diff --git a/app/build.gradle.kts b/app/build.gradle.kts
index 8b5f595..f7ef2f6 100644
--- a/app/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/app/build.gradle.kts
@@ -35,13 +35,13 @@ plugins {
 
 android {
     namespace = "at.dasher.android"
-    compileSdk = 35
+    compileSdk = 36
     ndkVersion = "27.0.12077973"
 
     defaultConfig {
         applicationId = "at.dasher.android"
         minSdk = 24
-        targetSdk = 35
+        targetSdk = 36
         versionCode = gitVersionCode(base = 1000, fallback = 8)
         versionName = gitVersionName(fallback = "0.1.8")
 
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/at/dasher/android/DasherImeService.kt b/app/src/main/java/at/dasher/android/DasherImeService.kt
index e9f127d..13b8ed9 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/at/dasher/android/DasherImeService.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/at/dasher/android/DasherImeService.kt
@@ -139,9 +139,9 @@ class DasherImeService : InputMethodService() {
         // window's FrameLayout-based decor. LinearLayout.LayoutParams here
         // survives until a re-measure casts them and crashes (Float's
         // docked-shrink relayout did exactly that).
+        dockedRoot = root
         setDockedHeight(imeHeightPx())
         root.minimumHeight = imeHeightPx()
-        dockedRoot = root
 
         floatBtn.setOnClickListener { enterFloatingMode(floatBtn) }
 
@@ -469,6 +469,26 @@ class DasherImeService : InputMethodService() {
         eng.clearSpeakListener() // IME doesn't speak (the app does)
     }
 
+    // API 36+ (Android 16): measure the actual docked-root position in the
+    // window so the insets animation has a concrete target (review C1/C3:
+    // imeHeightPx() is a HEIGHT, not an offset — a constant created a dead
+    // touch band above the keyboard and was wrong in floating mode).
+    // Measuring handles both modes automatically: floating shrinks the
+    // docked root to 40dp, and the measurement reflects that.
+    // API 36+: force-show even if a hardware keyboard is attached — our users
+    // (motor-impaired AAC) always want the soft keyboard (accessibility decision).
+    override fun onEvaluateInputViewShown(): Boolean = true
+
+    override fun onComputeInsets(outInsets: Insets) {
+        super.onComputeInsets(outInsets)
+        val root = dockedRoot ?: return
+        val loc = IntArray(2)
+        root.getLocationInWindow(loc)
+        outInsets.contentTopInsets = loc[1]
+        outInsets.visibleTopInsets = loc[1]
+        outInsets.touchableInsets = Insets.TOUCHABLE_INSETS_CONTENT
+    }
+
     override fun onStartInputView(info: EditorInfo?, restarting: Boolean) {
         super.onStartInputView(info, restarting)
         // Re-assert ALL IME-owned static listeners — the main app may have