diff --git a/examples/companion_radio/MyMesh.h b/examples/companion_radio/MyMesh.h
index 28b81536..3369cca2 100644
--- a/examples/companion_radio/MyMesh.h
+++ b/examples/companion_radio/MyMesh.h
@@ -156,11 +156,6 @@ protected:
   // Overhear suppression only makes sense while repeating; gated behind its own
   // opt-in pref (Settings > Radio > Suppress dup).
   bool wantsOverhearSuppress() const override { return _prefs.client_repeat && _prefs.repeat_suppress_dup; }
-  // Adaptive Power Control is suppressed while repeating: a repeater wants full,
-  // consistent TX power for relay reach, and its feedback sources (own ACKs /
-  // own flood echoes) don't fire on forwarded traffic anyway. applyApc() then
-  // pins power to the ceiling.
-  bool apcActive() const { return _prefs.tx_apc && !_prefs.client_repeat; }
 
   void sendFloodScoped(const TransportKey& scope, mesh::Packet* pkt, uint32_t delay_millis);
   void sendFloodScoped(const ContactInfo& recipient, mesh::Packet* pkt, uint32_t delay_millis=0) override;
@@ -232,6 +227,11 @@ public:
   void saveRTCTime() { _store->saveRTCTime(); }
   DataStore* getDataStore() const { return _store; }
   void applyApc();   // (re)initialise Adaptive Power Control from prefs
+  // Adaptive Power Control is suppressed while repeating: a repeater wants full,
+  // consistent TX power for relay reach, and its feedback sources (own ACKs /
+  // own flood echoes) don't fire on forwarded traffic anyway. applyApc() then
+  // pins power to the ceiling.
+  bool apcActive() const { return _prefs.tx_apc && !_prefs.client_repeat; }
 
   // True when the optional repeater radio profile is a valid LoRa config.
   bool repeaterProfileValid() const {
diff --git a/examples/companion_radio/ui-new/UITask.cpp b/examples/companion_radio/ui-new/UITask.cpp
index cf1d285d..6804efe9 100644
--- a/examples/companion_radio/ui-new/UITask.cpp
+++ b/examples/companion_radio/ui-new/UITask.cpp
@@ -542,7 +542,11 @@ public:
       display.translateUTF8ToBlocks(filtered_name, _node_prefs->node_name, sizeof(filtered_name));
       int rightEdge = renderBatteryIndicator(display, _task->getBattMilliVolts());
       display.setColor(DisplayDriver::LIGHT);
-      if (_node_prefs && _node_prefs->tx_apc) {
+      // Only show the live-power readout when APC is actually controlling power —
+      // not merely when the pref is set. While repeating APC is suppressed and
+      // power is pinned to the ceiling, so apcActive() is false and the name bar
+      // drops the readout (matching the "--" lock in Settings).
+      if (the_mesh.apcActive()) {
         char pwr_buf[8];
         snprintf(pwr_buf, sizeof(pwr_buf), "%ddB", (int)radio_driver.getTxPower());
         int pwr_w = display.getTextWidth(pwr_buf);