diff --git a/data/waveshare73-v1/ap_bg.bin b/data/waveshare73-v1/ap_bg.bin
index f61d80b..c7b3ea2 100644
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diff --git a/data/waveshare73-v1/ap_bg_preview.png b/data/waveshare73-v1/ap_bg_preview.png
index 9f7cddf..81af1bf 100644
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diff --git a/data/waveshare73-v1/ap_bg_retry.bin b/data/waveshare73-v1/ap_bg_retry.bin
index 0a73343..ef97b20 100644
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diff --git a/data/waveshare73-v1/ap_bg_retry_preview.png b/data/waveshare73-v1/ap_bg_retry_preview.png
index a8f4537..a4bdf8e 100644
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diff --git a/scripts/gen_screens.py b/scripts/gen_screens.py
index f5bceae..bfb02c6 100644
--- a/scripts/gen_screens.py
+++ b/scripts/gen_screens.py
@@ -13,8 +13,13 @@ Constants exported (copy to epd.cpp):
 """
 
 from PIL import Image, ImageDraw, ImageFont
+import qrcode
 import os, sys
 
+# URL for the user manual QR baked into Step 1/2. Static on purpose —
+# changing it requires regenerating the bg images + uploadfs.
+MANUAL_URL = "https://pictureframe.edholm.me/help"
+
 # ── Display ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 W, H = 800, 480
 
@@ -181,24 +186,49 @@ def gen_ap(accent=YL, header="SETUP MODE  —  STEP 1 OF 2", qr_label="SCAN TO C
     bb = draw.textbbox((0,0), "WiFi", font=F_HEAD)
     draw.rectangle([28, BODY_Y+82, 28+bb[2]+2, BODY_Y+85], fill=accent)
 
-    # Steps
+    # Steps — step 1 is the unlock-first prompt because iOS won't open
+    # the captive portal from a locked-phone scan, and we'd rather
+    # surface that requirement up front than have the user discover it
+    # by scanning, getting nothing, and giving up.
     steps = [
+        ("Unlock your phone first", ""),
         ("Scan the QR code →",      "Phone joins PictureFrame-91F8"),
         ("Browser opens — enter",   "your home WiFi password"),
         ("Tap Connect and watch",   "for the QR code to change"),
     ]
-    sy = BODY_Y + 105
+    sy = BODY_Y + 95
+    step_pitch = 38
     for i, (l1, l2) in enumerate(steps):
-        bx, by = 28, sy + i*46
+        bx, by = 28, sy + i*step_pitch
         draw.rectangle([bx, by, bx+24, by+24], fill=BK)
         text_center(draw, bx+12, by+6, str(i+1), F_STEPN, accent)
         draw.text((62, by+3),  l1, font=F_STEP,   fill=BK)
-        draw.text((62, by+17), l2, font=F_STEP,   fill=BK)
+        if l2:
+            draw.text((62, by+17), l2, font=F_STEP, fill=BK)
 
-    # Divider + footnote
-    draw.rectangle([28, BODY_Y+254, 283, BODY_Y+255], fill=BK)
-    draw.text((28, BODY_Y+262), "Page didn't open?",       font=F_FOOT, fill=BK)
-    draw.text((28, BODY_Y+276), "Go to 192.168.4.1",       font=F_FOOT, fill=BK)
+    # Manual QR + side label — bottom of left panel.
+    # The manual covers the captive-portal-didn't-open fallback (192.168.4.1)
+    # plus general setup/troubleshooting, so we drop the inline footnote
+    # and rely on the QR/manual to deliver the longer story.
+    qr_bottom_y = BODY_Y + 95 + len(steps)*step_pitch + 12  # below last step
+    qr = qrcode.QRCode(
+        version=None,
+        error_correction=qrcode.constants.ERROR_CORRECT_L,
+        box_size=4,
+        border=2,
+    )
+    qr.add_data(MANUAL_URL)
+    qr.make(fit=True)
+    qr_img = qr.make_image(fill_color=BK, back_color=WH).convert("RGB")
+    qr_w, qr_h = qr_img.size
+    img.paste(qr_img, (28, qr_bottom_y))
+
+    # Side label, vertically centered against the QR
+    label_x = 28 + qr_w + 14
+    label_y = qr_bottom_y + (qr_h - 56) // 2
+    draw.text((label_x, label_y),      "Need help?",        font=F_STEP_B, fill=BK)
+    draw.text((label_x, label_y + 18), "Scan for setup",    font=F_STEP,   fill=BK)
+    draw.text((label_x, label_y + 32), "& troubleshooting", font=F_STEP,   fill=BK)
 
     # ── Centre panel ─────────────────────────────────────────────
     orientation_diagrams(draw, accent, show_active_ls=True)