diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 254c3b1..3182744 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 COMMIT := $(shell git rev-parse --short HEAD)
 TD_COMMIT := "5bbfc1cf5dab94f82e02f3430ded7241d4653551"
-VERSION := "v1.12.5"
+VERSION := "v1.12.6"
 MAKEOPTS := "-j4"
 
 all:
diff --git a/telegabber.go b/telegabber.go
index df34b58..cbc58b3 100644
--- a/telegabber.go
+++ b/telegabber.go
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ import (
 	goxmpp "gosrc.io/xmpp"
 )
 
-var version string = "1.12.5"
+var version string = "1.12.6"
 var commit string
 
 var sm *goxmpp.StreamManager
diff --git a/telegram/cache/cache.go b/telegram/cache/cache.go
index 6847d3e..1261497 100644
--- a/telegram/cache/cache.go
+++ b/telegram/cache/cache.go
@@ -16,7 +16,8 @@ type Status struct {
 // Cache allows operating the chats and users cache in
 // a thread-safe manner
 type Cache struct {
-	chats        map[int64]*client.Chat
+	ownChats     map[int64]*client.Chat
+	auxChats     map[int64]*client.Chat
 	users        map[int64]*client.User
 	statuses     map[int64]*Status
 	chatsLock    sync.Mutex
@@ -27,7 +28,8 @@ type Cache struct {
 // NewCache initializes a cache
 func NewCache() *Cache {
 	return &Cache{
-		chats:    map[int64]*client.Chat{},
+		ownChats: map[int64]*client.Chat{},
+		auxChats: map[int64]*client.Chat{},
 		users:    map[int64]*client.User{},
 		statuses: map[int64]*Status{},
 	}
@@ -40,7 +42,23 @@ func (cache *Cache) ChatsKeys() []int64 {
 	defer cache.chatsLock.Unlock()
 
 	var keys []int64
-	for id := range cache.chats {
+	for id := range cache.ownChats {
+		keys = append(keys, id)
+	}
+	for id := range cache.auxChats {
+		keys = append(keys, id)
+	}
+	return keys
+}
+
+// OwnChatsKeys grabs only own chat ids synchronously to avoid lockups
+// while they are used
+func (cache *Cache) OwnChatsKeys() []int64 {
+	cache.chatsLock.Lock()
+	defer cache.chatsLock.Unlock()
+
+	var keys []int64
+	for id := range cache.ownChats {
 		keys = append(keys, id)
 	}
 	return keys
@@ -84,7 +102,10 @@ func (cache *Cache) GetChat(id int64) (*client.Chat, bool) {
 	cache.chatsLock.Lock()
 	defer cache.chatsLock.Unlock()
 
-	chat, ok := cache.chats[id]
+	chat, ok := cache.ownChats[id]
+	if !ok {
+		chat, ok = cache.auxChats[id]
+	}
 	return chat, ok
 }
 
@@ -107,11 +128,21 @@ func (cache *Cache) GetStatus(id int64) (*Status, bool) {
 }
 
 // SetChat stores a chat in the cache
-func (cache *Cache) SetChat(id int64, chat *client.Chat) {
+func (cache *Cache) SetChat(id int64, chat *client.Chat, own bool) {
 	cache.chatsLock.Lock()
 	defer cache.chatsLock.Unlock()
 
-	cache.chats[id] = chat
+	if own {
+		cache.ownChats[id] = chat
+		// move from aux to own, but not vice versa
+		// (own: true means that presences for the chat are needed
+		// for sure, false means just "not necessarily")
+		if _, ok := cache.auxChats[id]; ok {
+			delete(cache.auxChats, id)
+		}
+	} else {
+		cache.auxChats[id] = chat
+	}
 }
 
 // SetUser stores a user in the cache
diff --git a/telegram/commands.go b/telegram/commands.go
index ec1db89..1c066e0 100644
--- a/telegram/commands.go
+++ b/telegram/commands.go
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ func (c *Client) helpString(typ CommandType, chatId int64) string {
 	var str strings.Builder
 
 	commandMap := GetCommands(typ)
-	chatType, chatTypeErr := c.GetChatType(chatId)
+	chatType, chatTypeErr := c.GetChatType(chatId, true)
 
 	str.WriteString("Available commands:\n")
 	for _, name := range SortedCommandKeys(commandMap) {
@@ -378,7 +378,7 @@ func (c *Client) ProcessTransportCommand(cmdline string, resource string) (strin
 			return errors.Wrap(err, "Logout error").Error(), false
 		}
 
-		for _, id := range c.cache.ChatsKeys() {
+		for _, id := range c.cache.OwnChatsKeys() {
 			c.unsubscribe(id)
 		}
 
@@ -505,7 +505,7 @@ func (c *Client) ProcessTransportCommand(cmdline string, resource string) (strin
 
 		return strings.Join(entries, "\n"), true
 	case "report":
-		contact, _, err := c.GetContactByUsername(args[0])
+		contact, _, err := c.GetContactByUsername(args[0], false)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err.Error(), false
 		}
@@ -555,7 +555,7 @@ func (c *Client) ProcessChatCommand(chatID int64, cmdline string) (string, bool,
 		return notEnoughArguments, true, false
 	}
 
-	chatType, chatTypeErr := c.GetChatType(chatID)
+	chatType, chatTypeErr := c.GetChatType(chatID, true)
 	if chatTypeErr == nil && !IsCommandForChatType(command, chatType) {
 		return "Not applicable for this chat type", true, false
 	}
@@ -835,7 +835,7 @@ func (c *Client) ProcessChatCommand(chatID int64, cmdline string) (string, bool,
 		}
 	// invite @username to current groupchat
 	case "invite":
-		contact, _, err := c.GetContactByUsername(args[0])
+		contact, _, err := c.GetContactByUsername(args[0], false)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err.Error(), true, false
 		}
@@ -862,7 +862,7 @@ func (c *Client) ProcessChatCommand(chatID int64, cmdline string) (string, bool,
 		return link.InviteLink, true, true
 	// kick @username from current group chat
 	case "kick":
-		contact, _, err := c.GetContactByUsername(args[0])
+		contact, _, err := c.GetContactByUsername(args[0], false)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err.Error(), true, false
 		}
@@ -881,7 +881,7 @@ func (c *Client) ProcessChatCommand(chatID int64, cmdline string) (string, bool,
 	// mute [@username [n hours]]
 	case "mute":
 		if len(args) > 0 {
-			contact, _, err := c.GetContactByUsername(args[0])
+			contact, _, err := c.GetContactByUsername(args[0], false)
 			if err != nil {
 				return err.Error(), true, false
 			}
@@ -918,7 +918,7 @@ func (c *Client) ProcessChatCommand(chatID int64, cmdline string) (string, bool,
 	// unmute [@username]
 	case "unmute":
 		if len(args) > 0 {
-			contact, _, err := c.GetContactByUsername(args[0])
+			contact, _, err := c.GetContactByUsername(args[0], false)
 			if err != nil {
 				return err.Error(), true, false
 			}
@@ -946,7 +946,7 @@ func (c *Client) ProcessChatCommand(chatID int64, cmdline string) (string, bool,
 		}
 	// ban @username from current chat [for N hours]
 	case "ban":
-		contact, _, err := c.GetContactByUsername(args[0])
+		contact, _, err := c.GetContactByUsername(args[0], false)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err.Error(), true, false
 		}
@@ -974,7 +974,7 @@ func (c *Client) ProcessChatCommand(chatID int64, cmdline string) (string, bool,
 		}
 	// unban @username
 	case "unban":
-		contact, _, err := c.GetContactByUsername(args[0])
+		contact, _, err := c.GetContactByUsername(args[0], false)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err.Error(), true, false
 		}
@@ -992,7 +992,7 @@ func (c *Client) ProcessChatCommand(chatID int64, cmdline string) (string, bool,
 		}
 	// promote @username to admin
 	case "promote":
-		contact, _, err := c.GetContactByUsername(args[0])
+		contact, _, err := c.GetContactByUsername(args[0], false)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err.Error(), true, false
 		}
@@ -1064,7 +1064,7 @@ func (c *Client) ProcessChatCommand(chatID int64, cmdline string) (string, bool,
 		}
 	// close secret chat
 	case "close":
-		chat, _, err := c.GetContactByID(chatID, nil)
+		chat, _, err := c.GetContactByID(chatID, nil, true)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err.Error(), true, false
 		}
diff --git a/telegram/connect.go b/telegram/connect.go
index d37c5fd..8a2b928 100644
--- a/telegram/connect.go
+++ b/telegram/connect.go
@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@ func (c *Client) Disconnect(resource string, quit bool) bool {
 	log.Warn("Disconnecting from Telegram network...")
 
 	// we're offline (unsubscribe if logout)
-	for _, id := range c.cache.ChatsKeys() {
+	for _, id := range c.cache.OwnChatsKeys() {
 		args := gateway.SimplePresence(id, "unavailable")
 		c.sendPresence(args...)
 	}
diff --git a/telegram/handlers.go b/telegram/handlers.go
index 5a193f6..a9cdb06 100644
--- a/telegram/handlers.go
+++ b/telegram/handlers.go
@@ -186,13 +186,13 @@ func (c *Client) updateHandler() {
 func (c *Client) updateUser(update *client.UpdateUser) {
 	c.cache.SetUser(update.User.Id, update.User)
 	show, status, presenceType := c.userStatusToText(update.User.Status, update.User.Id)
-	go c.ProcessStatusUpdate(update.User.Id, status, show, gateway.SPType(presenceType))
+	go c.ProcessStatusUpdate(update.User.Id, status, show, false, gateway.SPType(presenceType))
 }
 
 // user status changed
 func (c *Client) updateUserStatus(update *client.UpdateUserStatus) {
 	show, status, presenceType := c.userStatusToText(update.Status, update.UserId)
-	go c.ProcessStatusUpdate(update.UserId, status, show, gateway.SPImmed(false), gateway.SPType(presenceType))
+	go c.ProcessStatusUpdate(update.UserId, status, show, false, gateway.SPImmed(false), gateway.SPType(presenceType))
 }
 
 // new chat discovered
@@ -206,14 +206,14 @@ func (c *Client) updateNewChat(update *client.UpdateNewChat) {
 			}
 		}
 
-		c.cache.SetChat(update.Chat.Id, update.Chat)
+		c.cache.SetChat(update.Chat.Id, update.Chat, true)
 
 		if update.Chat.Positions != nil && len(update.Chat.Positions) > 0 {
 			c.subscribeToID(update.Chat.Id, update.Chat)
 		}
 
 		if update.Chat.Id < 0 {
-			c.ProcessStatusUpdate(update.Chat.Id, update.Chat.Title, "chat")
+			c.ProcessStatusUpdate(update.Chat.Id, update.Chat.Title, "chat", true)
 		}
 	}()
 }
@@ -377,7 +377,7 @@ func (c *Client) updateDeleteMessages(update *client.UpdateDeleteMessages) {
 			return
 		}
 		if c.Session.IgnoreGroupDeletions {
-			chatType, chatTypeErr := c.GetChatType(update.ChatId)
+			chatType, chatTypeErr := c.GetChatType(update.ChatId, false)
 			if chatTypeErr == nil && (chatType == ChatTypeBasicGroup || chatType == ChatTypeSupergroup) {
 				return
 			}
@@ -432,9 +432,9 @@ func (c *Client) updateChatTitle(update *client.UpdateChatTitle) {
 	gateway.SetNickname(c.jid, strconv.FormatInt(update.ChatId, 10), update.Title, c.xmpp)
 
 	// set also the status (for group chats only)
-	chat, user, _ := c.GetContactByID(update.ChatId, nil)
+	chat, user, _ := c.GetContactByID(update.ChatId, nil, false)
 	if user == nil {
-		c.ProcessStatusUpdate(update.ChatId, update.Title, "chat", gateway.SPImmed(true))
+		c.ProcessStatusUpdate(update.ChatId, update.Title, "chat", false, gateway.SPImmed(true))
 	}
 
 	// update chat title in the cache
diff --git a/telegram/utils.go b/telegram/utils.go
index 3cf2a05..9177eb8 100644
--- a/telegram/utils.go
+++ b/telegram/utils.go
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ const (
 const AVATAR_SIZE_LIMIT int64 = 128 * 1024
 
 // GetContactByUsername resolves username to user id retrieves user and chat information
-func (c *Client) GetContactByUsername(username string) (*client.Chat, *client.User, error) {
+func (c *Client) GetContactByUsername(username string, own bool) (*client.Chat, *client.User, error) {
 	if !c.Online() {
 		return nil, nil, errOffline
 	}
@@ -119,11 +119,11 @@ func (c *Client) GetContactByUsername(username string) (*client.Chat, *client.Us
 		}
 	}
 
-	return c.GetContactByID(userID, chat)
+	return c.GetContactByID(userID, chat, own)
 }
 
 // GetContactByID gets user and chat information from cache (or tries to retrieve it, if missing)
-func (c *Client) GetContactByID(id int64, chat *client.Chat) (*client.Chat, *client.User, error) {
+func (c *Client) GetContactByID(id int64, chat *client.Chat, own bool) (*client.Chat, *client.User, error) {
 	if !c.Online() || id == 0 {
 		return nil, nil, errOffline
 	}
@@ -158,9 +158,9 @@ func (c *Client) GetContactByID(id int64, chat *client.Chat) (*client.Chat, *cli
 				return nil, nil, err
 			}
 
-			c.cache.SetChat(id, cacheChat)
+			c.cache.SetChat(id, cacheChat, own)
 		} else {
-			c.cache.SetChat(id, chat)
+			c.cache.SetChat(id, chat, own)
 		}
 	}
 	if chat == nil {
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ func (c *Client) GetContactByID(id int64, chat *client.Chat) (*client.Chat, *cli
 }
 
 // GetChatType obtains chat type from its information
-func (c *Client) GetChatType(id int64) (ChatType, error) {
+func (c *Client) GetChatType(id int64, own bool) (ChatType, error) {
 	if !c.Online() || id == 0 {
 		return ChatTypeUnknown, errOffline
 	}
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ func (c *Client) GetChatType(id int64) (ChatType, error) {
 			return ChatTypeUnknown, err
 		}
 
-		c.cache.SetChat(id, chat)
+		c.cache.SetChat(id, chat, own)
 	}
 
 	chatType := chat.Type.ChatTypeType()
@@ -209,8 +209,8 @@ func (c *Client) GetChatType(id int64) (ChatType, error) {
 }
 
 // IsPM checks if a chat is PM
-func (c *Client) IsPM(id int64) (bool, error) {
-	typ, err := c.GetChatType(id)
+func (c *Client) IsPM(id int64, own bool) (bool, error) {
+	typ, err := c.GetChatType(id, own)
 	if err != nil {
 		return false, err
 	}
@@ -222,8 +222,8 @@ func (c *Client) IsPM(id int64) (bool, error) {
 }
 
 // IsBot checks if a chat is a bot
-func (c *Client) IsBot(id int64) (bool, error) {
-	_, user, err := c.GetContactByID(id, nil)
+func (c *Client) IsBot(id int64, own bool) (bool, error) {
+	_, user, err := c.GetContactByID(id, nil, own)
 	if err != nil {
 		return false, err
 	}
@@ -395,7 +395,7 @@ func (c *Client) GetPhotoBase64(photo *client.File) string {
 }
 
 // ProcessStatusUpdate sets contact status
-func (c *Client) ProcessStatusUpdate(chatID int64, status string, show string, oldArgs ...args.V) error {
+func (c *Client) ProcessStatusUpdate(chatID int64, status string, show string, own bool, oldArgs ...args.V) error {
 	if !c.Online() {
 		return nil
 	}
@@ -404,7 +404,7 @@ func (c *Client) ProcessStatusUpdate(chatID int64, status string, show string, o
 		"chat_id": chatID,
 	}).Info("Status update for")
 
-	chat, user, err := c.GetContactByID(chatID, nil)
+	chat, user, err := c.GetContactByID(chatID, nil, own)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -470,7 +470,7 @@ func (c *Client) FormatContact(chatID int64) string {
 		return ""
 	}
 
-	chat, user, err := c.GetContactByID(chatID, nil)
+	chat, user, err := c.GetContactByID(chatID, nil, false)
 	if err != nil {
 		return "unknown contact: " + err.Error()
 	}
@@ -1091,7 +1091,7 @@ func (c *Client) isCarbonsEnabled() bool {
 }
 
 func (c *Client) messageToPrefix(message *client.Message, previewString string, fileString string, suppressReply bool) (string, *gateway.Reply) {
-	isPM, err := c.IsPM(message.ChatId)
+	isPM, err := c.IsPM(message.ChatId, true)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Errorf("Could not determine if chat is PM: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -1215,8 +1215,8 @@ func (c *Client) ProcessIncomingMessage(chatId int64, message *client.Message) {
 			ChatId: chatId,
 		})
 		if err == nil {
-			c.cache.SetChat(chatId, chat)
-			go c.ProcessStatusUpdate(chatId, "", "", gateway.SPImmed(true))
+			c.cache.SetChat(chatId, chat, true)
+			go c.ProcessStatusUpdate(chatId, "", "", true, gateway.SPImmed(true))
 			text = "<Chat photo has changed>"
 
 			if chat.Photo == nil {
@@ -1258,7 +1258,7 @@ func (c *Client) ProcessIncomingMessage(chatId int64, message *client.Message) {
 			var ignorePrefix bool
 			if oobSwap {
 				if text == "" || message.Content.MessageContentType() == client.TypeMessageSticker {
-					chatType, err := c.GetChatType(chatId)
+					chatType, err := c.GetChatType(chatId, true)
 					ignorePrefix = err == nil && (chatType != ChatTypeBasicGroup && chatType != ChatTypeSupergroup) && c.isCarbonsEnabled()
 				}
 			}
@@ -1456,9 +1456,9 @@ func (c *Client) prepareOutgoingMessageContent(text string, file *client.InputFi
 	return content
 }
 
-// ChatsKeys proxies the following function from unexported cache
-func (c *Client) ChatsKeys() []int64 {
-	return c.cache.ChatsKeys()
+// OwnChatsKeys proxies the following function from unexported cache
+func (c *Client) OwnChatsKeys() []int64 {
+	return c.cache.OwnChatsKeys()
 }
 
 // StatusesRange proxies the following function from unexported cache
@@ -1515,8 +1515,8 @@ func (c *Client) roster(resource string) {
 
 	log.Warnf("Sending roster for %v", resource)
 
-	for _, chat := range c.cache.ChatsKeys() {
-		c.ProcessStatusUpdate(chat, "", "")
+	for _, chat := range c.cache.OwnChatsKeys() {
+		c.ProcessStatusUpdate(chat, "", "", true)
 	}
 
 	c.sendPresence(gateway.SPStatus("Logged in as: " + c.Session.Login))
@@ -1630,7 +1630,7 @@ func (c *Client) subscribeToID(id int64, chat *client.Chat) {
 	args := gateway.SimplePresence(id, "subscribe")
 
 	if chat == nil {
-		chat, _, _ = c.GetContactByID(id, nil)
+		chat, _, _ = c.GetContactByID(id, nil, true)
 	}
 	if chat != nil {
 		args = append(args, gateway.SPNickname(chat.Title))
@@ -1660,7 +1660,7 @@ func (c *Client) prepareDiskSpace(size uint64) {
 
 func (c *Client) GetVcardInfo(toID int64) (VCardInfo, error) {
 	var info VCardInfo
-	chat, user, err := c.GetContactByID(toID, nil)
+	chat, user, err := c.GetContactByID(toID, nil, false)
 	if err != nil {
 		return info, err
 	}
@@ -1687,7 +1687,7 @@ func (c *Client) GetVcardInfo(toID int64) (VCardInfo, error) {
 }
 
 func (c *Client) UpdateChatNicknames() {
-	for _, id := range c.cache.ChatsKeys() {
+	for _, id := range c.cache.OwnChatsKeys() {
 		chat, ok := c.cache.GetChat(id)
 		if ok {
 			newArgs := []args.V{
@@ -1810,7 +1810,7 @@ func (c *Client) GetChatMembers(chatID int64, limited bool, query string, member
 	if limited {
 		limit = 20
 
-		chat, _, err := c.GetContactByID(chatID, nil)
+		chat, _, err := c.GetContactByID(chatID, nil, true)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		} else if chat == nil {
diff --git a/xmpp/component.go b/xmpp/component.go
index f0c481d..b7ccd7b 100644
--- a/xmpp/component.go
+++ b/xmpp/component.go
@@ -141,6 +141,7 @@ func heartbeat(component *xmpp.Component) {
 						chatID,
 						session.LastSeenStatus(delayedStatus.TimestampOnline),
 						"away",
+						true,
 					)
 					delete(session.DelayedStatuses, chatID)
 				}
diff --git a/xmpp/handlers.go b/xmpp/handlers.go
index 8e5da5c..5c00419 100644
--- a/xmpp/handlers.go
+++ b/xmpp/handlers.go
@@ -363,7 +363,7 @@ func handleSubscription(s xmpp.Sender, p stanza.Presence) {
 	if !ok {
 		return
 	}
-	go session.ProcessStatusUpdate(toID, "", "", gateway.SPImmed(false))
+	go session.ProcessStatusUpdate(toID, "", "", true, gateway.SPImmed(false))
 }
 
 func handlePresence(s xmpp.Sender, p stanza.Presence) {
@@ -434,6 +434,7 @@ func handlePresence(s xmpp.Sender, p stanza.Presence) {
 							status.ID,
 							description,
 							show,
+							true,
 							newArgs...,
 						)
 					}
@@ -548,7 +549,7 @@ func handleGetAvatarDataIq(s xmpp.Sender, iq *stanza.IQ, pubsub *stanza.PubSubGe
 	if !ok {
 		log.Info("Could not find avatar in cache, fetching immediately")
 
-		chat, _, err := session.GetContactByID(chatId, nil)
+		chat, _, err := session.GetContactByID(chatId, nil, true)
 		if err != nil || chat == nil || chat.Photo == nil {
 			return
 		}
@@ -609,7 +610,7 @@ func getTelegramChatType(from string, to string) (telegram.ChatType, error) {
 		if ok {
 			session, ok := sessions[bare]
 			if ok {
-				return session.GetChatType(toId)
+				return session.GetChatType(toId, true)
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -713,7 +714,7 @@ func handleGetDiscoItems(s xmpp.Sender, iq *stanza.IQ, di *stanza.DiscoItems) {
 				isOnline = session.Online()
 
 				if toOk {
-					isBot, err := session.IsBot(toID)
+					isBot, err := session.IsBot(toID, true)
 					if err == nil && isBot {
 						di.AddItem(iq.To, "botmenu", "Bot Menu")
 					}
@@ -1377,8 +1378,8 @@ func sendPubSubAvatarNotifications(s xmpp.Sender, jid string, session *telegram.
 		return
 	}
 
-	for _, chatId := range session.ChatsKeys() {
-		chat, _, err := session.GetContactByID(chatId, nil)
+	for _, chatId := range session.OwnChatsKeys() {
+		chat, _, err := session.GetContactByID(chatId, nil, true)
 		if err != nil || chat == nil {
 			continue
 		}