diff --git a/src/components/InboxViewer.tsx b/src/components/InboxViewer.tsx
index 6d7e1a6..471927c 100644
--- a/src/components/InboxViewer.tsx
+++ b/src/components/InboxViewer.tsx
@@ -48,14 +48,10 @@ function InboxViewer() {
 
   const [isDecryptingAll, setIsDecryptingAll] = useState(false);
 
-  // Initialize service when account changes
-  useEffect(() => {
-    if (account) {
-      giftWrapService.init(account.pubkey, account.signer ?? null);
-    }
-  }, [account]);
+  // Note: Gift wrap service is now initialized globally in useAccountSync
+  // This ensures DM subscriptions are active even when inbox viewer isn't open
 
-  // Update signer when it changes
+  // Update signer when it changes (in case user switches signers)
   useEffect(() => {
     if (account?.signer) {
       giftWrapService.setSigner(account.signer);
diff --git a/src/hooks/useAccountSync.ts b/src/hooks/useAccountSync.ts
index bc7f96f..6b9d86a 100644
--- a/src/hooks/useAccountSync.ts
+++ b/src/hooks/useAccountSync.ts
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import { addressLoader } from "@/services/loaders";
 import type { RelayInfo } from "@/types/app";
 import { normalizeRelayURL } from "@/lib/relay-url";
 import { getServersFromEvent } from "@/services/blossom";
+import giftWrapService from "@/services/gift-wrap";
 
 /**
  * Hook that syncs active account with Grimoire state and fetches relay lists and blossom servers
@@ -125,4 +126,43 @@ export function useAccountSync() {
       storeSubscription.unsubscribe();
     };
   }, [activeAccount?.pubkey, eventStore, setActiveAccountBlossomServers]);
+
+  // Initialize gift wrap service for NIP-17 DM subscriptions when account changes
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!activeAccount?.pubkey) {
+      console.log(
+        "[useAccountSync] No active account, cleaning up gift wrap service",
+      );
+      giftWrapService.cleanup();
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const pubkey = activeAccount.pubkey;
+    const signer = activeAccount.signer ?? null;
+
+    console.log(
+      `[useAccountSync] Initializing gift wrap service for user ${pubkey.slice(0, 8)}`,
+    );
+
+    // Initialize the service (loads inbox relays, sets up subscriptions)
+    giftWrapService.init(pubkey, signer);
+
+    // Auto-enable inbox sync if not already set
+    // This ensures users receive DMs without manually enabling inbox
+    const currentSettings = giftWrapService.settings$.value;
+    if (!currentSettings.enabled) {
+      console.log(
+        "[useAccountSync] Auto-enabling inbox sync for NIP-17 DM subscriptions",
+      );
+      giftWrapService.updateSettings({ enabled: true });
+    }
+
+    // Cleanup on account change or logout
+    return () => {
+      console.log(
+        `[useAccountSync] Cleaning up gift wrap service for user ${pubkey.slice(0, 8)}`,
+      );
+      giftWrapService.cleanup();
+    };
+  }, [activeAccount?.pubkey, activeAccount?.signer]);
 }