            {
+                return;
+            }
+
+            var entry = await _sessionDirectory.GetAsync(sessionId).ConfigureAwait(false);
+
+            if (entry is null || string.Equals(entry.OwnerPod, _podMessageBus.PodId, StringComparison.Ordinal))
+            {
+                return;
+            }
+
+            var payload = new RoutedAdditionalUserChange
+            {
+                SessionId = sessionId,
+                UserId = userId,
+                Add = add
+            };
+
+            var delivered = await _podMessageBus.PublishAsync(
+                entry.OwnerPod,
+                new PodMessage
+                {
+                    Kind = RoutedAdditionalUserChange.Kind,
+                    Payload = JsonSerializer.Serialize(payload, JsonDefaults.Options)
+                }).ConfigureAwait(false);
+
+            if (delivered == 0)
+            {
+                _logger.LogWarning("Instance {OwnerPod} holds session {Session} but is not listening; the additional user change was not applied there.", entry.OwnerPod, sessionId);
+            }
+        }
+
         /// <summary>
         /// Authenticates the new session.
         /// </summary>
@@ -2227,8 +2395,12 @@ namespace Emby.Server.Implementations.Session
             CancellationToken cancellationToken)
         {
             var remote = await GetRemoteEntriesAsync(cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
+            var ownedElsewhere = remote.Select(entry => entry.Session.Id).ToHashSet(StringComparer.Ordinal);
 
+            // A session this instance only holds a copy of is reported by its owner, whose controllers are
+            // the ones that decide whether it is active and controllable.
             IEnumerable<SessionInfoDto> result = Sessions
+                .Where(i => !ownedElsewhere.Contains(i.Id))
                 .Select(ToSessionInfoDto)
                 .Concat(remote.Select(entry => entry.Session))
                 .OrderByDescending(i => i.LastActivityDate);
diff --git a/Emby.Server.Implementations/Session/SessionWebSocketListener.cs b/Emby.Server.Implementations/Session/SessionWebSocketListener.cs
index e81edc82c6..563a5abef0 100644
--- a/Emby.Server.Implementations/Session/SessionWebSocketListener.cs
+++ b/Emby.Server.Implementations/Session/SessionWebSocketListener.cs
@@ -114,11 +114,11 @@ namespace Emby.Server.Implementations.Session
         public async Task ProcessWebSocketConnectedAsync(IWebSocketConnection connection, HttpContext httpContext)
         {
             var session = await RequestHelpers.GetSession(_sessionManager, _userManager, httpContext).ConfigureAwait(false);
-            EnsureController(session, connection);
+            await EnsureController(session, connection).ConfigureAwait(false);
             await KeepAliveWebSocket(connection).ConfigureAwait(false);
         }
 
-        private void EnsureController(SessionInfo session, IWebSocketConnection connection)
+        private async Task EnsureController(SessionInfo session, IWebSocketConnection connection)
         {
             var controllerInfo = session.EnsureController<WebSocketController>(
                 s => new WebSocketController(_loggerFactory.CreateLogger<WebSocketController>(), s, _sessionManager));
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ namespace Emby.Server.Implementations.Session
             var controller = (WebSocketController)controllerInfo.Item1;
             controller.AddWebSocket(connection);
 
-            _sessionManager.OnSessionControllerConnected(session);
+            await _sessionManager.OnSessionControllerConnected(session).ConfigureAwait(false);
         }
 
         /// <summary>
diff --git a/Jellyfin.Api/Controllers/SessionController.cs b/Jellyfin.Api/Controllers/SessionController.cs
index 7d6a162d8f..05506d7b0d 100644
--- a/Jellyfin.Api/Controllers/SessionController.cs
+++ b/Jellyfin.Api/Controllers/SessionController.cs
@@ -311,10 +311,10 @@ public class SessionController : BaseJellyfinApiController
         [FromRoute, Required] string sessionId,
         [FromRoute, Required] Guid userId)
     {
-        _sessionManager.AddAdditionalUser(
+        await _sessionManager.AddAdditionalUser(
             await RequestHelpers.GetSessionId(_sessionManager, _userManager, HttpContext).ConfigureAwait(false),
             sessionId,
-            userId);
+            userId).ConfigureAwait(false);
         return NoContent();
     }
 
@@ -332,10 +332,10 @@ public class SessionController : BaseJellyfinApiController
         [FromRoute, Required] string sessionId,
         [FromRoute, Required] Guid userId)
     {
-        _sessionManager.RemoveAdditionalUser(
+        await _sessionManager.RemoveAdditionalUser(
             await RequestHelpers.GetSessionId(_sessionManager, _userManager, HttpContext).ConfigureAwait(false),
             sessionId,
-            userId);
+            userId).ConfigureAwait(false);
         return NoContent();
     }
 
diff --git a/MediaBrowser.Controller/Session/IPodMessageBus.cs b/MediaBrowser.Controller/Session/IPodMessageBus.cs
index 053299e6c2..4caa6c90c7 100644
--- a/MediaBrowser.Controller/Session/IPodMessageBus.cs
+++ b/MediaBrowser.Controller/Session/IPodMessageBus.cs
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 using System;
+using System.Threading;
 using System.Threading.Tasks;
 
 namespace MediaBrowser.Controller.Session;
@@ -15,11 +16,14 @@ public interface IPodMessageBus
     string PodId { get; }
 
     /// <summary>
-    /// Sends a message to one instance. Delivery is best effort and never throws.
+    /// Sends a message to one instance and reports how many listeners took it, so that a message
+    /// addressed to an instance that is no longer there is not mistaken for a delivered one.
     /// </summary>
     /// <param name="targetPod">The instance to deliver to.</param>
     /// <param name="message">The message.</param>
-    void Publish(string targetPod, PodMessage message);
+    /// <param name="cancellationToken">The cancellation token.</param>
+    /// <returns>The number of instances the message reached.</returns>
+    Task<long> PublishAsync(string targetPod, PodMessage message, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default);
 
     /// <summary>
     /// Registers a handler for the messages addressed to this instance.
diff --git a/MediaBrowser.Controller/Session/ISessionDirectory.cs b/MediaBrowser.Controller/Session/ISessionDirectory.cs
index f1752f9f63..5a35782571 100644
--- a/MediaBrowser.Controller/Session/ISessionDirectory.cs
+++ b/MediaBrowser.Controller/Session/ISessionDirectory.cs
@@ -11,20 +11,32 @@ namespace MediaBrowser.Controller.Session;
 public interface ISessionDirectory
 {
     /// <summary>
-    /// Publishes an entry and restarts its expiry.
+    /// Claims a session for the publishing instance and restarts its expiry. The claim is refused when
+    /// another instance holds the connection, so an instance that merely served a request for the session
+    /// cannot take ownership of it.
     /// </summary>
     /// <param name="entry">The entry.</param>
+    /// <param name="connectedUtcTicks">When the publishing instance's connection to the session was established, or zero when it holds none.</param>
     /// <param name="cancellationToken">The cancellation token.</param>
-    /// <returns>A task representing the operation.</returns>
-    Task PublishAsync(SessionDirectoryEntry entry, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default);
+    /// <returns><c>true</c> if the entry was written.</returns>
+    Task<bool> PublishAsync(SessionDirectoryEntry entry, long connectedUtcTicks, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default);
 
     /// <summary>
-    /// Removes an entry.
+    /// Removes an entry, but only while the calling instance still owns it.
+    /// </summary>
+    /// <param name="sessionId">The session identifier.</param>
+    /// <param name="ownerPod">The instance requesting the removal.</param>
+    /// <param name="cancellationToken">The cancellation token.</param>
+    /// <returns>A task representing the operation.</returns>
+    Task RemoveAsync(string sessionId, string ownerPod, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default);
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Gets one entry by session identifier.
     /// </summary>
     /// <param name="sessionId">The session identifier.</param>
     /// <param name="cancellationToken">The cancellation token.</param>
-    /// <returns>A task representing the operation.</returns>
-    Task RemoveAsync(string sessionId, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default);
+    /// <returns>The entry, or <c>null</c> when the session is in no instance's directory.</returns>
+    Task<SessionDirectoryEntry?> GetAsync(string sessionId, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default);
 
     /// <summary>
     /// Gets every entry that has not expired.
diff --git a/MediaBrowser.Controller/Session/ISessionManager.cs b/MediaBrowser.Controller/Session/ISessionManager.cs
index 58bbd72876..3dbd716bfd 100644
--- a/MediaBrowser.Controller/Session/ISessionManager.cs
+++ b/MediaBrowser.Controller/Session/ISessionManager.cs
@@ -80,7 +80,8 @@ namespace MediaBrowser.Controller.Session
         /// Used to report that a session controller has connected.
         /// </summary>
         /// <param name="session">The session.</param>
-        void OnSessionControllerConnected(SessionInfo session);
+        /// <returns>A task representing the operation.</returns>
+        Task OnSessionControllerConnected(SessionInfo session);
 
         void UpdateDeviceName(string sessionId, string reportedDeviceName);
 
@@ -241,7 +242,8 @@ namespace MediaBrowser.Controller.Session
         /// <param name="controllingSessionId">The controlling session identifier.</param>
         /// <param name="sessionId">The session identifier.</param>
         /// <param name="userId">The user identifier.</param>
-        void AddAdditionalUser(string controllingSessionId, string sessionId, Guid userId);
+        /// <returns>A task representing the operation.</returns>
+        Task AddAdditionalUser(string controllingSessionId, string sessionId, Guid userId);
 
         /// <summary>
         /// Removes the additional user.
@@ -249,7 +251,8 @@ namespace MediaBrowser.Controller.Session
         /// <param name="controllingSessionId">The controlling session identifier.</param>
         /// <param name="sessionId">The session identifier.</param>
         /// <param name="userId">The user identifier.</param>
-        void RemoveAdditionalUser(string controllingSessionId, string sessionId, Guid userId);
+        /// <returns>A task representing the operation.</returns>
+        Task RemoveAdditionalUser(string controllingSessionId, string sessionId, Guid userId);
 
         /// <summary>
         /// Reports the now viewing item.
diff --git a/MediaBrowser.Controller/Session/NullPodMessageBus.cs b/MediaBrowser.Controller/Session/NullPodMessageBus.cs
index e34d6d9233..a0b175a53e 100644
--- a/MediaBrowser.Controller/Session/NullPodMessageBus.cs
+++ b/MediaBrowser.Controller/Session/NullPodMessageBus.cs
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 using System;
+using System.Threading;
 using System.Threading.Tasks;
 
 namespace MediaBrowser.Controller.Session;
@@ -17,9 +18,8 @@ public sealed class NullPodMessageBus : IPodMessageBus
     public string PodId => PodIdentity.Current;
 
     /// <inheritdoc />
-    public void Publish(string targetPod, PodMessage message)
-    {
-    }
+    public Task<long> PublishAsync(string targetPod, PodMessage message, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+        => Task.FromResult(0L);
 
     /// <inheritdoc />
     public void Subscribe(Func<PodMessage, Task> handler)
diff --git a/MediaBrowser.Controller/Session/NullSessionDirectory.cs b/MediaBrowser.Controller/Session/NullSessionDirectory.cs
index 3fcd3bed36..63ef843f9f 100644
--- a/MediaBrowser.Controller/Session/NullSessionDirectory.cs
+++ b/MediaBrowser.Controller/Session/NullSessionDirectory.cs
@@ -17,12 +17,16 @@ public sealed class NullSessionDirectory : ISessionDirectory
     public static NullSessionDirectory Instance { get; } = new NullSessionDirectory();
 
     /// <inheritdoc />
-    public Task PublishAsync(SessionDirectoryEntry entry, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+    public Task<bool> PublishAsync(SessionDirectoryEntry entry, long connectedUtcTicks, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+        => Task.FromResult(false);
+
+    /// <inheritdoc />
+    public Task RemoveAsync(string sessionId, string ownerPod, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
         => Task.CompletedTask;
 
     /// <inheritdoc />
-    public Task RemoveAsync(string sessionId, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
-        => Task.CompletedTask;
+    public Task<SessionDirectoryEntry?> GetAsync(string sessionId, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+        => Task.FromResult<SessionDirectoryEntry?>(null);
 
     /// <inheritdoc />
     public Task<IReadOnlyList<SessionDirectoryEntry>> GetAllAsync(CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
diff --git a/MediaBrowser.Controller/Session/RoutedAdditionalUserChange.cs b/MediaBrowser.Controller/Session/RoutedAdditionalUserChange.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..d494f52d05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/MediaBrowser.Controller/Session/RoutedAdditionalUserChange.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+using System;
+
+namespace MediaBrowser.Controller.Session;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// An additional-user change for a session held by another instance, carried as a
+/// <see cref="PodMessage"/>. The calling instance has already authorized it.
+/// </summary>
+public sealed class RoutedAdditionalUserChange
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    /// The <see cref="PodMessage.Kind"/> this payload travels under.
+    /// </summary>
+    public const string Kind = "AdditionalUserChange";
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Gets or sets the session the change applies to.
+    /// </summary>
+    public string SessionId { get; set; } = string.Empty;
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Gets or sets the user to attach or detach.
+    /// </summary>
+    public Guid UserId { get; set; }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Gets or sets a value indicating whether the user is being attached rather than detached.
+    /// </summary>
+    public bool Add { get; set; }
+}
diff --git a/MediaBrowser.Controller/Session/SessionDirectoryEntry.cs b/MediaBrowser.Controller/Session/SessionDirectoryEntry.cs
index 3f8aaa12bb..069325c8ca 100644
--- a/MediaBrowser.Controller/Session/SessionDirectoryEntry.cs
+++ b/MediaBrowser.Controller/Session/SessionDirectoryEntry.cs
@@ -12,6 +12,12 @@ public sealed class SessionDirectoryEntry
     /// </summary>
     public string OwnerPod { get; set; } = string.Empty;
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Gets or sets a value indicating whether the owner holds a live connection to the session. Only an
+    /// owner that does can be routed a remote-control message.
+    /// </summary>
+    public bool HoldsConnection { get; set; }
+
     /// <summary>
     /// Gets or sets the session as its owner last rendered it.
     /// </summary>
diff --git a/MediaBrowser.Controller/Session/SessionDirectoryOptions.cs b/MediaBrowser.Controller/Session/SessionDirectoryOptions.cs
index 17ff304c2a..9baf25369c 100644
--- a/MediaBrowser.Controller/Session/SessionDirectoryOptions.cs
+++ b/MediaBrowser.Controller/Session/SessionDirectoryOptions.cs
@@ -20,4 +20,9 @@ public sealed class SessionDirectoryOptions
     /// Gets or sets how often in seconds an instance republishes the sessions it holds.
     /// </summary>
     public int RefreshIntervalSeconds { get; set; } = 20;
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Gets or sets how long in seconds a single directory operation may take before it is abandoned.
+    /// </summary>
+    public int OperationTimeoutSeconds { get; set; } = 5;
 }
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index daffb95682..c82dba9330 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -118,6 +118,7 @@ Without a connection string the line reads `Transcode session store: NullTransco
 | `Jellyfin:TranscodeStore:SessionRetentionSeconds` | `300` | How long an unrenewed session record is kept so another pod can still take it over. |
 | `Jellyfin:SessionDirectory:EntryTtlSeconds` | `60` | How long a published session stays visible to the other pods without being refreshed. |
 | `Jellyfin:SessionDirectory:RefreshIntervalSeconds` | `20` | How often a pod republishes the sessions it holds. |
+| `Jellyfin:SessionDirectory:OperationTimeoutSeconds` | `5` | How long a single session directory read or write may take before it is abandoned. |
 
 ### Redis connection string examples
 
diff --git a/tests/Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.Tests/SessionManager/SessionManagerTests.cs b/tests/Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.Tests/SessionManager/SessionManagerTests.cs
index d032539390..5edbfde690 100644
--- a/tests/Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.Tests/SessionManager/SessionManagerTests.cs
+++ b/tests/Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.Tests/SessionManager/SessionManagerTests.cs
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ public class SessionManagerTests
 
         var attackerSession = await LogSessionActivity(sessionManager, attacker);
 
-        Assert.Throws<SecurityException>(() => sessionManager.AddAdditionalUser(attackerSession.Id, attackerSession.Id, victim.Id));
+        await Assert.ThrowsAsync<SecurityException>(() => sessionManager.AddAdditionalUser(attackerSession.Id, attackerSession.Id, victim.Id));
     }
 
     [Fact]
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ public class SessionManagerTests
 
         var adminSession = await LogSessionActivity(sessionManager, admin);
 
-        sessionManager.AddAdditionalUser(adminSession.Id, adminSession.Id, guest.Id);
+        await sessionManager.AddAdditionalUser(adminSession.Id, adminSession.Id, guest.Id);
 
         Assert.Contains(adminSession.AdditionalUsers, i => i.UserId.Equals(guest.Id));
     }
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ public class SessionManagerTests
         var victimSession = await LogSessionActivity(sessionManager, victim);
         var attackerSession = await LogSessionActivity(sessionManager, attacker);
 
-        Assert.Throws<SecurityException>(() => sessionManager.RemoveAdditionalUser(attackerSession.Id, victimSession.Id, attacker.Id));
+        await Assert.ThrowsAsync<SecurityException>(() => sessionManager.RemoveAdditionalUser(attackerSession.Id, victimSession.Id, attacker.Id));
     }
 
     [Fact]
diff --git a/tests/Jellyfin.Server.Tests/HighAvailability/SessionDirectoryReplicaTests.cs b/tests/Jellyfin.Server.Tests/HighAvailability/SessionDirectoryReplicaTests.cs
index 4d5f3f8464..05a67fa06a 100644
--- a/tests/Jellyfin.Server.Tests/HighAvailability/SessionDirectoryReplicaTests.cs
+++ b/tests/Jellyfin.Server.Tests/HighAvailability/SessionDirectoryReplicaTests.cs
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 using System;
+using System.Linq;
 using System.Text.Json;
 using System.Threading;
 using System.Threading.Tasks;
@@ -9,6 +10,7 @@ using Jellyfin.Database.Implementations.Locking;
 using Jellyfin.Database.Providers.PostgreSQL;
 using Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.Devices;
 using Jellyfin.Server.Tests.Migrations;
+using MediaBrowser.Common.Extensions;
 using MediaBrowser.Controller;
 using MediaBrowser.Controller.Configuration;
 using MediaBrowser.Controller.Drawing;
@@ -39,11 +41,18 @@ namespace Jellyfin.Server.Tests.HighAvailability;
 [Trait("Category", "RequiresDocker")]
 public sealed class SessionDirectoryReplicaTests : IAsyncLifetime
 {
+    private const string AppName = "Jellyfin Web";
+    private const string AppVersion = "1.0.0";
+    private const string DeviceName = "Living Room TV";
+    private const string RemoteEndPoint = "127.0.0.1";
+
     private PostgreSqlTestServer _postgres = null!;
     private RedisTestServer _redis = null!;
     private NpgsqlDataSource _dataSource = null!;
     private IConnectionMultiplexer _connection = null!;
+    private ISessionDirectory _directory = null!;
     private User _user = null!;
+    private User _guest = null!;
 
     /// <inheritdoc/>
     public async ValueTask InitializeAsync()
@@ -51,6 +60,10 @@ public sealed class SessionDirectoryReplicaTests : IAsyncLifetime
         _postgres = await PostgreSqlTestServer.StartAsync();
         _redis = await RedisTestServer.StartAsync();
         _connection = await _redis.ConnectAsync();
+        _directory = new RedisSessionDirectory(
+            _connection,
+            Options.Create(new SessionDirectoryOptions()),
+            NullLogger<RedisSessionDirectory>.Instance);
 
         var connectionString = await _postgres.CreateDatabaseAsync("session_directory", CancellationToken.None);
         _dataSource = new NpgsqlDataSourceBuilder(connectionString).Build();
@@ -61,7 +74,9 @@ public sealed class SessionDirectoryReplicaTests : IAsyncLifetime
             await context.Database.EnsureCreatedAsync(CancellationToken.None);
 
             _user = new User("replica-user", "provider", "provider");
+            _guest = new User("replica-guest", "provider", "provider");
             context.Users.Add(_user);
+            context.Users.Add(_guest);
             await context.SaveChangesAsync(CancellationToken.None);
         }
     }
@@ -87,7 +102,7 @@ public sealed class SessionDirectoryReplicaTests : IAsyncLifetime
         await using var replicaA = CreateReplica("pod-a");
         await using var replicaB = CreateReplica("pod-b");
 
-        var session = await replicaA.LogSessionActivity("Jellyfin Web", "1.0.0", "device-listed", "Living Room TV", "127.0.0.1", _user);
+        var session = await Request(replicaA, "device-listed");
 
         var listedByB = await replicaB.GetSessions(_user.Id, null, null, null, false, cancellationToken);
         var listedByA = await replicaA.GetSessions(_user.Id, null, null, null, false, cancellationToken);
@@ -100,23 +115,45 @@ public sealed class SessionDirectoryReplicaTests : IAsyncLifetime
     }
 
     /// <summary>
-    /// Remote control and "send message to session" currently succeed and do nothing when the device is
-    /// connected to another replica; the message has to reach the connection wherever it is held.
+    /// The deployment has no sticky sessions, so one device's requests land on either replica while its
+    /// websocket stays on one of them. Ownership has to follow the connection rather than the last
+    /// request served, or the directory names the wrong replica, the session list doubles up and remote
+    /// control is delivered to a replica with nothing to deliver it to.
     /// </summary>
     /// <returns>A <see cref="Task"/> representing the asynchronous operation.</returns>
     [Fact]
-    public async Task MessageSentOnOneReplica_ReachesTheConnectionHeldByAnother()
+    public async Task RequestsAlternatingBetweenReplicas_KeepOwnershipWithTheConnection()
     {
         var cancellationToken = TestContext.Current.CancellationToken;
-        await using var replicaA = CreateReplica("pod-a");
-        await using var replicaB = CreateReplica("pod-b");
+        var options = new SessionDirectoryOptions { EntryTtlSeconds = 60, RefreshIntervalSeconds = 2 };
+        await using var replicaA = CreateReplica("pod-a", options);
+        await using var replicaB = CreateReplica("pod-b", options);
 
+        // The device is first seen by the replica that will not hold its websocket.
+        await Request(replicaB, "device-roaming");
+
+        var session = await Request(replicaA, "device-roaming");
         var controller = new RecordingSessionController();
-        var session = await replicaA.LogSessionActivity("Jellyfin Web", "1.0.0", "device-controlled", "Living Room TV", "127.0.0.1", _user);
         session.AddController(controller);
+        await replicaA.OnSessionControllerConnected(session);
 
-        // Republish now that the session has a connection, the way the websocket handshake does.
-        await replicaA.LogSessionActivity("Jellyfin Web", "1.0.0", "device-controlled", "Living Room TV", "127.0.0.1", _user);
+        for (var i = 0; i < 6; i++)
+        {
+            await Request(replicaB, "device-roaming");
+            await Request(replicaA, "device-roaming");
+            await Task.Delay(300, cancellationToken);
+
+            var entry = await _directory.GetAsync(session.Id, cancellationToken);
+            Assert.NotNull(entry);
+            Assert.Equal("pod-a", entry.OwnerPod);
+            Assert.True(entry.HoldsConnection);
+        }
+
+        var listedByA = await replicaA.GetSessions(_user.Id, null, null, null, false, cancellationToken);
+        var listedByB = await replicaB.GetSessions(_user.Id, null, null, null, false, cancellationToken);
+
+        Assert.Single(listedByA, i => string.Equals(i.Id, session.Id, StringComparison.Ordinal));
+        Assert.Single(listedByB, i => string.Equals(i.Id, session.Id, StringComparison.Ordinal));
 
         await replicaB.SendMessageCommand(
             string.Empty,
@@ -129,6 +166,118 @@ public sealed class SessionDirectoryReplicaTests : IAsyncLifetime
         Assert.Contains("Dinner is ready", data, StringComparison.Ordinal);
     }
 
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Remote control and "send message to session" used to succeed and do nothing when the device is
+    /// connected to another replica; the message has to reach the connection wherever it is held.
+    /// </summary>
+    /// <returns>A <see cref="Task"/> representing the asynchronous operation.</returns>
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task MessageSentOnOneReplica_ReachesTheConnectionHeldByAnother()
+    {
+        var cancellationToken = TestContext.Current.CancellationToken;
+        await using var replicaA = CreateReplica("pod-a");
+        await using var replicaB = CreateReplica("pod-b");
+
+        var session = await Request(replicaA, "device-controlled");
+        var controller = new RecordingSessionController();
+        session.AddController(controller);
+        await replicaA.OnSessionControllerConnected(session);
+
+        await replicaB.SendMessageCommand(
+            string.Empty,
+            session.Id,
+            new MessageCommand { Header = "Header", Text = "Dinner is ready" },
+            cancellationToken);
+
+        var (messageType, data) = await controller.WaitForMessageAsync(cancellationToken);
+        Assert.Equal(SessionMessageType.GeneralCommand, messageType);
+        Assert.Contains("Dinner is ready", data, StringComparison.Ordinal);
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// An entry outlives the replica that wrote it by up to its expiry, and a command routed into that
+    /// gap reaches nobody. Reporting it as delivered is the failure this directory exists to remove.
+    /// </summary>
+    /// <returns>A <see cref="Task"/> representing the asynchronous operation.</returns>
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task MessageRoutedToADeadOwner_IsReportedAsUndelivered()
+    {
+        var cancellationToken = TestContext.Current.CancellationToken;
+        await using var replicaA = CreateReplica("pod-a");
+        await using var replicaB = CreateReplica("pod-b");
+
+        var session = await Request(replicaA, "device-dead-owner");
+        session.AddController(new RecordingSessionController());
+        await replicaA.OnSessionControllerConnected(session);
+
+        var entry = await _directory.GetAsync(session.Id, cancellationToken);
+        Assert.NotNull(entry);
+
+        // A replica that is no longer listening, holding the entry until it expires.
+        entry.OwnerPod = "pod-gone";
+        Assert.True(await _directory.PublishAsync(entry, DateTime.UtcNow.Ticks, cancellationToken));
+
+        await Assert.ThrowsAsync<ResourceNotFoundException>(
+            () => replicaB.SendMessageCommand(
+                string.Empty,
+                session.Id,
+                new MessageCommand { Header = "Header", Text = "Dinner is ready" },
+                cancellationToken));
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Both replicas keep a copy of a session whose requests they have served, so the replica ending its
+    /// own copy must not erase the entry of the one still holding the connection.
+    /// </summary>
+    /// <returns>A <see cref="Task"/> representing the asynchronous operation.</returns>
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task ReplicaEndingItsOwnCopy_LeavesTheOwnersEntryAlone()
+    {
+        var cancellationToken = TestContext.Current.CancellationToken;
+        await using var replicaA = CreateReplica("pod-a");
+        await using var replicaB = CreateReplica("pod-b");
+
+        var session = await Request(replicaA, "device-shared-end");
+        session.AddController(new RecordingSessionController());
+        await replicaA.OnSessionControllerConnected(session);
+
+        await Request(replicaB, "device-shared-end");
+        await replicaB.ReportSessionEnded(session.Id);
+
+        var entry = await _directory.GetAsync(session.Id, cancellationToken);
+        Assert.NotNull(entry);
+        Assert.Equal("pod-a", entry.OwnerPod);
+
+        await replicaA.ReportSessionEnded(session.Id);
+
+        Assert.Null(await _directory.GetAsync(session.Id, cancellationToken));
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// The session list now shows sessions from every replica, so an action offered against one of them
+    /// has to reach it rather than fail as missing on the replica serving the request.
+    /// </summary>
+    /// <returns>A <see cref="Task"/> representing the asynchronous operation.</returns>
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task AdditionalUserAddedOnOneReplica_ReachesTheOwner()
+    {
+        var cancellationToken = TestContext.Current.CancellationToken;
+        await using var replicaA = CreateReplica("pod-a");
+        await using var replicaB = CreateReplica("pod-b");
+
+        var session = await Request(replicaA, "device-additional-user");
+        session.AddController(new RecordingSessionController());
+        await replicaA.OnSessionControllerConnected(session);
+
+        await replicaB.AddAdditionalUser(string.Empty, session.Id, _guest.Id);
+
+        await WaitUntil(() => session.AdditionalUsers.Any(i => i.UserId.Equals(_guest.Id)), cancellationToken);
+
+        await replicaB.RemoveAdditionalUser(string.Empty, session.Id, _guest.Id);
+
+        await WaitUntil(() => !session.AdditionalUsers.Any(i => i.UserId.Equals(_guest.Id)), cancellationToken);
+    }
+
     /// <summary>
     /// A replica that dies stops refreshing its entries, and the sessions it held have to leave the
     /// directory rather than linger in every other replica's session list forever.
@@ -143,7 +292,7 @@ public sealed class SessionDirectoryReplicaTests : IAsyncLifetime
         await using var replicaA = CreateReplica("pod-a", new SessionDirectoryOptions { EntryTtlSeconds = 1, RefreshIntervalSeconds = 3600 });
         await using var replicaB = CreateReplica("pod-b");
 
-        var session = await replicaA.LogSessionActivity("Jellyfin Web", "1.0.0", "device-expiring", "Living Room TV", "127.0.0.1", _user);
+        var session = await Request(replicaA, "device-expiring");
 
         var listedWhileAlive = await replicaB.GetSessions(_user.Id, null, null, null, false, cancellationToken);
         Assert.Contains(listedWhileAlive, i => string.Equals(i.Id, session.Id, StringComparison.Ordinal));
@@ -166,12 +315,37 @@ public sealed class SessionDirectoryReplicaTests : IAsyncLifetime
         await using var replicaA = CreateReplica("pod-a", directory: NullSessionDirectory.Instance, bus: NullPodMessageBus.Instance);
         await using var replicaB = CreateReplica("pod-b", directory: NullSessionDirectory.Instance, bus: NullPodMessageBus.Instance);
 
-        var session = await replicaA.LogSessionActivity("Jellyfin Web", "1.0.0", "device-local", "Living Room TV", "127.0.0.1", _user);
+        var session = await Request(replicaA, "device-local");
 
         var listedByB = await replicaB.GetSessions(_user.Id, null, null, null, false, cancellationToken);
         Assert.DoesNotContain(listedByB, i => string.Equals(i.Id, session.Id, StringComparison.Ordinal));
     }
 
+    private static async Task WaitUntil(Func<bool> condition, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
+    {
+        var deadline = DateTime.UtcNow.AddSeconds(10);
+        while (!condition())
+        {
+            Assert.True(DateTime.UtcNow < deadline, "The expected change never arrived.");
+            await Task.Delay(50, cancellationToken);
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static JellyfinDbContext CreateContext(NpgsqlDataSource dataSource)
+    {
+        var optionsBuilder = new DbContextOptionsBuilder<JellyfinDbContext>();
+        var provider = new PostgreSqlDatabaseProvider(dataSource);
+        provider.Initialise(optionsBuilder, new DatabaseConfigurationOptions { DatabaseType = "PostgreSQL" });
+        return new JellyfinDbContext(
+            optionsBuilder.Options,
+            NullLogger<JellyfinDbContext>.Instance,
+            provider,
+            new NoLockBehavior(NullLogger<NoLockBehavior>.Instance));
+    }
+
+    private Task<SessionInfo> Request(SessionManager replica, string deviceId)
+        => replica.LogSessionActivity(AppName, AppVersion, deviceId, DeviceName, RemoteEndPoint, _user);
+
     private SessionManager CreateReplica(string podId, SessionDirectoryOptions? options = null)
     {
         options ??= new SessionDirectoryOptions { EntryTtlSeconds = 60, RefreshIntervalSeconds = 3600 };
@@ -191,6 +365,7 @@ public sealed class SessionDirectoryReplicaTests : IAsyncLifetime
     {
         var userManager = new Mock<IUserManager>();
         userManager.Setup(i => i.GetUserById(_user.Id)).Returns(_user);
+        userManager.Setup(i => i.GetUserById(_guest.Id)).Returns(_guest);
 
         var appHost = new Mock<IServerApplicationHost>();
         appHost.SetupGet(i => i.SystemId).Returns("server-" + podId);
@@ -231,18 +406,6 @@ public sealed class SessionDirectoryReplicaTests : IAsyncLifetime
         }
     }
 
-    private static JellyfinDbContext CreateContext(NpgsqlDataSource dataSource)
-    {
-        var optionsBuilder = new DbContextOptionsBuilder<JellyfinDbContext>();
-        var provider = new PostgreSqlDatabaseProvider(dataSource);
-        provider.Initialise(optionsBuilder, new DatabaseConfigurationOptions { DatabaseType = "PostgreSQL" });
-        return new JellyfinDbContext(
-            optionsBuilder.Options,
-            NullLogger<JellyfinDbContext>.Instance,
-            provider,
-            new NoLockBehavior(NullLogger<NoLockBehavior>.Instance));
-    }
-
     /// <summary>
     /// Hands every replica its own context over the one shared database, the way the pooled factory does
     /// in the server.